K970376 · Lake Region Mfg., Inc. · DQX · Jun 6, 1997 · Cardiovascular
Device Facts
Record ID
K970376
Device Name
PTCA GUIDEWIRE
Applicant
Lake Region Mfg., Inc.
Product Code
DQX · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
Jun 6, 1997
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.1330
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
Lake Region’s steerable guidewires are intended for use in angiographic procedures to introduce and position catheters and interventional devices within the coronary and peripheral vasculature. The attachment of the guidewire extension to the Lake Region Steerable guidewire creates a guidewire that can be used to exchange a catheter without removing the guidewire from the vessel. When the exchange is complete, the guidewire extension can be detached and the original guidewire can again be used in a conventional manner.
Device Story
Steerable guidewire system consists of PTFE-coated stainless steel core wire with distal platinum or stainless steel coils for radiopacity; available in various diameters (.014"-.018"), lengths (175-300 cm), and tip configurations (straight, shapable, J). Includes guidewire extension wire and slit rubber/silicone alignment tool for catheter exchange. Operated by physicians in clinical/interventional settings to navigate coronary and peripheral vasculature. Guidewire provides mechanical support and steerability for catheter placement; extension allows catheter exchange without removing guidewire from vessel. Benefits include reduced procedural time and maintained vascular access during device exchange.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Testing included dimensional measurement, distal tip flexibility, torsional integrity, coating durability, rotational control, pull test, three-point bend, extension joint coupling, catheter/extension joint interface, and extension joint integrity. All results met specification limits. Biocompatibility testing included acute systemic toxicity, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, intracutaneous test, physico-chemical, thromboresistance, chemical analyses, and pyrogen test; all passed.
Indicated for use in angiographic procedures to introduce and position catheters and interventional devices within the coronary and peripheral vasculature. Used by clinicians in a prescription-only setting.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A catheter guide wire is a coiled wire that is designed to fit inside a percutaneous catheter for the purpose of directing the catheter through a blood vessel.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device, when it is a torque device that is manually operated, non-patient contacting, and intended to manipulate non-cerebral vascular guide wires, is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 870.9.
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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K970376
# SECTION 2.0 - SUMMARY & CERTIFICATION
JUN - 6 1997
## 2.1 General Information
### 2.1.1 Company name, Address, and Telephone Number
Lake Region Manufacturing, Inc. (LRM)
340 Lake Hazeltine Drive
Chaska, Mn 55318
Telephone: 612/448-5111
Fax: 612/448-3441
### 2.1.2 Device Trade Name/Proprietary Name
LRM produce guidewires on an OEM basis for other manufacturers, kit assemblers, and distributors. Consequently there are a large number of trade and proprietary names not including or associated with LRM. LRM has no proprietary names of its own to be included with this submission.
### 2.1.3 Device Common Names/Unusual Names, Classification Names
These devices are commonly known as coronary catheter guidewires and accessories.
### 2.1.4 LRM Establishment Registration Number: 2126666
### 2.1.5 Classification of Devices
Catheter guidewires have been classified as Class II be the Circulatory Systems Devices Panel (reference 21 CFR 870.1330).
### 2.1.6 Applicability of Performance Standards
LRM has determined that no mandatory performance standards have been established for these devices under Section 514 of the Medical Device Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or by any subsequent regulatory action.
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## 2.2 Labels, Labeling, and Advertising
LRM produces cardiovascular and vascular guidewires on an OEM basis for other manufacturers, kit assemblers, and distributors. There is no direct distribution by LRM. Changes to the customer controlled labels, labeling, or promotional material are at their discretion, including the resolution of any resulting regulatory obligations.
A small fraction of the total production bears LRM controlled labels and labeling.
## 2.3 Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
This summary is being provided included in the Premarket Notification submission in lieu of a statement of availability.
## 2.4 Device Description
### 2.4.1 Description of Guidewires
The guidewire is a steerable PTFE coated stainless steel core wire; the distal portion may be either a 30 cm long stainless steel outer coil with a 2 cm long platinum inner coil to provide radiopacity, or a 30 cm long platinum coil for radiopacity; the tip may be either a straight, shapable configuration or a preshaped J configuration. The guidewires are coated with MDX (silicone). The guidewires are bound by the following parameters:
- Outside Diameters: .014" - .018"
- Lengths: 175 cm - 300 cm
- Tips: Straight, Shapable and J
- Flexibility: Floppy to Support
### 2.4.2 Description of the Guidewire Extension and Alignment Tool
The guidewire extension is a PTFE coated stainless steel wire with a connector at the distal end and is bound by the following parameters:
- Outside Diameter: .014" - .018"
- Length: 145 cm
The alignment tool is a slit rubber or silicone cylinder which assists in the placement of the guidewire pin into the extension connector.
### 2.4.3 Engineering Specifications
The design specifications are the same for the products offered by LRM as when they were offered by Baxter. The finished devices must meet the same design criteria. Additional diameter offerings in the .016" and .018" range have been added to the product options. Section 2.5 contains comparative data.
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2.5 Substantial Equivalence Data
2.5.1 Background Information
In order to demonstrate equivalence of the products, LRM performed physical/mechanical testing to support this submission.
2.5.2 Test Data
Within each product group, there were twenty (20) samples selected. The following tests were performed:
2.5.2.1 Dimensional Measurement: Micrometer measurement of the outside diameter of the guidewire at multiple body points.
2.5.2.2 Distal Tip Flexibility: Assess the flexibility of a distal tip.
2.5.2.3 Torsional Integrity: Assess the torqueable strength of a guidewire.
2.5.2.4 Coating Durability: Measures the number of controlled abrasion strokes necessary to cause deformation or removal of PTFE coating.
2.5.2.5 Rotational Control: Assess guidewire rotational control (clockwise or counter clockwise) to allow placement of the distal tip at a desired location in a 360° circle when controlled from the proximal end of the guidewire.
2.5.2.6 Guidewire Pull Test: Measures the strength of the joints of the guidewire.
2.5.2.7 Three Point Bend: Measures stiffness/flexibility of guidewire body.
2.5.2.8 Extension Joint Coupling: Assess ease of joint connection.
2.5.2.9 Catheter/Extension Joint Interface: Confirm clearance and smooth transition of extension joint relative to the catheter.
2.5.2.10 Extension Joint Integrity: Assess extended guidewire joint functionality.
RESULTS: All test results were within prescribed specification limits.
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2-4
## 2.6 Qualification and Test Data
### 2.6.1 Material/Product/Process Qualification
LRM has formal quality systems in place to assure that each of the products manufactured remain equivalent to the predicate products and that there will be no adverse affects on the safe and effective use of the products. The quality systems include Engineering Change Order Review, Material Qualification, Product Qualification, and Process Qualification. These controls are applies to each product size/group.
### 2.6.2 Biocompatibility Testing
LRM has adapted the biocompatibility testing recommendations in the FDA's DRAFT "Guidance for the Submission of Research and Marketing Applications for Interventional Cardiology Devices" dated May, 1993.
The following table lists the tests that were performed and the test results.
| TEST PERFORMED | TEST RESULTS |
| --- | --- |
| Acute Systemic Toxicity | No signs or symptoms of Systemic Toxicity were observed for any of the samples |
| Cytotoxicity | The sampled passed per current USP |
| Hemolysis | The samples did not produce hemolysis |
| Intracutaneous Test | For all samples, skin reactions were not significant |
| Physico-Chemical | The samples passed per current USP |
| Thromboresistance | The samples were not considered thrombogenic |
| Chemical Analyses | The samples meet specifications |
| Pyrogen test | The products did not produce a pyrogenic response |
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2-5
## 2.7 Packaging and Sterilization Information
LRM produces guidewires on an OEM basis for other manufacturers, kit assemblers, and distributors. There is limited direct distribution by LRM. A portion of the production is private label, single packaged to customer specifications, a portion of that product is provided sterile to the customer.
The single packaged guidewire and extension wire are placed in a polyethylene dispensers and then into a Tyvek®/poly pouch. The product may be packaged as five (5) pouches in a shelf carton (five pack), which is a typical packaging configuration.
There will be no changes to the sterilization process for the portion of the product shipped sterile to the customer. for product that is shipped bulk, the packaging design and sterilization process parameters are the customer's responsibility. LRM will not recommend that its customers modify the packaging or sterilization procedures as a result of this submission.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Boulevard
Rockville MD 20850
JUN - 6 1997
Ms. Kim Aves
Lake Region Manufacturing, Inc.
340 Lake Hazeltine Drive
Chaska, Minnesota 55318
Re: K970376
PTCA Guidewire
Regulatory Class: II (two)
Product Code: 74 DQX
Dated: April 3, 1997
Received: April 4, 1997
Dear Ms. Aves:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (Premarket Approval), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practice for Medical Devices: General (GMP) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic GMP inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
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Page 2 - Ms. Kim Eves
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for *in vitro* diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4648. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,

Thomas J. Callahan, Ph.D.
Director
Division of Cardiovascular,
Respiratory, and Neurological Devices
Office of Device Evaluation
Center for Devices and
Radiological Health
Enclosure
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510(K) Number (if known): Unknown
Device Name: Steerable Guidewire and Extension Wire
## Indications for Use:
Lake Region’s steerable guidewires are intended for use in angiographic procedures to introduce and position catheters and interventional devices within the coronary and peripheral vasculature.
The attachment of the guidewire extension to the Lake Region Steerable guidewire creates a guidewire that can be used to exchange a catheter without removing the guidewire from the vessel. When the exchange is complete, the guidewire extension can be detached and the original guidewire can again be used in a conventional manner.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE – CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NECESSARY)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
TnA. h
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory
and Neurological Devices
510(k) Number K970376
Prescription Use ☑ OR Over-The-Counter Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
Two short videos show you everything — or skip straight to the written tutorial if you'd rather read. You can reopen this any time from the Tutorial button in the top bar.
Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.