The Universal Drive System functions as a powered instrument system consisting of drills, saws, and associated handpieces to perform cutting of soft tissue and bone. The fields of application include: Orthopedic, Arthroscopic, Otolaryngological, Oral/Maxillofacial, Hand, Foot, Neuro, and Plastic/Reconstructive surgical procedures.
Device Story
Universal Drive System is an AC-powered surgical instrument system comprising a drive console, foot switch, and various motorized handpieces, shavers, blades, burrs, drills, and routers. It integrates components from the MicroChoice and Apex Universal Drive systems. Modification involves a console software chip upgrade to support Apex-style handpieces, which are adapted with detachable cords. Used in clinical surgical settings by physicians to perform tissue and bone cutting. The system provides mechanical power to surgical attachments; output is controlled by the surgeon via foot switch. Benefits include versatility in surgical applications through interchangeable handpieces and accessories.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided. Safety and effectiveness were established through bench testing of the modified system components.
Technological Characteristics
AC-powered drive console; motorized handpieces; detachable handpiece cords; accessories include shavers (2.0-6.0mm diameter, 75-200mm length), blades, burrs, drills, and routers. System utilizes a software-controlled console to manage power delivery to various handpieces. Sterilizable components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for cutting soft tissue and bone in orthopedic, arthroscopic, otolaryngological, oral/maxillofacial, hand, foot, neuro, and plastic/reconstructive surgical procedures.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An arthroscope is an electrically powered endoscope intended to make visible the interior of a joint. The arthroscope and accessories also is intended to perform surgery within a joint.
Predicate Devices
Hall MicroChoice Electric Powered System (K942660)
{0}
Linvatec
JUN 18 1997
11311 Concept Boulevard Largo, Florida 33773 813 399-5334 Fax 813 399-5264
Carol A. Weideman, Ph.D.
Manager, Regulatory and Clinical Affairs
k971059
March 21, 1997
# 510(k) SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
In accordance with the requirements of the Safe Medical Device Act of 1990 and 21 CFR 807.92, Linvatec Corporation is hereby submitting the 510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness for the Universal Drive System, 510(k) Number _______.
## A. Submitter
Linvatec Corporation
11311 Concept Boulevard
Largo, Florida 33773-4908
## B. Company Contact
Carol A. Weideman, Ph.D.
Manager, Regulatory and Clinical Affairs
## C. Device Name
Trade Name: Universal Drive System
Common Name: Drive System
Classification Name: Instrument, Surgical, Orthopedic, AC Powered Motor and accessory/Attachment 878.4820
## D. Predicate/Legally Marketed Devices
Hall MicroChoice® Electric Powered System
Linvatec Corporation
Apex® Universal Drive System
Linvatec Corporation
TPS Total Performance System
Stryker Endoscopy
Adapteur Power System™
Arthrex Inc.
A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
{1}
Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
Universal Drive System
510(k) #
March 21, 1997
Page 2 of 4
## E. Device Description
The Universal Drive System is a combination of the entire Linvatec MicroChoice® System and component handpieces/blades/burrs of the Apex® Universal Drive System. Both systems and their intended uses are cleared by MicroChoice 510(k) #K942660 and Apex Universal Drive System 510(k)'s #K944476 & #K964548.
The Universal Drive System consists of a AC powered drive console, a sterilizable handpiece cord, various motorized handpieces, various shavers, blades, burrs, drills, routers, and a foot switch.
The modification will take place within the MicroChoice drive console power unit software. A computer chip will be upgraded to allow additional motorized handpieces from the Apex Universal Drive system for orthopedic and arthroscopic type procedures.
Three handpieces from the Apex Universal Drive System will be modified with a detachable handpiece cord. The detachable handpiece cord will allow the "Apex style" handpieces to run on the same console as the MicroChoice original handpieces. All new handpieces will perform as described in the previous 510(k) submissions.
The accessories including shavers, blades, burrs, drills, and routers from the Apex Universal Drive System will be used in addition to the MicroChoice System accessories. The shavers will have diameters of 2.0-6.0mm and lengths of 75-200mm.
## F. Intended Use
The Universal Drive System functions as a powered instrument system consisting of drills, saws, and associated handpieces to perform cutting of soft tissue and bone. The fields of application include: Orthopedic, Arthroscopic, Otolaryngological, Oral/Maxillofacial, Hand, Foot, Neuro, and Plastic/Reconstructive surgical procedures.
{2}
Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
Universal Drive System
510(k) #
March 21, 1997
Page 3 of 4
## G. Substantial Equivalence
The Universal Drive System is substantially equivalent in design, function and intended use to the Hall MicroChoice Electric Powered System (Linvatec Corporation), Apex Universal Drive System (Linvatec Corporation), TPS Total Performance System (Stryker Endoscopy), and Adapteur Power System™ (Arthrex Inc.).
Testing has been done to prove safety and effectiveness of the devices.
The similarities/dissimilarities to the predicates are shown in the attached table.
{3}
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Boulevard
Rockville MD 20850
Carol A. Weideman, Ph.D.
JUN 18 1997
Linvatec Corporation
11311 Concept Boulevard
Largo, Florida 33773
Re: K971059
Trade Name: Universal Drive System
Regulatory Class: II
Product Code: HRX
Dated: March 21, 1997
Received: March 24, 1997
Dear Dr. Weideman:
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.
{4}
Page 2 - Carol A. Weideman, Ph.D.
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) 594-4595. 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,

Celia M. Witten, Ph.D., M.D.
Director
Division of General and
Restorative Devices
Office of Device Evaluation
Center for Devices and
Radiological Health
Enclosure
{5}
March 21, 1997
510(k) Number (if known): K971059
* Device Name: Universal Drive System
Indications for Use:
The Universal Drive System functions as a powered instrument system consisting of drills, saws, and associated handpieces to perform cutting of soft tissue and bone. The fields of application include: Orthopedic, Arthroscopic, Otolaryngological, Oral/Maxillofacial, Hand, Foot, Neuro, and Plastic/Reconstructive surgical procedures.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)

Prescription Use ☑ OR Over-the-Counter Use ☐
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
2
UNIVATESCHALL SURGICAL PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
This information is exempt from disclosure under Exemptions 3 and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act.
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.