K982981 · Zimmer, Inc. · KWT · Dec 17, 1998 · Orthopedic
Device Facts
Record ID
K982981
Device Name
NEW ZIMMER SHOULDER SYSTEM
Applicant
Zimmer, Inc.
Product Code
KWT · Orthopedic
Decision Date
Dec 17, 1998
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 888.3650
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
This prosthesis is intended to be implanted to replace a shoulder joint. Prosthetic replacement with this device may be indicated for the treatment of severe pain or significant disability in degenerative, rheumatoid, or traumatic disease of the glenohumeral joint; ununited humeral head fractures of long duration; irreducible 3- and 4-part proximal humeral fractures; avascular necrosis of the humeral head; or other difficult clinical management problems where arthrodesis or resectional arthroplasty is not acceptable. The assembled humeral component may be used alone for hemiarthroplasty or combined with the glenoid component for total shoulder arthroplasty. Humeral heads with heights greater than 27 mm may be used for difficult clinical management problems involving rotator cuff deficiency where arthrodesis or conventional nonconstrained arthroplasty is not acceptable.
Device Story
New Zimmer Shoulder System is a modular shoulder prosthesis for total shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty. Components include cobalt-chrome alloy humeral stems and heads, and a UHMWPE keeled glenoid component. Humeral heads feature female Morse-type tapers for assembly with stems. Humeral stems allow for press-fit or cemented fixation; glenoid component requires cement. Device is implanted by orthopedic surgeons in a clinical/surgical setting to replace the glenohumeral joint. Output is a mechanical reconstruction of the shoulder joint, intended to alleviate pain and restore function in patients with severe joint disease or fractures. Benefits include improved mobility and pain reduction for patients failing conservative management.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Performance testing conducted on the taper and glenoid component to verify mechanical integrity and safety.
Technological Characteristics
Modular and monoblock cobalt-chrome alloy humeral stems; cobalt-chrome humeral heads with female Morse-type tapers; keeled UHMWPE glenoid component. Fixation: press-fit or cemented (humeral), cemented only (glenoid). Nonconstrained design.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring shoulder joint replacement due to severe pain or disability from degenerative, rheumatoid, or traumatic glenohumeral disease, ununited humeral head fractures, irreducible 3- or 4-part proximal humeral fractures, avascular necrosis, or other conditions where arthrodesis/resection is unacceptable. Includes hemiarthroplasty or total shoulder arthroplasty options. Specific humeral heads (>27mm) indicated for rotator cuff deficiency.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A shoulder joint metal/polymer non-constrained cemented prosthesis is a device intended to be implanted to replace a shoulder joint. The device limits minimally (less than normal anatomic constraints) translation in one or more planes. It has no linkage across-the-joint. This generic type of device includes prostheses that have a humeral component made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, and a glenoid resurfacing component made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and is limited to those prostheses intended for use with bone cement (§ 888.3027).
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II. The special controls for this device are:(1) FDA's:
(i) “Use of International Standard ISO 10993 ‘Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices—Part I: Evaluation and Testing,’ ”
(ii) “510(k) Sterility Review Guidance of 2/12/90 (K90-1),”
(iii) “Guidance Document for Testing Orthopedic Implants with Modified Metallic Surfaces Apposing Bone or Bone Cement,”
(iv) “Guidance Document for the Preparation of Premarket Notification (510(k)) Application for Orthopedic Devices,” and
(v) “Guidance Document for Testing Non-articulating, ‘Mechanically Locked’ Modular Implant Components,”
(2) International Organization for Standardization's (ISO):
(i) ISO 5832-3:1996 “Implants for Surgery—Metallic Materials—Part 3: Wrought Titanium 6-Aluminum 4-Vandium Alloy,”
(ii) ISO 5832-4:1996 “Implants for Surgery—Metallic Materials—Part 4: Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum Casting Alloy,”
(iii) ISO 5832-12:1996 “Implants for Surgery—Metallic Materials—Part 12: Wrought Cobalt-Chromium-Molybdenum Alloy,”
(iv) ISO 5833:1992 “Implants for Surgery—Acrylic Resin Cements,”
(v) ISO 5834-2:1998 “Implants for Surgery—Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene—Part 2: Moulded Forms,”
(vi) ISO 6018:1987 “Orthopaedic Implants—General Requirements for Marking, Packaging, and Labeling,” and
(vii) ISO 9001:1994 “Quality Systems—Model for Quality Assurance in Design/Development, Production, Installation, and Servicing,” and
(3) American Society for Testing and Materials':
(i) F 75-92 “Specification for Cast Cobalt-28 Chromium-6 Molybdenum Alloy for Surgical Implant Material,”
(ii) F 648-98 “Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Powder and Fabricated Form for Surgical Implants,”
(iii) F 799-96 “Specification for Cobalt-28 Chromium-6 Molybdenum Alloy Forgings for Surgical Implants,”
(iv) F 1044-95 “Test Method for Shear Testing of Porous Metal Coatings,”
(v) F 1108-97 “Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium Alloy Castings for Surgical Implants,”
(vi) F 1147-95 “Test Method for Tension Testing of Porous Metal Coatings,”
(vii) F 1378-97 “Specification for Shoulder Prosthesis,” and
(viii) F 1537-94 “Specification for Wrought Cobalt-28 Chromium-6 Molybdenum Alloy for Surgical Implants.”
{0}------------------------------------------------
K 982181
Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for Zimmer, which includes a stylized letter Z inside of a circle. The word "zimmer" is written in lowercase letters below the logo. The text "DEC 17" is visible in the upper right corner of the image.
P.O. Box 708 Warsaw, IN 46581-0708 219 267-6131
### Summary of Safety and Effectiveness New Zimmer Shoulder System
- Submitted by
Zimmer, Inc. P.O. Box 708 Warsaw, IN 46581-0708
1998
#### Prepared by .
Laura D. Williams Specialist Regulatory Affairs Telephone: 219-372-4523 Fax: 219-372-4605
- . IDate
August 25, 1998
- . Trade Name
New Zimmer® Shoulder System
- . Common Name
Shoulder Prosthesis
#### ● Classification Name
Shoulder Joint Metal/Polymer Nonconstrained Cemented Prosthesis
#### Substantial Equivalence Summary .
The New Zimmer Shoulder System utilizes design features common to one or more of the following devices:
| Device | K Number(s) | Decision Date |
|---------------------------------|-------------|---------------|
| Fenlin Total Shoulder | K852137 | 2/12/86 |
| Fenlin RCD Total Shoulder | K870262 | 4/3/87 |
| Zimmer Total Shoulder II | K790987 | 6/22/79 |
| 3-M Neer II Shoulder Prosthesis | K895226 | 11/3/89 |
Image /page/0/Picture/22 description: The image shows a geometric design. The design appears to be a complex arrangement of triangles and lines, possibly forming a larger hexagonal or star-like shape. The image is black and white, which emphasizes the geometric patterns and lines. The design is intricate and symmetrical.
{1}------------------------------------------------
## Summary of Safety and Effectiveness New Zimmer Shoulder System (Continued)
| Device | K Number(s) | Decision Date |
|----------------------------------------------|-------------|---------------|
| 3-M Modular Shoulder System | K920362 | 7/22/93 |
| Osteonics Shoulder Components | K955731 | 3/5/96 |
| | K962082 | 8/13/96 |
| Kirschner Modular II-C Total Shoulder System | K940537 | 8/29/95 |
| Intermedics Select Shoulder | K962315 | 9/3/96 |
| | K962238 | 8/9/96 |
| DePuy Global Total Shoulder | K914695 | 1/16/92 |
#### Device Description .
The New Zimmer Shoulder features modular and monoblock cobalt-chrome alloy humeral stems intended for use with or without cement in total shoulder arthroplasty. The cobaltchrome alloy humeral heads feature female Morse-type tapers which facilitate assembly with the modular humeral stems. The keeled glenoid component is manufactured from UHMWPE. It is intended for cemented use only.
### Intended Use
This prosthesis is intended to be implanted to replace a shoulder joint.
Prosthetic replacement with this device may be indicated for the treatment of severe pain or significant disability in degenerative, rheumatoid, or traumatic disease of the glenohumeral joint; ununited humeral head fractures of long duration; irreducible 3- and 4-part proximal humeral fractures; avascular necrosis of the humeral head; or other difficult clinical management problems where arthrodesis or resectional arthroplasty is not acceptable. The assembled humeral component may be used alone for hemiarthroplasty or combined with the glenoid component for total shoulder arthroplasty. Humeral heads with heights greater than 27 mm may be used for difficult clinical management problems involving rotator cuff deficiency where arthrodesis or conventional nonconstrained arthroplasty is not acceptable.
The components of the New Zimmer Shoulder System are intended for single use only. The glenoid component is designed for cement fixation only; the humeral stem may be implanted by press-fit or cement fixation.
{2}------------------------------------------------
# Summary of Safety and Effectiveness New Zimmer Shoulder System (Continued)
### Performance Testing .
Testing performed on the taper and the glenoid component demonstrated that the New Zimmer Shoulder System is safe and effective and substantially equivalent to predicate devices.
RA07801K.510.D0C
{3}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/3/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo features a stylized caduceus symbol, which is a staff with two snakes entwined around it. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular pattern around the caduceus symbol.
DEC 17 1998 Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
4
Ms. Laura D. Williams Specialist, Requlatory Affairs Zimmer, Inc. P.O. Box 708 46581-0708 Warsaw, Indiana
K982981 Re: The New Zimmer® Shoulder System Trade Name: Regulatory Class: III Product Codes: KWT and HSD Dated: August 25, 1998 August 26, 1998 Received:
Dear Ms. Williams:
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 The general controls provisions of the Act 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. ਜੋ substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the current Good Manufacturing Practice requirement, as set forth in the Quality System Requlation (QS) for Medical Devices: General requlation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic (QS) inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory In addition, FDA may publish further announcements action. 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 - Ms. Laura D. Williams
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 requlation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4659. 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.
Cella 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}------------------------------------------------
Page | of |
510(k) Number (if known): Қ982981
Device Name: New Zimmer Shoulder System
Indications For Use:
Prosthetic replacement with this device may be indicated for the treatment of severe pain or significant disability in degenerative, theumatoid, or traumatic disease of the glenohumeral joint; ununited humeral head fractures of long duration; irreducible 3- and 4-part proximal humeral fractures; avascular necrosis of the humeral head; or other difficult clinical management problems where arthrodesis or resectional arthroplasty is not acceptable. The assembled humeral component may be used alone for hemiarthroplasty or combined with the glenoid component for total shoulder arthroplasty. Humeral heads with heights greater than 27 mm may be used for difficult clinical management problems involving rotator cuff deficiency where arthrodesis or conventional nonconstrained arthroplasty is not acceptable.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
picòello
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General Restorative Devices
510(k) Number K982981
Prescription Use × (Per 21 CFR 801.109) OR
Over-The-Counter Use _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
RA07801K.510
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.