K983858 · Sims Portex, Inc. · MIA · Jan 29, 1999 · Anesthesiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K983858
Device Name
SPINAL ANESTHESIA NEEDLES AND INTRODUCER NEEDLES
Applicant
Sims Portex, Inc.
Product Code
MIA · Anesthesiology
Decision Date
Jan 29, 1999
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 868.5150
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Spinal needles are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia.
Device Story
Spinal anesthesia needles and introducer needles; used for regional anesthesia delivery. Device consists of luer hub, stainless steel cannula, and stainless steel stylet. Available in Lancet (Quincke), Pencil (Whitacre), and European (Sprotte) styles. Introducer needles (18g or 20g) facilitate initial skin puncture. Sterile, single-use, disposable. Operated by clinicians in clinical settings. Design features increased inside diameter, reduced outside diameter/wall thickness, and improved cannula strength compared to predicates. Provides faster flashback and reduced penetration force. Output is delivery of anesthetic agent to patient; aids in regional anesthesia procedures.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Comparison of flow rates, flashback speed, and penetration force between subject needles and predicate devices. Results showed increased inside diameter, reduced penetration force (up to 32.8% for Whitacre style), and improved or similar flashback performance compared to predicates.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: Stainless steel cannula and stylet, luer hub. Design: Lancet, Pencil, and European styles. Dimensions: 18g-25g gauge, 2.0"-6.0" length. Introducer needles: 18g or 20g. Sterile, single-use, disposable. No software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring regional anesthesia via injection of local anesthetics.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An anesthesia conduction needle is a device used to inject local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia.
Preferred Medical Products spinal needles (K885277)
Sherwood Medical introducer needle
American Medical Instruments, Inc. introducer needles
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Smiths Industries Medical Systems. The logo is split into two lines, with the first line showing the word "SIMS" in bold, block letters with a line above and below the word. To the right of "SIMS" is the text "SMITHS INDUSTRIES" in a smaller, bold font, also with a line above and below the text. The second line of the logo shows the text "Medical Systems" in a smaller, non-bold font.
JAN 29 1999
K983858
#### SIMS Portex Inc.
l 0 Bowman Drive PO Box 0724
Keene NH 03431 USA ji. Telephone: 603-352-3812 Fax: 603-352-3703
# H: 510(K) SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
# 510(K) SUMMARY:
# COMPANY INFORMATION:
SIMS Portex Inc 10 Bowman Drive Keene, NH 03431 (603) 352-3812 Contact: Timothy J. Talcott Manager, Regulatory Affairs
#### PREPARATION DATE OF SUMMARY:
October 30, 1998
## TRADE NAME:
Spinal Anesthesia Needles
#### COMMON NAME:
Spinal Anesthesia Needles
# PRODUCT CLASS/CLASSIFICATION:
Class II, 80 MIA, 21 CFR 862.5150
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#### PREDICATE DEVICE(S):
Becton-Dickinson spinal needles, marketed as preamendment devices.
- Pajunk Medizintechnologie, Germany, Sprotte spinal needles, marketed under 510(k) K911221 and K911202.
- Preferred Medical Products ( a division of Ballard Medical Products), spinal needles purchased from Unisis Corp., Tokyo, Japan, marketed under K885277.
Sherwood Medical, introducer needle, marketed as preamendment device.
American Medical Instruments, Inc., New Bedford, MA, introducer needles, marketed as preamendment devices.
## DESCRIPTION:
A spinal needle is an instrument used for the injection of local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia. The needle consists of a luer hub, a stainless steel cannula, and a stainless steel stylete. The needles are provided as sterile, single use, disposable devices. They may be packaged individually or included in our regional anesthesia trays. The spinal needles are provided in three styles; Lancet Point (Quincke), Pencil Point (Whitacre), and European Style (Sprotte) (refer to drawings, attachment IX). The needles range in size as indicated in the following table:
| Needle Style | Gage Size Range | Length Range |
|----------------|-----------------|--------------|
| Lancet Point | 18g to 25g | 2.0" to 6.0" |
| Pencil Point | 22g to 25g | 2.0" to 6.0" |
| European Style | 24g to 25g | 2.0" to 6.0" |
The introducer needle is a simple hypodermic needle, either 18g or 20g, to make the initial puncture through the skin to aid in the placement of the spinal needle.
## INDICATIONS FOR USE:
Spinal needles are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia.
# TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The device has the same technical characteristics as the predicate device marketed by Preferred Medical Products, Becton-Dickinson, Pajunk, Sherwood, and AMI.
# NON-CLINICAL DATA:
To summarize, comparison testing between the proposed device and the predicate devices from Becton Dickinson, Pajunk, Sherwood, and AMI, the proposed devices compared well against the predicate devices. For the spinal needles, overall, an increased inside diameter
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was achieved with a reduced outside diameter and wall thickness, while still achieving increased strength of the cannula.
The greater inside diameter allowed for an increased flow rate for all of the Unisis needles tested. The flashback in the European Style (Sprotte) needles was generally quicker for the proposed device. The results of the Quincke (K-3 Lancet) type needles showed similar results for the 18, 20, and 22-gage cannula. The 25-gage cannula showed an improved rate of flashback. The Whitacre (Pencil Point) type needles also showed similar results between the predicate and proposed devices. When the stylete is retracted, the rate of flashback will be further increased.
Finally, the penetration force for all proposed needles was reduced by as much as 32.8% for the Whitacre (Pencil Point) type needle, except for the 22g and 25g Ouincke (K-3 Lancet) type needle, 1.9% and 13.3% respectively.
There are three proposed introducer needles. These compare favorably to the Sherwood and AMI needles for all criteria.
In summary, the differences in these needles are not significant and substantiate that the needles are safe and effective. This testing, and the marketing of the same spinal needles by Preferred Medical Products, substantiates this claim.
# CONCLUSION:
The testing performed and comparison to the predicate devices demonstrate that the proposed devices are safe and effective and are substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
Very truly yours.
SIMS PORTEX INC.
Timothy J. Fallon
Timothy J. Talcott Manager, Regulatory Affairs
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Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image is a black and white logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo features a stylized image of an eagle with three overlapping heads, representing the department's focus on health, human services, and the well-being of the nation. The eagle is surrounded by the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" in a circular arrangement.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
JAN 29 1999
Mr. Timothy J. Talcott Manager, Regulatory Affairs SIMS Portex, Inc. 10 Bowman Drive P.O. Box 0724 Keene, NH 03431
K983858 Re: Spinal Anesthesia Needles and Introducer Needles Regulatory Class: II (two) Product Code: MIA Dated: October 30, 1998 Received: November 2, 1998
Dear Mr. Talcott:
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 legally marketed predicate 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 Requlations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (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 action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this
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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 requlations.
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, 2 Misbranding by reference to premarket notification² (21CFR 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/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Thomas J. Callahan
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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# B: INTENDED USE OF DEVICE
# PROPOSED INDICATIONS FOR USE:
Page 1 of 1
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510(k) Number (if known): Unknown
Device Name: Spinal Anesthesia Needles
Indications For Use:
Spinal needles are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia.
(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
Mark Kramer
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.