The 8Fr. NarrowFlex Universal Intra-Aortic Balloon Catheter is indicated for use in any of the following conditions: a. Acute Coronary Syndrome b. Cardiac and Non-Cardiac Surgery c. Complications of Heart Failure
Device Story
8Fr. dual-lumen percutaneously inserted intra-aortic balloon (IAB) catheter; features independent non-communicating lumens. Outer lumen shuttles helium gas for balloon inflation/deflation; inner lumen facilitates guidewire placement. Device timed to inflate in aorta during diastolic relaxation and deflate during systolic contraction; increases myocardial blood supply and reduces left ventricular workload. Used in clinical settings by medical professionals. Benefits include hemodynamic support for patients with cardiac compromise.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Performance comparisons included IAB inflation/deflation cycle times, volume at various rates, and mechanical testing of Nitinol inner lumen stiffness and buckling points.
Technological Characteristics
8Fr. dual-lumen catheter; Nitinol inner lumen; helium gas-driven inflation/deflation. Mechanical device; no software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome, those undergoing cardiac or non-cardiac surgery, or those experiencing complications of heart failure.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An intra-aortic balloon and control system is a prescription device that consists of an inflatable balloon, which is placed in the aorta to improve cardiovascular functioning during certain life-threatening emergencies, and a control system for regulating the inflation and deflation of the balloon. The control system, which monitors and is synchronized with the electrocardiogram, provides a means for setting the inflation and deflation of the balloon with the cardiac cycle.
Special Controls
*Classification.* (1) Class II (special controls) when the device is indicated for acute coronary syndrome, cardiac and non-cardiac surgery, or complications of heart failure. The special controls for this device are:(i) Appropriate analysis and non-clinical testing must be conducted to validate electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety of the device;
(ii) Software verification, validation, and hazard analysis must be performed;
(iii) The device must be demonstrated to be biocompatible;
(iv) Sterility and shelf-life testing must demonstrate the sterility of patient-contacting components and the shelf life of these components;
(v) Non-clinical performance evaluation of the device must demonstrate mechanical integrity, durability, and reliability to support its intended purpose; and
(vi) Labeling must include a detailed summary of the device- and procedure-related complications pertinent to use of the device.
(2) Class III (premarket approval) when the device is indicated for septic shock and pulsatile flow generation.
(c)
*Date premarket approval application (PMA) or notice of completion of product development protocol (PDP) is required.* A PMA or notice of completion of a PDP is required to be filed with the Food and Drug Administration on or before March 31, 2014, for any intra-aortic balloon and control system indicated for septic shock or pulsatile flow generation that was in commercial distribution before May 28, 1976, or that has, on or before March 31, 2014, been found to be substantially equivalent to any intra-aortic balloon and control system indicated for septic shock or pulsatile flow generation that was in commercial distribution before May 28, 1976. Any other intra-aortic balloon and control system indicated for septic shock or pulsatile flow generation shall have an approved PMA or declared completed PDP in effect before being placed in commercial distribution.
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Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
June 14, 2016
Arrow International, Inc. c/o Mr. William Paquin Quality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs Manager 9 Plymouth Street Everett, MA 02149
Re: K993966
Trade/Device Name: 8Fr. NarrowFlex Universal Intra-Aortic Balloon Catheter Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.3535 Regulation Name: Intra-aortic balloon and control system Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: DSP Dated: January 14, 2000 Received: January 19, 2000
Dear William Paquin:
This letter corrects our substantially equivalent letter of February 18, 2000.
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and 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) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). 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. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must
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Page 2 - William Paquin
comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm for the CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the Division of Industry and Consumer Education at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours,
# Eric E. Richardson -S
- for Bram D. Zuckerman, M.D. Director Division of Cardiovascular Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K993966
Device Name
8Fr. Narrowflex Universal Intra-Aortic Balloon Catheter
Indications for Use (Describe)
The 8Fr. Narrowflex Universal Intra-Aortic Balloon Catheter is clinically indicated for the following conditions:
a. Acute Coronary Syndrome
b. Cardiac and Non-Cardiac Surgery
c. Complications of Heart Failure
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
2 Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
_ Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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### FOR FDA USE ONLY
Concurrence of Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) (Signature)
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K993966
Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the word "Teleflex" in a bold, sans-serif font. The letters are black, and the background is white. There is a registered trademark symbol after the word "Teleflex". The word appears to be a company logo.
# 510(k) Summary K993966
8Fr. NarrowFlex Universal Intra-Aortic Balloon Catheter
Date Prepared: November 3, 1999 Date Summary Updated: July 10, 2015
#### A. Submitter's Name:
Arrow International, Inc. 9 Plymouth Street, Everett, MA 02149
## Updated Correspondent Address:
Fusun Tufan Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager Arrow International. Inc. 16 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone (978)250-5100 Fax (978)250-5105
#### B. Company Contact
Michael Malis Director RA/QA Arrow International, Inc. 16 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824 Phone (978)250-5100 Fax (978)250-5105
#### C. Device Name
Trade Name: 8Fr. NarrowFlex Universal Intra-Aortic Balloon Catheter Common Name: Intra-aortic balloon catheter Classification Name: Balloon, Intra-Aortic and Control System
#### D. Predicate Devices
The device is substantially equivalent to the current legally Arrow 8Fr. NarrowFlex Universal Intra-Aortic Balloon Catheter Kit.
#### Description of Device E.
The device is a dual lumen percutaneously inserted Intra-Aortic IAB catheter, 8 Fr. in size, with two independent non-communicating lumens. The outer lumen is comprised of an inflatable bladder connected to the catheter distal tip and to the IAB tip outer surface. The inner lumen is comprised of a Luer adapter connected to the proximal end of the inner lumen and to the IAB tip inner surface. The IAB inner lumen is used for placement of the device with a guidewire and the outer lumen is used to shuttle helium gas to and from the inflatable bladder. The IAB is timed to inflate in the aorta during the diastolic relaxation of the heart and deflate during the systolic contraction of the heart, resulting in increased blood supply to the heart muscle and decreased work load for the left ventricle.
The catheter is available in two sizes, 30cc and is identical in appearance and function to
Arrow International, Inc.
9 Plymouth Street Everett. MA 02149 USA Phone: 617-389-6400 617-387-2157 Fax:
www.teleflex.com
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Teleflex®
the predicate devices.
#### F. Intended Use
The 8Fr. NarrowFlex Universal Intra-Aortic Balloon Catheter is indicated for use in any of the following conditions:
- a. Acute Coronary Syndrome
- b. Cardiac and Non-Cardiac Surgery
- Complications of Heart Failure C.
### G. Technological Characteristics
The device has the same exact technological characteristics as the predicate.
The tests in the submission include:
- IAB performance comparisons, Inflate/deflate, total cycle time and volume (all rates). .
- . Nitinol inner lumen stiffness and buckling point - Stiffness bend test and buckling point comparison test results.
The results of the laboratory tests demonstrate that the device is substantially equivalent to the legally marked predicate device.
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.