Traumatic or pathologic conditions of the shoulder resulting in fracture of the glenohumeral joint. Including humeral head fracture and displaced 3 or 4 part proximal humeral fractures.
Device Story
Aequalis Shoulder Fracture System is a 3-part modular shoulder prosthesis for total shoulder replacement or hemi-arthroplasty. System components include interchangeable humeral heads, a humeral stem, and an optional glenoid component. The humeral stem features a metaphyseal design to facilitate bone graft filling and bony bridge formation between tuberosities, with anterior-posterior fins for tuberosity positioning. Humeral heads attach via Morse taper, allowing rotational adjustment for anatomical fit. The device is implanted by surgeons in a clinical setting to restore joint function and reduce pain. The modular design allows for conversion from primary hemi-arthroplasty to total shoulder replacement. The system accommodates various patient anatomies through multiple head and stem sizes. The device is supplied sterile via gamma radiation.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided.
Technological Characteristics
Modular shoulder prosthesis consisting of humeral stem, humeral heads, and glenoid component. Materials include metal alloys (Titanium or cobalt-chromium-molybdenum) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Fixation via bone cement. Sterilization via gamma radiation (min 2.5 Mrad, SAL 10^-6) per EN552. Instruments sterilized via steam at 274°F for 18 minutes.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with traumatic or pathologic shoulder conditions resulting in glenohumeral joint fractures, specifically humeral head fractures and displaced 3 or 4 part proximal humeral fractures. For use by surgeons experienced in total or hemi-arthroplasty.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A shoulder joint metal/polymer semi-constrained cemented prosthesis is a device intended to be implanted to replace a shoulder joint. The device limits translation and rotation in one or more planes via the geometry of its articulating surfaces. It has no linkage across-the-joint. This generic type of device includes prostheses that have a humeral resurfacing 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 “Specification for Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium Alloy Castings for Surgical Implants,”
(vi) F 1147-95 “Test Method for Tension Testing of Porous Metal,”
(vii) F 1378-97 “Standard Specification for Shoulder Prosthesis,” and
(viii) F 1537-94 “Specification for Wrought Cobalt-28 Chromium-6 Molybdenum Alloy for Surgical Implants.”
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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MAR 1 C 200
K994392
510(k) Premarket Notification Aequalis Shoulder Fracture System September 2. 1999
Fig. 1 of 5
#### 510(k) SUMMARY of Safety and Effectiveness Information
In accordance with the Food and Drug Administration Rule to implement provisions of the safe Medical devices Act of 1990 and in conformance with 21 CFR 807, this is to serve as a Summary of Safety and Effectiveness for the Aequalis Shoulder Fracture System.
| Manufacturer: | TORNIER, S.A. |
|----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Rue du Doyen Gosse |
| | 38330 SAINT-ISMIER / France |
| | Registration No : 9610667 |
| US Representative: | Mr. David W. SCHLERF |
| | BUCKMAN Company, Inc. |
| | 200 Gregory Lane, Suite C-100 |
| | Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-3389 |
| Date: | September 2, 1999 |
| Contact Person: | Anne LE ROUZO |
| | Regulatory Affairs Manager |
| Classification Name: | Shoulder joint metal/polymer semi-constrained cemented<br>prosthesis - 21CFR888.3660 |
# 1. Classification:
\$888.3660: Shoulder joint metal/polymer semi-constrained cemented prosthesis. (a) Identification. A shoulder joint metal/polymer semi-constrained cemented prosthesis is a device intended to be implanted to replace a shoulder joint. The device limits translation in one or more planes via the geometry of its articulating surfaces. It has no linkage across-the-joint. This generic type of device includes prostheses that have a humeral resurfacing component made of alloys, such as Titanium or 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). (b) Classification. Class III. (c) Date PMA or notice of completion of a PDP is required. No effective date has been established of the requirement for premarket approval. See §888.3.
The Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel assigned the unique device classification Product Code 87KWS to this device.
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#### 2. Voluntary standard:
pg 275
Various voluntary performance standards are utilized. They include Tornier, S.A. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), vendor certifications and qualification procedures. Quality System Regulations (OSR). ISO9001 & EN46001 specifications, and European CE Marking,
# 3. Labeling / Packaging:
Labeling complies with all FDA requirements in effect at the time of device review and clearance. Warning and caution statements are displayed as appropriate. Professional information is available from Tornier and is supplied with all product ordered. Please obtain and review all product information before using the system. Only the information supplied with the product is to be considered current and complete.
The Aequalis Shoulder Fracture System offers all components in double blister-type peel packs. This is an industry typical package obtained from commercial suppliers of such packaging.
# 4. Device Description:
Overview. The usual goal of total shoulder replacement and hemi-arthroplasty of the shoulder is to restore the shoulder joint to its best working condition and to reduce or eliminate pain. The Aequalis Shoulder Fracture System is intended to accomplish these goals. With the Aequalis Shoulder Fracture System, the natural glenoid elements of the shoulder may be conserved or replaced as warranted by the state of disease or injury. Though the Aequalis Shoulder Fracture System is intended for use as a total shoulder replacement system, or as a hemi-shoulder. The modular nature of the system allows for the later conversion of a primary hemi-arthrosplasty to a total shoulder replacement.
Device Description. The Aequalis Shoulder Fracture System is a typical 3 part system consisting of interchangeable humeral heads, a humeral stem and, if used as a total shoulder, a glenoid component.
The Aequalis Shoulder Open stem for Fracture is available in 3 diameters (6.5, 9 and 12), with the same length. The geometry of the meaphyseal part has been designed to allow the filling by bone graft and to improve the knitting of the bones. The goal of the metaphyseal shape is to make a "bony bridge" between the tuberosities. In order to allow extraction of the prosthesis in case of revision, two slits have been designed to break the bony bridge. Anterior-posterior fins extending from diaphyseal portion form a convex bearing area allowing adequate positioning and synthesis of the greater tuberosity. The stem is used cemented in the diaphyseal part.
Various heads may be assembled to the stem in different configurations thus accommodating large variations in patient size and anatomy. The head is fixed on the stem on a Morse taper. It is impacted onto the stem on an impacting support. Subsequent revisions may be accomplished if necessary by reoparetion and separation of the head and the stem. The taper fit heads may be rotated about the axis of the Morse taper. The reverse surface of the heads has series of holes drilled around the female Morse taper every 45°. Because the female Morse taper of the head is eccentric, rotation of the head before fully seating the male and female tapers produces eight possible offset combinations for the orientation of the humeral head radius. The rotational adjustability of the humeral articulating surface expands the surgical flexibility of the system. The articulating surface of each head is designed to mate with either the natural glenoid (hemi-
shoulder applications) or the available glenoid implants (total shoulder applications).
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The Aequalis glenoid components are pear-like in shape, to avoid friction with the deep surface of the rotator cuff.
Open Stem for fracture: 3 dia. (6.5. 9 and 12 mm) with 1 length
| Humeral Heads: | 37mm x 13.5mm | 50mm x 16mm |
|----------------|---------------|-------------|
| | 39mm x 14mm | 50mm x 19mm |
| | 41mm x 15mm | 52mm x 19mm |
| | 43mm x 16mm | 52mm x 23mm |
| | 46mm x 17 | 54mm x 23mm |
| | 48mm x 18mm | 54mm x 27mm |
3 sizes (small, medium, large) Glenoid:
Each component of the system is individually part coded for ease identification. The offered combinations of stem, head and glenoid sizes accommodate a wide range of anatomical variations and circumstances.
Only surgeons fully experienced in total and hemi-Contraindications and Cautions. arthroplasty surgical technique of the shoulder should utilize the device. Please contact Tornier about available instructional course demonstrations and bio-skills workshops.
# 5. Packaging and Sterilization Information:
The prostheses are supplied sterile from Tornier. The technique used to achieve the sterilization is known as gamma radiation sterilization dose of at least 2.5 Mrad is utilized. The sterility assurance level (SAL) is 10°. The validation of the sterilization has been carried out according to the standard EN552.
The implant is contained in a double sealed blister pack in order to maintain sterility. Once the packaging is opened, the implant must never be resterilized. In case of packaging is damaged, the implant must be rejected.
The instruments required to properly use the device are provided non-sterile. They must be decontaminated, cleaned and sterilized prior to each surgery. All packaging, labeling and shipping materials must be removed from the instruments prior any operation. The recommended sterilization method is steam sterilization at 274°F for 18 minutes.
# 6. Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Information.
This summary contains information upon which a determination of substantial equivalence could be based. Selected device testing demonstrates the functional equivalence of the Aequalis Shoulder Fracture System. A feature comparison table is used to graphically present important parameters of the available systems. The comparison table is identified as Table 1, located after the Class III Summary section.
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Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the seal of the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The seal is circular and contains the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. In the center of the seal is an abstract image of an eagle.
Public Health Service
MAR 1 0 2000
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Mr. David W. Schlerf Representing Tornier, S.A. Buckman Company, Inc. 200 Gregory Lane, Suite C-100 Pleasant Hill, California 94523-3389
Re: K994392 Trade Name: Æqualis® Shoulder Fracture System Regulatory Class: III Product Code: KWS Dated: November 21, 1999 Received: December 28, 1999
Dear Mr. Schlerf:
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 control provisions of the Act. The general control 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 current Good Manufacturing Practice requirement, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (OS) 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 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.
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.
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Page 2 – Mr. David W. Schlerf
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,
Kamil Mayer
Sames E. Dillard III Acting Director Division of General and Restorative Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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510(k) Number (if known): K 994392
#### Equalis® Shoulder Fracture System Device Name:
#### Indications For Use:
Traumatic or pathologic conditions of the shoulder resulting in fracture of the glenohumeral joint. Including humeral head fracture and displaced 3 or 4 part proximal humeral fractures.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NECESSARY Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Vuan Lazaro
---
Nhofr Jz
ion Sign-Off) of General Restorative I
Prescription Use X OR
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
Over-The-Counter Use __ (Optional format 1-2-96)
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.