K130405 · Teleflex Medical · BWC · Nov 6, 2013 · Anesthesiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K130405
Device Name
RUSCH EASYCRIC EMERGENCY CRICOTHYROTOMY SET
Applicant
Teleflex Medical
Product Code
BWC · Anesthesiology
Decision Date
Nov 6, 2013
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 868.5090
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Rusch EasyCric Emergency Cricothyrotomy Set is indicated to provide emergency airway access when conventional ventilation by intubation or face mask cannot be performed.
Device Story
Rusch EasyCric is a sterile, single-use emergency cricothyrotomy kit; utilizes Seldinger technique to establish artificial airway via cricothyroid membrane. Components include 5mm uncuffed tube, insertion dilator, scalpel, puncture needle, syringe, guidewire, neckband, and saline. Used in emergency settings (hospital OR, ICU, ER, or pre-hospital) by clinicians to bypass failed intubation. Device cuts link between cricoid and thyroid cartilage; guidewire facilitates tube placement. Provides rapid airway access compared to surgical tracheostomy. Output is a secured airway for ventilation via 15mm connector. Benefits include life-saving emergency ventilation when standard methods fail.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Performance testing included connector/flange bonding strength (ISO 5366-1), connector fit (ISO 5356), coating consistency and lubricity, visual inspection of components, guidewire compatibility, and biocompatibility (ISO 10993-1).
Technological Characteristics
Materials: Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Nylon, PVC, ABS, Nickel, Stainless steel. Principle: Seldinger technique via cricothyroid membrane. Form factor: 5mm ID tube, 7cm length. Connectivity: 15mm connector for ventilation. Sterilization: Ethylene Oxide (10-6 SAL). Compliance: ISO 10993-1 (biocompatibility), ISO 5366-1 (bonding), ISO 5356 (connector fit).
Indications for Use
Indicated for adult patients requiring emergency airway access when conventional ventilation via intubation or face mask is not possible.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An emergency airway needle is a device intended to puncture a patient's cricothyroid membrane to provide an emergency airway during upper airway obstruction.
Predicate Devices
Melker Emergency Cricothyrotomy Catheter Set (K013916)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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## Name, Address, Phone and Fax Number of Applicant
· Teleflex Medical, Incorporated 2917 Weck Drive Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA Phone: 919-433-4908 Fax: 919-433-4996
#### Contact Person
NOV 0 6 2013
Lori Pfohl Regulatory Affairs Specialist
#### Device Name
Trade Name: Rusch EasyCric Emergency Cricothyrotomy Set
Common Name: Emergency Cricothyrotomy Kit
Classification Name: Emergency Airway Needle (Class II per 21 CFR 868.5090, Product Code BWC, Class 2)
## Predicate Device
Melker Emergency Cricothyrotomy Catheter Set - K013916
## Device Description
The Rusch EasyCric Emergency Cricothyrotomy Set is a sterile, single use emergency cricothyroidotomy set available in size 5 mm. The device employs the Seldinger technique to provide an emergency artificial airway when attempts to intubate the trachea fail. Cricothyroidotomy provides faster access in emergency situations than surgical or percutaneous tracheostomy, which are time consuming procedures. The device gains access by cutting the link between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage into the ligamentum conicum. It is available uncuffed. Components of the set include the EasyCric tube and insertion dilator, scalpel, puncture needle, syringe, guidewire, comport neckband and saline solution.
#### Indications for Use
Rusch EasyCric Emergency Cricothyrotomy Set is indicated to provide emergency airway access when conventional ventilation by intubation or face mask cannot be performed.
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Patient Population: Adult Patients
Environment of Use: Hospital Operating Room, Intensive Care Unit, the Emergency Room or out of the Hospital
# Substantial Equivalence
The proposed device is substantially equivalent to the predicate device:
| Features | Proposed | Predicate |
|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | K013916 |
| Device | Rusch EasyCric Emergency<br>Cricothyrotomy Set | Melker Emergency Cricothyrotomy<br>Catheter Set |
| Indications for use | Rusch EasyCric Emergency<br>Cricothyrotomy Set is indicated to<br>provide emergency airway access<br>when conventional intubation<br>cannot be performed | Melker Emergency Cricothyrotomy<br>Catheter Set is used for emergency<br>airway access in patients whom<br>conventional endotracheal intubation<br>and ventilation cannot be performed |
| FDA Product Code | BWC 868.5090 | BWC 868.5090<br>JOH 868.5800 |
| Class | II | II |
| Environment of Use | Hospital Operating Room,<br>Intensive Care Unit, the<br>Emergency Room or out of the<br>Hospital | Not Stated |
| Patient Population | Adult | Same |
| Contraindications | None | None |
| Technology applied | Seldinger Technique via the<br>cricothyroid membrane | Same |
| Single use | Yes | Same |
| Size (Main Tube) ID | 5 mm | 3.5mm, 4.0mm and 6.0mm |
| Main Tube length | 7cm | 3.8cm, 4.2cm, and 7.5cm |
| Cuff | No | Same |
| Available in sets | Yes | Same |
| Connection to<br>ventilation source | 15 mm connector | Same |
| Method of<br>Sterilization | Ethylene Oxide 10-6 SAL | Same |
| Basic Materials of<br>construction | Polypropylene<br>Polyethylene<br>Nylon<br>PVC<br>ABS<br>Nickel<br>Stainless steel | PVC<br>Remainder Unknown |
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| Features | Proposed | Predicate<br>K013916 |
|---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Set Components | Main tube<br>Curved dilator<br>Guidewire with flexible tip<br>Scalpel<br>Metal Needle<br>Comfort Neckband<br>Syringe<br>Saline Pouch | Main tube<br>Curved dilator<br>Guidewire with flexible tip<br>Scalpel<br>TFE Catheter needle, Entry needle<br>Syringe<br>Trach tape |
| Performance testing | • Connector bonding strength<br>• Flange (neck-plate) bonding<br>strength<br>• Connector Fit Test (ring gauge<br>test)<br>• Coating consistency on the<br>tube<br>• Coating lubricity<br>• Visual Inspection of Saline,<br>Scalpel and Neckband<br>• Guidewire testing | Not Stated |
- Indications for Use The indications for use are identical for the proposed . device when compared to the predicate -- K013916. Each device is indicated for use in emergency airway management when conventional intubation cannot be performed.
- Technology and construction The design, fabrication, shape, size, etc. are . equivalent to the predicate - K013916. Both the proposed and predicate devices use the Seldinger technique to gain access to the airway.
- Environment of use The environments of use are equivalent to predicate -. K013916
- Patient Population -The patient population is equivalent to the predicate -. K013916
- Materials -All patient contacting materials are in compliance with ISO 10993-1. . Testing performed is listed in the performance summary table below.
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Performance - A brief summary of tests relied upon to demonstrate substantial equivalence to the predicate can be found in the table below:
| Test | Reference to<br>Standard (if<br>applicable) | Principle of Test | Acceptance<br>Criteria |
|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Connector bonding<br>strength | ISO 5366-1<br>Section 6.1<br>Machine end | The security of the<br>attachment of the<br>connector to the<br>tracheostomy tube is<br>tested by applying an<br>axial separation force to<br>the connector | Must be able to<br>sustain axial force<br>of 15 ± 1.5N<br>without movement |
| Flange (neck-plate)<br>bonding strength | ISO 5366-1<br>Section 6.2.<br>Neck-plate | The security of the<br>attachment of the neck-<br>plate to the tracheostomy<br>tube is tested by applying<br>an axial separation force<br>to the neck-plate (flange) | Must be able to<br>sustain axial force<br>of 15 ± 1.5N<br>without movement |
| Connector Fit Test<br>(ring gauge test) | ISO 5356:<br>Section 5.1 | To ensure the connector<br>is compatible with other<br>supporting connectors<br>and devices | The connector's<br>leading edge shall<br>lie between the<br>minimum and<br>maximum<br>diameter steps of<br>the gauge. |
| Coating consistency<br>on the tube | N/A | Determines coating<br>consistency | Smooth and even<br>coating on the<br>tube |
| Coating lubricity | N/A | Determines coating<br>lubricity | Wear value of less<br>than 150% |
| Visual Inspection of<br>Saline, Scalpel and<br>Neckband | N/A | Demonstrates these<br>components remain<br>intact | No torn packaging<br>or damage to the<br>product |
| Guidewire testing | N/A | Demonstrates guidewire<br>remains compatible with<br>the introducer and<br>needle post worst case<br>conditions | Smooth insertion<br>without restriction |
| Biocompatibility<br>testing | 10993-1 | Testing was performed<br>based on<br>mucosal/external<br>communicating contact<br>of limited duration (<24<br>hrs.). Hemolysis testing<br>was also performed due<br>to possible tissue<br>contact. | Must meet the<br>requirements as<br>outlined in ISO<br>10993-1 |
The Rusch EasyCric has the same indications for use, technological characteristics and construction as its predicate. Performance test results demonstrate that the proposed device does not raise new questions of safety and effectiveness and because pass/fail criteria has been met, the devices can be found substantially equivalent.
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#### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image contains the words "Public Health Service" in a bold, serif font. The text is black against a white background. The words are stacked on top of each other.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
#### November 6, 2013
Teleflex Medical, Incorporated C/O Ms. Lori Pfohl Regulatory Affairs Specialist 2917 Weck Drive RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC 27709
Re: K130405
Trade/Device Name: Rusch EasyCric Emergency Cricothyrotomy Set Regulation Number: 21 CFR 868.5090 Regulation Name: Emergency Airway Needle Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: BWC Dated: October 4, 2013 Received: October 7, 2013
Dear Ms. Pfohl:
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 adulterstion. 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 four of 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.
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Page 2 - Ms. Pfohl
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 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 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 clectronic 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 Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its tollfree 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 Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/McdicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours,
# Mary S. Runner -S
Kwame Ulmer M.S. Acting Division Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Respiratory, Infection Control and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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### Indications for Use Statement
Page 1 of 1
510(k) Number:
K 130405
Device Name:
Rusch EasyCric Emergency Cricothyrotomy Set
Indications for Use:
Rusch EasyCric Emergency Cricothyrotomy Set is indicated to provide emergency airway access when conventional ventilation by intubation or face mask cannot be performed.
Patient Population: Adult patients
Environment of Use: Hospital Operating Room, Intensive Care Unit, the Emergency Room or out of the Hospital
Prescription Use XX (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-the-counter use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C)
(Please DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) Anval C
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.