The Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter is intended for emergency airway access when conventional endotracheal intubation cannot be performed.
Device Story
Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter provides emergency airway access via cricothyroid membrane cannulation. Device consists of 6.0 French reinforced FEP catheter and 15-gauge stainless steel needle with lancet bevel. Physician inserts catheter-needle assembly into trachea; needle is removed, leaving catheter in place. Proximal Luer hub connects to oxygen source. Used in emergency clinical settings. Benefits patient by establishing airway when standard intubation fails.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Studies included design validation using AirSim Advance Combo model, needle bending rigidity, insertion force, breaking resistance, air leakage (BS EN ISO 10555-1), unscrewing torque, separation force (ISO 594-2), and tensile testing of catheter shaft and hub bonds after 3-year accelerated aging. Biocompatibility testing (ISO 10993-1) confirmed cytotoxicity, sensitization, irritation, systemic toxicity, and pyrogenicity compliance. Sterility and packaging validation (5-year accelerated aging) also performed.
Technological Characteristics
Catheter: Reinforced fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), 6.0 Fr, 5.0/7.5 cm length, polyamide hub. Needle: 15-gauge stainless steel, nickel-plated brass hub, tin-silver alloy solder. Sterilization: Ethylene Oxide. Connectivity: Luer hub for oxygen source. Standards: BS EN ISO 10555-1 (air leakage), ISO 594-2 (Luer connections), ISO 10993-1 (biocompatibility), ISO 11070 (needle bond).
Indications for Use
Indicated for emergency airway access in patients requiring airway management when conventional endotracheal intubation cannot be performed.
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
Patil Emergency Cricothyrotomy Catheter Set (K013252)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
September 22, 2016
Cook Incorporated Kotei Aoki Regulatory Affairs Specialist 750 Daniels Way Bloomington, IN 47404
Re: K153761
Trade/Device Name: Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter Regulation Number: 21 CFR 868.5090 Regulation Name: Emergency Airway Needle Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: BWC Dated: August 19, 2016 Received: August 22, 2016
Dear Kotei Aoki:
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.
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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 (reporting of medical devicerelated adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (OS) 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" (21 CFR 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,
Tina
Kiang -S
Tina Kiang, Ph.D. Acting 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
510(k) Number (if known)
#### K153761
Device Name Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter
Indications for Use (Describe)
The Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter is intended for emergency airway access when conventional endotracheal intubation cannot be performed.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) |
|-------------------------------------------------|
|-------------------------------------------------|
X Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
| | Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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510(k) Summary
### Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter 21 CFR §868.5090 Date Prepared: September 21, 2016
#### Submitted By:
| Applicant: |
|--------------------|
| Contact: |
| Applicant Address: |
Cook Incorporated Kotei Aoki Cook Incorporated 750 Daniels Way Bloomington, IN 47404 (812) 335-3575 x102630 (812) 332-0281
Contact Fax Number:
Contact Phone Number:
# Device Information:
Trade name: Common name: Classification Name: Regulation: Product Code:
Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter Tracheal Catheter Needle Emergency Airway Needle 21 CFR §868.5090 BWC
# Predicate Devices:
The device subject of this submission is substantially equivalent to the predicate device. Patil Emergency Cricothyrotomy Catheter Set. cleared for market under 510(k) number K013252 on February 21, 2002.
# Device Description:
The Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter is composed of a catheter and needle. The catheter-needle assembly cannulates the trachea through the cricothyroid membrane in order to establish an airway. The catheter is designed as a 6.0 French catheters manufactured from reinforced fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) tubing fitted to a 15 gage stainless steel needle with a lancet bevel. The nominal length of the catheter measures 5.0 or 7.5 centimeters, depending upon device specification. The catheter French size is stamped on the proximal fitting of the catheter. The Luer hub on the proximal end of the catheter connects to an oxygen source.
The needle is manufactured with a nickel plated brass hub. The lancet bevel of the needle extends from the catheter at the beel of the bevel. The needle and the hub are soldered
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with tin-silver alloy material. The catheter-needle assembly cannulates the trachea through the cricothyroid membrane in order to establish an airway. The needle is removed from the catheter after the catheter-needle assembly establishes an airway through the cricothyroid membrane, leaving the catheter in the trachea.
## Intended Use:
The Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter is intended for emergency airway access when conventional endotracheal intubation cannot be performed.
### Comparison to Predicates:
The Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheters are substantially equivalent to the predicate device, Patil Emergency Cricothyrotomy Catheter Set (K013252), in that these devices have the identical intended use, method of operation, and the same fundamental technological characteristics. The modifications to the needle, the airway catheter, and the needle hub have been included.
Furthermore, aside from the needle hub and the solder, no other changes to the material components of the subject device have been made with respect to the predicate device. However, biocompatibility testing has been performed to confirm the device remains biocompatible.
The substantial equivalence of the modified device to the predicate device is supported by testing. Table 1 is a chart that compares the subject device to the predicate device side-by-side.
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#### Table 1 Substantial Equivalence Comparison
| | | Predicate Devices | Subject Device |
|------------------------------|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| | | Patil Emergency Cricothyrotomy<br>Catheter Set<br>(K013252) | Emergency Transtracheal Airway<br>Catheter |
| Regulation | | 21 CFR §868.5090<br>Needle, Emergency Airway | Identical |
| Product Code | | BWC | Identical |
| Classification | | II | Identical |
| Intended Use | | Intended for emergency airway<br>access when conventional<br>endotracheal intubation cannot be<br>performed. | Identical |
| Product Pictures (assembled) | | Image: Patil Emergency Cricothyrotomy Catheter Set | Image: Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter |
| Catheter | Material | Reinforced Fluorinated Ethylene<br>Propylene Tubing | Identical |
| | Diameter (Fr) | 6.0, 9.0 | 6.0 |
| | Length (cm) | 6.0 | 5.0, 7.5 |
| | Hub Material | Delrin, Polyvinylchloride,<br>Polysulfone, Polyamide, Acetal | Polyamide |
| | Hub Connection | Loctite #M-31CL | Identical |
| | Curvature | Curved | Straight |
| Needle | Gage | 19 | 15 |
| | Material | Stainless Steel | Identical |
| | Hub Material | Polypropylene | Brass, Nickel Plated |
| | Hub Connection | Rencast 140 | Tin-Silver solder |
| Sterilization Method | | Ethylene Oxide | Identical |
| Shelf Life | | 3 years | 3 years |
| Packaging | | Sealed inside a Tyvek® Lidstock | Sealed inside a Tyvek® peel open<br>pouch |
# Technological Characteristics:
The Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter is intended for emergency airway access when conventional endotracheal intubation cannot be performed. The following tests have been conducted to ensure reliable design and performance under the specified design requirements:
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- Design Validation-(Zero Time) The test articles shall be able to access the trachea . of an AirSim Advance Combo model when following the instructions provided in the Instructions for Use. The acceptance criterion was met.
- . Bending Rigidity of the Needle (Zero Time) – The purpose of the study was to verify that the peak load during compression within the specified deflection be greater than 7.5 N. The acceptance criterion was met.
- . Insertion Force of the Needle (Zero Time) – The purpose of the study was to determine the maximum compressive load. The acceptance criterion was met.
- . Breaking Resistance (Zero Time) - The purpose of the study was to confirm that the cannula of the device would withstand the forces experienced during clinical use without breaking. The predetermined acceptance criterion was met.
- Air Leakage of the Catheter (Zero Time) The purpose of the study was to verify . that the test articles meet the air leakage requirements of BS EN ISO 10555-1. The acceptance criterion was met.
- Resistance to Overriding (Zero-Time) The purpose of the study was was to . verify that the test articles meet the resistance to overriding requirements set forth in ISO 594-2. The acceptance criterion was met.
- . Unscrewing Torque (Zero-Time) - The purpose of the study was to verify that the test articles meet the unscrewing torque requirements set forth in ISO 594-2. The acceptance criterion was met.
- Separation Force (Zero-Time) - The purpose of the study was to verify that the test articles meet the separation force requirements set forth in ISO 594-2. The predetermined acceptance criterion was met.
- . Tensile Test of the Shaft of the Catheter (Three-year Accelerated Aging) –The purpose of study was to determine the peak tensile force of the shaft of the test articles after accelerated aging to the real-time equivalent of 3 years. The acceptance criterion was met.
- Tensile Test of the Hub to Shaft Bond of the Catheter (Three-year Accelerated . Aging) - The purpose of study was to determine the peak load of the hub-to-shaft bond of the test specimens after accelerated aging to the real-time equivalent of 3 years. The acceptance criterion was met.
- . Tensile Test of the Hub to Cannula Bond of the Needle (Three-year Accelerated Aging) - (Appendix D of the original submission, K153761) Testing per ISO
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11070 showed that the needle cannula does not loosen from the hub when a tensile load of at least 20 N is applied. The acceptance criterion was met.
- . Air Leakage of the Catheter (Three-year Accelerated Aging and Two-year Real Time Aging) – The purpose of study was to verify that the test articles meet the air leakage requirements of BS EN ISO 10555-1 after accelerated aging to the real-time equivalent of 3 years. The acceptance criterion was met.
- . Biocompatibility Testing - Per ISO 10993-1 and FDA guidance, testing for cytotoxicity, sensitization, intracutaneous irritation, acute systemic toxicity and material-mediated pyrogenicity were performed to insure the biocompatibility of the subject device. The predetermined acceptance criteria were met.
- . Five Year Accelerated Aging Report for Packaging Validation - The purpose of study is to the accelerated aging of the packaging system to the real time equivalent of greater than or equal to 5 years. The acceptance criterion was met.
- . Sterility Testing - Testing confirms that the device meets the appropriate requirements for bioburden, endotoxins, and EO and ECH residuals.
The results of these tests support a conclusion that the subject device meets the design input requirements based on the intended use and support the conclusion that these devices do not raise new questions of safety or effectiveness and are substantially equivalent to the predicate device (K013252).
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.