K972091 · American Medical Systems, Inc. · FFL · Aug 29, 1997 · Gastroenterology, Urology
Device Facts
Record ID
K972091
Device Name
AMS FOREIGN BODY EXTRATOR
Applicant
American Medical Systems, Inc.
Product Code
FFL · Gastroenterology, Urology
Decision Date
Aug 29, 1997
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 876.4680
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The AMS Foreign Body Extractor is intended for use in the removal of a foreign body from the bladder under direct vision.
Device Story
The AMS Foreign Body Extractor is a stainless steel surgical instrument used for the removal of foreign bodies from the bladder. The device consists of an obturator, sheath, grasper, seals, handle, security clip, telescope stabilizers, and an ACMI adaptor ring. During operation, the obturator is inserted into the sheath to facilitate entry into the bladder. Once positioned, the obturator is removed, and the grasper is inserted into the sheath lumen. A telescope is attached to allow direct visualization. The clinician operates the grasping jaws via the handle to capture and remove the foreign body. The device is intended for use by clinicians in a surgical or clinical setting.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. The manufacturer provided descriptive data on the test plan and results, confirming that the device's function and characteristics are suitable for its intended use.
Technological Characteristics
Constructed primarily from stainless steel. Components include an obturator, sheath, grasper, seals, handle, security clip, telescope stabilizers, and ACMI adaptor ring. Mechanical operation via handle-actuated grasping jaws. No electronic or software components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for the removal of foreign bodies from the bladder under direct vision in patients requiring such intervention.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A ureteral stone dislodger is a device that consists of a bougie or a catheter with an expandable wire basket near the tip, a special flexible tip, or other special construction. It is inserted through a cystoscope and used to entrap and remove stones from the ureter. This generic type of device includes the metal basket and the flexible ureteral stone dislodger.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to § 876.9.
Predicate Devices
Richard Wolf 8393 Modular Biopsy Forceps
Richard Wolf series 8962 Rigid Forceps with Alligator Jaws
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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A country Madead over a Pfizer Hospital Products Group 10700 Bren Road West Minnetonka, MN 55343 Tel 612 933 4666 Fax 612 930 6592 Toll Free 800 328 3881
81 .42
K972091
Image /page/0/Picture/4 description: The image shows the logo for American Medical Systems, with the text "American Medical Systems" to the right of the logo. Below the text is the date "AUG 2 9 1997". The logo is a stylized "A" with horizontal lines.
# SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
## SUBMITTER I.
Name and Address:
American Medical Systems, Inc. 10700 Bren Road West Minnetonka, MN 55343
Lisa L Pritchard Contact Person:
June 2, 1997 Date of Summary Preparation:
Establishment Registration Number: 2183959
## II. DEVICE NAME
Device Common or Usual Name:
Device Trade Name:
AMS Foreign Body Extractor
Foreign Body Extractor
## III. PREDICATE DEVICE
Gastroenterology-Urology Biopsy Instrument
## DEVICE DESCRIPTION IV.
The AMS Foreign Body Extractor is made of stainless steel and consists of an obturator, sheath, grasper, seals, handle, security clip, telescope stabilizers and ACMI adaptor ring. The AMS Foreign Body Extractor Accessory Kit contains replacement security clip, telescope stabilizers, ACMI adaptor ring, and seals. To facilitate insertion into the urethra and bladder, the obturator is placed inside the sheath. Once inside the bladder, the obturator is removed and the grasper is placed within the lumen of the sheath. The handle is then attached and the telescope inserted into the sheath. The grasping jaws are operated by moving the handle to open and close the grasping jaws to capture and remove the foreign body.
## V. INDICATION FOR USE
The AMS Foreign Body Extractor is intended for use in the removal of a foreign body from the bladder under direct vision.
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# COMPARISON TO PREDICATE DEVICE VI.
The AMS Foreign Body Extractor is substantially equivalent to the Richard Wolf 8393 Modular Biopsy Forceps and the Richard Wolf series 8962 Rigid Forceps with Alligator Jaws which are in commercial distribution.
### a. Intended Use
The AMS Foreign Body Extractor is intended to remove a foreign body from the bladder under direct vision. The Richard Wolf 8393 series modular biopsy forceps are used for removal of tissue for biopsy. The Richard Wolf Rigid Forceps with alligator jaws are intended for the percutaneous removal of kidney stones.
### Principles of Operation b.
The AMS Foreign Body Extractor utilizes a grasper operated by handle grips to grasp foreign bodies, retract within a sheath and subsequently remove from the bladder. The Richard Wolf series 8393 modular forceps similarly utilize a grasper which is operated by handle grips to transurethrally grasp and subsequently remove material. The Richard Wolf 8962 Rigid forceps with alligator jaws utilize a similar grasper which is manipulated by handle grips to grasp and remove stones from the kidneys.
#### Device Performance C.
The AMS Foreign Body Extractor is manufactured primarily from stainless steel, which is widely used in the medical device industry. The material has previously undergone biocompatibility testing.
All components are verified to ensure that only those meeting all parameters are released for sale.
The Richard Wolf series 8393 modular forceps and the Richard Wolf rigid forceps with alligator jaws both utilize stainless steel in the functional components of the tools.
## d. Bench Testing
American Medical Systems has provided descriptive data on the test plan and test results for the Foreign Body Extractor. These data support that the function and characteristics of the device are suitable for its intended use.
In summary, American Medical Systems has provided information within the 510(k) Premarket Notification to indicate that the Foreign Body Extractor is safe and effective for its intended use in the removal of foreign bodies from the bladder. Additionally, the Foreign Body Extractor has been shown to be comparable in terms of intended use and technological characteristics to biopsy forceps currently in commercial distribution.
S/12011 P2 . F2
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Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
# AUG 2 9 1997
AMS Foreign Body Extractor
Received: August 22, 1997
21 CFR §876.4680/Product code: 78 FFFL
Dated: August 21, 1997
Regulatory class: II
Ms. Ginger Sackett Glaser Regulatory Affairs Specialist American Medical Systems, Inc. Pfizer Hospital Products Group 10700 Bren Road West Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343
Dear Ms. Glaser:
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, 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.
Re: K972091
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 (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic QS inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this 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 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.
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) 594-4613. 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 vours.
htillian Yin, Ph.D.
Director, Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, Ear, Nose and Throat, and Radiological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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510(k) Number (if Known):
Device Name:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Indications for Use:
The AMS Foreign Body Extractor is intended for use in the removal of a foreign body from the bladder under direct vision.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Robert R. Rittinger/
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT, and Radiological Devices 97209 510(k) Number
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109) ✓
Over the Counter Use_
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.