The Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set is intended for ureteral dilation prior to ureteral stone manipulation or ureteroscopy and dilation of the intramural ureter.
Device Story
Balloon Ureteral Dilator is a catheter-based device used by urologists to dilate the ureter. The device consists of a radiopaque dilator with a polyethylene balloon at the distal end. It is introduced into the ureter over a wire guide; the balloon is then inflated using a 10 mL luer-lock syringe to achieve the desired dilation. Radiopaque marker bands (stainless steel or tungsten) provide fluoroscopic visibility. The set includes a safety wire guide, endoscopic cap, and pin-vise handle for stabilization. The device is provided sterile for single use. By dilating the ureter, the device facilitates subsequent stone manipulation or ureteroscopic procedures, potentially reducing procedural difficulty and improving patient outcomes.
Radiopaque polyethylene dilator; polyethylene balloon; stainless steel or tungsten marker bands. Available in 5.0 or 7.0 Fr diameters, 65 cm length. Balloon diameters 5-6 mm, lengths 4-10 cm. Max inflation pressure 40-60 psi. Includes 0.028 or 0.038 inch stainless steel wire guide. Sterilized via ethylene oxide.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring ureteral dilation prior to ureteral stone manipulation, ureteroscopy, or dilation of the intramural ureter.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A ureteral dilator is a device that consists of a specially shaped catheter or bougie and is used to dilate the ureter at the place where a stone has become lodged or to dilate a ureteral stricture.
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April 19, 2018
Cook Incorporated Carly Powell Regulatory Affairs Specialist 750 Daniels Way Bloomington, IN 47404
Re: K172588
> Trade/Device Name: Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set Regulation Number: 21 CFR§ 876.5470 Regulation Name: Ureteral Dilator Regulatory Class: II Product Code: EZN Dated: March 8, 2018 Received: March 9, 2018
Dear Carly Powell:
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. However, you are responsible to determine that the medical devices you use as components in the kit/tray have either been determined as substantially equivalent under the premarket notification process (Section 510(k) of the act), or were legally on the market prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments. Please note: If you purchase your device components in bulk (i.e., unfinished) and further process (e.g., sterilize) you must submit a new 510(k) before including these components in your kit/tray. The general controls of the Act include requirements for annual registration. Iisting 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 of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
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.
For comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/) and CDRH Learn (http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (http://www.fda.gov/DICE) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely.
Benjamin R. Fisher -S
Benjamin R. Fisher, Ph.D. Director Division of Reproductive, Gastro-Renal, and Urological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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Food and Drug Administration
## Indications for Use
Expiration Date: January 31, 2017 See PRA Statement below.
510(k) Number (if known) K172588
Device Name
Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set
Indications for Use (Describe)
The Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilation prior to ureteral dilation prior to ureteral stone manipulation or ureteroscopy and dilation of the intramural ureter.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
V Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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COOK INCORPORATED
750 DANIELS WAY, P.O. BOX 489
BLOOMINGTON, IN 47402-0489 U.S.A.
PHONE: 812.339.2235 TOLL FREE: 800.457.4500
WWW.COOKMEDICAL.COM
# 2.0 510(k) SUMMARY
# Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set 21 CFR §807.92 Date Prepared: April 19, 2018
# Submitted By:
| Submission: | Traditional 510(k) Premarket Notification |
|-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| Applicant: | Cook Incorporated |
| Contact: | Carly Powell<br>Karthik Pillai |
| Applicant Address: | Cook Incorporated<br>750 Daniels Way<br>Bloomington, IN 47404 |
| Contact Phone Number: | (812) 335-3575 |
| Contact Fax Number: | (812) 332-0281 |
#### Device Information: Trade Name: Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set Common Name: Ureteral Dilator Regulation Number: 21 CFR §876.5470 Regulation Name: Ureteral Dilator Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: EZN Classification Panel: Gastroenterology/Urology
# Predicate Device:
- The Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set is substantially equivalent ● to the following device: Ascend™ Balloon Dilation Catheter (K970041, Cook Urological, Inc.) cleared on March 19, 1997.
# Device Description:
The Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set includes the balloon ureteral dilator, a wire guide, a 10 mL syringe, an endoscopic cap and a pin-vise handle. Balloon ureteral dilators can be purchased separately.
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The balloon ureteral dilator is composed of a radiopaque dilator fitted with a polyethylene balloon. The balloon ureteral dilator is available in 5.0 or 7.0 French and is 65 centimeters in length. The balloon is located on the distal end of the dilator and has diameters of 5 or 6 millimeters with lengths of 4 or 10 centimeters when inflated. The balloon has a maximum inflation pressure of 40 or 60 psi, depending on the diameter and length of the balloon. Additionally, radiopaque marker bands are placed at the proximal and distal ends of the balloon to provide fluoroscopic visibility.
Additional set components in the Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set include a straight safety wire guide, endoscopic cap, pin-vise handle, and syringe. The wire guide has a diameter of 0.028 or 0.038 inches and a length of 145 centimeters. The endoscopic cap and a pin-vise handle are provided to stabilize the wire guide during introduction. The syringe is a 10 mL luer-lock syringe provided for balloon inflation.
The Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set is provided sterile for one-time use.
### Intended Use:
The Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set is intended for ureteral dilation prior to ureteral stone manipulation or ureteroscopy and dilation of the intramural ureter.
## Comparison to Predicate:
The Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set and the predicate device, the Ascend" Balloon Dilation Catheter (K970041), are substantially equivalent in that these devices are identical in indications for use and method of placement. Additionally, the subject device has a similar design and technological characteristics as the predicate device. The differences between the subject device and the predicate device include materials, dimensions, and balloon characteristics. The differences between the dimensions and balloon characteristics of the subject and predicate devices are dimensions, material, and balloon characteristics. Characteristics of the subject device that differ from the predicate device are supported by testing and do not raise any new questions of safety and effectiveness.
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| | Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set Substantial Equivalence Comparison<br>PREDICATE DEVICE | SUBJECT DEVICE |
|---------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Ascend™ Balloon Dilation Catheter | Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon<br>Ureteral Dilator Set |
| Manufacturer | Cook Incorporated (formerly Cook Urological,<br>Inc.) | Cook Incorporated |
| 510(k) | K970041 | Subject of this submission |
| Regulation | 21 CFR §876.5470 | Identical to the predicate device |
| Product Code | EZN | Identical to the predicate device |
| Classification | II | Identical to the predicate device |
| Indications for<br>Use | Used for ureteral dilation prior to ureteral stone<br>manipulation or ureteroscopy, and dilation of<br>the intramural ureter. | Identical to the predicate device |
| Catheter/Dilator<br>O.D. (Fr) | 7.0 | 5.0, 7.0 |
| Catheter/Dilator<br>Length (cm) | 40-65 | 65 |
| Catheter/Dilator<br>Material | Polyurethane | Radiopaque Polyethylene, clear polyethylene |
| Inflated Balloon<br>O.D. (mm) | 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 10.0 | 5.0, 6.0 |
| Inflated Balloon<br>Length (cm) | 4.0, 6.0, 10.0, 12.0 | 4.0, 10.0 |
| Balloon Material | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Polyethylene |
| Maximum Balloon<br>Inflation Pressure | 14, 16, 17, 19, 22 atm | 40 psi, 60 psi<br>(2.72 atm, 4.08 atm) |
| Wire Guide O.D.<br>(inch) | 0.038 | 0.028, 0.038 |
| Wire Guide<br>Length (cm) | 145 | Identical to the predicate device |
| Wire Guide<br>Material | Stainless Steel | Identical to the predicate device |
| Markerbands | Not applicable | 5 Fr - Stainless Steel<br>7 Fr - Tungsten |
| Sterilization<br>Method | Ethylene Oxide | Identical to the predicate device |
#### Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set Substantial Equivalence Comparison
#### Performance Data:
The subject device, Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set, was subjected to applicable testing to assure reliable design and performance under the testing parameters. The following tests have been conducted to ensure reliable design and performance under the specified testing parameters:
- 1. Radiopacity
- 2. Pressure Resistance for Dilatation Balloons
- 3. Kink Radius Testing
- 4. Balloon Rated Burst Pressure (RBP)
- 5. Dimensional Verification of Balloon upon inflation
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- 6. Balloon Deflation Testing
- 7. Tensile Testing
- 8. Dimensional Verification
- 9. Biocompatibility
- o Cytotoxicity, Sensitization, and Irritation/Intracutaneous
## Conclusion:
The results of performance testing confirm that the Balloon Ureteral Dilator and Balloon Ureteral Dilator Set meets the design input requirements based on the intended use and support the conclusion that this device does not raise new questions of safety or effectiveness and is substantially equivalent to the predicate device, the Ascend™ Balloon Dilation Catheter (Cook Urological, Inc., K970041).
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.