K992569 · Medtronic Ave, Inc. · FGE · Aug 31, 1999 · Gastroenterology, Urology
Device Facts
Record ID
K992569
Device Name
MEDTRONIC AVE BRIDGE STENT
Applicant
Medtronic Ave, Inc.
Product Code
FGE · Gastroenterology, Urology
Decision Date
Aug 31, 1999
Decision
SESU
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 876.5010
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent System (Hi-Flex) – Biliary Indication is intended to maintain patency of a bile duct which is occluded by a malignant tumor.
Device Story
The Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent is a balloon-expandable, intralumenal 316L stainless steel stent premounted on an over-the-wire delivery catheter. The device is used by physicians in a clinical setting to maintain patency of bile ducts occluded by malignant tumors. During fluoroscopy, the physician uses two radiopaque platinum markers on the inner shaft to guide placement. The stent is deployed via balloon inflation; the delivery system is compatible with 0.035" guidewires and has a usable length of 75cm to 120cm. By restoring patency to the obstructed duct, the device facilitates bile flow, potentially improving patient symptoms associated with biliary obstruction. The device is provided sterile and is for single use only.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Performance testing compared the subject device to the predicate, evaluating balloon burst, deflation time, crossing profile, diameter versus inflation pressure (compliance curves), stent free area, stent length, and stent recoil. Biocompatibility testing was successfully completed.
Technological Characteristics
316L stainless steel balloon-expandable stent; PET PTA catheter; 5.3-5.8 F shaft; 6.0-10.0 mm diameter; 28 mm length; 75-120 cm length. Radiopaque platinum markers. Radiation sterilization (ANSI/AAMI/ISO 11137-1994, SAL 10^-6).
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with bile duct obstruction caused by malignant tumor.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A biliary catheter and accessories is a tubular flexible device used for temporary or prolonged drainage of the biliary tract, for splinting of the bile duct during healing, or for preventing stricture of the bile duct. This generic type of device may include a bile collecting bag that is attached to the biliary catheter by a connector and fastened to the patient with a strap.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device, when it is a bile collecting bag or a surgical biliary catheter that does not include a balloon component, is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 876.9.
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K992569
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## 510(k) Summary for the Medtronic AVE Stent Delivery System
| 510(k)<br>Summary | This summary of 510(k) safety and effectiveness information is being<br>submitted in accordance with the requirements of AMDA 1990 and 21 CFR<br>807.92. |
|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Identification | The assigned 510(k) number is |
| Applicant: | Medtronic AVE, Inc.<br>Peripheral Technologies<br>2330 Circadian Way<br>Santa Rosa, California 95407<br>Contact: Susan L. Walton |
| | Phone: (707) 591-7315 FAX: (707) 591-7406<br>e-mail: susan.walton(@medtronic.com<br>Date submitted: July 30, 1999 |
| Tradename: | Device Name: Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent<br>Model Numbers: B6028, B6028L, B7028, B7028L, B8028, B8028L, B9028,<br>B9028L, B10028, B10028L<br>Classification Name: Catheter, Biliary and accessories |
| Section 513<br>Device<br>Classification | Classification: Class II<br>Classification Panel: 78FGE |
| Equivalence | Medtronic AVE claims substantial equivalence to the Peripheral AVE Stent<br>Delivery System - For Use In Biliary Indication. |
| Intended Use | The Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent is intended to maintain patency of a bile<br>duct which is occluded by a malignant tumor. |
| | Continuad on unaret |
Continued on next page
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## 510(k) Summary for the Medtronic AVE Stent Delivery
System, Continued
Description of Device
The Bridge™ Stent consists of a balloon expandable intralumenal stent premounted onto the balloon of an over-the-wire delivery catheter. The device has two radiopaque platinum markers imbedded on the inner shaft (at each end of the stent) to aid in the placement of the stent during fluoroscopy. The delivery system is compatible with 0.035" guidewires and has a useable length of 75cm to 120cm. The device is provided in a sterile package.
| Size range: | Diameters: 6.0 to 10.0 mm<br>Lengths 28 mm |
|-------------|--------------------------------------------|
|-------------|--------------------------------------------|
Comparison Table
This device is intended to maintain patency of a bile duct which is occluded by a malignant tumor.
| Characteristic | Subject Device | Predicate Device |
|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Intended Use | This device is intended to maintain patency of a bile duct which is occluded by tumor. | This device is intended to maintain patency of a biliary duct which is occluded by tumor. |
| Physical Characteristics (stent) | 316L stainless steel balloon expandable premounted stent <ul><li>Diameters 6 - 10mm</li><li>Length 28mm</li></ul> | 316L stainless steel balloon expandable premounted stent <ul><li>Diameters 5 - 10mm</li><li>Lengths 17 to 60mm</li></ul> |
| Physical Characteristics (delivery system) | Balloon delivery system <ul><li>PTA catheter (PET)</li><li>5.3 to 5.8 F shafts</li><li>75 to 120cm lengths</li><li>0.035" guidewire Ø</li></ul> | Balloon delivery system <ul><li>PTA catheter (PET)</li><li>5.3 to 5.8 F shafts</li><li>75 to 90cm lengths</li><li>0.035" guidewire Ø</li></ul> |
| Anatomical site | Bile duct | Biliary duct |
| Target population | Patients with bile duct obstruction caused by malignant tumor. | Patients with biliary duct obstruction caused by malignant tumor. |
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## 510(k) Summary for the Medtronic AVE Stent Delivery
System, Continued
System, Continued
| Performance<br>Testing | The subject device for this 510(k) is identical to the predicate device with the<br>exception of an alternate stent segment (component) and a new stent length.<br>The flexible Medtronic AVE Stent was found to be substantially equivalent in<br>K983008 approved November 25, 1998. Performance testing was conducted<br>on the subject device for the purpose of direct comparison to the predicate<br>device. The testing was chosen to highlight any differences between the<br>subject device and the predicate device. The balloon materials have not been<br>changed. The useable catheter length may be either 75 cm (cleared in<br>K983008) or a new length, 120 cm. The manufacturing process is not<br>changed. | |
|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Test | Purpose |
| | • Balloon Burst<br>• Balloon Deflation Time<br>• Crossing Profile | To compare the stent/delivery system of the<br>subject device and the predicate device. The<br>data will support a premarket notification for<br>the Medtronic AVE Stent Delivery System -<br>For Use In Biliary Indication. |
| | • Diameter versus<br>Inflation Pressure | To create and compare the compliance curves<br>for the subject device and the predicate device.<br>The data will support a premarket notification<br>for the Medtronic AVE Stent Delivery System -<br>For Use In Biliary Indication. |
| | • Stent Free Area<br>• Stent Length<br>• Stent Recoil | To compare the stent dimensional data for the<br>subject device and the predicate device. The<br>data will support a premarket notification for<br>the Medtronic AVE Stent Delivery System -<br>For Use In Biliary Indication. |
| Conclusions | The performance testing and comparison of the Peripheral AVE Stent<br>Delivery System and the Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent prove the two<br>devices are substantially equivalent. | |
| Additional<br>Information | The summary includes any other information reasonably deemed necessary<br>by FDA. | |
| Biocompatibility | The materials used in the Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent passed all<br>biocompatibility tests. | |
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Kaa 2569
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## 510(k) Summary for the Medtronic AVE Stent Delivery
System, Continued
(
| Sterilization | The Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent is provided sterile.<br><br>The Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent is not intended for sterilization or<br>reuse/resterilization by the user.<br><br>Medtronic AVE validates the sterilization method for its stent delivery<br>systems according to the ANSI/AAMI/ISO 11137 - 1994, Method I:<br>Sterilization of Healthcare Products - Requirements for Validation and<br>Routine Control - Radiation Sterilization. The Sterility Assurance Level<br>(SAL) is 10⁶.<br><br>The Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent is labeled pyrogen free. LAL testing is<br>performed daily in compliance with FDA guidance on Validation of Limulus<br>Amebocyte Lysate Test as an End Product Endotoxin Test for Human and<br>Animal Parenteral Drugs, Biological Products and Medical Devices - Section<br>V - 2 Inhibition and Enhancement Testing as part of Medtronic AVE's<br>product release criteria. |
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Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo is circular, with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract symbol that resembles a stylized bird or human figures, with three overlapping profiles facing to the right.
Public Health Service
ood and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
AUG 31 1999
Ms. Susan L. Walton Regulatory Coordinator Medtronic AVE, Peripheral Technologies 2330A Circadian Way Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Re: K992569
> Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent System (Hi-Flex) - Biliary Indication Regulatory Class: II 21 CFR 876.5010 Product Code: 78 FGE Dated: July 30, 1999 Received: August 2, 1999
Dear Ms. Walton:
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 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). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act and the limitations described below. 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.
The Office of Device Evaluation has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that this device will be used for an intended use not identified in the proposed labeling and that such use could cause harm. Therefore, in accordance with Section 513(i)(1)(E) of the Act, the following limitation must appear in the Warnings section of the device's labeling:
The safety and effectiveness of this device for use in the vascular system have not been established.
Furthermore, the indication for biliary use must be prominently displayed in all labeling, including pouch, box, and carton labels, instructions for use, and other promotional materials, in close proximity to the trade name, of a similar point size, and in bold print.
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Page 2 -- Ms. Susan L. Walton
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 requirements, 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 the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and permits your device to proceed to the market. This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification if the limitation statement above is added to your labeling, as described.
Please note that the above labeling limitations are required by Section 513(i)(1)(E) of the Act. Therefore, a new 510(k) is required before these limitations are modified in any way or removed from the device's labeling.
If you desire specific information about the application of other labeling requirements to your device (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809 10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4616. 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/dsma/dsmamain.html"
Sincerely vours.
Jum Cofo
Susan Alpert, Ph D., M.D Director Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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510(k) Number (if known): K992569
Device Name: Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent System (Hi-Flex) – Biliary Indication
FDA's Statement of the Indications For Use for device:
The Medtronic AVE Bridge™ Stent System (Hi-Flex) – Biliary Indication is intended to maintain patency of a bile duct which is occluded by a malignant tumor.
Tarind A. Styson
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, El and Radiological De 510(k) Number
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109) OR
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.