The POD System is indicated for the embolization of: Intracranial aneurysms . Other neurovascular abnormalities such as arteriovenous malformations and . arteriovenous fistulae . Arterial and venous embolizations in the peripheral vasculature
Device Story
The POD System is a neurovascular/vascular embolization device used by physicians in clinical settings to occlude targeted vasculature. The system consists of a soft platinum coil implant, a detachment pusher, and a detachment handle. The device is delivered endovascularly to the target site; the coil is deployed to pack the vessel and achieve occlusion. The system functions similarly to existing bare-platinum embolization coils. The device benefits patients by providing a mechanism for embolizing aneurysms and other vascular abnormalities. The healthcare provider uses the device under fluoroscopic guidance to place the coil; the resulting occlusion prevents blood flow into the targeted abnormality.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Evidence consists of bench-top testing (dimensional/visual inspection, fatigue, friction, stiffness, simulated use flow model, tensile testing) and GLP animal testing (swine venous pouch aneurysm model) which characterized the device's interaction with the vasculature. Biocompatibility was established via testing per EN ISO 10993, including cytotoxicity, sensitization, irritation, systemic toxicity, genotoxicity, and hemocompatibility.
Technological Characteristics
Components: Platinum/tungsten/nitinol coil, stainless steel/polymer/platinum-iridium/nitinol detachment pusher, plastic handle. Dimensions: Secondary diameter 4-8 mm, secondary length 1-60 cm. Sterilization: EtO. Shelf life: 8 years. Connectivity: None (mechanical device).
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring endovascular embolization of intracranial aneurysms, neurovascular abnormalities (arteriovenous malformations, arteriovenous fistulae), and arterial/venous embolizations in the peripheral vasculature.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A neurovascular embolization device is an intravascular implant intended to permanently occlude blood flow to cerebral aneurysms and cerebral ateriovenous malformations. This does not include cyanoacrylates and other embolic agents, which act by polymerization or precipitation. Embolization devices used in other vascular applications are also not included in this classification, see § 870.3300.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls.) The special control for this device is the FDA guidance document entitled “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Vascular and Neurovascular Embolization Devices.” For availability of this guidance document, see § 882.1(e).
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## 510(k) Summary
(as required by 21 CFR 807.92)
Pursuant to Section 12, Part (a)(i)(3A) of the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, Penumbra Inc. is providing the summary of Substantial Equivalence for the POD™ System.
## Sponsor/Applicant Name and Address
Penumbra, Inc. 1351 Harbor Bay Parkway Alameda, CA 94502, USA
## Sponsor Contact Information
Charles DeNault Regulatory Affairs Specialist . Phone: (510) 748-3302 Fax: (510) 217-6414 Email: cdenault@penumbrainc.com
#### Date of Preparation of 510(k) Summary
April 30, 2014
#### Device Trade or Proprietary Name
POD™ System
#### Device Classification
II Regulatory Class: Classification Panel: Neurology Neurovascular/vascular embolization device Classification Name: 21 CFR 882.5950, 21 CFR 870.3300 Regulation Number: Product Code: HCG, KRD
#### Predicate Devices
| 510(k) Number /<br>Clearance Date | Name of Predicate Device | Name of<br>Manufacturer |
|-----------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|
| K103305 / 26-Jan-2011 | Penumbra Coil System | Penumbra, Inc. |
| K120330 / 02-Apr-2012 | Penumbra Coil System | Penumbra, Inc. |
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## Predicate Comparison
| | Penumbra Coil System | POD System |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| 510(k) No. | K103305 & K120330 | To be determined |
| Classification | Class II, HCG, KRD | Same |
| Indication | Indicated for the endovascular<br>embolization of:<br>• Intracranial aneurysms<br>• Other neurovascular abnormalities such<br>as arteriovenous malformations and<br>arteriovenous fistulae<br>•Arterial and venous embolizations in the<br>peripheral vasculature | Same |
| Materials | | |
| Coil | Platinum/Tungsten, Nitinol | Same |
| Detachment Pusher | Stainless steel, Polymer,<br>Platinum/Iridium, Nitinol | Same |
| Detachment Handle Shell/Funnel | Plastic | |
| Dimensions/Shape | | |
| Coil Secondary Length | 1-60 cm | Same |
| Coil Secondary Diameter | 2-32 mm | 4-8 mm* |
| Coil Secondary Shape | Complex (Standard, Soft, Extra Soft),<br>Helical (Curve), J | Complex |
| Accessories | | |
| Introducer Sheath | Polypropylene (color: orange) | Same |
| Packaging Materials | | |
| Coil Hoop | Polyethylene | Same |
| Pouch | Polyester/Polyethylene/Tyvek | Same |
| Display Carton | SBS Paperboard | Same |
| Sterilization/Shelf Life | | |
| Sterilization Method | EtO | Same |
| Shelf Life | 8 years | Same |
*The proximal segment of the coil will have a reduced secondary diameter
## Device Description
ﮨ
The POD System functions to selectively embolize targeted segments of the vasculature by packing a sufficient quantity of soft platinum coils to achieve occlusion in an equivalent fashion to existing bare-platinum embolization coils. The POD System
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consists of three components: a Coil Implant attached to a Detachment Pusher and a Detachment Handle.
## Intended Use
The POD System is indicated for the embolization of:
- Intracranial aneurysms .
- Other neurovascular abnormalities such as arteriovenous malformations and . arteriovenous fistulae
- . Arterial and venous embolizations in the peripheral vasculature
## Summary of Non-Clinical Data
As required under Section 12, Part (a)(i)(3A) of the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, a summary of any information regarding safety and effectiveness of the device follows.
Included in this section are descriptions of the testing's, which substantiates the safe and effective performance of the POD System as well as its substantial equivalence to the predicate devices:
- . Biocompatibility
- Design Verification (Bench-Top Testing) .
- MRI Compatibility .
- . Design Validation (GLP Animal Testing)
The subject POD System met all established requirements.
## Biocompatibility Testing
Non-clinical testing found POD to be biocompatible according to the requirements of EN ISO 10993 requirements. Biocompatibility for POD was derived from studies on the predicate device. Studies, were selected in accordance with EN ISO 10993 -1 guidelines (Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices). All studies were conducted pursuant to 21 CFR, Part 58, Good Laboratory Practices. The following tests were performed:
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| Test | Pass/Fail |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|
| In Vitro Cytotoxicity (MEM Elution) | Pass |
| Sensitization (Kligman Maximization) | Pass |
| Irritation (Intracutaneous Reactivity) | Pass |
| Systemic Toxicity | |
| Acute Toxicity (ISO Systemic Injection) | Pass |
| In Vivo Sub-acute / Sub-chronic Toxicity | Pass |
| Sub-chronic Toxicity Subchronic (30-Day) | Pass |
| Intravenous Toxicity Study - Mice | Pass |
| Materials Mediated Pyrogen - Rabbit | Pass |
| Genotoxicity | |
| Mouse Lymphoma | Pass |
| Ames Mutagenicity | Pass |
| In Vivo Mouse Micronucleus | Pass |
| Implantation GLP Study - Penumbra Coil<br>System in Swine Venous Pouch Aneurysm<br>Model | Pass |
| Intramuscular Implant Test 13 Week Duration | Pass |
| Hemocompatibility | |
| Hemolysis | Pass |
| Complement Activation | Pass |
| Dog Thrombogenicity | Pass |
## Bench-top Testing
The physical, mechanical and performance testing of the POD System components demonstrate that the devices are substantially equivalent to the currently marketed predicate devices.
Design Verification testing was conducted to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of POD System components. All studies were conducted using good scientific practices and statistical sampling methods as required by the Penumbra Design Control procedures. All testing was performed using units which were 2x sterilized and met finished goods release requirements. The tests performed on the POD System components included:
| Attribute | Specification | Results |
|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|
| Dimensional / Visual<br>Inspection | These evaluations confirm that the units used in this Design<br>Verification testing meet all inspection criteria for release of<br>finished goods (clinically acceptable) product. | 100% Pass |
| Fatigue Testing | The Coil Implant shall retain its secondary shape after being<br>cycled into/out of introducer sheath 5 times | 100% Pass |
| Friction Testing | Push/pull friction acceptable through an 0.025in ID<br>microcatheter | 100% Pass |
| Stiffness Testing | Appropriate stiffness per coil specifications | 100% Pass |
| Simulated Use Flow Model<br>Testing | These evaluations confirm that the units used in this Design<br>Verification testing meet all inspection criteria for release of | 100% Pass |
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| Attribute | Specification | Results |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|
| | finished goods (clinically acceptable) product. | |
| Coil Dimensional Inspection<br>(after simulated use testing) | These evaluations confirm that the units used in this Design<br>Verification testing withstood the simulated use testing | 100% Pass |
| Distal System Tensile Test | Coil Implant and Detachment Pusher joints has sufficient<br>tensile strength' | 100% Pass |
All testing met specification. The results of the tests appropriately address the physical and mechanical performance expectations of the device. Based on these overall results, the physical and mechanical properties of the POD System are acceptable for the intended use and substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
## MRI Compatibility
Penumbra consulted with an MR scanning expert and concluded minor design changes will have no impact on RF heating, and the same MRI conditions that are safe for the Penumbra Coil System Coil Implants arrays will also be safe for the POD Coil Implants.
## Design Validation (GLP Animal Testing)
The existing Penumbra Coil System GLP animal study fully characterizes the POD System's interaction with the vasculature. No additional animal testing is required for the POD System.
#### Summary of Substantial Equivalence
The POD System is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices with regard to intended use, operating principle, design concept, materials, shelf-life, packaging and sterilization processes.
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Image /page/5/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized human figure with outstretched arms, enclosed within a circle. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged around the upper portion of the circle.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
July 3, 2014
Penumbra, Inc. Mr. Charles Denault Regulatory Affairs Specialist 1351 Harbor Bay Parkway Alameda, California 94502
Re: K141134
> Trade/Device Name: POD system Regulation Number: 21 CFR 882.5950 Regulation Name: Neurovascular Embolization Device Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: HCG and KRD Dated: June 4, 2014 Received: June 6, 2014
Dear Mr. Denault:
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.
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
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Page 2 - Mr. Charles Denault
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,
## Felipe Aquel -S
Carlos L. Peña, PhD, MS for Director Division of Neurological
and Physical Medicine Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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#### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration
## Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K141134
Device Name POD (Penumbra Occlusion Device) System
Indications for Use (Describe) The POD System is indicated for the embolization of:
Intracranial aneurysms
Other neurovascular abnormalities such as arteriovenous malformations and arteriovenous fistulae
Arterial and venous embolizations in the peripheral vasculature
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
2 Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
_ Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
## PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON A SEPARATE PAGE IF NEEDED.
FOR FDA USE ONLY
Concurrence of Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) (Signature)
# pe Aguel -S Date: 2014.07.03 12:31:39
04'00'
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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.