K123270 · Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. · HBE · Jan 11, 2013 · Neurology
Device Facts
Record ID
K123270
Device Name
POWEREASE SYSTEM
Applicant
Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc.
Product Code
HBE · Neurology
Decision Date
Jan 11, 2013
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 882.4310
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The IPC® System is indicated for the incision/cutting, removal, drilling and sawing of soft and hard tissue and bone, and biomaterials in Neurosurgical (Cranial, Craniofacial), Orthopedic, Arthroscopic, Spinal, Sternotomy, and General surgical procedures. The IPC® POWEREASE™ System is indicated for drilling, tapping and driving screws and working end attachments during spinal surgery, including open and minimally invasive procedures. It is also used in the placement or cutting of screws, posts and rods.
Device Story
POWEREASE™ System consists of powered surgical instrument working ends (taps, drill bits, screwdrivers, post cutters, set screw break-off tools, reduction nut drivers, sleeves); used in spinal surgery; operated by surgeons. System facilitates drilling, tapping, driving screws, and placing/cutting rods and posts. Instruments are compatible with CD HORIZON® SOLERA® and TSRH® 3Dx spinal systems; specific components compatible with NIM-ECLIPSE® Spinal System. Manual alternatives exist for working ends. Device provides mechanical assistance for spinal hardware implantation; improves procedural efficiency during open or minimally invasive spinal surgeries.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence supported by engineering theoretical analysis, internal verification activities, and surgeon validations.
Technological Characteristics
Stainless steel surgical instruments. Powered system components. Compatible with specific spinal implant systems. No changes to technological characteristics from predicate. IEC 60601 compliance for electrical equipment.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients undergoing spinal surgery, including open and minimally invasive procedures, requiring drilling, tapping, driving of screws, and placement or cutting of screws, posts, and rods.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Powered simple cranial drills, burrs, trephines, and their accessories are bone cutting and drilling instruments used on a patient's skull. The instruments are used with a power source but do not have a clutch mechanism to disengage the tip after penetrating the skull.
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K123270
## 510(k) SUMMARY MEDTRONIC Sofamor Danek POWEREASE™ System October 2012
## JAN 1 1 2013
## I. Medtronic Xomed, Inc. (PowerEase) Company: Medtronic Surgical Technologies 6743 Southpoint Drive North Jacksonville, Florida, 32216, USA (904) 296-9600
Medtronic Sofamor Danek, USA Inc. (Working Ends) 1800 Pyramid Place Memphis, Tennessee 38132 (901) 396-3133
Julie Bassett Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist Telephone: (901) 399-3248 Fax: (901) 346-9738
IPC® System IPC® POWEREASE™ System POWEREASE™ System POWEREASE™ System Working Ends
Powered simple cranial drills, burrs, trephines, and their accessories; Surgical instrument motors and accessories/attachments; Evoked Response Electrical Stimulator
Class II
HBE, HWE, GWF
Product Code:
Class:
V. Description:
> The POWEREASE™ System Working Ends consists of instruments such as taps, drill bits, screwdrivers, post cutter, set screw break-off tool, reduction nut driver and sleeves. The working ends have a manual alternative. The working ends, listed above, are compatible with the CD HORIZON® SOLERA® and the TSRH® 3Dx
#### II. Contact:
#### III. Proprietary Trade Name:
IV. Common &Classification Names:
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Spinal System implants. Of the working ends, only the taps, screwdrivers, drill bits, and sleeves are also compatible with Medtronic's NIM-ECLIPSE® Spinal System.
#### VI. Indications for Use:
The IPC® System is indicated for the incision/cutting, removal, drilling and sawing of soft and hard tissue and bone, and biomaterials in Neurosurgical (Cranial, Craniofacial), Orthopedic, Arthroscopic, Spinal, Sternotomy, and General surgical procedures.
The IPC® POWEREASE™ System is indicated for drilling, tapping and driving screws and working end attachments during spinal surgery, including open and minimally invasive procedures. It is also used in the placement or cutting of screws, posts and rods.
#### Summary of the Technological Characteristics: VII.
The purpose of this application for Premarket Notification is to expand the previously cleared [POWEREASE™ System K111520 (S.E. 10/26/2011)] indications to include placement of not only screws, but rods as well. The indications are changing to include the intended use of the nut reduction driver, as well as, update the indications since screws, posts, and rods may all be "cut" or "placed" during the procedure.
In addition, two modified Taps and a Reduction Nut Driver are being added to the POWEREASETM System.
The instrument modifications detailed in this submission have no impact on the technological characteristic of the existing instruments. The working end Taps are intended for tapping during spinal surgery, including both open and minimally invasive procedures. The working ends are used to facilitate the placement of the
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K123270
rods. Like the predicate POWEREASE™ System instruments, the subject instruments are manufactured from stainless steel.
#### IX. Discussion of Non-Clinical Testing:
Engineering rationales, based on engineering theoretical analysis, were completed using testing that had been performed on the predicate device. The predicate testing was in accordance with IEC 60601 for Medical Electrical Equipment. Information and data to support these engineering rationales, as well as surgeon validations and internal verification activities, were provided to demonstrate that the subject devices are substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
#### Conclusion: X. .
Based on the supporting documentation provided in this premarket notification, Medtronic believes the subject devices demonstrate substantial equivalence to the predicate POWEREASE™ System K111520 (S.E. 10/26/2011).
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Image /page/3/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized symbol resembling a caduceus, with three wavy lines representing the staff and a single line representing the snake.
## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Incorporated % Ms. Julie Bassett Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist 1800 Pyramid Place Memphis, Tennessee 38132
January 11, 2013
Re: K123270
Trade/Device Name: POWEREASE™ System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 882.4310 Regulation Name: Powered simple cranial drills, burrs, trephines, and their accessories Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: HBE, HWE, GWF Dated: October 18, 2012 Received: October 19, 2012
Dear Ms. Bassett:
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 device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set
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Page 2 – Ms. Julie Bassett
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.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please go to http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDRH/CDRHOffices/ucm115809.htm for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR 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 Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance 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,
# Peter D. Rumm -S
Mark N. Melkerson Acting Director Division of Surgical Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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510(k) Number (if known): _K123270
Device Name: POWEREASE™ System
Indications for Use:
IPC® System is indicated for the incision/cutting, removal, drilling and sawing of soft and hard tissue and bone, and biomaterials in Neurosurgical (Craniofacial), Orthopedic, Arthroscopic, Spinal, Sternotomy, and General surgical procedures.
The IPC® POWEREASE™ System is indicated for drilling, tapping and driving screws and working end attachments during spinal surgery, including open and minimally invasive procedures. It is also used in placement or cutting of screws, posts and rods.
Prescription Use _X (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
# Peter D. Rumm -S
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Surgical Devices
K123270 510(k) Number_
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.