K110858 · Roland F Berthiaume, DC · HST · Aug 2, 2011 · Orthopedic
Device Facts
Record ID
K110858
Device Name
LO-BAK TRAX
Applicant
Roland F Berthiaume, DC
Product Code
HST · Orthopedic
Decision Date
Aug 2, 2011
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 888.5850
Device Class
Class 1
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Lo-Bak TRAX is intended for single person use by adults to provide portable, non-powered traction force to the lumbar spine and to stretch and relax the para-spinal muscles and soft tissues. Use of Lo-Bak TRAX is indicated for the following conditions: low back pain, degenerative disc disease, spinal degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, spinal curvature due to tight muscles, sciatica and muscle spasm.
Device Story
Lo-Bak TRAX is a portable, non-powered orthopedic traction device for home use by adults. Device consists of powder-coated metal frame with foam handle grips and thigh contact pads. User operates device in supine position with hips and knees flexed; thigh contacts align with inguinal crease. User applies traction force by pushing handles toward feet using upper body strength. Intermittent traction is self-controlled; user determines force magnitude, duration (20-30 seconds), and direction. Device unweights lumbar discs and facet joints while relaxing para-spinal musculature. No moving parts or assembly required. Benefits include portable, user-controlled lumbar distraction without external weights, pulleys, or restraints.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence is based on descriptive comparisons of technological characteristics, intended use, and biomechanical principles of operation.
Technological Characteristics
Non-powered, non-invasive orthopedic traction device. Materials: powder-coated metal tubing, foam handle grips/pads, stainless steel thigh contacts. Dimensions: 23" x 9" x 4"; Weight: 3.5 lbs. Operates via manual force application by user. No electronic components, software, or energy source.
Indications for Use
Indicated for adults requiring lumbar spine traction and para-spinal muscle/soft tissue stretching. Conditions include low back pain, degenerative disc disease, spinal degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, spinal curvature due to tight muscles, sciatica, and muscle spasm.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A nonpowered orthopedic traction apparatus is a device that consists of a rigid frame with nonpowered traction accessories, such as cords, pulleys, or weights, and that is intended to apply a therapeutic pulling force to the skeletal system.
Predicate Devices
Teeter Hang Up's Inversion Table, Model # EP550
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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K1.10858
#### 510(k) Summary
AUG - 2 2011
Owners Name: Roland F. Berthiaume, DC Address: 585 Cooley Street Springfield, MA. 01128 Phone: 413-783-3800 Fax: 413-783-7170 E-mail: DrBerthiaume@aol.com
Contact Person: Same Date Prepared: 3/17/2011
Device Name: Lo-Bak TRAX Classification Name: Non-powered Orthopedic Traction Apparatus and Accessories (CFR) 888.5850, Type 1 device, Product Code: HST
Legally Marketed Predicate: Teeter Hang Up's Inversion Table. Model # EP550
Device Description: Lo-Bak TRAX is a non-powered, portable spinal traction device which is designed to simplify spinal traction of the lumbar spine and stretch the para-spinal soft tissues. It is light-weight (weighs less than 5 pounds) and compact, yet very strong and durable. Much like bicycle handlebars, there is a right and left handle. Correspondingly, there is a right and left thigh contact. The two thigh contacts are designed to align with the inguinal/thigh crease formed where the upper-most thigh attaches to the trunk when the hips are flexed 90 degrees. It has foam handle grips and ¼" SCE foam leg contact pads which both, provide comfort and function to prevent slippage while using the device. It is powder-coated with high gloss paint to make clean up easy with a warm, soapy cloth or disinfective wipe.
There are no moving parts and no assembly required. It is ready to use from the moment you take it out of the box.
This device is designed to traction the lumbar spine by utilizing the upper thighs as the contact point and the bilateral upper extremities as the traction force source. The device will accomplish this by having the user lie in a supine posture with the lower extremities flexed at both the hips and knees bilaterally with the heels positioned as close as comfortable to the corresponding buttock area. This posture flattens the lumbar lordosis, creating more of a straight line force vector which results in unweighting of the discs and facet joints while simultaneously relaxing the surrounding para-spinal musculature. This posture makes the spine more amenable to distraction with less force required than a device which attempts to traction the lumbar spine with the lumbar lordosis maintained.
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# 510(k) Summary, cont.
Once the thigh contact is made, the user pushes the handles towards the feet utilizing the upper extremities/body as the traction force source. This device and posture provides significant traction to the lumbar spine area without the need for any cables, pulleys, restraints or weights.
Because the device is user-controlled, the force utilized is totally under the control of the user. The hold time for the force is between 20-30 seconds at a time, and the protocol calls for 4-6 repetitions with a 90-120 second rest time in between repetitions for a total treatment time of between 10-15 minutes. This is an intermittent form of traction. The user will feel when too much force is being applied and is ultimately the best judge of how much force they can tolerate on a specific day. The user is in total control at all times of the amount of force applied and even, the direction of the force. The direction can be varied by the user to affect not only different levels of the spine, but from right to left as well, simply based upon where the thigh contacts are placed and how much force is applied to either handle. The energy supplied is all based upon the user's own upper body strength.
### Indications for Use:
Lo-Bak TRAX is intended for single person use by adults to provide portable, non-powered traction force to the lumbar spine and to stretch and relax the para-spinal muscles and soft tissues.
Use of Lo-Bak TRAX is indicated for the following conditions: low back pain, degenerative disc disease, spinal degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, spinal curvature due to tight muscles, sciatica and muscle spasm.
## Technological Characteristics Similarities vs. Differences:
#### Lo-Bak TRAX and Predicate Device Similarities:
- . Both are Non-powered, Non-invasive Orthopedic Traction Devices.
- . Both target the spine with their treatment.
- Both cause unweighting of the intervertebral discs and facet joints due to distraction . and positioning.
- . Both stretch and relax the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the spine.
- . Both naturally target low back pain and its associated disability without the need for complimentary modalities.
- . Both are user controlled.
- . Both are designed for home use by adults, without the need for supervision.
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| Device & Predicate Device(s): | K110858<br>Lo-Bak TRAX | Teeter Hang Ups<br>Inversion Table<br>Model 550<br>(Exempt)<br>From website |
|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Physical Attributes & Indicators: | | |
| Basic Materials | Powder-coated metal<br>tubing, foam hand<br>grips and pads,<br>stainless steel thigh<br>contacts | Powder coated<br>metal tubing, rubber<br>coated hand grips,<br>sling surface of<br>unknown material |
| | 23" x 9" x 4" | 48" x 27" x 61" |
| Measurements and Weight | 3.5lb's | 68lb's |
| Treatment Position | Supine, with hips<br>flexed approx 80 deg.<br>and feet resting flat | Supine with ankles<br>secured - variable<br>degree of inversion.<br>Legs extended. |
| Method of Generating Traction Force | Pressure exerted by<br>user's upper<br>extremities pushing on<br>handle bars, with<br>bilateral upper thighs<br>as contact points | Gravity assisted by<br>variable degrees of<br>inversion (up to full<br>inversion) |
| Amount of Traction Force Supplied | Variable - based on<br>force exerted by user | Variable - based on<br>degree of inversion -<br>body weight +<br>gravity assist |
| Force Gauge | No | No |
| Assembly Required by User | No | Yes |
### Lo-Bak TRAX and Predicate Device Differences:
Lo-Bak TRAX is designed to be lightweight and portable.
Lo-Bak TRAX is designed to utilize a supine lying posture for comfort, effectiveness and safety.
Lo-Bak TRAX is designed to utilize user generated and controlled intermittent type traction.
Lo-Bak TRAX is designed with no moving parts or assembly required and is ready to use from the moment it is taken out of the box.
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#### Summary of safety and effectiveness:
Lo-Bak TRAX was designed to address the need for a portable, simple to use, safer way of tractioning the lumbar spine while maintaining the effectiveness of such a device. Lo-Bak TRAX's new approach to lumbar spine traction does not adversely affect safety or effectiveness as compared to the predicate device.
The important attributes contributing to the safety and effectiveness of Lo-Bak TRAX include: the user controlled force source with no reliance on mechanical involvement to initiate, the new biomechanical postural approach designed to maximize comfort while minimizing the force necessary to achieve unweighting of the discs and facet joints while simultaneously stretching and relaxing the para-spinal soft tissues, the intermittent form of traction, and it's one piece design with no moving parts.
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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 features a stylized depiction of an eagle or bird-like figure with three curved lines forming its body and wings. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular fashion around the bird symbol.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room -WO66-G609 Silver Spring. MD 20993-0002
Berthiaume Chiropractic % Roland F. Berthiaume, DC 585 Cooley Street Springfield. Massachusetts 01128
Re: K110858
AUG - 2 2011
Trade/Device Name: Lo-Bak TRAX Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.5850 Regulation Name: Nonpowered orthopedic traction apparatus and accessories Regulatory Class: Class I Product Code: HST Dated: July 25, 2011 Received: July 28, 2011
Dear Dr. Berthiaume:
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- Roland F. Berthiaume, DC
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/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours.
Sincerely yours,
Mark A. Milliken
Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of Surgical, Orthopedic and Restorative Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
### 510(k) Number: K110858
Device Name: Lo-Bak TRAX
#### Indications for Use:
Lo-Bak TRAX is intended for single person use by adults to provide portable, nonpowered traction force to the lumbar spine and to stretch and relax the para-spinal muscles and soft tissues.
Use of Lo-Bak TRAX is indicated for the following conditions: low back pain, degenerative disc disease, spinal degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, spinal curvature due to tight muscles, sciatica and muscle spasm.
Prescription Use______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use × (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
# (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
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Page 1 of
(Division Sign Division of Surgical, Orthopedic, and Restorative Devices
IND-1
510(k) Number K110858
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.