K030475 · Boston Scientific, Target · HCG · Mar 14, 2003 · Neurology
Device Facts
Record ID
K030475
Device Name
GDC STRETCH RESISTANT DETACHABLE COIL
Applicant
Boston Scientific, Target
Product Code
HCG · Neurology
Decision Date
Mar 14, 2003
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 882.5950
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC) is intended for embolizing certain intracranial aneurysms that because of their morphology, their location, or the patient's general medical condition - are considered by the treating neurosurgical team to be: a) very high risk for management by traditional operative techniques, or, b) inoperable, and for embolizing other vascular malformations such as arteriovenous malformations and arteriovenous fistulae of the neurovasculature. The GDC is also intended for arterial and venous embolizations in the peripheral vasculature.
Device Story
GDC system consists of platinum-tungsten occlusion coils attached to delivery wires, a battery-operated power supply, connecting cables, and patient return electrode. Physician uses fluoroscopic guidance and infusion catheter to deliver coil to target site. Once positioned, power supply applies constant current to delivery wire; electrolysis dissolves stainless steel junction, detaching coil. Power supply detects detachment, halts current, and emits audible signal. Physician verifies placement via fluoroscopy. System used in clinical settings by interventional teams. Modification replaces one-piece anchor 'twister' with two-piece anchor 'chain' in Stretch Resistant versions to improve mechanical integrity without altering detachment principle or clinical performance.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Verification testing compared modified devices against predicates for tensile strength, friction, detachment time, deployment/retraction force, tip ball strength, coil migration, and coil stiffness. All tests met acceptance criteria.
Technological Characteristics
Platinum-tungsten alloy wire coils; stainless-steel delivery wire with Teflon jacket. Modification: two-piece anchor chain for stretch-resistant thread. Energy source: battery-operated power supply (constant current). Connectivity: wired system. Sterilization: not specified. Software: embedded logic for current control and detachment detection.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with intracranial aneurysms considered high-risk or inoperable by traditional surgery, and for neurovascular abnormalities including arteriovenous malformations and fistulae. Also indicated for arterial and venous embolizations in 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).
Predicate Devices
Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC) - Additional Version 4 Modifications (K001083)
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K030475
Special 510(k): Modification to Boston Scientific Target's GDC® Stretch Resistant Detachable Coils: Replacement of Anchor "Twister" with Anchor "Chain"
## a. Summary Of Safety And Effectiveness
Contact Person
MAR 1 4 2003
Jim Leathley Regulatory Affairs Project Manager Boston Scientific Target 47900 Bayside Parkway Fremont, CA. 94538
Trade Name
Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC®)
Common Name
Occlusion Coil
Classification Name
Artificial Embolization Device (21 CFR Section 882.5950)
Predicate Devices
| Number | Description | Predicate for | Clearance Date |
|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------|
| K001083<br>(Boston<br>Scientific<br>Target) | Guglielmi Detachable Coil<br>(GDC) - Additional Version<br>4 Modifications | GDC 10-Soft SR<br>GDC 10-Soft 2D SR | 3 May 2000 |
| K002181<br>(Boston<br>Scientific<br>Target) | GDC 10-UltraSoft Coil | GDC 10-UltraSoft | 11 August 2000 |
Boston Scientific Target
February 2003
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### Device Description
Guglielmi Detachable Coils (GDC®) are used as part of a system indicated for endovascular occlusion in patients with high surgical risk intracranial aneurysms and other neurovascular abnormalities.
The GDC system consists of the following items, each of which is sold separately
- · GDC Power Supply
- · GDC SynerG TM occlusion coil attached to a delivery wire
- · set of GDC connecting cables
- · patient return electrode
- · two 9-volt batteries
GDC SynerG coils are available in regular (secondary helical), 2D (secondary helical with distal helix) and 3D (tertiary) shapes, in a range of sizes, and in Standard, Soft and Stretch Resistant versions, all of which are compatible with Boston Scientific Target Infusion Catheters with two tip markers. GDC is also available as an UltraSoft™ Coil, developed to address physicians' requests for a softer Stretch Resistant coil and a wider range of coil sizes to treat intracranial aneurysms. Boston Scientific Target also offers a Fibered GDC device, GDC 18-Fibered VortX Shape, incorporating synthetic fibers through the main coil for a more rigid coil.
All of the coils are manufactured from a platinum-tungsten alloy wire which is wound into a primary or main coil. Depending upon the desired final configuration, a coil is either formed into a secondary helical shape (standard and Stretch Resistant GDC), vortex shape (GDC-18 Fibered VortX) or tertiary shape (3D GDC). The distal tip of the coil is welded to form a smooth tip (with the exception of Stretch Resistant GDC). The coils are attached to a delivery wire, which consists of a ground stainless-steel core with a stainless-steel coil welded at the distal end and a Teflon® outer jacket.
Using fluoroscopic guidance and a guiding catheter to access the lesion, the physician delivers the GDC coil to the targeted site through an infusion catheter.
Upon desired placement in the anatomy, the coil is detached by use of a battery-operated power supply designed specifically for use with the GDC system. The GDC SynerG Power Supply used to initiate and control detachment is a self-contained unit that applies a constant current through the GDC system until detachment is detected.
Each time the GDC Power Supply is turned on, the unit defaults to the 1.0 mA current setting. Pressing the "Current" switch one time changes the setting to the 0.5 mA current setting; pressing a second time changes the setting to 0.75 mA; pressing a third time returns the unit to the default 1.0 mA setting. Each time the switch is pressed, the current display flashes the new current setting.
After selecting a current setting and initiating detachment, the current flowing through the delivery wire begins to dissolve, by electrolysis, the exposed stainless steel at the junction with the platinum-tungsten coil. Over a period of several minutes, the exposed steel completely dissolves and the platinum-tungsten coil detaches. When coil detachment is detected, the GDC SynerG Power Supply immediately halts current flow, freezes the displays and emits an audible signal that coil detachment has occurred. Using fluoroscopy, the physician then verifies that the
Boston Scientific Target
February 2003
Page 73 Confidential
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delivery wire can be withdrawn without disturbing the newly placed coil, and can resume electrolysis if necessary.
Multiple GDC coils may be placed within a single aneurysm, at the discretion of the interventional team, to achieve optimum occlusion of the lesion.
#### Intended Use
### GDC Coils (All Versions except GDC 18-Fibered VortX™ Shape):
The Guglielmi Detachable Coil is intended for embolization of those intracranial aneurysms that - because of their morphology, their location, or the patient's general medical condition - are considered by the treating neurosurgical team to be a) very high risk for management by traditional operative techniques, or b) inoperable. The GDC is also intended for embolization of other neurovascular abnormalities such as arteriovenous malformations and arteriovenous fistulae.
### GDC 18-Fibered VortX Shape:
This product is intended for embolization of vascular abnormalities such as arteriovenous malformations and arteriovenous fistulae of the neuro vasculature. GDC-18 Fibered VortX Shape is also intended for arterial and venous embolizations in the peripheral vasculature.
Page 74 Confidential
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## Technological Characteristics Comparison
Coil Dimensional Attributes (compared to the predicate device)
| | GDC 10-Soft SR with anchor chain<br>GDC 10-Soft 2D SR with anchor chain<br>GDC 10-UltraSoft™ Coil with anchor chain |
|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Coil Primary Wind OD | Same as predicate device. |
| Secondary Coil OD | Same as predicate device. |
| Coil Wire OD | Same as predicate device. |
| Delivery Wire Length | Same as predicate device. |
| Delivery Wire Proximal OD | Same as predicate device. |
| Delivery Wire Distal OD | Same as predicate device. |
Boston Scientific Target
Page 75 Confidential
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# Special 510(k): Modification to Boston Scientific Target's GDC® Stretch Resistant Detachable Coils: Replacement of Anchor "Twister" with Anchor "Chain"
# Technological Characteristics Comparison (cont.)
### Materials
| | GDC 10-Soft SR with anchor chain<br>GDC 10-Soft 2D SR with anchor chain<br>GDC 10-UltraSoft™ Coil with anchor chain |
|--------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Main Coil | Same as predicate device |
| Stretch Resistant Thread | Same as predicate device |
| Main Coil / delivery wire junction tubing | Same as predicate device |
| Anchor (for Stretch Resistant Thread) | Two-piece anchor chain<br>(replaces one-piece anchor twister) |
| Delivery Wire | |
| Core wire w/coating | Same as predicate device |
| Proximal Coil | Same as predicate device |
| Proximal Marker Coil | Same as predicate device |
| Sheath, Delivery Wire (heat shrink tubing) | Same as predicate device |
| Proximal Tubing | Same as predicate device |
| Bushing | Same as predicate device |
| Inner Coil | Same as predicate device |
Boston Scientific Target
Page 76 Confidential February 2003
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| Test or Point of Comparison | GDC 10-Soft SR with anchor chain<br>GDC 10-Soft 2D SR with anchor chain<br>GDC 10-UltraSoft™ Coil with anchor chain |
|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Tensile Strength | Meets acceptance criteria. |
| Friction | Meets acceptance criteria. |
| Detachment Time | Modification has no affect upon detachment time. |
| Deployment / Retraction Force | Meets acceptance criteria. |
| Tip Ball Strength | Meets acceptance criteria. |
| Coil Migration | Modification has no affect upon coil migration. |
| Coil Stiffness | Meets acceptance criteria. |
| Inner Coil Weld Strength | Modification has no affect upon inner coil weld strength. |
## Verification Test Summary Table: Predicate GDC Devices vs Modified Devices
Boston Scientific Target
Page 77 Confidential February 2003
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Image /page/6/Picture/1 description: The image shows the seal of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) of the United States. The seal features a stylized image of a bird, possibly an eagle, with its wings spread. The words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" are arranged in a circular pattern around the bird. The seal is black and white.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
MAR 1 4 2003
Mr. Jim Leathley Regulatory Affairs Project Manger Boston Scientific Target 47900 Bayside Parkway Fremont, California 94538
Re: K030475
Trade/Device Name: Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC®) Regulation Number: 21 CFR 882.5950 Regulation Name: Artificial embolization device Regulatory Class: III Product Code: HCG Dated: February 12, 2003 Received: February 13, 2003
Dear Mr. Leathley:
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.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), 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 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); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
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Page 2 - Mr. Jim Leathley
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4659. 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" (21CFR Part 807.97) you may obtain. Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer 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 yours,
Miriam C. Provost
Celia M. Witten, Ph.D., M.D. Director Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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K030475
Special 510(k): Modification to Boston Scientific Target's GDC® Stretch Resistant Detachable Coils: Replacement of Anchor "Twister" with Anchor "Chain"
Image /page/8/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for Boston Scientific Target. The words "Boston" and "Scientific" are stacked on top of each other in a serif font. Underneath those words is a horizontal line, and below that is the word "TARGET" in a bold, sans-serif font. The word "TARGET" is slightly slanted to the right.
### INDICATIONS FOR USE STATEMENT
510(k) Number: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GDC 10-Soft SR Device Name: GDC 10-Soft 2D SR GDC 10-UltraSoft
#### Indications for Use:
GDC / Stretch Resistant GDC
The Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC) is intended for embolizing certain intracranial aneurysms that because of their morphology, their location, or the patient's general medical condition - are considered by the treating neurosurgical team to be:
a) very high risk for management by traditional operative techniques, or, b) inoperable,
and for embolizing other vascular malformations such as arteriovenous malformations and arteriovenous fistulae of the neurovasculature.
The GDC is also intended for arterial and venous embolizations in the peripheral vasculature.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109) OR
Over The Counter Use _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Muriam C. Provost
General, Restorative and Neurological Devices
February 2003
510(k) Number k030475
Boston Scientific Target
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.