K031687 · Vanguard Medical Concepts, Inc. · KTT · Apr 30, 2004 · Orthopedic
Device Facts
Record ID
K031687
Device Name
VANGUARD REPROCESSED EXTERNAL FIXATION DEVICES
Applicant
Vanguard Medical Concepts, Inc.
Product Code
KTT · Orthopedic
Decision Date
Apr 30, 2004
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 888.3030
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
External fixation components are intended for the treatment of bone conditions that can be corrected or improved by external skeletal traction or fixation, including osteotomy, arthrodesis, fracture and reconstructive surgery.
Device Story
Vanguard Reprocessed External Fixation Devices consist of cleaned, inspected, and reprocessed OEM external fixation components (Stryker/Synthes). System includes rods, tubes, clamps, rings, and ring segments used to construct rigid external frames. Surgeon assembles components to stabilize bone fractures or support anatomical structures via anchoring pins, screws, or wires. Used in clinical settings for fracture management where internal fixation is precluded. Reprocessing restores used devices to original specifications, providing equivalent structural support and load-bearing capabilities as new OEM devices. Benefits include cost-effective access to established fixation technology for orthopedic stabilization.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Performance, sterilization, and packaging validations were conducted to demonstrate that reprocessed devices perform as intended and maintain safety and effectiveness equivalent to original OEM devices.
Technological Characteristics
Metallic bone fixation appliances (21 CFR 888.3030). Materials include stainless steel, anodized aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and carbon fiber composites. Components include rods, tubes, clamps, rings, and ring segments. Mechanical assembly via couplings and clamps. No changes to original OEM specifications. Sterilization and packaging validated for reprocessed state.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring external skeletal traction or fixation for bone conditions including osteotomy, arthrodesis, fracture, and reconstructive surgery. Contraindicated in patients with mental or neurologic impairment interfering with cooperative postoperative care; not intended for spinal screw fixation.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories are devices intended to be implanted consisting of one or more metallic components and their metallic fasteners. The devices contain a plate, a nail/plate combination, or a blade/plate combination that are made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, stainless steel, and titanium, that are intended to be held in position with fasteners, such as screws and nails, or bolts, nuts, and washers. These devices are used for fixation of fractures of the proximal or distal end of long bones, such as intracapsular, intertrochanteric, intercervical, supracondylar, or condylar fractures of the femur; for fusion of a joint; or for surgical procedures that involve cutting a bone. The devices may be implanted or attached through the skin so that a pulling force (traction) may be applied to the skeletal system.
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| APR | 30 |
|-----|------|
| | 2004 |
031687
page 1 of 3
# 510(k) Summary of Safety & Effectiveness
| Submitter | Vanguard Medical Concepts, Inc.<br>5307 Great Oak Drive<br>Lakeland, FL 33815 |
|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact | Heather Crawford, RAC<br>Director of Regulatory Affairs<br>(863) 683-8680, extension 249<br>(863) 683-8703 (facsimile)<br>hcrawford@safe-reuse.com |
| Date | May 30, 2003 |
| Device | <ul><li>Trade Names: Vanguard Reprocessed External Fixation Devices <ul><li>⇒ Stryker® Trauma External Fixation Devices</li><li>⇒ Synthes® (USA) External Fixation Devices</li></ul></li><li>Common Name: External fixation devices</li><li>Classification: 21 CFR 888.3030 – Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories – Class II</li><li>Product Code KTT</li></ul> |
| Predicate<br>Devices | Respective Stryker® Trauma and Synthes® legally marketed external fixation devices under various 510(k) premarket notifications. |
| Indications for<br>Use | External fixation components are intended for the treatment of bone conditions that can be corrected or improved by external skeletal traction or fixation, including osteotomy, arthrodesis, fracture and reconstructive surgery. |
| Contra-<br>indications | <ul><li>External fixation systems are contraindicated in patients with mental or neurologic impairment that would interfere with cooperative postoperative care.</li><li>These devices are not intended for attachment or fixation of screws to the spine.</li></ul> Continued on next page |
Hoffmann®, Compact™, and Tenxor™ are registered trademarks of Stryker® Trauma, a division of the Stryker Corporation
Synthes® is a registered trademark of Synthes-Stratec.
v - Page 1 of 4
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External skeletal fixator systems are comprised of various elements that, Device Description when used in conjunction with one another, form bridge constructs to which anchoring screws, wires and/or pins, may be attached. Bridge elements are designed to provide a framework for stabilization of bone fractures where soft tissue injury may preclude the use of other fracture treatments such as IM rodding, casting, or other means of internal fixation. External fixator elements consist of components such as straight and curved rods, tubes, rodto-rod, and rod-to-pin couplings and clamps, rings and ring segments, ring-torod, and ring-to-pin clamps.
> Rods and Tubes ~ Straight rods and tubes are unilateral external fixation devices of varying lengths and diameters that are used with rod-to rod and pin-to-rod clamps by the surgeon to connect anchoring pins, screws and wires together to form a rigid structure that immobilizes the affected bone or structures. Differences in length and diameter of the rods or tubes allow accommodation of a broad range of fracture scenarios and applied loads. All rods have a straight, solid, round design. Tubes are normally larger diameter than rods, and are therefore typically lighter than a solid rod of the same material and diameter, while retaining similar load bearing capabilities to a solid rod of equal diameter. Rods and tubes are typically constructed of either stainless steel, carbon fiber, or aluminum.
> Curved rods are multilateral devices bent in shapes useful for some constructs where straight rods are less suitable. These rods allow the surgeon to connect pins in various locations in the limb together to form a rigid structure. Curved rods are manufactured from either aluminum or stainless steel.
> Rod-to-Rod Couplings or Clamps ~ These are multi-element components used to connect one rod or tube to another in a range of positions defined by the individual clamp configuration. They are designed to interconnect a specific size or range of sizes of rods or tubes. The devices are typically constructed from one of the following materials: anodized aluminum alloys, steel or stainless steel alloys and titanium alloys.
> Rod or Tube-to-Pin Couplings or Clamps ~ These are multi-element components used to connect one rod or tube to a pin or group of pins in a range of positions defined by the individual clamp configuration. They are designed to interconnect a specific size or range of sizes of rods or tubes to
> > Continued on next page
Hotimann®, Compact™, and Tenxor1M are registered trademarks of Stryker® Trauma, a division of the Stryker Corporation. Synthes® is a registered trademark of Synthes-Stratec.
v - Page 2 of 4
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Device Description, continued
specific sizes or ranges of sizes of pins. The devices are typically constructed from one or more of the following materials: Anodized aluminum alloys, steel and/or stainless steel alloys and titanium alloys.
Rings and Ring Segments ~ These are circular or semicircular segments manufactured to surround the area of attachment to bone located centrally in the ring. Various attachments are made to the rings or ring segments to stabilize bone fractures or to reduce or extend the length of bones. Tensioned wires or pins are commonly attached to rings and ring segments using clamps designed for this purpose. Multiple ring or ring segment constructs are used to stabilize and structurally support the anatomical structures being treated using a range of configurations and attachments and connectors. The rings and ring segments are manufactured in a range of diameters to allow selection of a size most appropriate to the anatomy and application needed. Rings and ring segments are typically manufactured from one or more of the following materials: anodized aluminum alloys, steel and stainless steel alloys or carbon fiber composites.
Ring-to-Rod Clamps ~ Ring-to-rod clamps are utilized to connect a ring or ring segment to a rod. These attachments are made to form an external fixator frame construct as required for the particular biomechanical needs of the procedure. Ring to rod clamps are typically constructed from one or more of the following materials: anodized aluminum alloys, steel and/or stainless steel alloys and titanium alloys.
Ring-to-Pin or Ring-to-Wire Clamps ~ Ring-to-pin or wire clamps are utilized to connect an external fixation ring or ring segment to a pin or wire that is normally affixed to the bone passing centrally through the ring. Wires are normally attached on one side of the ring, passed through the bone, and continue to an attachment point on the opposite side of the ring where they are affixed under tension to another ring to wire clamp. Ring-to-pin clamps are used to secure the ring to a pin or set of pins that are anchored in the bone passing centrally through the external fixation ring. Ring-to-pin and ring-towire clamps are typically constructed from one or more of the following materials: anodized aluminum alloys, steel and/or stainless steel alloys and titanium alloys.
Continued on next page
Hoffmann®, Compact™, and Tenxor™ are registered trademarks of Stryker® Trauma, a division of the Stryker Corporation. Synthes 8) is a registered trademark of Synthes-Stratec.
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## 510(k) Summary of Safety & Effectiveness, Continued
| Device<br>Description,<br>continued | Vanguard receives previously used external fixation devices from healthcare<br>facilities. These devices are cleaned, inspected, tested, repackaged and<br>returned to the healthcare facility. |
|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Technological<br>Characteristics | The Vanguard reprocessed external fixation devices are essentially identical to<br>the currently marketed OEM devices. No changes are made to the currently<br>marketed device's specifications and they possess the same technological<br>characteristics. Performance/functional testing demonstrates the devices are<br>equivalent and continue to be safe and effective for their intended use. |
| Test Data | Performance, sterilization and packaging validations demonstrate that the<br>reprocessed devices perform as intended and are safe and effective. |
| Conclusion | Based on the information provided herein and the 510(k) "Substantial<br>Equivalence" Decision Making Process Chart, we conclude that the Vanguard<br>reprocessed external fixation devices are substantially equivalent to the<br>predicate devices under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. |
Hoffmann®, Compact™, and Tenxor™ are registered trademarks of Stryker® Trauma, a division of the Stryker Corporation. Synthes® is a registered trademark of Synthes-Stratec.
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Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo is a circular seal with the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract image of an eagle with three stylized wings or feathers. The eagle's head is facing left, and its body is composed of curved lines.
#### Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
## APR 3 0 2004
Ms. Heather Crawford, RAC Director of Regulatory Affairs Vanguard Medical Concepts, Inc. 5307 Great Oak Drive Lakeland, Florida 33815
Re: K031687
Trade/Device Name: Vanguard Reprocessed External Fixation Devices Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3030 Regulation Name: Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories Regulatory Class: II Product Code: KTT Dated: January 30, 2004 Received: February 2, 2004
Dear Ms. Crawford:
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 - Ms. Heather Crawford, RAC
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. 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 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,
Mark A. Millerson
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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### Indications for Use
510(k) Number: K03 687
Device Name: Vanguard Reprocessed External Fixation Devices
Indications for Use:
External fixation components are intended for the treatment of bone conditions that can be corrected or improved by external skeletal traction or fixation, including osteotomy, arthrodesis, fracture and reconstructive surgery.
#### (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
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
Mark M. Melleur. iv
Division Sign-Off
Division of General, Restorative, and Neurological Devices
687 510(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.