K172636 · Proxy Biomedical , Ltd. · FTL · Apr 30, 2018 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K172636
Device Name
VitaMESH Macroporous PP Surgical Mesh
Applicant
Proxy Biomedical , Ltd.
Product Code
FTL · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Apr 30, 2018
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.3300
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Proxy Biomedical VITAMESH™ surgical mesh is intended to assist in the repair and/or reinforcement of hernia and other fascial defects requiring the additional support of a nonabsorbable implant during and after wound healing
Device Story
VitaMESH is a nonabsorbable, synthetic surgical mesh constructed of knitted polypropylene filaments. It is used by surgeons in clinical settings to provide structural reinforcement for hernia and fascial defects. The device is implanted to support tissue during and after the wound healing process. This submission documents a change in the polypropylene resin supplier; the manufacturing process, including knitting and sterilization, remains identical to the predicate device. The mesh provides elasticity in multiple directions due to its interlinked fiber junction design. Clinical benefit is derived from the permanent mechanical support provided to the defect site, reducing the risk of recurrence. The device is provided sterile.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Evaluations included mechanical testing (areal density, stiffness, tensile strength, suture pullout, tear resistance, burst strength, pore size, thickness), 5-year accelerated aging, ethylene oxide residual analysis per ISO 10993-7, microbiological/pyrogen testing (LAL method), and biocompatibility testing (cytotoxicity, irritation, sensitization) per ISO 10993-1. Results confirmed the device meets all specifications and is equivalent to the predicate.
Technological Characteristics
Knitted polypropylene mesh; nonabsorbable. Sterilized via Ethylene Oxide. Compliant with ISO 10993-7 (residuals) and ISO 10993-1 (biocompatibility). Mechanical properties include specific areal density, stiffness, tensile strength, suture pullout strength, tear resistance, burst strength, and pore size.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring repair or reinforcement of hernia and fascial defects needing nonabsorbable implant support.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Surgical mesh is a metallic or polymeric screen intended to be implanted to reinforce soft tissue or bone where weakness exists. Examples of surgical mesh are metallic and polymeric mesh for hernia repair, and acetabular and cement restrictor mesh used during orthopedic surgery.
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains the logo of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the left is the Department of Health & Human Services logo. To the right of that is the FDA logo, which is a blue square with the letters "FDA" in white. To the right of the blue square is the text "U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION" in blue.
April 30, 2018
Proxy Biomedical Ltd. % Elaine Duncan President Paladin Medical, Inc. P.O. Box 560 Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
Re: K172636
Trade/Device Name: VitaMESH Macroporous PP Surgical Mesh Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.3300 Regulation Name: Surgical Mesh Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: FTL Dated: March 26, 2018 Received: March 27, 2018
Dear Elaine Duncan:
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 of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820);
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and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm for the CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
For comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/) and CDRH Learn (http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (http://www.fda.gov/DICE) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
# David Krause -S
for Binita S. Ashar, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S. Director Division of Surgical Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K172636
Device Name
VITAMESH™ MacroPorous PP Surgical Mesh
Indications for Use (Describe)
Proxy Biomedical VITAMESH™ surgical mesh is intended to assist in the repair and/or reinforcement of hernia and other fascial defects requiring the additional support of a nonabsorbable implant during and after wound healing
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
| Prescription Use (Ref. 21 CFR 201 Subpart D) | <span style="text-decoration: overline;">☒</span> |
|--------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| Over-The-Counter Use (Ref. 21 CFR 201 Subpart C) | □ |
> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
| | Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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#### SUBMITTER:
K172636, pg. 1 of 4
#### Submitted on behalf of:
| Proxy Biomedical Ltd. | |
|-----------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Coilleach | |
| Spiddal | |
| Galway | |
| Ireland | |
| Contact Person | Adrienne Tierney |
| Phone | 353 (0)91 896934 |
| Email | Adrienne.Tierney@proxybiomedical.com |
by:
| | Elaine Duncan, M.S.M.E., RAC |
|------------|----------------------------------|
| | President, Paladin Medical, Inc. |
| | PO Box 560 |
| | Stillwater, MN 55082 |
| Telephone: | 715-549-6035 |
| Fax: | 715-549-5380 |
CONTACT PERSON for SUBMISSION: Elaine Duncan
DATE PREPARED:
August 29, 2017
| Device Trade Name | VitaMESH™ Macroporous PP Surgical Mesh |
|--------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| Common Name | Surgical Mesh |
| Classification reference | 21 CFR 878.3300 |
| Regulatory Class | II |
| Product Code | FTL |
| Predicate Device Name | VitaMESH™ Macroporous PP Surgical Mesh |
| Device 510(k) number | K060520 |
#### DEVICE DESCRIPTION:
The basis for this Traditional 510(k) submission is a material supplier change to the VitaMESH™ Macroporous PP Surgical Mesh. The synthetic mesh is constructed of knitted filaments of an alternative polypropylene resin. This material change does not affect the device description (or the device description on the package and instructions for use.) The proposed VitaMESH™ with the material supplier change is knitted by the same process as the predicate VitaMESH™, which interlinks each fiber junction and which provides for elasticity in both directions are.
#### INDICATION FOR USE:
VitaMESH™ Macroporous PP Surgical Mesh is intended to assist in the repair and/or reinforcement of hernia and other fascial defects requiring the additional support of a nonabsorbable implant during and after wound healing.
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# 510(k) SUMMARY
#### BASIS FOR SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE
#### K172636, pg. 2 of 4
The predicate VitaMESH™ Macroporous PP Surgical Mesh which was cleared under 510(k) number K060520 is a non-absorbable, synthetic mesh, constructed of knitted filaments of polypropylene. As shown in this submission, the VitaMESH™ with the resin change is the same product as the predicate. The following demonstrates substantial equivalence.
### Comparison of VitaMESH™ with alternative material device to predicate device
| Characteristic | VitaMESH™ | VitaMESH™ |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|---------------|
| | Proposed | Predicate |
| 510(K) | K172636 | K060520 |
| Material: Chemically,<br>Physically, and Biologically<br>equivalent. | Alternative Polypropylene | Polypropylene |
- There have been no changes made to the fiber extrusion process.
- No changeshave been made to the manufacturing process (including sterilization) of the finished mesh device.
- . There is no change to the proposed clinical use of the device.
- . No changes have been made to the sterilization method of this device.
- There is no change to the packaging shelf life qualification as a result of this material change to VitaMESH™.
- . The product catalogue range has increased since the original VitaMESH™ submission. The current product sizes are still within the original range of the predicate. . Minor changesto the packaging and labelling since the original submission for the predicate are unrelated to the material change and are summarized in the submission for information only
### PERFORMANCE DATA:
The proposed VitaMESH™ has been manufactured with an alternative polypropylene resin to the predicate VitaMESH™ cleared under 510(k) number K060520. This alternative polypropylene has been shown to be substantial equivalent to the polypropylene used in the manufacturing of the predicate. This change was necessitated by the discontinuation of the original raw material polypropylene resin by the supplier. The following evaluations were provided in support of the substantial equivalence determination:
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## 510(k) SUMMARY
#### K172636, pg. 3 of 4
Mechanical testing: The change of polypropylene used for manufacturing of VitaMESH™ does not introduce new risks to mechanical performance as shown by testing. All device specifications for the proposed VitaMESH™ are the same as for the predicate VitaMESH™. Mechanical testing and visual performance testing was performed on VitaMESH™ units manufactured using an alternative polypropylene resin to the predicate. This testing included:
- Aerial density
- Device stiffness
- Tensile strength
- Suture pullout strength
- Tear resistance
- Burst strength
- Pore size
- Mesh thickness
- Surface finish inspection
For product shelf life qualification, an aging study demonstrates that VitaMESH™ manufactured with the alternative polypropylene continues to meet specifications after 5 years accelerated aging both in physical characterization and performance testing. Additionally, a 5 year Real time aging study is in progress to support the above data.
Ethylene Oxide Residual Analysis: Ethylene oxide and ethylene chlorohydrin levels were found to be within limits specified in I.S. EN ISO 10993-7: 2008 'Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices – Part 7: Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Residuals (ISO 10993-7: 2008)'.
Microbiological Testing: A microbiological evaluation was conducted to mitigate against any risks identified in changing from the fibre extruded with the original polypropylene of the predicate to the Bioburden testing carried out on the VitaMESH™ devices manufactured alternative polypropylene. with the alternative polypropylene met Proxy Biomedical Ltd. acceptance criteria. Routine pyrogen testing carried out on the VitaMESH™ devices manufactured with the alternative polypropylene using Linulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) method met all acceptance criteria.
Biocompatibility testing: The change of polypropylene used for manufacturing of the device does not introduce new risks to biological safety. Conformance with biocompatibility requirements is shown in this submission.
The biocompatibility evaluation for the VitaMESH™ Macroporous PP Surgical Mesh manufactured using an alternative polypropylene resin to the predicate was conducted in accordance with I.S. EN
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# 510(k) SUMMARY
### K172636, pg. 4 of 4
ISO 10993-1: 2009 'Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices – Part 1: Evaluation and Testing Within a Risk Management Process'. Testing included Cytotoxicity, irritation, sensitization, and chemical characterization of alternative polypropylene resin..
Chemical analysis: Testing demonstrated comparable chemical constitution.
#### CONCLUSIONS:
Mechanical test data and the determination of biocompatibility as well as chemical characterization demonstrates that the VitaMESH™ Macroporous PP Surgical Mesh manufactured using the alternative polypropylene performs as intended use conditions. In additon, VitaMESH™ devices manufactured using the alternative polypropylene proposed in this substantially equivalent to the predicate device.
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.