CLARUS ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY SYSTEM SITETRAC MODEL 6000
K980588 · Clarus Medical Systems, Inc. · GAD · Aug 18, 1998 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K980588
Device Name
CLARUS ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY SYSTEM SITETRAC MODEL 6000
Applicant
Clarus Medical Systems, Inc.
Product Code
GAD · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Aug 18, 1998
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4800
Device Class
Class 1
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Clarus 6000 SITEtrac Discectomy System is intended for surgical use in the lumbar spine. It is supplied non-sterile and is intended for reuse. The Model 6020 Dilators and Model 6021 Retractors are intended to be used to dilate then retract the tissue in the region of the lumbar spine. This will provide an access point to apply surgical techniques through the tubular retractor under endoscopic visualization.
Device Story
Clarus 6000 SITEtrac Discectomy System consists of a set of reusable, gradually increasing dilators (4.67mm to 20mm) and tubular retractors; used in lumbar spine surgery. Device provides surgical access point to the spine; allows application of surgical techniques under endoscopic visualization. Operated by surgeons in an OR setting. System facilitates minimally invasive discectomy by creating a working channel through retracted tissue. Benefits include reduced tissue trauma compared to open procedures via endoscopic access.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; bench testing only.
Technological Characteristics
Reusable surgical dilators and retractors; dimensions range from 4.67mm to 20mm. Mechanical design for tissue dilation and retraction. Non-sterile; requires user-performed cleaning and sterilization.
Indications for Use
Indicated for surgical access to the lumbar spine for discectomy procedures. Intended for use by surgeons.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A manual surgical instrument for general use is a nonpowered, hand-held, or hand manipulated device, either reusable or disposable, intended to be used in various general surgical procedures. The device includes the applicator, clip applier, biopsy brush, manual dermabrasion brush, scrub brush, cannula, ligature carrier, chisel, clamp, contractor, curette, cutter, dissector, elevator, skin graft expander, file, forceps, gouge, instrument guide, needle guide, hammer, hemostat, amputation hook, ligature passing and knot-tying instrument, knife, mallet, disposable or reusable aspiration and injection needle, disposable or reusable suturing needle, osteotome, pliers, rasp, retainer, retractor, saw, scalpel blade, scalpel handle, one-piece scalpel, snare, spatula, stapler, disposable or reusable stripper, stylet, suturing apparatus for the stomach and intestine, measuring tape, and calipers. A surgical instrument that has specialized uses in a specific medical specialty is classified in separate regulations in parts 868 through 892 of this chapter.
Predicate Devices
Sofamor Danek MED MicroEndoscopic Discectomy System
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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K980588
# AUG 1 8 1998
## 510K Summary
# Clarus Model 6000 Discectomy System
### General Information
Class II Classification Clarus Model 6000 Discectomy System Trade Name Clarus Medical Systems, Inc. Submitter 1000 Boone Avenue North Golden Vallev. Minnesota 55427 Dale Sappenfield Contact
Contact
VP. Operations (612) 525-8400
#### Predicate Devices
Sofamor Danek "MED(*tm) MicroEndoscopic Discectomy System
## INDICATIONS FOR USE:
The Clarus 6000 SITEtrac Discectomy System is intended for surgical use in the lumbar spine. It is supplied non-sterile and is intended for reuse. The Model 6020 Dilators and Model 6021 Retractors are intended to be used to dilate then retract the tissue in the region of the lumbar spine. This will provide an access point to apply surgical techniques through the tubular retractor under endoscopic visualization.
{1}------------------------------------------------
#### Device Description
The Model 6000 Discectomy System is a set of gradually increasing dilators and retractors (4.67mm to 20mm) that dilate then retract tissue in the region of the lumbar spine. This will provide as access point to apply surgical techniques through the tubular retractor under endoscopic visualization.
These reusable dilators and retractors are equivalent to those used in Sofamor Danek MED(****) MicroEndoscopic Discectomy System" The comparisons of these devices are shown in Table I These retractors and dilators will be sold as a kit (See Kit Certification- Attachment F).
Cleaning and sterilization procedures for the, dilators, retractors, and spinal needle, are contained in the Directions for Use ( See Attachment A).
#### Summary of Equivalence
The Clarus Model 6000 Discectomy System contains a set of dilators and retractors that is similar to the Sofamor Danek (K unknown) dilators and retractors in their MED MicroEndoscopic Discectomy System.
Clarus believes these products do not raise any new safety or effectiveness issues and are substantially equivalent to existing marketed devices.
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Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized symbol that resembles three human profiles facing right, with flowing lines beneath them.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
AUG 1 8 1998
Mr. Dale Sappenfield Vice President of Operations Clarus Medical Systems, Inc. 1000 Boone Avenue, North Minneapolis, Minnesota 55427
Re: K980588
Trade Name: Clarus 6000 SITEtrac Discectomy System Regulatory Class: II Product Code: KOG Dated: May 22, 1998 Received: May 26, 1998
Dear Mr. Sappenfield
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we 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). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. However, you are responsible to determine that the medical devices you use as components in the kit have either been determined as substantially equivalent under the premarket notification process (Section 510(k) of the act), or were legally on the market prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments. Please note: If you purchase your device components in bulk (i.e., unfinished) and further process (e.g., sterilize) you must submit a new 510(k) before including these components in your kit/tray. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, and labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (Premarket Approval) 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 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (OS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic QS inspections. FDA will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, the Food and Drug
{3}------------------------------------------------
Mr. Dale Sappenfield Page - 2
Administration (FDA) may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal Laws or Regulations.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 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 the labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594- __ 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"(21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers 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 N Milken
Celia M. Witten- Ph.D., M.D. --Director Division of General and ................................................................................................... Restorative Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# K 980588
Clarus 6000 SITEtrac Discectomy System DEVICE NAME:
INDICATIONS FOR USE:
The Clarus 6000 SITEtrac Discectomy System is intended for surgical use in the lumbar spine. It is supplied non-sterile and is intended for reuse. The Model 6020 Dilators and Model 6021 Retractors are intended to be used to dilate then retract the tissue in the region of the lumbar spine. This will provide an access point to apply surgical techniques through the tubular retractor under endoscopic visualization.
#### (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED.)
| Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) | |
|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| | |
| (Division Sign-Off) | |
| Division of General Restorative Devices | |
| 510(k) Number | K980588 |
| Prescription Use<br>(Per 21 CFR 801.109) | OR |
| | Over-The-Counter-Use<br>(Optional Format 1-2-96) |
3
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.
