K963305 · Alexander Mfg. Co. · BWA · Apr 17, 1997 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K963305
Device Name
ALEXANDER BOX, BATTERY, RECHARGEABLE
Applicant
Alexander Mfg. Co.
Product Code
BWA · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Apr 17, 1997
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4400
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
Power the ANTEK Medical Telemetry. Power the BIO-TEK Safety Analyzer Model 501. Power the Corometrics Medical PH Meter. Power the International Technidyne Corp. Hemochron 400 and Blood Coagulator Timer. Power the Syborn Corp. ACT Blood Pressure Monitor and Portable Blood Coagulator.
Device Story
Replacement battery packs for medical equipment; includes nickel-cadmium (NiCad), mercury cell, and lead-acid chemistries. Assembled by Alexander Manufacturing Company; intended to replace original equipment manufacturer (OEM) batteries. Provides electrical power to specific clinical devices: telemetry units, safety analyzers, PH meters, and blood coagulation timers. Used in clinical settings where the host medical device is operated. No active electronic processing or software components; purely power-delivery accessories.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data; bench testing only. Equivalence established through comparison of electrical specifications and physical compatibility with OEM host devices.
Technological Characteristics
Battery packs: NiCad (MS5R225, MS501, MS8400), mercury cell (H132), lead-acid (GL625). Voltages: 2.8V to 6.0V. Capacities: 1.0 Ah to 2.5 Ah. Assembled per 21 CFR Part 820 (GMP) and ISO 9001 standards. No software or electronic circuitry.
Indications for Use
Indicated for use as replacement battery packs to power specific medical devices: ANTEK Medical Telemetry, BIO-TEK Safety Analyzer Model 501, Corometrics Medical PH Meter, International Technidyne Corp. Hemochron 400 and Blood Coagulator Timer, and Syborn Corp. ACT Blood Pressure Monitor and Portable Blood Coagulator.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An electrosurgical cutting and coagulation device and accessories is a device intended to remove tissue and control bleeding by use of high-frequency electrical current.
Predicate Devices
ANTEK Medical Telemetry
BIO-TEK Safety Analyzer Model 501
Corometrics Medical PH Meter
International Technidyne Corp. Hemochron 400 and Blood Coagulator Timer
Syborn Corp. ACT Blood Pressure Monitor and Portable Blood Coagulator
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}
FDA U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION
November 16, 2021
Alexander Mfg. Co.
Stacey Hippen
Design And Development Team Leader
1511 S Garfield Pl
Mason City, Iowa 50401
Re: K963305
Trade/Device Name: Alexander Box, Battery, Rechargeable
Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4400
Regulation Name: Electrosurgical cutting and coagulation device and accessories
Regulatory Class: Class II
Product Code: BWA
Dear Stacey Hippen:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is sending this letter to notify you of an administrative change related to your previous substantial equivalence (SE) determination letter dated April 17, 1997. Specifically, FDA is updating this SE Letter because FDA has better categorized your device technology under product code BWA.
Please note that the 510(k) submission was not re-reviewed. For questions regarding this letter please contact Jennifer Shih, OHT2: Office of Cardiovascular Devices, 301-796-5813, Jennifer.Shih@fda.hhs.gov.
Sincerely,
Jennifer W. Shih -S
Jennifer Shih
Assistant Director
Division of Cardiac Electrophysiology,
Diagnostics and Monitoring Devices
Office of Cardiovascular Devices
Office of Product Evaluation and Quality
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993
www.fda.gov
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Boulevard
Rockville MD 20850
APR 17 1997
Mr. Stacey Hippen
Alexander Manufacturing Company
P.O. Box 1508
1511 South Garfield Place
Mason City, Iowa 50401
Re: K963305
Replacement Batteries: Models MS5R225, MS501, H132, MS8400, and GL625
Regulatory Class: II (two)
Product Code: 74 MOX
Dated: December 19, 1996
Received: January 21, 1997
Dear Mr. Hippen:
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 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. 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 (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 Good Manufacturing Practice for Medical Devices: General (GMP) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic GMP inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, 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.
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Page 2 - Mr. Stacey Hippen
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 our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for *in vitro* diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4646. 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/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,

Thomas J. Callahan, Ph.D.
Director
Division of Cardiovascular,
Respiratory, and Neurological Devices
Office of Device Evaluation
Center for Devices and
Radiological Health
Enclosure
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510(k) Number: K963305
Device Name: MS5R225
Indications for Use:
- Power the ANTEK Medical Telemetry.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE -
CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use _______________ OR OVER-THE-COUNTER USE _______________
(optional Form 1-2-96)
Version Sign-Off)
Person of Cardiovascular, Respiratory,
Neurological Devices
K963305
(K) Number _______________
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510(k) Number:
Device Name: MS501
Indications for Use:
- Power the BIO-TEK Safety Analyzer Model 501.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE –
CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use ________ OR OVER-THE-COUNTER USE ________
(optional Form 1-2-96)
363
3605
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510(k) Number:
Device Name: H132
Indications for Use:
- Power the Corometrics Medical PH Meter.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE –
CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use _____
OR
OVER-THE-COUNTER USE _____
(optional Form 1-2-96)
(Describe S. on Off)
D. cardiovascular, Respiratory,
ar. surgical Devices
K963305
364
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510(k) Number:
Device Name: MS8400
Indications for Use:
- Power the International Technidyne Corp. Hemochron 400 and Blood Coagulator Timer.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE -
CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use _____
OR
OVER-THE-COUNTER USE _____
(optional Form 1-2-96)
Susan Sign-Off)
First Cardiovascular, Respiratory,
Neurological Devices
K963305
510(k) Number _____
365
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510(k) Number:
Device Name: GL625
Indications for Use:
- Power the Syborn Corp. ACT Blood Pressure Monitor and Portable Blood Coagulator.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE -
CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use _________
OR
OVER-THE-COUNTER USE _________
(optional Form 1-2-96)
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological Devices
510(k) Number _________ K963305
3/do
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Not Used
Dec TAX on
April 16, 97
K963305
# A. Summary
Alexander Manufacturing Company battery part nos. MS5R225, MS501 and MS8400 are all nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery packs comprised of cells produced by either Saft or Sanyo. The Saft and Sanyo manuals are located in Appendices B and C, respectively. The H132 is a mercury cell produced by Alexander Manufacturing. The specifications for the H132 are in Appendix H. Part number GL625 is a lead-acid battery. Gates (lead-acid) cell information is in Appendix S.
Each battery pack is rechargeable (except for H132) just as the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) battery packs are. The cells are assembled into battery packs at Alexander Manufacturing Company's facility in Mason City, Iowa. The packs are assembled under the auspices of 21 CFR Part 820 Good Manufacturing Practice for Medical Devices (GMP) and ISO 9001.
Alexander Manufacturing Company is ISO registered by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Appendix D contains a copy of our registration.
Each of Alexander Manufacturing part nos. MS5R225, MS501, H132, MS8400 and GL625 is substantially equivalent to its respective OEM. The MS5R225 is equivalent to the battery pack in the ANTEK Medical Telemetry. The MS501 is equivalent to the BIO-TEK Safety Analyzer Model 501. The H132 is equivalent to the Corometrics Medical PH Meter. The MS8400 is equivalent to the International Technidyne Corp. Hemochron 400 and Blood Coagulator Timer, and the GL625 is equivalent to the Syborn Corp. ACT Blood Pressure Monitor and Portable Blood Coagulator.
# B. Submitter
Alexander Manufacturing Company
1511 South Garfield Place
Mason City, IA 50401
# C. Contact Person
Stacey Hippen
# D. Date of Application:
August 5, 1996
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E. Trade Names:
1. MS5R225
2. MS501
3. H132
4. MS8400
5. GL625
F. Common Name:
Rechargeable Battery
G. Substantially Equivalent To:
1. ANTEK Medical Telemetry.
2. BIO-TEK Safety Analyzer Model 501.
3. Corometrics Medical PH Meter.
4. International Technidyne Corp. Hemochron 400 and Blood Coagulator Timer
5. Syborn Corp. ACT Blood Pressure Monitor and Portable Blood Coagulator.
H. Description:
1. MS5R225 is a 6.0V/2.5 Ah battery pack for use with the ANTEK Medical Telemetry.
2. MS501 is a 4.8V/1.2 Ah battery pack for use with the BIO-TEK Safety Analyzer Model 501.
3. H132 is a 2.8V/1.0 Ah battery pack for use with the Corometrics Medical PH Meter.
4. MS8400 is a 6.0V/1.2 Ah battery pack for use with the International Technidyne Corp. Hemochron 400 and Blood Coagulator Timer.
5. GL625 is a 6.0V/2.5 Ah battery pack for use with the Syborn Corp. ACT Blood Pressure Monitor and Portable Blood Coagulator.
As previously stated, Alexander Manufacturing Company is ISO registered and utilizes a three-tiered structure: Foundation (mission, policy and beliefs); Operational Control (manual, SOPs, and work instructions); and Management Review/Assessment.
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An uncontrolled copy of the Quality System Manual #05 is located in Appendix E.
Job Work Instructions (JWI) and drawings for each applicable part number can be found in Appendices F, G, H, I and J.
## I. Indications for Use
Each battery pack is a replacement for the OEM battery pack. Each is used in the same indications as that of the original batteries supplied with the original equipment.
In summary, the indication for use is to power the device to which the battery pack is configured.
## J. Indications for Use Form
Indications for Use form(s) utilizing the format provided by the Central for Devices and Radiological Health are found in Appendix K.
## K. Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
Alexander Manufacturing Company is submitting a 510(k) Statement in lieu of a Summary of Safety and Effectiveness. This 510(k) Statement can be found in Appendix L.
## L. Truthful and Accurate Statement
A Truthful and Accurate Statement as required by 21 CFR 807.87(j) is located in Appendix M.
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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.