K040282 · Internacional Farmaceutica, S.A. DE C.V. · GAM · Apr 29, 2004 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K040282
Device Name
ATRAMAT AND SORB-FAST POLYGLYCOLIC ACID
Applicant
Internacional Farmaceutica, S.A. DE C.V.
Product Code
GAM · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Apr 29, 2004
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4493
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Atramat ® Polyglycolic Acid Sutures are indicated for use as absorbable sutures in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures, but not for use in cardiovascular and neurological procedures. sorb-FAST ® Polyglycolic Acid Sutures are indicated only for use in superficial general soft tissue approximation of the skin and mucosa, where only short term wound support (7-10 days) is required. These sutures are not intended for use in ligation, ophthalmic, cardiovascular or neurological procedures.
Device Story
Synthetic absorbable sterile surgical sutures composed of polyglycolic acid polymer; offered as monofilament or multifilament; uncoated or coated with polycaprolactone and calcium stearate; dyed (D&C Violet No. 2) or undyed. Used by surgeons for soft tissue approximation and ligation. Atramat retains ~70% tensile strength at 2 weeks, complete absorption 60-90 days. sorb-FAST retains ~50% tensile strength at 1 week, complete absorption 42 days. Sterilized via ethylene oxide gas. Provides wound support during healing process.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical trials were conducted. Substantial equivalence is based on non-clinical bench testing demonstrating conformance to USP standards for absorbable surgical sutures, including physical properties, knot pull tensile strength, and needle attachment strength.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: Polyglycolic acid, polycaprolactone, calcium stearate. Form: Monofilament or multifilament. Sizes: USP 8-0 to 2. Sterilization: Ethylene oxide gas. Conformance: USP 24/26, ISO 9002, EN 46002.
Indications for Use
Indicated for general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation (Atramat) or superficial soft tissue approximation of skin and mucosa (sorb-FAST). Contraindicated for cardiovascular and neurological procedures; sorb-FAST also contraindicated for ligation and ophthalmic procedures.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An absorbable poly(glycolide/l-lactide) surgical suture (PGL suture) is an absorbable sterile, flexible strand as prepared and synthesized from homopolymers of glycolide and copolymers made from 90 percent glycolide and 10 percent l-lactide, and is indicated for use in soft tissue approximation. A PGL suture meets United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) requirements as described in the U.S.P. “Monograph for Absorbable Surgical Sutures;” it may be monofilament or multifilament (braided) in form; it may be uncoated or coated; and it may be undyed or dyed with an FDA-approved color additive. Also, the suture may be provided with or without a standard needle attached.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for this device is FDA's “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Surgical Sutures; Guidance for Industry and FDA.” See § 878.1(e) for the availability of this guidance document.
Predicate Devices
DEXON II Polyglycolic Acid Synthetic Absorbable Surgical Sutures (K972566)
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APR 2 9 2004
Exhibit #2 K040282
## 510(K) SUMMARY
This summary of 510(k) safety and effectiveness information is being submitted in accordance with the requirements of SMDA 1990 and 21 CFR§807.92.
The assigned 510(k) number is: K040282
#### 1. Submitter's identification:
Internacional Farmaceutica S. A. de C.V. Carreteraco 44 Col. Parque San Andrés Coyoacan 04040 México D.F. Contact: Alejandro von Mohr, General Director Telephone: (52) 55 44 87 60 to 62 ext. 227, 219 Fax: (52) 55 49 42 34
Date Summary prepared: April 23, 2004
#### 2. Name of the Device:
Trade Name: Atramat ® Polyglycolic Acid sorb-FAST ® Polyglycolic Acid
### Common or Usual Name:
Polyglycolic Acid Surgical Suture
### Classification Name:
Atramat ® Polyglycolic Acid and sorb-FAST ® Polyglycolic Acid based sutures are not specifically categorized or defined in 21CFR, parts 800-1299, the responsible device panel provided the following class, classification panel and product code for this product.
Device Class: Class II
Classification Panel: General & Plastic Surgery Devices Panel
Product Code: 79GAM
#### 3. Predicate Device Information:
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Atramat @ Polyglycolic Acid Absorbable suture is substantially equivalent to the following absorbable suture marketed by Davis & Geck:
DEXON II ® Polyglycolic Acid Synthetic Absorbable Surgical Sutures with Polycaprolactone Coating System. (K972566) and Ethicon Absorbable Poly (Llactide/glycolide) Surgical Sutures with Poliglactina 370 and Calcium Stearatc Coating System (K964345).
With respect to substantial equivalence, the comparation device represents a virtually identical device. Materials, packaging, sterilization method, sizes, multi and monofilament, dyed and undyed as well as functional characteristics (absorption rate, strength, diameter, etc) equivalence can also be drawn with respect to the design, material composition, performance and intended use, Atramat ® and Dexon II both meet or exceed the performance requirements of USP 24.
sorb-FAST® Polyglycolic Acid Absorption sutures are substantially equivalent to the following absorbable suture marketed by Ethicon (K962480 and K944110), Victyl Rapide® is prepared with a mixture of copolymer of glycolide and L-lactide with Poliglactin 370 and Calcium Stearate Coating System.
With respect to substantial equivalence, the predicate device represents a virtually identical device. Materials, packaging, sterilization method, sizes, multifilament, dyed and undyed as well as functional characteristics. Equivalence also demonstrated in material composition, performance, and intended use. Sorb-FAST® and Vicryl Rapide® both meet or exceed the performance requirements of USP 26.
#### 4. Device Description:
Atramat® Polyglycolic Acid and sorb-FAST® Polyglycolic Acid are synthetic absorbable sterile surgical sutures composed of a synthetic polyglycolic acid polymer.
Atramat® Polyglycolic acid and sorb-FAST® Polyglycolic Acid meet all requirements as described in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) monograph for Absorbables Surgical Sutures. These products are offered as monofilament or multifilament and it is offered uncoated or coated with polycaprolactone and calcium sterarate, it could also be undyed or dyed with D&C Violet No. 2.
Sizes offered are U.S.P. 8-0 through 2 ( metric equivalent 0.4 through 5), The following table illustrates the sizes offered.
| USP Size<br>(Metric<br>Size) |
|------------------------------|
| 8.0 (0.4) |
| 7.0 (0.55) |
| 6.0 (0.7) |
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| 5.0 | (1) |
|-----|-------|
| 4.0 | (1.5) |
| 3.0 | (2) |
| 2.0 | (3) |
| 0 | (3.5) |
| 1 | (4) |
| 2 | (5) |
Materials: Polyglycolic acid. USP & Polycaprolactone and Calcium Stearate
- 5. Intended Use:
Atramat ® Polyglycolic Acid Sutures are indicated for use as absorbable sutures in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures, but not for use in cardiovascular and neurological procedures.
sorb-FAST ® Polyglycolic Acid Sutures are indicated only for use in superficial general soft tissue approximation of the skin and mucosa, where only short term wound support (7-10 days) is required. These sutures are not intended for use in ligation, ophthalmic, cardiovascular or neurological procedures.
#### 6. Comparison to Predicate Devices:
| | Atramat® Polyglycolic acid | Predicate Device |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| Intended Use | General soft tissue approximation<br>and/or ligation, including use in<br>ophthalmic procedures, but not for<br>use in cardiovascular and<br>neurological procedures. | Same Intended Use |
| Suture Material | Composed of glycolide polymer | Davis & Geck:<br>composed of glycolide<br>polymer |
| Suture<br>Characteristics | Retains approximately 70% of its<br>original tensile strength at two<br>weeks post implantation, with<br>approximately 50% remaining at<br>three weeks. Absorption of the<br>suture is essentially complete<br>between 60 and 90 days. | Same |
| Sterilization<br>Method | Ethylene Oxide gas | Same |
| Suture Diameter,<br>Suture length, knot<br>pull tensile,<br>Strength and needle<br>attachment strength | Meets or exceeds the performance<br>requirements for “Absorbable<br>Surgical Suture” as defined in the<br>official Monograph of the United<br>States Pharmacopoeia (USP) 24 | Meet USP<br>requirements |
| Packaging | Dry packaged in Aluminum Foil and | Same or equivalent |
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| | Sorb-FAST® Polyglycolic Acid | Predicate Device |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Intended Use | Indicated only for use as absorbable<br>sutures in superficial general soft<br>tissue approximation of the skin and<br>mucosa, where only short term<br>wound support, (7-10 days) is<br>required, but not for use in ligation,<br>ophthalmic, cardiovascular and<br>neurological procedures. | Same Intended Use |
| Suture Material | Composed of glycolide polymer | Vicryl Rapide<br>composed of<br>copolymer of glycolide<br>and L-lactide |
| Suture<br>Characteristics | Sorb-FAST® retains approximately<br>50% of its original tensile strength at<br>one week post implantation.<br>Absorption of the suture complete<br>in 42 days. | Same |
| Sterilization<br>Method | Ethylene Oxide gas | Same |
| Suture Diameter,<br>Suture length, knot<br>pull tensile,<br>Strength and needle<br>attachment strength | Meets or exceeds the performance<br>requirements for "Absorbable<br>Surgical Suture" as defined in USP<br>26 monographs. Pharmacopeia<br>(USP) 26 | Meet USP<br>requirements |
| Packaging | Dry packaged in Aluminum Foil and<br>polyester tear open | Same or equivalent<br>manner |
#### 7. Discussion of Non-Clinical Tests Performed for Determination of Substantial Equivalence are as follows:
Non-clinical testing was conducted on the subject devices to prove conformance to the requirements of USP standards to demonstrate substantial equivalence to the predicate device. Physical properties and functionality testing assured the safety and effectiveness of the subject device within its intended uses.
Results of the non-climical testing demonstrate conformance with the USP standards and requirements for Absorbable surgical suture.
#### 8. Discussion of Clinical Tests Performed:
No clinical trials were conducted.
1.
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#### 9. Conclusions:
Based on the technological characteristics and physical properties of the polyglycolic acid sutures , the description, the intended use of the device and conformance with the following performance standards like:
USP 26
ISO 9002 AND EN 46002
FDA Guidance for Surgical Suture 510(k)
Internacional Farmaceutica believes that the subject devices demonstrate a substantial equivalence to the predicate devices and are safe and effective for their intended use.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/5/Picture/2 description: The image is a black and white 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 overlapping human profiles or abstract shapes.
APR 2 9 2004
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Internacional Farmaceutica S.A. de C.V. c/o Ms. Carolann Kotula MDI Consultants, Inc. 55 Northern Boulevard, Suite 200 Great Neck, New York 11021
Re: K040282
Trade/Device Name: Atramat and SuperSorb Polyglycolic Acid Sutures Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4493 Regulation Name: Absorbable polyglycolic surgical suture Regulatory Class: II Product Code: GAM Dated: February 5, 2004 Received: February 6, 2004
Dear Ms. Kotula:
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 for are varior 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 (Spccial 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 Cl·R 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. Carolann Kotula
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 510(k) rmarket 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-frec 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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### Exhibit 1
## 510(k) Number (if known): K040282
# Device Name: Atramat and SuperSorb Polyglycolic Acid Sutures
### Indications For Use:
Atramat ® Polyglycolic Acid Sutures are indicated for use in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures, but not for use in cardiovascular and neurological procedures.
sorb-FAST ® Polyglycolic Acid Sutures are indicated only for use in superficial general soft tissue approximation of the skin and mucosa, where only short term wound support (7-10 days) is required, but not for use in ligation, ophthalmic, cardiovascular and neurological procedures.
Prescription Use × (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
Over-The Counter Use (Optional Format 1-2-96) OR
## (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Muriam C. Provost
(Division Sign-Off) Division of General, Restorative. and Neurological Devices
**510(k) Number** K040282
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.