K041333 · Synthes (Usa) · GAQ · Aug 27, 2004 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K041333
Device Name
SYNTHES (USA) TITANIUM WIRE
Applicant
Synthes (Usa)
Product Code
GAQ · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Aug 27, 2004
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4495
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Synthes (USA) Titanium Wire is indicated for use in soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, for canthoplasty, canthopexy and/or canthal tendon repair.
Device Story
Synthes Titanium Wire is a sterile, nonabsorbable, monofilament surgical wire composed of Commercially Pure (CP) Titanium. Available in 500mm lengths with various gauge sizes (26, 28, 30, 32), it may be supplied with or without a permanently attached stainless steel needle. Used by surgeons in clinical settings for soft tissue approximation and ligation, specifically for ophthalmic procedures like canthoplasty, canthopexy, and canthal tendon repair. The device functions as a mechanical suture to hold tissue in place during healing. It provides a biocompatible alternative to traditional nylon sutures, offering mechanical stability for soft tissue repair.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Testing conducted according to United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) methods for titanium wire with and without needle. Results demonstrated that the device met USP standards for length, tensile strength, and needle attachment strength, confirming technical equivalence to the predicate.
Technological Characteristics
Material: Commercially Pure (CP) Titanium (ASTM F-1341). Form: Monofilament wire, 500mm length, gauges 26-32. Features: Sterile, single-use, optional stainless steel needle. No software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including canthoplasty, canthopexy, and canthal tendon repair in patients requiring surgical suture.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A stainless steel suture is a needled or unneedled nonabsorbable surgical suture composed of 316L stainless steel, in USP sizes 12-0 through 10, or a substantially equivalent stainless steel suture, intended for use in abdominal wound closure, intestinal anastomosis, hernia repair, and sternal closure.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device, when it is a steel monofilament suture that is uncoated and does not incorporate barbs, is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 878.9. 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
Ethicon Inc.: Ethilon™ Nylon Sutures
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
## Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Information [510(k) Summary] 3.0
| SPONSOR: | Synthes (USA)<br>1690 Russell Road<br>Paoli, PA 19301<br>(610) 647-9700<br>Contact: Lisa M. Boyle |
|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| DEVICE NAME: | Synthes (USA) Titanium Wire |
| CLASSIFICATION: | Class II § 21 CFR 878.4495: Stainless Steel |
| PREDICATE DEVICE: | Ethicon Inc .: Ethilon™ Nylon Sutures |
| DEVICE DESCRIPTION: | The Synthes Titanium Wire is a nonabsorbable, monofilament,<br>sterile surgical wire composed of Commercially Pure Titanium The<br>titanium wire is available in a length of 500mm with different gauge sizes<br>and is available with or without a permanently attached stainless steel<br>needle. |
| INTENDED USE: | Synthes (USA) Titanium Wire is indicated for use in soft tissue<br>approximation and/or ligation, for canthoplasty, canthopexy and/or canthal<br>tendon repair. |
| SUBSTANTIAL<br>EQUIVALENCE: | Comparative information presented supports substantial equivalence.<br>The term "substantial equivalence" as used in this 510(k) notification is<br>limited to the definition of substantial equivalence found in the Federal<br>Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended and as applied under 21CFR<br>807, Subpart E under which a device can be marketed without premarket<br>approval or reclassification. A determination of substantial equivalency<br>under this notification is not intended to have any bearing whatsoever on<br>the resolution of patent infringement suits or any other patent matters. No<br>statements related to, or in support of substantial equivalence herein shall be<br>construed as an admission against interest under the US Patent Laws or<br>their application by the courts. |
{1}------------------------------------------------
K041333
#### 4.0 Device Name
Synthes (USA) [Synthes] Titanium Wire
#### Establishment Registration 5.0
The devices subject to this Pre-market Notification will be distributed by Synthes (USA), 1101 Synthes Avenue, Monument, CO 80312 (FDA Registration No. 1719045) and manufactured by Unique Instruments, Inc. 6688 Dixie Highway, Bridgeport, MI 48722 (FDA Registration No. 1828288).
#### Classification Information 6.0
The classification of the Synthes Titanium Wire has been determined to be Class II, as per Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section : 878.5020: Suture, Nonabsorbable, Synthetic, Polyamide.
#### Information Relating to Performance Standards and Special Controls 7.0
The material used in the manufacture of the Synthes Titanium Wire is Commercially Pure (CP) Titanium, which adheres to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards [F-1341]
#### Sterilization Information 8.0
Synthes will provide these devices STERILE. Information supporting the sterile device can be found in Attachment 1. These devices are for single use only.
#### Description of the Device 9.0
The Synthes Titanium Wire is a non-absorbable, monofilament, sterile surgical wire composed of Commercially Pure Titanium wire is available in a length of 500mm with different gauge sizes (26, 28, 30, 32) and is available with or without a permanently attached stainless steel needle.
Confidential engineering drawings can be found in Attachment II.
#### 10.0 Proposed Labels/Labeling
Please sec Attachment III.
#### Commercially Available Device Information 11.0
The predicate device, Ethilon Nylon Suture, has been cleared for commercial distribution via the premarket notification process. Information on the predicate device can be found in Attachment IV.
{2}------------------------------------------------
K041333
Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the fraction 3/4. The number 3 is above the fraction bar, and the number 4 is below the fraction bar. The numbers are written in a simple, handwritten style.
### 12.0 Comparison to Commercially Available Device(s)
A comparison of the Synthes Titanium Wire to the predicate Ethilon™ Nylon Suture is below:
| New Device<br>Synthes Titanium Wire | Predicate Device<br>Ethicon, Inc.<br>Ethilon™ Nylon Suture<br>510(k) Unknown |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Indications:<br>Synthes (USA) Titanium Wire is<br>indicated for use in general soft tissue<br>approximation and /or ligation, including<br>use in ophthalmic procedures,such as<br>canthoplasty. | Indications:<br>ETHILON suture is indicated for use in<br>general soft tissue approximation, and / or<br>ligation, including use in cardiovascular,<br>ophthalmic and neurological procedures. |
| Design Features:<br>• Monofilament<br>• Sterile<br>• Nonabsorbable<br>• Available with or without<br>needle | Design Features:<br>• Monofilament<br>• Sterile<br>• Nonabsorbable<br>• Available with or without<br>needle |
| Dimensions (mm):<br>Sizes:<br>• Diameter: 0.20, 0.25, 0.31, 0.40<br>(26, 28, 30 & 32 gauge)<br>• Length: 500 | Dimensions (mm):<br>Sizes:<br>• Diameter: 0.01 - 0.5<br>• Length: Various |
| Material:<br>Titanium | Material:<br>Nylon |
## Device Comparison Chart
{3}------------------------------------------------
# KD41333
### Determination of Substantial Equivalence: (ref. Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) Blue 13.0 Book Memorandum #86-3, Attachment I "510(k) "Substantial Equivalence" Decision-Making Process (Detailed)" |
New Device [Synthes (USA) Titanium Wire] is Compared to Marketed Device [Ethicon: Ethilon Nylon Suturel.
Does New Device Have Same Indication Statements? Essentially yes. Both devices are indicated for soft tissue approximation and/or ligation: however the Titanium Wire has a more specific indication to include canthoplasty.
## New Device Has Same Intended Use and May be "Substantially Equivalent".
Does New Device Have Same Technological Characteristics, e.g., Design, Materials, etc.? Design: Yes. The design of the Titanium Wire is similar to the predicate device in that it is a nonabsorbable, monofilament wire which is available in a range of diameters/gauge sizes with or without attached needle. The subject device is 500 mm in length and provided sterile only.
Materials: No. The Synthes Titanium Wire is manufactured from CP Titanium where as, the predicate device is manufactured from Nylon.
## Could the New Characteristics Affect Safety or Effectiveness? No.
To establish the technical equivalency of the Synthes Titanium Wire to the predicate device, tests according to mcthods presented in United States Pharmacopia (U.S.P.) were conducted for titanium wire with and without needle. The test results show that the Synthes titanium wire tested met USP standards for length, tensile strength, and needle attachment strength, not diameter, and are technically equivalent to the predicate device tested. Please see the attached mechanical test summary, which can be found in Attachment V.
#### 14.0 Confidentiality Certification
We consider our intent to market this device to be confidential commercial information. Synthes has not disclosed the intent to market this product to others who are not collaborators and consultants. We have taken caution to protect the confidentiality of our intent.
{4}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image is a circular seal for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The seal features the department's name in a circular arrangement around the perimeter. In the center of the seal is a stylized emblem, consisting of three overlapping, curved shapes that resemble a human form or a symbol representing health and well-being.
## Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
AUG 27 2004
Ms. Lisa M. Boyle Regulatory Associate Synthes (USA) 1690 Russell Road Paoli, Pennsylvania 19301
Re: K041333
Trade/Device Name: Synthes (USA) Titanium Wire Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4495 Regulation Name: Stainless steel suture Regulatory Class: II Product Code: GAQ Dated: July 26, 2004 Received: July 27, 2004
Dear Ms. Boyle:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device we nave rowed your be determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications forcrenced above and norsure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate for ass stated in the encreased 9776, 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). and Oosmeter fore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The r ou may, chere, many 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 11 your de subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can may or subject to de 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 or any I odotar states and equirements, 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.
{5}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 - Ms. Lisa M. Boyle
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,
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
{6}------------------------------------------------
#### 2.0 Indications for Use Statement
Page _ 1 of __ 1 __ 1
1999 1992 11
| 510(k) Number (if known): | k041333 |
|---------------------------|---------|
|---------------------------|---------|
Synthes (USA) Titanium Wire Device Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Indications:
Synthes (USA) Titanium Wire is indicated for use in soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, for canthoplasty, canthopexy and/or canthal tendon repair.
X x Prescription Use _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Pcr 21 CFR 801.109)
ાર
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Musiam C. Provost
(Division Sign-Off) Division of General, Restoration, and Neurological Devices
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.