The AlphaSphere Orbital Implant is intended to replace orbital volume after loss of an eye through enucleation or evisceration, including secondary implantation after removal of an existing, unsatisfactory, orbital implant. The device is indicated in any situation where silicone, acrylic, polyethylene, coral, glass, or other traditional orbital implants are used.
Device Story
AlphaSphere Orbital Implant is an aspherical volume replacement prosthesis for use following enucleation or evisceration. Device consists of two hydrogel regions: a posterior hemisphere resistant to tissue ingrowth and an anterior spongy hemisphere designed to encourage tissue attachment. Implanted surgically by ophthalmologists; extraocular muscles are sutured directly to the anterior sponge region. Mersilene mesh reinforcement provides mechanical strength for suture anchorage. Device replaces traditional implants (silicone, acrylic, polyethylene, coral, glass) without requiring pre-soaking or drilling. Benefits include biocompatibility, stable tissue integration, and mechanical integrity for muscle attachment.
Clinical Evidence
Evidence includes published peer-reviewed animal studies (rabbit models). One study (n=8) evaluated PHEMA implants post-enucleation via MRI and histopathology over 52 weeks, confirming muscle attachment and fibrovascular ingrowth. A comparative study evaluated AlphaSphere against porous polyethylene (MEDPOR) implants in rabbits, demonstrating successful retention, muscle attachment, and fibrovascularization in both groups. Biocompatibility supported by literature on PHEMA and Mersilene.
Technological Characteristics
Material: Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogel. Reinforcement: MERSILENE synthetic mesh. Form factor: Aspherical orbital implant with posterior gel and anterior spongy regions. Principle: Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) for structural integrity. Sterilization: Provided sterile.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring orbital volume replacement following enucleation or evisceration, or secondary implantation after removal of unsatisfactory implants. Applicable for all clinical scenarios where traditional orbital implants (silicone, acrylic, polyethylene, coral, glass) are used.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An eye sphere implant is a device intended to be implanted in the eyeball to occupy space following the removal of the contents of the eyeball with the sclera left intact.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device, when it is an ocular peg which is supplied sterile only, is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 886.9.
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K053298
MAY - 9 -
# ALPHASPHERE ORBITAL IMPLANT 510(K) SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
This 510(k) summary of safety and effectiveness information is being submitted in accordance with the requirements of SMDA 1990 and 21 CFR 807.92.
| APPLICANT | Hydron Pty Limited (t/a) CooperVision Surgical<br>Lions Eye Institute Building<br>2 Verdun Street<br>Nedlands<br>WA 6009<br>Australia |
|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| TRADE NAME: | AlphaSphere Orbital Implant |
| COMMON NAME: | Orbital Implant |
| CLASSIFICATION<br>NAME: | Eye Sphere Implant |
| DEVICE<br>CLASSIFICATION: | Class II, 21 CFR §886.3320 |
| PRODUCT CODE | HPZ |
| PREDICATE<br>DEVICE: | The AlphaSpere Orbital Implant is substantially equivalent in<br>intended use and mechanism of action to the Porex Surgical's<br>Medpor® Quad Motility Implant (K010902) and to Integrated<br>Orbital Implants' Bio Eye II (K003338). The AlphaSphere is<br>also substantially equivalent to the AlphaCor Artificial Cornea<br>(K013756) in material formulation and mechanism of action<br>for device integration |
#### SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT TO:
The AlphaSphere Orbital Implant is substantially equivalent in intended use and mechanism of action to the Porex Surgical's Medpor® Quad Motility Implant (K010902) and to Integrated Orbital Implants' Bio Eye II (K003338). The AlphaSphere is also substantially equivalent to the AlphaCor Artificial Cornea, (K013756) in material formulation and mechanism of action for device integration.
. . . . .
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## DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE SUBJECT TO PREMARKET NOTIFICATION:
The AlphaSphere Orbital Implant is aspherical orbital volume replacement prosthesis with a posterior gel hemisphere resistant to tissue ingrowth and an anterior hemisphere with a spongy outer surface designed to encourage tissue attachment.
#### INDICATION FOR USE:
The AlphaSphere Orbital Implant is intended to replace orbital volume after loss of an eye through enucleation or evisceration. The device is indicated in any situation where silicone, acrylic, polyethylene, coral, glass, or other traditional orbital implants are used.
### TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The implant is made entirely of a flexible hydrogel, poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). (PHEMA). The physical differences between the gel and spongy portions of the implant are created by varying the conditions during the hydrogel polymerization process. The transition between the two hydrogel regions is reinforced with a biocompatible synthetic mesh (MERSILENE) beneath the device surface to improve mechanical strength for the passage of sutures.
## PERFORMANCE DATA:
The determination of substantial equivalence, in addition to aspects of design, function and indications, is based on performance data indicating that the AlphaSphere Orbital Implant is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices in terms of safety, efficacy and performance.
Safety: The constituents of AlphaSphere, PHEMA and Mersilene, have a history of use as implanted devices, and are of known biocompatibility. The device is provided sterile and accurately sized for optimal outcome. Evidence of the biocompatibility of the PHEMA material has been established through a number of published peer-reviewed studies, which additionally demonstrate that the material, in its macroporous form, allows biointegration from surrounding tissues. Chirila TV et al (Biomaterials 1993;14: 26-38) demonstrated cellular invasion of PHEMA sponges in the rabbit model. A prototype artificial cornea, now marketed as AlphaCor, was found biocompatible in the rabbit cornea, where biointegration with its peripheral macroporous skirt was confirmed (Crawford GJ et al. J Refract Surg 1996;12:525-529; Hicks CR et al. Br J Ophthalmol 1998; 82:18-25; Vijayasekaran S et al. Cornea 1997;16:352-359), even in inflamed postalkali burn tissues (Hicks CR et al. Cornea 1998; 17:301-308).
Performance: Integrity of the device in situ is assured through the strength of the interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) through which the sponge and gel portions of AlphaSphere are unified (Chirila TV et al. J Biomed Mater Res 1994; 28:745-753). The presence of the Mersilene mesh in the region of the IPN is not to strengthen the IPN itself, which is very strong, but to provide a firm anchorage for bites of extraocular muscle suture, allowing the surgeon to exert traction as necessary to draw the muscle against the device surface without risking tearing of the device sponge surface. In vitro studies with AlphaSphere, using a Sintech mechanical tester, demonstrate adequate mechanical strength.
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Effectiveness: Evidence of satisfactory clinical handling, retention and performance is available from published animal studies performed during development of the AlphaSphere Orbital Implant. It was demonstrated that the device can be implanted, without prior tissue or mesh coverage, and without drilling or soaking or other measures often recommended for alternative types of orbital implant, directly into the socket after enucleation, and extraocular muscles directly attached by passing sutures through the sponge region of the device (Hicks CR et al. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 1999;15:326-332). Information demonstrating substantial equivalence in effectiveness is summarized from published studies of the AlphaSphere and predicate MEDPOR devices in rabbits.
| | AlphaSphere | MEDPOR |
|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Study<br>authors | Hicks CR, Morris IT, Vijayasekaran S, et al. | Jordan, D. R., Brownstein, S., Dorey, M.,et al. |
| Reference | Br J Ophthalmol 1999; 83: 616-21 | Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2004; 20:136-43 |
| Methods | Following enucleation, 8 rabbits received<br>PHEMA implants to which the muscles<br>were directly sutured, and underwent<br>gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance<br>imaging (MRI) from 3 to 52 weeks.<br>Following sacrifice, the implants were<br>removed, cut in a plane corresponding to<br>the scan, and processed for light and<br>electron microscopy evaluation of the<br>histopathology. | 10 rabbits underwent enucleation followed by<br>placement of porous polyethylene implant. In 5<br>animals, the implant was encased in Vicryl mesh; in<br>the other 5, it was left unwrapped. The implants were<br>moistened in saline before placement. Implant<br>vascularization was evaluated by histopathology at 4,<br>8, 12, 16, and 24 weeks. |
| Results | All 8 rabbits retained their implant to the<br>end of the study period without<br>complications. The scans demonstrated<br>muscle attachment to the anterior half of the<br>implant, and enhancement was seen.<br>Histology confirmed muscle attachment,<br>and cellular and vascular ingrowth. Over<br>time, a transformation from reactive<br>inflammatory to relatively non-vascular scar<br>tissue was seen within the implant. | One rabbit had a retrobulbar hemorrhage after<br>surgery and was euthanized. All the other rabbits<br>tolerated the implant well, and there were no<br>complications. On histopathologic examination,<br>fibrovascularization increased over time. One<br>implant was completely vascularized at 12 weeks.<br>The implant harvested at 24 weeks showed only<br>partial vascularization. |
| Conclusion | Muscle attachment and fibrovascular<br>ingrowth into the anterior hemisphere are<br>confirmed. There is initial inflammation and<br>vascularization, developing into quiescent<br>fibroblastic tissue. | The porous polyethylene implant was well tolerated<br>without complication. Complete fibrovascularization<br>was first seen at 12 weeks. |
## BASIS FOR DETERMINATION OF SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE:
The indications for use for the AlphaSphere Orbital Implant are similar to the predicate orbital implants cited in this application. The safety of the materials used for the manufacture of AlphaSphere has previously been demonstrated. Testing demonstrates that the AlphaSphere Orbital Implant is functionally equivalent to the predicate devices.
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Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows a logo with the text "LAW SERVICES-USA" at the top and "DEPARTM" at the bottom. In the center of the logo is a stylized graphic that resembles a bird in flight or a series of curved lines. The logo is in black and white and appears to be from a document or printed material.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Hydron Pty Limited (t/a) CooperVision Sugical c/o Judy Gordon, D.V.M. ClinReg Consulting Services, Inc. 733 Bolsana Drive Laguna Beach, CA 92651
MAY - 9 2005
Re: K053298
Trade/Device Name: AlphaSphere Orbital Implant Regulation Number: 21 CFR 886.3320 Regulation Name: Eye sphere implant Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: HPZ Dated: April 3. 2006 Received: April 6, 2006
Dear Dr. Gordon:
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, Or re 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 (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your devire can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, RDAcova 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 not 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); 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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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) 827-8910. 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/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely yours,
MB Eychhaus MD
Malvina B. Eydelman, M.D. Division Director Division of Ophthalmic and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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INDICATIONS FOR USE STATEMENT
510(k) Number (if known): _ K05 3298
Device Name: AlphaSphere Orbital Implant
Indications for Use:
The AlphaSphere Orbital Implant is intended to replace orbital volume after loss of an eye through enucleation or evisceration, including secondary implantation after removal of an existing, unsatisfactory, orbital implant. The device is indicated in any situation where silicone, acrylic, polyethylene, coral, glass, or other traditional orbital implants are used.
Prescription Use
(Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
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510(k) Number K053298
: ·
K053298 - ALPHASPHERE ORBITAL IMPLANT HYDRON PTY LIMITED (T/A) COOPERVISION SURGICAL
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.