K103375 · Medtek Devices, Inc. · GEI · Mar 16, 2011 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K103375
Device Name
PLUMEPEN INTEGRATED SMOKE EVACUATION PENCIL
Applicant
Medtek Devices, Inc.
Product Code
GEI · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Mar 16, 2011
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4400
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic, 3rd-Party Reviewed
Indications for Use
The PLUMEPEN is designed for general electrosurgical applications, including cutting and coagulation, and for removing smoke generated by electrosurgery when used in conjunction with an effective smoke evacuation system. The pencil enables the operator to remotely conduct an electrosurgical current from the output connector of an electrosurgical unit to the operative site for the desired surgical effect. Indications for use for PLUMEPEN® Integrated Smoke Evacuation Pencil include: - To remove smoke plume from the surgical site a. - b. To remotely conduct an electrosurgical current from the output connector of an electrosurgical unit to the target tissue for the desired surgical effect
Device Story
Sterile, single-use integrated electrosurgical pencil and smoke evacuation handpiece; combines electrosurgical current delivery with smoke plume capture. Input: electrosurgical current from external generator; smoke plume generated at surgical site. Operation: operator activates monopolar cut/coagulate via buttons; integrated channel positioned above electrode captures smoke; smoke transported via tubing to external evacuation system. Output: tissue cauterization/cutting; smoke removal. Used in ORs by physicians. Benefits: reduces personnel exposure to surgical smoke (viruses, bacteria, carcinogens); improves surgical field visibility; reduces clutter by combining functions into one handpiece.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Testing confirmed smoke capture effectiveness and verified that the smoke evacuation channel does not impede electrosurgical function. Biocompatibility testing performed per ISO 10993. No clinical data provided.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: ABS plastic body, stainless steel or non-stick coated blades, K-resin (SBC) smoke channel. Energy: Monopolar electrosurgical current. Form factor: Handheld pencil with integrated smoke capture channel and tubing. Connectivity: Connects to external electrosurgical generator and smoke evacuation system. Sterilization: Sterile, single-use.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients undergoing electrosurgical procedures requiring cutting or coagulation where smoke evacuation is desired. Used by clinicians in hospital/operating room settings.
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.
E & M Engineering, Inc. Electrosurgical Pencil (K936304)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
#### 510(K) SUMMARY
# K103375
# MEDTEK DEVICES, INC
# MAR 1 6 2011
# PLUMEPEN® INTEGRATED SMOKE EVACUATION PENCIL
# SUBMITTER/510(K) HOLDER
| Name: | MEDTEK DEVICES, INC., dba Buffalo Filter |
|-----------------|------------------------------------------|
| Address: | 595 Commerce Drive |
| | Amherst, New York 14228 |
| Contact Person: | Greg Pepe |
| Telephone: | 716-835-7000 |
| Prepared: | September 14, 2010 |
# DEVICE NAME
| Proprietary Name: | PLUMEPEN |
|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Common/Usual Name: | Electrosurgical Pencil Accessory for Surgical Smoke<br>Evacuation |
| Classification Name: | Electrosurgical Cutting and Coagulation Device and<br>Accessories |
#### Predicate Devices
MEDTEK DEVICES, INC. (" Medtek") claims substantial equivalence to:
- 1. Conmed Corporation. Conmed GoldVac Integrated Smoke Evacuation Pencil (K081634)
- I.C. Medical, Inc. Telescoping PenEvac (K954088) 2.
- 3. Buffalo Filter Co., Inc. PenAdapt (K000904)
- 4. E & M Engineering, Inc. Electrosurgical Pencil (k936304)
#### Device Description
- -・
The PLUMEPEN Integrated Smoke Evacuation Pencil is a sterile, single use integrated electrosurgical pencil and smoke evacuation handpiece. The device is intended for general
{1}------------------------------------------------
electrosurgical applications and when used in conjunction with an effective smoke evacuation system, for removing smoke generated by electrosurgery.
The integration of smoke evacuation and electrosurgery allows for operator to deliver the electrosurgical current from the generator and capture the smoke plume with a single device. Surgical smoke plume is a potentially dangerous by-product generated from electrosurgery. The primary health risk is inhalation of surgical smoke. As this device cauterizes vessels and destroys (vaporize) tissue, fluid, and blood create a gaseous material known as smoke plume. The amount, content, and particulate size of smoke plume can vary depending on the type of procedure and surgical technique. Research regarding surgical smoke produced from electrosurgery has shown to contain viable viruses, bacteria, blood, blood fragments, carcinogens and neuro-toxic compounds. The traditional surgical mask has been determined to be not adequate for personal protection. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has issued recommendations that surgical smoke be removed and properly filtered by a smoke evacuation system as close to the surgical site as possible.
The device is constructed using the same materials and design specifications commonly found in the predicate devices in the electrosurgical marketplace. The device is designed to integrate smoke evacuation into electrosurgery by combining both features into a single handpiece. The integrated smoke evacuation pathway is located above the electrosurgical blade to capture the smoke plume created during cauterization. Studies have shown that surgical smoke rises after generation, so the placement of the channel above the blade has demonstrated superior capture effectiveness. The extendable channel allows for adjustment of the capture position to accommodate a variety of different style and length electrosurgical blades. There are two (2) buttons on the device, which activate monopolar cut or coagulate. The pencil is connected to tubing which will be attached to a variety of smoke evacuation systems. The smoke is then filtered by the smoke evacuation system to limit personnel exposure to the hazards associated with surgical smoke plume. The device will be packaged singly for sterile distribution.
#### Intended Use
The PLUMEPEN is designed for general electrosurgical applications, including cutting and coagulation, and for removing smoke generated by electrosurgery when used in conjunction with an effective smoke evacuation system. The pencil enables the operator to remotely conduct an electrosurgical current from the output connector of an electrosurgical unit to the operative site for the desired surgical effect.
Indications for use for PLUMEPEN® Integrated Smoke Evacuation Pencil include:
- To remove smoke plume from the surgical site a.
- To remotely conduct an electrosurgical current from the output connector of an b. electrosurgical unit to the target tissue for the desired surgical effect
{2}------------------------------------------------
#### Technological Characteristics And Substantial Equivalence
Substantial equivalence is based on four (4) predicate devices. All the above referenced predicates are Electrosurgical Cutting and Coagulation Device and Accessories; and Airhandling apparatus for a surgical operating room as defined in 21 CFR § 878.4400 and 21 CFR & 878.5070 respectively .
The Medtek Devices PLUMEPEN is an integration of two technologies, electro surgery and smoke evacuation, previously cleared for use in predicate devices into a single device. The main difference from a standalone electrosurgical handpiece is the integration of a smoke capture channel into the main body. This smoke capture channel is designed to be placed in a variety of positions, near the tip of the electrode for maximum smoke capture or retracted back for maximum accessibility and visibility. The location of the smoke evacuation channel above the electrode in the handpiece allows for maximum capture potential, as studies have shown the surgical smoke travels upward from the point of generation.
The tubing houses the cord set for a length to eliminate clutter in the surgical field and the back end of the pencil swivels to allow for maximum range of motion with limited drag.
Like all the predicate devices, the PLUMEPEN is used in hospitals, operating room theaters and requires physician's prescription for use. The external anatomical sites for the patient contact appliance are similar for all devices- open body parts.
The technological characteristics of the electrosurgical handpiece do not change compared with the predicate devices; cut, coagulate and smoke evacuation remain contained in one device. The PLUMEPEN utilizes the same electrosurgical pencil as the predicate device, 'Electrosurgical Pencil' but like all other predicate devices, Medtek has integrated the smoke channel for evacuation of surgical smoke. The PLUMEPEN is equivalent in operational characteristics to the predicate devices, GoldVac, PenEvac and PenAdapt in that, cut, coagulate and smoke evacuations are contained in one device, limiting the need for several devices present at the surgical site that perform these functions independently of each other. Like the predicate devices, the PLUMEPEN enables the operator to remotely conduct an electrosurgical current from the output connector of an electrosurgical unit to the target tissue for the desired surgical effect.
PLUMEPEN has made no changes to the generator and therefore no changes to the accompanying software, compared to the predicate devices. Like the predicate device GOLDVAC, the generator provides alarms for conditions that could pose a risk to the patient and the operator sets the appropriate mode and output settings for the device.
#### Performance Testing
Bench testing on the subject device has shown the device to perform as intended with the same or similar results as a predicate device. No particular requirements specific to this smoke performance exist in the standards but tests conducted with the device have shown no effect or changes to the function of the electrosurgical pencil. The nozzle or intake portion of the device
{3}------------------------------------------------
has been designed so as to not impede the operation of the electrosurgical function of the pencil and provides for intake of the surgical smoke for filtering.
# Non Clinical Testing
PLUMEPEN and all the predicate devices, except PenAdapt, use 'ABS plastic' for the body of the device. The PLUMEPEN uses previously cleared stainless steel blade (K936304) in its model PLP 1000 and previously cleared non stick blade (K043036) in its model PLP 2000. The predicate devices, Electrosurgical Pencil, GoldVac and PenEvac also use stainless steel and non stick blades. The predicate devices use polycarbonate for the smoke tube or smoke channel, the PLUMEPEN uses a higher quality, similar material as polycarbonate called K- resin (SBC) for its smoke tube. The PenAdapt uses Silicone elastometer.
The proposed device is equivalent to the identified predicate devices with respect to technological characteristics and function. The device has been designed to comply with the applicable sections of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard for Electrosurgical Devices, 60601-2-2 and Biocompatibility standard ISO 10993. In addition to these standards, the predicate devices GoldVac and PenEvac also comply with ANSVAAMI HF-18 standard. But IEC 60601-2-2 was approved by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a revision of ANSI/AAMI HF-18, Electrosurgical devices, on November 2, 2006. Therefore, PLUMEPEN's compliance with ANSI/AAMI HF-18 standard is not required.
The design, operational and technical characteristics, performance and non clinical testing of the PLUMEPEN® Integrated Smoke Evacuation Pencil are substantially equivalent to and as effective as that of the predicate devices. The PLUMEPEN is as safe and performs as well as or better than the previously identified legally marketed predicate devices. The PLUMEPEN's intended use and indications statement for use are substantially supported by the previously cleared predicate devices; and do not impact the safety and effectiveness of the device when used as labeled.
{4}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the seal of the Department of Health & Human Services USA. The seal features a stylized eagle with three tail feathers, representing the department's commitment to health, human services, and well-being. The department's name is written in a circular pattern around the eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room -WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
MEDTEK DEVICES, INC., dba Buffalo Filter % Regulatory Technology Services LLC Mr. Mark Job 1394 2511 Street NW Buffalo, MN 55313
MAR 1 6 201
Re: K103375
Trade/Device Name: PLUMEPEN® Integrated Smoke Evacuation Pencil Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4400 Regulation Name: Electrosurgical cutting and coagulation device and accessories Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: GEI Dated: February 28, 2011 Received: March 1. 2011
Dear Mr. Job:
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, 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. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you; however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to 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
{5}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 - Mr. Mark Job
CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); 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.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please go to http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDRH/CDRHOffices/ucm115809.htm for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm for the CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
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) 796-7100 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours.
Aty B. n L
fr
Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of Surgical, Orthopedic And Restorative Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{6}------------------------------------------------
## INDICATIONS FOR USE
510(k) Number:
Device Name:
PLUMEPEN® Integrated Smoke Evacuation Pencil
Indications for use:
The PLUMEPEN is designed for general electrosurgical applications, including cutting and coagulation, and for removing smoke generated by electrosurgery when used in conjunction with an effective smoke evacuation system. The pencil enables the operator to remotely conduct an electrosurgical current from the output connector of an electrosurgical unit to the operative site for the desired surgical effect.
Indications for use for PLUMEPEN® Integrated Smoke Evacuation Pencil include:
- To remove smoke plume from the surgical site a.
- b. To remotely conduct an electrosurgical current from the output connector of an electrosurgical unit to the target tissue for the desired surgical effect
AND/OR Prescription Use X (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
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)
signature
Division of Surgical, Orthopedic, and Restorative Devices
510(k) Number K103375
9
Predicate graph will load when search results are available.
Embedding visualization will load when search results are available.
PDF viewer will load when search results are available.
Loading panels...
Select an item from Submissions
Click any panel, subpart, regulation, product code, or device to see details here.
Section Matches
Results will appear here.
Product Code Matches
Results will appear here.
Special Control Matches
Results will appear here.
Loading collections...
Loading
My Alerts
You will receive email notifications based on the filters and frequency you set for each alert.
Sort by:
Create Alert
Search Filters
Agent Token
Create a read-only bearer token for Claude, ChatGPT, or other agents that can call HTTP APIs.
Copy this now. It will not be shown again.
Connected apps
Apps you authorized through browser sign-in. Disconnecting revokes their access immediately.
Learn the FDA Browser
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.