K132720 · Merit Medical Systems, Inc. · DYB · Feb 12, 2014 · Cardiovascular
Device Facts
Record ID
K132720
Device Name
HEARTSPAN FIXED CURVE BRAIDED TRANSSEPTAL SHEATH
Applicant
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
Product Code
DYB · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
Feb 12, 2014
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.1340
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
For the percutaneous introduction of various types of cardiovascular catheters to all heart chambers, including the left atrium via transseptal puncture.
Device Story
HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath is a sterile, single-use introducer kit for hospital/clinical use. It consists of a fixed curve sheath, dilator, and guidewire. The sheath features a hemostasis valve to minimize blood loss, a side-port with a three-way stopcock for fluid infusion/aspiration/pressure monitoring, distal perfusion holes, and a radiopaque tip marker for fluoroscopic visualization. The device is inserted percutaneously by a physician to facilitate the introduction and exchange of cardiovascular catheters. The sheath is reinforced with an encapsulated stainless steel braid and includes a lubricious coating. The device allows for navigation to various heart chambers, including the left atrium, aiding in clinical procedures requiring transseptal access.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Verification testing included sheath tube dimensions, visual inspection, curve orientation, tip integrity, simulated use, and joint integrity. Results demonstrated the device meets predetermined acceptance criteria.
Technological Characteristics
Polymer-based construction with encapsulated stainless steel braid reinforcement. Features include hemostasis valve, side-port with three-way stopcock, distal perfusion holes, radiopaque tip marker, and lubricious coating. Lengths 60-101.5 cm; curves 15°-150°. Sterilized via ethylene oxide. Complies with ISO 10993 (biocompatibility) and ISO 11070 (catheter introducers).
Indications for Use
Indicated for percutaneous introduction of cardiovascular catheters to all heart chambers, including the left atrium via transseptal puncture, in patients requiring such access.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A catheter introducer is a sheath used to facilitate placing a catheter through the skin into a vein or artery.
{0}------------------------------------------------
## Merit Medical Systems, Inc. HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath 510(k)
. . .
.
Attachment 1 510(k) Summary
K132720- Page 1 of 4
| 510(k) Summary | | |
|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| General<br>Provisions | Correspondent Name: | Merit Medical Systems, Inc. |
| | Address: | 65 Great Valley Parkway<br>Malvern, PA 19355 |
| | Telephone Number: | (610) 651-5046 |
| | Fax Number: | (801) 545-4285 |
| | Contact Person: | Alina Stubbs |
| | Date of Preparation: | August 23, 2013 |
| | Registration Number: | 2529252 |
| Subject<br>Device | Trade Name: | HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided<br>Transseptal Sheath |
| | Common/Usual Name: | Transseptal Introducer Kit |
| | Classification Name: | Catheter Introducer (21 CFR §870.1340) |
| Predicate Device | Trade Name: | HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided<br>Transseptal Sheath |
| | Classification Name: | Catheter Introducer (21 CFR §870.1340) |
| | Premarket Notification: | K004026 - Braided Guiding Introducer |
| | Manufacturer: | Merit Medical Systems, Inc. |
| | | 65 Great Valley Parkway<br>Malvern, PA 19355<br>(formerly operating as<br>Thomas Medical Products, Inc.) |
| Classification | | Class II |
| | | 21 CFR §870.1340 |
| | | FDA Product Code: DYB<br>Review Panel: Cardiovascular |
| Intended Use | The HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath is indicated "For<br>the percutaneous introduction of various types of cardiovascular catheters<br>to all heart chambers, including the left atrium via transseptal puncture." | |
<<This space is intentionally left blank>>
{1}------------------------------------------------
| Merit Medical Systems, Inc. |
|---------------------------------------------------|
| HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath |
| 510(k) |
The modified HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath consists of a dilator, guidewire, and fixed curve sheath, which are designed introduction into the cardiac anatomy. The device is for catheter provided sterile (ethylene oxide) and intended for single use only. It is for use in hospitals or healthcare facilities.
The fixed curve introducer contains a hemostasis valve to minimize blood loss during catheter introduction and/or exchange. A side-port with threeway stopcock is provided for air or blood aspiration, fluid infusion, blood sampling, and pressure monitoring. The introducer is available in lengths ranging from 60 to 101.5 cm and curve configurations from 15° to 150° to address various anatomical features. The fixed curve introducer also includes distal perfusion holes to facilitate aspiration and minimize cavitation, a radiopaque tip marker to improve fluoroscopic visualization, an atraumatic soft tip, and a lubricious coating on the inner and outer surfaces. The dilator is designed to conform to the inner diameter of the sheath, and has a tapered tip.
The materials of construction are primarily polymers with the exception of stainless steel braid reinforcement wires in the introducer shaft that are completely encapsulated in the sheath wall and do not contact the patient or bodily fluids.
| | Technical Characteristics | Predicate Device<br>(K004026) | Modified Device<br>(K132720) |
|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Comparison to<br>Predicate | Hemostasis valve provided | Yes | Yes |
| | Dilator to Guide wire<br>Compatibility | up to 0.038" | up to 0.038" |
| | Compatibility with Standard<br>Transseptal Needle | Yes | Yes |
| | Length | 30 cm min. | 60 - 101.5 cm |
| | French size | 8.5F & 9.5F | 8.5F |
| | Curve | 0° - 180° | 15° - 150° |
| | Wire braid reinforcement<br>completely encapsulated | Yes | Yes |
| | Radiopaque tip or marker | Yes | Yes |
| | Soft Atraumatic Tip | Yes | Yes |
| | Side port for infusion and<br>contrast injection | Yes | Yes |
| | UV and Thermal Stabilization<br>in Sheath Tube and Tip | No | Yes |
| | Distal perfusion holes | No | Yes |
Summary of the technological characteristics of the modified device compared to the predicate devices:
Device
Description
{2}------------------------------------------------
Merit Medical Systems, Inc. HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath 510(k)
l
| International<br>Standards | No performance standards have been established under section 514 of<br>the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for this device. Performance testing<br>of the modified HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath<br>was conducted based on the risk analysis and based on the<br>requirements of the following international standards:<br>ISO 10993-1:2009 Evaluation of Medical Devices - Part 1:<br>Evaluation and testing within a Risk Management Process ISO 10993-4:2002/Amendment I 2002, Biological Evaluation of<br>Medical Devices - Part 4: Selection of Tests for Interactions with<br>Blood ISO 10993-5:2009, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices - Part<br>5: Tests for In Vitro Cytotoxicity ISO 10993-7: 2008, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices - Part<br>7: Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Residuals ISO 10993-10:2010, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices - Part<br>10: Tests for Irritation and Skin Sensitization ISO 10993-11:2006, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices - Part<br>11: Tests for Systemic Toxicity ISO 11070:1998, Sterile Single-Use Intravascular Catheter<br>Introducers - Annex C ANSI/AAMI/ISO 11135-1:2007, Sterilization of Health Care Products<br>- Ethylene oxide - Part 1: Requirements for Development,<br>Validation and Routine Control of Sterilization Process for Medical<br>Devices |
|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
<<This space is intentionally left blank>>
.
{3}------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. •
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attachment 1
510(k) Summary
| Safety &<br>Performance<br>Tests | The modified HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath<br>has been thoroughly tested through verification of product specifications<br>and user requirements. The following quality assurance measures were<br>applied during the development of the modified HeartSpan™ Fixed<br>Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath:<br>Risk Analysis Requirements/Specification Reviews Design Reviews Sterilization validation (ethylene oxide) Biocompatibility Testing (Verification) Performance Testing (Verification) listed below: Sheath Tube Inner Diameter Sheath Tube Outer Diameter Sheath Free Length Sheath Tip Inner Diameter Sheath Visual Inspection Curve Orientation Sheath Curve Form Breakaway Flash Protruding wires or marker band Tip Defects Bumps or protrusion on tube Sheath tip transition to dilator Visual inspection of sheath inner surface Simulated Use Test Valve housing to tube joint integrity Sheath Tube Delamination Sheath Tip Integrity Sheath Tip to Tube Joint Integrity Sheath Tip Bend Back The results of the testing demonstrated that the modified HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath meets the predetermined acceptance criteria applicable to safety and efficacy of the device. |
|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Summary of<br>Substantial<br>Equivalence | Merit Medical Systems, Inc. considers the modified HeartSpan™ Fixed<br>Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath substantially equivalent to the<br>currently marketed predicate device (Braided Guiding Introducer -<br>K004026). This assessment is based upon analysis of similar<br>technological characteristics, bench testing, and indications for use. |
<<<End of document>>>
.
:
{4}------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized symbol resembling an abstract human figure with three wavy lines extending from its arm. The symbol is positioned to the right of the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA", which is arranged in a circular fashion around the symbol.
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-002
February 12, 2014
Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Ms. Alina Stubbs Regulatory Affairs Specialist II 65 Great Valley Parkway Malvern, PA 19355
Re: K132720
Trade Name: HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.1340 Regulation Name: Catheter Introducer Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: DYB Dated: January 10, 2014 Received: January 13, 2014
Dear Ms. Stubbs:
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 - Ms. Stubbs
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/CDRH0ffices/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/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours,
M. L. Helleman
for Bram D. Zuckerman, M.D. Director Division of Cardiovascular Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{6}------------------------------------------------
Merit Medical Systems, Inc. HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath Special 510(k)
Section 4 Indications for Use Statement
K132720- Page 1 of 1
## Section 4 Indications for Use Statement
510(k) Number (if known): _K132720
HeartSpan™ Fixed Curve Braided Transseptal Sheath Device Name:
Indications for Use:
For the percutaneous introduction of various types of cardiovascular catheters to all heart chambers, including the left atrium via transseptal puncture.
Prescription Use × (Per 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) AND/OR
Over-The-Counter-Use (Per 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)
M. A. Dilemma
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.