For administration of anesthetic agents into the epidural space to provide epidural or caudal anesthesia.
Device Story
EPINAUT is a spring-guided epidural catheter system used for delivering anesthetic agents into the epidural space. The device consists of a stainless steel continuous spring catheter, a stainless steel wire with a molded plastic hub, an adapter, and an introducer needle. The physician inserts the introducer needle into the epidural space via the sacral hiatus under intermittent fluoroscopy. The catheter, containing the wire, is advanced to the target area identified by MRI or symptomatology. Once positioned, the wire is removed, and the adapter is attached to a syringe for medication injection. The spring coil design provides kink resistance and flexibility. The device is intended for use in clinical settings by healthcare professionals to manage chronic low back pain and contained disc herniations, potentially providing pain relief through targeted anesthesia delivery.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence is supported by bench testing, including visual inspection, size measurement, leakage, tensile strength, assembly compatibility, radiopacity, corrosion resistance, flexural rigidity, EO gas residue, sterility, endotoxin, and particulate matter testing. Side-by-side performance testing against the predicate device followed ISO 10555-1 and BS 6196:1989 standards.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: Stainless steel, Teflon, ABS. Design: Coil spring type catheter (19-20G, 31-60cm). Components: Catheter, adapter, introducer needle. Sterilization: Ethylene Oxide gas (ISO 11135, ISO 11737-1/2). Shelf life: 3 years (ASTM F1980). Biocompatibility: ISO 10993-4, 5, 10, 11 and USP 39 <151>.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with chronic low back pain and contained disc herniations requiring epidural or caudal anesthesia via administration of anesthetic agents into the epidural space.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An anesthesia conduction catheter is a flexible tubular device used to inject local anesthetics into a patient and to provide continuous regional anesthesia.
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains the logos of the Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The Department of Health & Human Services logo is on the left, and the FDA logo is on the right. The FDA logo is a blue square with the letters "FDA" in white, followed by the words "U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION" in blue.
IMEDICOM Co., Ltd. % Priscilla Chung Regulatory Affairs Consultant LK Consulting Group USA, Inc. 690 Roosevelt, Irvine, California 92620
Re: K173541
Trade/Device Name: EPINAUT Regulation Number: 21 CFR 868.5120 Regulation Name: Anesthesia Conduction Catheter Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: BSO Dated: July 12, 2018 Received: July 19, 2018
Dear Priscilla Chung:
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. Although this letter refers to your product as a device, please be aware that some cleared products may instead be combination products. The 510(k) Premarket Notification Database located at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm identifies combination product submissions. 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
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requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803) for devices or postmarketing safety reporting (21 CFR 4, Subpart B) for combination products (see https://www.fda.gov/CombinationProducts/GuidanceRegulatoryInformation/ucm597488.htm); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (OS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) for devices or current good manufacturing practices (21 CFR 4, Subpart A) for combination products; and, if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 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 comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/) and CDRH Learn (http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (http://www.fda.gov/DICE) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
# Todd D. Courtney -S
for Tina Kiang, Ph.D. Acting Director Division of Anesthesiology. General Hospital, Respiratory, Infection Control, and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known)
K173541
Device Name EPINAUT
Indications for Use (Describe)
For administration of anesthetic agents into the epidural space to provide epidural or caudal anesthesia.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
X Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
| Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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## 510(k) Summary
This summary of 510(K) is being submitted in accordance with requirements of 21 CFR Part 807.92.
Date: July 12, 2018
### 1. Applicant / Submitter
IMEDICOM Co., Ltd. #612, 172, LS-ro, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, 435-824 Republic of Korea Tel:+82-31-479-1156 Fax:+82-31-479-1157
#### 2. Submission Correspondent
Priscilla Chung LK Consulting Group USA, Inc. 690 Roosevelt Irvine CA 92620 Tel: 714.202.5789 Fax: 714.409.3357 Email: juhee.c@LKconsultingGroup.com
#### 3. Device
- י Trade Name: EPINAUT
- י Common Name: Anesthesia conduction catheter
- י Classification Name: Anesthesia conduction catheter
- Product Code: BSO
- Classification regulation: Class II, 21 CFR 868.5120 י
#### 4. Predicate Device:
- י Racz Epidural Catheter by Epimed International. Inc. (K954584)
#### 5. Description:
EPINAUT Spring Guide Epidural Catheter is constructed of a stainless steel continuous spring. EPINUAT Spring Guide Epidural Catheter offers two types of catheter. The catheter types, L330 & L600 have an uncoated distal tip which is flexible, smooth and
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rounded with coils slightly spread for maximum flexibility and lateral distribution of injectant. The other catheter types, C310 & C600 have a distal end which is entirely coated by tube for maximum smoothness. There are 16 models in EPINAUT: L33011320, L33013820, L33011315, L33013815, L60011320, L60013820, L60011315, L60013815, C31011320, C31013820, C31011315, C31013815, C60011320, C60013820, C60011315 and C60013815. Each model is characterized by different length of catheter, length and outer diameter of wire, inner diameter of adapter, length and diameter of introducer needle and needle cap.
EPINUAT Spring Guided Epidural Catheter have enhanced tensile/ break strength and restrict longitudinal catheter stretch, while the spring coils make the catheter resistant to kinking and collapsing. Wire is also provided with the device which consists of a stainless steel and a molded plastic hub.
The introducer needle is inserted into the epidural space through the sacral hiatus under intermittent fluoroscopy. After appropriate determination of the epidurogram and target area, the catheter with the wire in it is advanced through the introducer needle to the concerned area as determined by MRI or symptomatology. When the catheter is approached to target site, the wire is removed from the catheter and then the medication can be injected by attaching the adapter to a syringe.
The intended population of the device is the patient with chronic low back pain and contained disc herniations.
#### 6. Indication for use:
For administration of anesthetic agents into the epidural space to provide epidural or caudal anesthesia.
#### 7. Basis for Substantial Equivalence
EPINAUT is substantially equivalent to the Racz Epidural Catheter (K954584) made by Epimed International, Inc.
There are no significant differences between the subject devices and the predicate device. The subject devices have the same intended use as the identified predicate device and they are similar in fundamental scientific technology, design, and size, and they are sterilized via Ethylene Oxide gas.
The materials used in the subject devices might be different from the predicate device; however, the biocompatibility testing results of the subject device support that the subject devices are biocompatible and the performance testing results show that the subject device would perform as well as the predicate device.
| | Subject Device | Predicate Device |
|---------------|----------------|------------------------|
| Device Name | EPINAUT | Racz Epidural Catheter |
| 510(k) Number | - | K954584 |
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| Product Code | | BSO | BSO |
|---------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Manufacturer | | IMEDICOM Co., Ltd. | Epimed International, Inc. |
| Indications for Use | | For administration of anesthetic<br>agents into the epidural space to<br>provide epidural or caudal<br>anesthesia. | For administration of anesthetic<br>agents into the epidural space to<br>provide continuous epidural or<br>caudal anesthesia. |
| Device | Diameter(O.D.) of<br>Catheter | 19~20G | 19~21G |
| | Length of Catheter | 31~60cm | 30~84.5cm |
| | Material | Stainless Steel, Teflon, ABS | Stainless Steel, FEP, ABS |
| | Tip type | Coil Spring Type | Coil Spring Type |
| | Single use | Yes | Yes |
| | Components | Catheter, Adapter,<br>Introducer Needle | Catheter, Adapter,<br>Introducer Needle |
| | Biocompatibility | Biocompatible | Biocompatible |
| Endoscope capable | | Incapable | Incapable |
| Sterilization | | Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilization | Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilization |
#### 8. Non-Clinical Testing
- · Sterilization validating testing has been performed in accordance with ISO 11135 and ISO 11737-1, 2 to verify the sterility assurance level (10th).
- The tests to validate the shelf life of the device through the proposed shelf life were conducted using the accelerated aging method in accordance to ASTM F1980 and the test results validated 3 year shelf life.
- . The epidural catheter, wire, adapter, introducer needle, and needle cap are the patient contacting components and they are categorized as External communicating device (tissue/bone/dentin communicating), Limited exposure (<24 hours). Biocompatibility tests were performed in accordance with ISO 10993-4, 5, 10, 11 and USP 39 <151>, and the test results supported that the subject devices are biocompatible.
- . Various bench tests were performed to evaluate the performance of the subject devices and the test results met the pre-set criteria. Below is the list of the tests performed.
| No. | Test |
|-----|--------------------------------|
| 1 | Visual Inspection (Appearance) |
| 2 | Size Measurement |
| 3 | Leakage Test (Catheter) |
| 4 | Tensile strength (Catheter) |
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| 5 | Assemble compatibility (Catheter) |
|----|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| 6 | Radiopacity test |
| 7 | Corrosion resistance test |
| 8 | Flexural Rigidity (Catheter introducer and the needle) |
| 9 | Pulling (Drawing) Test (Catheter introducer and the needle) |
| 10 | Flexural Rigidity (Wire) |
| 11 | EO Gas residue |
| 12 | Sterility Test |
| 13 | Endotoxin Test |
| 14 | Particulate Matter Test |
We also performed side by side testing to compare performance of the subject device and the predicate device as below.
| No | Test Item | Standard |
|----|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|
| 1 | Tensile strength<br>Catheter | ISO 10555-1 Annex B |
| | Catheter-Hub | BS 6196:1989 Appendix D |
| | Stylet | BS 6196:1989 Appendix D |
| | Needle Stylet | BS 6196:1989 Appendix F |
| 2 | Dullness test | BS 6196:1989 Appendix G |
| 3 | Fluid pressure of the<br>catheter/ adapter connection | ISO 10555-1 Annex G |
| 4 | Flow rate | ISO 10555-1 Annex E |
| 5 | Luminal integrity | ISO 10555-1 Annex C |
The test results supported that the subject device is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
#### 9. Conclusion
Based on the similarities, we conclude that the EPINAUT is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
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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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
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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.
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A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
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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.