The Kinamed SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System is intended to be used in the following: repair of long bone fractures due to trauma or reconstruction; reattachment of the greater in total hip arthroplasty, surface replacement arthroplasty, or other procedures involving trochanteric osteotomy; sternotomy closure; and sublaminar and intrafacet wiring of the spinal column.
Device Story
System consists of implantable cable and locking clasp (clip and wedge). Cable features monofilament nylon core with braided UHMWPE jacket. Locking clasp secures cable. Used by surgeons in OR for orthopedic and spinal procedures. Manual instrumentation applies cable to bone or tissue structures to provide fixation. Device provides mechanical stabilization of fractures or reattached bone segments. Benefits include secure fixation during healing. Subject device introduces metal injection molding (MIM) for clasp manufacturing; otherwise identical to predicate.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Testing included ISO 10993 biocompatibility, bacterial endotoxin (LAL) levels, static construct tensile testing, and fatigue construct tensile testing.
Technological Characteristics
Implantable cerclage system. Cable: monofilament nylon core with braided UHMWPE jacket. Locking clasp: Ti-6Al-4V alloy (ASTM F136/ASTM F2885). Manufacturing: Metal Injection Molding (MIM) for clasp. Manual application. Non-electronic, non-software.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring bone fixation via cerclage, including long bone fracture repair, greater trochanter reattachment during hip arthroplasty or osteotomy, sternotomy closure, and spinal column sublaminar/intrafacet wiring.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A bone fixation cerclage is a device intended to be implanted that is made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, and that consists of a metallic ribbon or flat sheet or a wire. The device is wrapped around the shaft of a long bone, anchored to the bone with wire or screws, and used in the fixation of fractures.
Predicate Devices
SuperCable® Iso-Elastic™ Cerclage System (K030256)
Reference Devices
SuperCable® Iso-Elastic™ Cerclage System (K102834)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains two logos. The logo on the left is the Department of Health & Human Services - USA logo. The logo on the right is the FDA U.S. Food & Drug Administration logo. The FDA logo is blue and white.
August 1. 2018
Kinamed, Incorporated Heather Neely Senior Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance 820 Flynn Road Camarillo. California 93012
Re: K181749
Trade/Device Name: SuperCable® Iso-Elastic™ Cerclage System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3010 Regulation Name: Bone Fixation Cerclage Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: JDQ Dated: June 25, 2018 Received: July 2, 2018
Dear Heather Neely:
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.
{1}------------------------------------------------
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 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 medical devices and radiation-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,
Image /page/1/Picture/6 description: The image shows a digital signature. The signature is by Vesa Vuniqi -S. The date of the signature is 2018.08.01. The time of the signature is 17:08:45 -04'00'.
For: Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of Orthopedic Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{2}------------------------------------------------
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K181749
Device Name
SuperCable® Iso-Elastic™ Cerclage System
#### Indications for Use (Describe)
The Kinamed SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System is intended to be used in the following: repair of long bone fractures due to trauma or reconstruction; reattachment of the greater in total hip arthroplasty, surface replacement arthroplasty, or other procedures involving trochanteric osteotomy; sternotomy closure; and sublaminar and intrafacet wiring of the spinal column.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) | |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| <span style="text-decoration: underline;">☑</span> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) | |
| <span style="text-decoration: underline;">☐</span> Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C) | |
#### CONTINUE ON A SEPARATE PAGE IF NEEDED.
This section applies only to requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
#### *DO NOT SEND YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE PRA STAFF EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW.*
The burden time for this collection of information is estimated to average 79 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain the data needed and complete and review the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
> Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Office of Chief Information Officer Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Staff PRAStaff@fda.hhs.gov
"An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB number."
{3}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/3/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Kinamed Incorporated. The logo features a green square with a stylized white "K" inside, with a gradient effect on the lower part of the "K". To the right of the square, the word "KINAMED" is written in bold, black letters, with the word "INCORPORATED" written in smaller, lighter letters below it.
K181749
Page 1 of 3
## Special 510(k) Summary
| Manufacturer: | KINAMED® Incorporated<br>820 Flynn Road<br>Camarillo, CA 93012-8701<br>USA |
|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Phone (805) 384-2748<br>FAX (805) 384-2792 |
| Contact Person: | Heather Neely, RAC |
Senior Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance Kinamed®, Inc. Phone (805) 886-1069 and (805) 384-2748 x210 FAX (805) 384-2792 Email: hneely@kinamed.com
Date Prepared: June 25, 2018
## DEVICE INFORMATION
Trade/Proprietary Name: SuperCable® Iso-Elastic™ Cerclage System
| Common Name: | Bone fixation cerclage |
|----------------------|------------------------|
| Classification Name: | Cerclage, Fixation |
21 CFR 888.3010 Class II Device Product Code: JDQ
K030256 (SuperCable® Iso-Elastic™ Cerclage Predicate Device: System)
### Product Description:
The Kinamed SuperCable® Iso-Elastic™ Cerclage System consists of an implantable cable and locking clasp (the locking clasp consists of a clip and a wedge). The cable is comprised of a monofilament core of nylon with a jacket of ultra-high molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers braided around the nylon core. Manual instrumentation is used for applying the cable.
{4}------------------------------------------------
K181749
Page 2 of 3
The SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System that is the subject of this submission is a line extension to the predicate SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System (K030256) that was cleared on October 21, 2003.
Additional sizes of the SuperCable implant were previously added to the System via a Special 510(k) line extension (K102834) that was cleared on January 12, 2011.
The subject of the present Special 510(k) submission is a line addition of a cable implant whose locking clasp is manufactured using a metal injection molding (MIM) process. The cable portion of the implant is the exact same as in the predicate system. This line addition is intended to improve manufacturing efficiency and is not motivated by any clinical or performance factors associated with the SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System. An overview of the changes being proposed is described in Figure 5-1.
| Figure 5-1 | |
|------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| Description of Proposed Changes for the present submission | |
| 510(k) Designation | Locking Clasp<br>Material of Construction | Locking Clasp<br>Manufacturing Process |
|------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| K030256<br>(predicate) | ASTM F1361<br>Titanium<br>(implant-grade) | Machined from Wrought |
| K181749<br>(this submission) | ASTM F28852<br>Titanium<br>(implant-grade) | Metal Injection Molded<br>(MIM) |
There are no changes to the polymer cable itself or to the product's intended use, indications for use, functionality, shelf life, biocompatibility, packaging, and sterilization method.
The SuperCable Iso-Elastic System locking clasp that is the subject of this submission meets the specifications of ASTM F2885 (Type 1, Densified).
### Indications for Use (for this submission):
The Kinamed SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System is intended to be used in the following: repair of long bone fractures due to trauma or reconstruction; reattachment of the greater trochanter in total hip arthroplasty, surface
<sup>1</sup> ASTM F136. Standard Specification for Wrought Titanium-6Aluminum-4Vanadium ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) Alloy for Surgical Implant Applications (UNS R56401)
<sup>2</sup> ASTM F2885, Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded Titanium-6Aluminum-4Vanadium Components for Surgical Implant Applications
{5}------------------------------------------------
Page 3 of 3
replacement arthroplasty, or other procedures involving trochanteric osteotomy; sternotomy closure; and sublaminar and intrafacet wiring of the spinal column.
With the exception of the addition of Kinamed's "SuperCable" brand name, there are no changes to the indications for use or intended use from the previously cleared SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System predicate (K030256). Form FDA 3881, Indications for Use, can be found in Section 4 of this Special 510(k) submission. The addition of the "SuperCable" brand name to the Indications for Use statement is not considered a change because the product line has been branded "SuperCable" since it was launched in the USA in 2004.
### Performance Testing
Performance testing of the SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System includes ISO 10993 testing, Bacterial endotoxin levels (LAL), Static construct tensile testing, and Fatigue construct tensile testing.
## Basis of Substantial Equivalence
The SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System that is the subject of this submission shares the following similarities with the predicate SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System cleared under K030256:
- same polymer cable
- same intended use .
- same indications for use ●
- same raw material alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) for locking clasp ●
- . same design
- similar size and dimensions
- . same type of mating components
- same shelf life .
- same biocompatibility .
- same sterilization and packaging methods .
### Conclusion:
The data and information provided in this submission support the conclusion that the SuperCable Iso-Elastic Cerclage System that is the subject of this 510(k) submission is substantially equivalent to its predicate device (K030256), and the proposed change does not significantly affect the safety or effectiveness of the device. This line addition is being proposed to improve manufacturing efficiency and is not motivated by any clinical or performance factors.
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.