SpaceFlex Knee is a mold intended to assist in the creation of a temporary disposable cement spacer for a total knee replacement (TKR) for skeletally mature patients undergoing a two-stage procedure due to a septic process.
Device Story
SpaceFlex Knee is a disposable polypropylene mold system used in the operating room to create a temporary total knee replacement (TKR) spacer. The device is filled with low-viscosity polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement; once hardened, the resulting PMMA spacer is implanted into the patient's knee joint. Used by orthopedic surgeons during the first stage of a two-stage revision procedure for periprosthetic joint infection. The device provides a temporary articulating surface and maintains joint space while the infection is treated. Patients must use mobility aids (crutches/walkers) throughout the implantation period due to the mechanical properties of the bone cement. The 80mm size is an expansion of the existing SpaceFlex product line.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Performance testing included dimensional and visual characterization, rupture testing, fatigue testing, and elution testing. All results met performance specifications.
Technological Characteristics
Disposable cement spacer molds made of polypropylene (PP). Operates by molding low-viscosity PMMA bone cement into a temporary knee prosthesis. Single-use, non-sterile (implied by single-use/disposable nature). No software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for skeletally mature patients undergoing two-stage TKR procedure due to septic process. Temporary prosthesis implantation period ≤ 180 days. Contraindicated for patients unable to consistently use mobility assist devices (e.g., crutches, walkers) due to mechanical limitations of bone cement.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is a device intended to be implanted that is made from methylmethacrylate, polymethylmethacrylate, esters of methacrylic acid, or copolymers containing polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene. The device is intended for use in arthroplastic procedures of the hip, knee, and other joints for the fixation of polymer or metallic prosthetic implants to living bone.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for this device is the FDA guidance document entitled “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Bone Cement.”
StageOne Disposable Cement Spacer Molds for Temporary Knee Prosthesis, Biomet, Inc. (K161273)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
August 13, 2020
Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image contains the logo of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the left is the Department of Health & Human Services logo. To the right of that is the FDA logo, which consists of the letters "FDA" in a blue square, followed by the words "U.S. FOOD & DRUG" in blue, and then the word "ADMINISTRATION" in a smaller font size below.
G21 S.r.l % Barry Sands President and Founder RQMIS, Inc. 110 Haverhill Road, Suite 526 Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913
Re: K201960
Trade/Device Name: SpaceFlex Knee - 80mm Size Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3560 Regulation Name: Knee joint patellofemorotibial polymer semi-constrained cemented prosthesis Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: JWH, MBB Dated: July 10, 2020 Received: July 14, 2020
Dear Barry Sands:
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
{1}------------------------------------------------
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/combination-products/guidance-regulatory-information/postmarketing-safety-reportingcombination-products); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) 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 https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-safety/medical-device-reportingmdr-how-report-medical-device-problems.
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/device-advice-comprehensive-regulatory-assistance) and CDRH Learn (https://www.fda.gov/training-and-continuing-education/cdrh-learn). 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 (https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-advice-comprehensive-regulatoryassistance/contact-us-division-industry-and-consumer-education-dice) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
for
Laura C. Rose, Ph.D. Acting Assistant Director DHT6C: Division of Restorative, Repair and Trauma Devices OHT6: Office of Orthopedic Devices Office of Product Evaluation and Ouality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{2}------------------------------------------------
### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K201960
### Device Name
SpaceFlex Knee - 80mm Size
Indications for Use (Describe)
SpaceFlex Knee disposable cement spacer molds are indicated for use to mold a temporary Total Knee Replacement (TKR) for skeletally mature patients undergoing a two-stage procedure due to a septic process. The molded temporary knee prosthesis is indicated for an implantation period of 180 days or less. Because of inherent mechanical limitations of the device material (G3A Bone Cement), the molded temporary prosthesis is only indicated for patients who will consistently use traditional mobility assist devices (e.g. crutches, walkers) throughout the implant period.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
__ Over The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
### CONTINUE ON A SEPARATE PAGE IF NEEDED.
This section applies only to requirements of the Papervork 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 ourden, to
> Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Office of Chief Information Office r 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 val d OMB number."
FORM FDA 3881 (7/17)
{3}------------------------------------------------
# 510(k) SUMMARY
G21 's SpaceFlex 80mm size 510k Submission (K201960)
#### l. SUBMITTER
G21 S.r.l. Via S. Pertini, 8 41039 S. Possidonio (MO) Italy
Phone: +39 0535 30312 Fax: +39 0535 417332
Contact Person: Barry E. Sands RQMIS, Inc. 110 Haverhill Road, Suite 526 Amesbury, MA 01913 Phone: (978) 358-7307 Fax: +1 (978) 477-0206
Date Prepared: February 12, 2020
#### ll. DEVICE
| Trade/Device Name: | SpaceFlex Knee – 80mm Size |
|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Common or Usual Name: | Temporary Knee Prosthesis |
| Classification Name: | Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement, antibiotic<br>knee joint patellofemorotibial polymer/metal/polymer<br>semi-constrained cemented prosthesis |
| Regulation Number: | 21 CFR 888.3027, 21 CFR 888.3560 |
| Regulatory Class: | Class II |
| Product codes | MBB, JWH |
#### III. PREDICATE DEVICES
Primary Predicate: SpaceFlex Knee, G21 S.R.L. (K190216)
Additional Predicate: StageOne Disposable Cement Spacer Molds for Temporary Knee Prosthesis, Biomet, Inc. (K161273)
{4}------------------------------------------------
#### IV. DEVICE DESCRIPTION
G21 SpaceFlex Knee system are disposable cement spacer molds made of polypropylene (PP) intended to be filled with low-viscosity polymethyl methacrylate bone cement directly in the operating room. Once the bone cement has hardened, the SpaceFlex Knee system creates a polymethyl methacrylate based bone cement spacer for patients undergoing a two-stage procedure following a periprosthetic joint infection. The device can be used in either the left or right knee joint. The SpaceFlex Knee molds are singleuse and cannot be re-used or re-sterilized.
## Intended Use:
SpaceFlex Knee is a mold intended to assist in the creation of a temporary disposable cement spacer for a total knee replacement (TKR) for skeletally mature patients undergoing a two-stage procedure due to a septic process.
# Indications for Use:
SpaceFlex Knee disposable cement spacer molds are indicated for use to mold a temporary total knee replacement (TKR) for skeletally mature patients undergoing a two-stage procedure due to a septic process. The molded temporary knee prosthesis is indicated for an implantation period of 180 days or less. Because of inherent mechanical limitations of the device material (G3A Bone Cement), the molded temporary prosthesis is only indicated for patients who will consistently use traditional mobility assist devices (e.g. crutches, walkers) throughout the implant period.
#### V. COMPARISON OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS WITH THE PREDICATE DEVICE
Both the subject device and the predicate device are disposable cement spacer molds with two separate molds - femoral and tibial. The subject devices possess identical technical characteristics as the primary predicate. The only difference between subject and predicate devices is a larger dimensional footprint.
The technological features of the SpaceFlex Knee are the same as the primary predicate device.
#### VI. PERFORMANCE DATA
The mechanical properties of the SpaceFlex knee System 80mm size were tested in accordance with applicable international standards. In all instances the device
{5}------------------------------------------------
functioned as intended and all results were satisfactory and met all performance specifications. The testing performed includes:
- 1. Dimensional and Visual Characterization
- 2. Rupture Test
- 3. Fatigue Test
- 4. Elution Test
#### VII. CONCLUSION
The SpaceFlex Knee – 80mm and its primary predicate, G21 SpaceFlex Knee system, have the same intended use and indications for use, technological characteristics and principle of operation. The material differences between the molds in the subject and the predicate device do not raise any significant new risks. Through performance and mechanical testing and material information it has been established that these differences do not present any new issues of safety or effectiveness. The SpaceFlex Knee – 80mm is substantially equivalent to the primary predicate, G21 SpaceFlex Knee System, and additional predicate StageOne Disposable Cement Spacer Molds for Temporary Knee Prosthesis.
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.