← Product Code [GAT](/productcode/GAT) · K961025 # EXPANDED BODY SUTURE (K961025) _Medicinelodge, Inc. · GAT · Apr 15, 1996 · General, Plastic Surgery · SN_ **Canonical URL:** https://fda-staging.innolitics.com/device/K961025 ## Device Facts - **Applicant:** Medicinelodge, Inc. - **Product Code:** [GAT](/productcode/GAT.md) - **Decision Date:** Apr 15, 1996 - **Decision:** SN - **Submission Type:** Traditional - **Regulation:** 21 CFR 878.5000 - **Device Class:** Class 2 - **Review Panel:** General, Plastic Surgery - **Attributes:** Therapeutic ## Indications for Use The EXPANDED BODY suture is indicated for use in soft-tissue approximation and/or ligation in rotator cuff repair procedures. ## Device Story EXPANDED BODY suture is a braided, nonabsorbable, sterile, poly(ethylene terephthalate) surgical suture. Device features an expanded midsection (15-25 mm length; 2-4x standard USP diameter) designed to firmly engage drill/needle holes in bone tissue during rotator cuff repair. Increased midsection surface area distributes force more evenly to surrounding bone, potentially increasing pull-out strength compared to standard sutures. Used by surgeons in orthopedic procedures. Suture is provided in USP sizes #0-#5, with or without attached 420C stainless steel needles. Device is sterilized via gamma radiation. ## Clinical Evidence Bench testing only. Comparative testing performed using USP #5 EXPANDED BODY suture versus USP #5 TI•CRON predicate in Last-a-Foam polyurethane foam (simulated bone). Testing verified conformance to USP #871 (Needle Attachment) and USP #881 (Knot Pull) standards. Results confirmed the device meets or exceeds USP requirements and performs equivalently to the predicate in simulated pull-out applications. ## Technological Characteristics Materials: Poly(ethylene terephthalate) suture; 420C Stainless Steel (ASTM F-899) needles. Colorants: D&C Blue #6, D&C Green #6. Design: Braided, nonabsorbable, with expanded midsection (15-25 mm length, 2-4x standard diameter). Sterilization: Gamma radiation. Sizes: USP #0-#5. Connectivity: None. ## Regulatory Identification Nonabsorbable poly(ethylene terephthalate) surgical suture is a multifilament, nonabsorbable, sterile, flexible thread prepared from fibers of high molecular weight, long-chain, linear polyesters having recurrent aromatic rings as an integral component and is indicated for use in soft tissue approximation. The poly(ethylene terephthalate) surgical suture meets U.S.P. requirements as described in the U.S.P. Monograph for Nonabsorbable Surgical Sutures; it may be provided uncoated or coated; and it may be undyed or dyed with an appropriate FDA listed color additive. Also, the suture may be provided with or without a standard needle attached. ## Special Controls *Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for this device is FDA's “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Surgical Sutures; Guidance for Industry and FDA.” See § 878.1(e) for the availability of this guidance document. ## Predicate Devices - TI•CRON - Nonabsorbable Polyester Surgical Suture (Davis + Geck) - POLYVIOLENE - Nonabsorbable Polyester Surgical Suture (Look, Inc.) ## Submission Summary (Full Text) > This content was OCRed from public FDA records by [Innolitics](https://innolitics.com). If you use, quote, summarize, crawl, or train on this content, cite Innolitics at https://innolitics.com. > > Innolitics is a medical-device software consultancy. We help companies design, build, and clear FDA-regulated software and AI/ML devices, including [a 510(k)](https://innolitics.com/services/510ks/), [a De Novo](https://innolitics.com/services/regulatory/), [a SaMD](https://innolitics.com/services/end-to-end-samd/), [an AI/ML medical device](https://innolitics.com/services/medical-imaging-ai-development/), or [an FDA regulatory strategy](https://innolitics.com/services/regulatory/). {0} 04/11/96 15:41 9166465432 HAYES MEDICAL --- CDRH ODE 006 K961025 APR 15 1996 # Premarket Notification 510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Information ## DATE OF SUMMARY PREPARATION March 5, 1996 ## MANUFACTURER MedicineLodge, Incorporated 152 South 600 West Logan, Utah 84321 Telephone: (801) 753-7675 Fax: (801) 753-7698 ## MANUFACTURER CONTACT PERSON Alan Chervitz, President MedicineLodge, Inc. 152 South 600 West Logan, Utah 84321 Telephone: (801) 753-7675 Fax: (801) 753-7698 ## REGULATORY CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence related to this submission may be addressed to: Brian T. Cleary Director of RA/QA Hayes Medical, Inc. 819 Striker Avenue, Suite 10 Sacramento, CA 95834-5432 Telephone: (916) 646-5441 Fax: (916) 646-5432 ## PROPRIETARY DEVICE NAME EXPANDED BODY Suture ## COMMON NAME Braided Nonabsorbable Polyester Surgical Suture 27 {1} 04/11/85 0:40 9166465432 HAYES MEDICAL --- CDRH ODE 007 ## CLASSIFICATION NAME Nonabsorbable Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Surgical Suture ## CLASSIFICATION REFERENCE 21 CFR § 878.5000 ## DEVICE PRODUCT CODE 79 GAT ## REGULATORY CLASS In accordance with FDA classification of nonabsorbable synthetic poly(ethylene terephthalate) sutures as Class II medical devices, this device is proposed for placement in Class II. ## SPECIAL CONTROLS At this time, Food and Drug Administration generated Performance Standards applicable to the EXPANDED BODY suture are not in force. In accordance with 21 CFR § 878.5000, testing has been performed confirming that the EXPANDED BODY suture meets applicable United States Pharmacopoea (USP) requirements as described in the USP Monograph for Nonabsorbable Surgical Suture, with the exception of suture diameter. ## USP COMPLIANCE TESTING As required by 21 CFR § 878.5000, device testing has been conducted to verify that the EXPANDED BODY suture meets all applicable USP standards for nonabsorbable surgical sutures, with the exception of suture diameter. MedicineLodge, Inc. has conducted the following tests on a representative USP #5 EXPANDED BODY suture to verify conformance with the USP standards listed below. 1) Suture Needle Attachment Testing (USP # 871) 2) Suture Tensile (Knot Pull) Test (USP # 881) Results from these tests confirm that the USP #5 EXPANDED BODY suture exceeds applicable requirements for USP tests #871 and #881 for nonabsorbable surgical sutures. MedicineLodge, Inc. believes that the results of this testing are representative of the performance of all USP sizes of this device and demonstrate that all USP size EXPANDED BODY sutures will exceed these requirements. ## MATERIALS The following materials are used in the manufacture of the EXPANDED BODY suture. 28 {2} 04/11/96 15:41 9166465432 HAYES MEDICAL --- CDRH ODE 008 Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in accordance with 21 CFR § 878.5000, the EXPANDED BODY suture is constructed of poly(ethylene terephthalate). This material is similarly used in the manufacture of the all predicate devices and its clinical use is therefore well established. The expanded midsection of the device is similarly comprised of this material. Color Additives: the EXPANDED BODY suture will be colored using the following coloring additives: - D&C Blue #6 - D&C Green #6 - White (Standard/Undyed) D&C Blue #6 and D&C Green #6 are similarly used to dye all predicate devices. FDA has indicated that these colors are approved for the dying of polyester sutures. Stainless Steel: the needle portion of the EXPANDED BODY suture is manufactured from 420C Stainless Steel (ASTM F-899). ## INDICATIONS FOR USE The EXPANDED BODY suture is indicated for use in soft-tissue approximation and/or ligation in rotator cuff repair procedures. ## DEVICE DESCRIPTION The EXPANDED BODY suture is a braided, nonabsorbable, sterile, surgical suture composed of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) intended for use in rotator cuff soft-tissue repair procedures. This device is prepared from fibers of high molecular weight, long-chain, linear polyesters having recurrent aromatic rings as an integral component. The EXPANDED BODY suture is identical to currently marketed polyester sutures within this device class with the exception of the following: 1) a new labeled indication for use stating specific use in rotator cuff soft tissue repair procedures, and 2) a new design which incorporates an expanded midsection equidistant from both ends of the suture possessing a larger outer diameter (two to four times) than the standard USP size. The outer diameter of the expanded midsection thus has a cross-sectional area equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the needle or drill used to create the hole in the tissue. This ensures that the expanded midsection firmly engages the hole created by the drill or needle in the tissue. The rationale behind this new design is discussed in detail on the following page. 29 {3} 04/11/96 15:42 9166465432 HAYES MEDICAL --- CDRH ODE 009 MedicineLodge, Inc. plans to provide the EXPANDED BODY suture in USP sizes #0 through #5 (metric sizes 3.5 through 7). All sutures will be 30 inches in length, available in 5 different colors (undyed white, dyed green, dyed blue, and white/blue and white/green combinations), and provided with and without attached needles. For all EXPANDED BODY sutures, the length of the expanded midsection of the device will range from 15 mm to 25 mm and the diameter of the expanded midsection will range from two to four times the diameter of the corresponding USP size of the suture. All device labeling will specify exact expanded midsection dimensions for each USP size. ## SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT PREDICATE DEVICES MedicineLodge, Inc. believes that several commercially available devices are substantially equivalent to the EXPANDED BODY suture. Within the proposed class, the following devices were used as predicate devices for comparison in establishing the substantial equivalence of the EXPANDED BODY suture: 1) TI•CRON - Nonabsorbable Polyester Surgical Suture Davis + Geck, Manati, PR; Danbury, CT 2) POLYVIOLENE - Nonabsorbable Polyester Surgical Suture Look, Inc., Norwell, MA ## SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE COMPARISON To begin, the materials, method of manufacture, method of sterilization, and device packaging are identical to predicate devices. Additionally, as with all predicate devices, the EXPANDED BODY suture meets all USP requirements applicable to nonabsorbable sutures, with the exception of suture diameter. As indicated previously, the only differences that distinguish the EXPANDED BODY suture from the selected predicate devices are: 1) a new labeled indication for use stating specific use in rotator cuff soft tissue repair procedures, and 2) a new design which incorporates an expanded midsection possessing a larger outer diameter (two to four times) than the standard USP size. Devices that have previously received 510(k) clearance within 21 CFR § 878.5000 are specifically indicated for use in all types of soft tissue repair, including specific stated use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic and neurological procedures. Unlike the proposed labeling for the EXPANDED BODY suture, the predicate devices do not specify a labeled indication for use in orthopedic soft-tissue repair. However, it should be mentioned that all predicate device labeling states no known contraindications. It is our understanding that suture devices are used regularly in orthopedic soft tissue approximation and/or ligation. 30 {4} 04/11/96 15:42 9166465432 HAYES MEDICAL --- CDRH ODE 010 Medical literature documents the widespread use of nonabsorbable polyester suture devices for soft-tissue repair of the shoulder, including rotator cuff repair. Hence, although the labeled indication for use of the EXPANDED BODY suture is new, the practice of using nonabsorbable, polyester suture devices for the same indication is well documented in medical literature. ## Design Difference - Expanded Midsection The rationale behind the expanded midsection design is to increase the outer diameter of the suture to more firmly engage and fit the hole created by the needle or drill in the bone tissue during suture insertion. This increased outer diameter also results in an increased suture surface area contained in the formed hole. This larger surface area potentially reduces the chances of suture or bone failure by more evenly distributing any applied force to the surrounding bone tissue. The expanded midsection feature more evenly distributes the applied force over the bone surface, the EXPANDED BODY suture potentially increases the maximum pull-out strength of the suture relative to standard, similarly sized polyester sutures. A representative USP #5 EXPANDED BODY design configuration was used for all comparative testing. This design combines dimensions for the expanded midsection that fall at the lower end of the design limits for a USP #5 EXPANDED BODY suture - lower-end design limit length (16.5 mm) and less than minimum outer diameter (1.27 mm < 2x = 1.499 mm). The predicate device used for comparison was a USP #5 TI•CRON (Davis + Geck) nonabsorbable, polyester suture. Comparative testing was performed using Last-a-Foam Polyurethane Foam as a simulated bone material. Use of this material for comparative device testing assures that the EXPANDED BODY and TI•CRON suture samples are tested in a uniform material so that variation of material properties is controlled. In this way, the results of the test measure only the difference in performance of the two suture types. The test results confirm that the EXPANDED BODY suture performs equivalent to the TI•CRON suture in this simulated application. ## Conclusion Based on the design concept, use of standard materials, feature comparisons to the selected predicate devices, and device testing, MedicineLodge, Inc. believes that sufficient evidence exists to conclude that the EXPANDED BODY suture is substantially equivalent to existing legally marketed nonabsorbable polyester suture devices. Additionally, the information presented herein should support our request for labeled "indications for use" in soft-tissue approximation and/or ligation in rotator cuff repair procedures. Table 1 on the following page summarizes the relevant feature comparisons between the EXPANDED BODY suture and the selected predicate devices. 31 {5} 04/11/96 15:43 9166465432 HAYES MEDICAL --- CDRH ODE 011 # TABLE 1 Feature comparisons between the EXPANDED BODY suture and Ti•Cron (Davis + Geck) and Polyviolene (Look, Inc.) predicate devices (differences are indicated in **bold** print) | | EXPANDED BODY Polyester Nonabsorbable Surgical Suture, USP | TI•CRON Polyester Nonabsorbable Surgical Suture, USP | POLYVIOLENE Polyester Nonabsorbable Surgical Suture, USP | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | *Indications* | Soft-tissue approximation and/or ligation in rotator cuff repair procedures. | General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic and neurological procedures. | General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic and neurological procedures. | | *Contraindications* | None known | None known | None known | | *Materials* | Poly(ethylene terephthalate) | Poly(ethylene terephthalate) | Poly(ethylene terephthalate) | | *Expanded Midsection* | Length: 15 mm to 25 mm Outer Diameter: 2 to 4 times the corresponding USP size | No | No | | *Sterilization* | Gamma | Gamma | Gamma | | *Pledgets* | No | Yes (PTFE) | Yes (PTFE) | | *Needles* | With and without | With and without | With and without | | *Sizes* | USP 0 through 5 | USP #7-0 through #5 | USP #11-0 through #5 | | *Colors* | Blue, Green, White; Blue/White and Green/White combinations | Blue and White | Green and White | | *Manufacturer* | MedicineLodge, Inc. | Davis + Geck | Look, Inc. | | *510(k) Approved* | N/A | Yes | Yes | 32 --- **Source:** [https://fda-staging.innolitics.com/device/K961025](https://fda-staging.innolitics.com/device/K961025) **Published by [Innolitics](https://innolitics.com)** — a medical-device software consultancy. 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