The AnnuloFlo™ System is intended for use in the repair of the human cardiac valve.
Device Story
AnnuloFlo™ System is an annuloplasty ring with associated sizing and implantation instrumentation. Designed to reinforce native mitral valve annulus while retaining native valve apparatus. Kidney-shaped ring features titanium stiffener (ASTM Ti-6Al-4V), silicone elastomer tubing, and knitted polyester fabric (VP1200), coated with Biolite® carbon. Used by surgeons in cardiac repair procedures. Device provides structural support to mitral valve; intended to improve repair outcomes for patients with valve disease. Biolite® coating provides biocompatibility consistent with established cardiovascular implants.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Biocompatibility testing confirmed materials are non-toxic, non-hemolytic, and non-pyrogenic. Mechanical testing included suture retention testing, demonstrating comparability to other vascular prostheses. Package integrity testing validated a five-year shelf life.
Technological Characteristics
Kidney-shaped annuloplasty ring. Materials: ASTM Ti-6Al-4V titanium stiffener, silicone elastomer tubing, knitted polyester fabric (VP1200), and Biolite® carbon coating. Non-ferrous; MRI compatible. Sterilized using same cycle as CarboMedics® Prosthetic Heart Valve.
Indications for Use
Indicated for reinforcement of human cardiac mitral valve repair damaged by acquired or congenital disease, or as replacement for previously implanted annuloplasty ring. Use only when visual inspection confirms valve is repairable and does not require replacement.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An annuloplasty ring is a rigid or flexible ring implanted around the mitral or tricuspid heart valve for reconstructive treatment of valvular insufficiency.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for this device is the FDA guidance document entitled “Guidance for Annuloplasty Rings 510(k) Submissions.”
Predicate Devices
Carpentier-Edwards Classic™ Annuloplasty Ring
Reference Devices
CarboMedics® Prosthetic Heart Valve (CPHV)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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K970.375
SULZER MEDICA
510(k) Summary per SMDA 1990 and 21 CFR 807.92
AnnuloFlo™ System
JUL 25 1997
Sulzer Carbomedics Inc.
1300 East Anderson Lane
Austin, Texas 78752-1793
Phone (512) 435-3200
FAX (512) 435-3350
WATS (600) 648-1579 (US and Canada)
Submitter: Sulzer Carbomedics, Inc.
1300 East Anderson Lane
Austin, Texas 78752 U.S.A.
Contact: Michael C. Morton, Manager, Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: (512) 435-3373
Facsimile: (512) 435-3350
Date of Summary: May 2, 1997
Classification Name: Annuloplasty Ring
Common Name: Annuloplasty Ring
Proprietary Name: AnnuloFlo™ System
Predicate Device: Carpentier-Edwards Classic™ Annuloplasty Ring
Statement of Intended Use: The AnnuloFlo™ System is intended for use in the repair of the human cardiac valve.
Statement of Indications for Use: The AnnuloFlo™ annuloplasty ring is indicated as a reinforcement for repair of the human cardiac mitral valve damaged by acquired or congenital disease, or as a replacement for a previously implanted annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring should be used only in cases where visual inspection confirms that the valve is repairable and does not require replacement.
Description of Device: The AnnuloFlo™ System consists of an annuloplasty ring, and a complete set of instrumentation provided in a tray to properly size the annulus and implant the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring is designed to reinforce the native annulus while retaining the native valve apparatus.
Materials: The AnnuloFlo™ annuloplasty ring employs materials with a long and satisfactory history of use in cardiovascular applications, including materials used in the CarboMedics® Prosthetic Heart Valve (CPHV). All materials are non-ferrous, have extensive history in implants and do not present a significant risk during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The annuloplasty ring consists of an ASTM (Ti-6Al-4V) titanium stiffener ring enclosed in a sewing ring of silicone elastomer tubing purchased from a major U.S. manufacturer, and knitted polyester fabric (VP1200) manufactured by Sulzer Vascutek Ltd. The sewing ring is coated with Biolite® carbon, manufactured by Sulzer Carbomedics Inc.
Design: The mitral AnnuloFlo™ annuloplasty ring is kidney shaped. The curved posterior segment of the ring corresponds to the native posterior leaflet. The open segment of the ring corresponds to the anterior leaflet.
Testing: The AnnuloFlo™ annuloplasty ring uses materials common to the CPHV, including titanium, polyester fabric, polyester suture, and Biolite® Carbon coating. Material biocompatibility testing has been completed that supports that these materials are non-toxic, non-hemolytic, and non-pyrogenic. Mechanical testing for the AnnuloFlo™ annuloplasty ring includes suture retention testing to demonstrate that the sewing ring fabric is comparable to fabrics used in other vascular prostheses. The AnnuloFlo™ annuloplasty ring shares the same packaging as the CPHV, and is sterilized in the same sterilizers, and utilizes the same sterilization cycle as the CPHV. Package integrity testing to validate a five year shelf life has been conducted on this package.
Technological Comparison: The AnnuloFlo™ annuloplasty ring intended use, design, function, and composition are similar to the Classic™ Annuloplasty Ring with the addition of Biolite®, a low temperature isotropic carbon coating, on the sewing ring of the AnnuloFlo™ annuloplasty ring. Biolite® has a long and successful history of use in cardiovascular applications, including the CPHV.
510(k) Premarket Notification, AnnuloFlo™ System, May 2, 1997
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Boulevard
Rockville MD 20850
Mr. Michael C. Morton
Manager, Regulatory Affairs
Sulzer Carbomedics, Inc.
1300 East Anderson Lane
Austin, Texas 78752-1793
JUL 25 1997
Re: K970375
AnnuloFlo™ System, Mitral Model AR700
Regulatory Class: III (Three)
Product Code: KRH
Dated: January 31, 1997
Received: February 3, 1997
Dear Mr. Morton:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments. You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (act). The general controls provisions of the act include requirements for registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practices, and labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (Premarket Approval) it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practice for Medical Devices: General (GMP) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic GMP inspections, FDA will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under section 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulation.
Under Section 522(a) of the act, manufacturers of certain types of devices identified by the Act or designated by FDA are required to conduct postmarket surveillance studies. FDA has identified under Section 522(a)(1)(A) the device cleared for marketing by this letter as requiring postmarket surveillance.
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Page 2 - Mr. Michael C. Morton
Within thirty (30) days of first introduction or delivery for introduction of this device into interstate commerce you are required to submit to FDA certification of the date of introduction into interstate commerce, a detailed protocol which describes the postmarket surveillance study, and a detailed profile of the study's principal investigator that clearly establishes the qualifications and experience of the individual to conduct the proposed study. For your information, general guidance on preparing a protocol for a postmarket surveillance study is enclosed.
Submit five (5) copies to:
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Postmarket Surveillance Studies Document Center
Room 3083 (HFZ-544)
1350 Piccard Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Within sixty (60) days of receipt of your protocol, FDA will either approve or disapprove it and notify you of the Agency's action in writing. You should not begin your postmarket surveillance study of this device until the protocol has been approved. Data generated under an unapproved protocol may not satisfy your obligation under section 522. Please note that you must continue to collect and report data needed to maintain compliance with Medical Device Reporting regulations (21 CFR 803).
Failure to certify accurately the date of initial introduction of your device into interstate commerce, to submit timely an acceptable protocol, or to undertake and complete and FDA approved postmarket surveillance study consistent with the protocol will be considered violations of section 522. In accordance with the Medical Device Amendments of 1992, failure of a manufacturer to meet its obligations under section 522 is a prohibited act under section 301(q)(1)(C) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 331 (q)(1)(C)). Further, under section 502(t)(3) of the act (21 U.S.C. 352(t)(3)), a device is misbranded if there is a failure or refusal to comply with any requirement under section 522 of the act. Violations of sections 301 or 502 may lead to regulatory actions including seizure of your product, injunction, prosecution, or civil money penalties.
If you have questions specifically concerning postmarket surveillance study requirements, contact the Postmarket Surveillance Studies Branch at (301) 594-0639.
In addition, on August 16, 1993, the Final Rule for Device Tracking was published in the Federal Register, pages 43442-43455 (copy enclosed). Be advised that under Section 519(e) of the Act as amended by the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, FDA has identified the above device as a device which requires tracking. Because the device is subject to tracking, you are required to adopt a method of tracking that follows the devices through the distribution chain and then identifies and follows the patients who receive them. The specific
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Page 3 - Mr. Michael C. Morton
requirement of the regulation are found in 21 CFR 821 as described in the August 16, 1993 Federal Register beginning on page 43447.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4648. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Other general information on your responsibilities under the act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers Assistance at its toll free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597, or at its internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsmamain.html."
Sincerely yours,

Thomas J. Callahan, Ph.D.
Director
Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological Devices
Office of Device Evaluation
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosures
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# "INDICATIONS FOR USE" STATEMENT
510(K) Number: Unknown
Device Name: AnnuloFlo™ System
Indications for Use: The AnnuloFlo™ annuloplasty ring is indicated as a reinforcement for repair of the human cardiac mitral valve damaged by acquired or congenital disease, or as a replacement for a previously implanted annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring should be used only in cases where visual inspection confirms that the valve is repairable and does not require replacement.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NECESSARY)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use ☑ OR Over-The-Counter Use ☐
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
Lisa Kennell Jr. BLL
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological Devices
510(k) Number K970375
510(k) Premarket Notification, AnnuloFlo™ System, January 31, 1997
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1. Search: exact and fuzzy
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You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
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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.
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.
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Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
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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. 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.
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.