GE MEDICAL-NEEDLE GUIDE FOR SV, TR ANDATF, ACUSON-NEEDLE GUIDE
K971115 · Protek Medical Products, Inc. · ITX · Jun 13, 1997 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K971115
Device Name
GE MEDICAL-NEEDLE GUIDE FOR SV, TR ANDATF, ACUSON-NEEDLE GUIDE
Applicant
Protek Medical Products, Inc.
Product Code
ITX · Radiology
Decision Date
Jun 13, 1997
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.1570
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
1. Used to assist doctors when performing a prostate biopsy 2. Used to guide a needle, biopsy or catheter into the prostate gland. 3. Used as an accessory in conjunction with an ultrasound transducer (892.1570) 4. Used to improve needle placement vs. guiding needle with the finger
Device Story
Device is a disposable, sterile, single-use cannula or tube accessory that attaches to an ultrasound transducer. It functions as a mechanical guide to direct needles, biopsy instruments, or catheters toward a target within the prostate gland during ultrasound-guided procedures. Used in hospitals and clinics by physicians; replaces manual needle guidance by finger to improve placement accuracy. Device does not contain electrical components; relies on physical alignment with the transducer. Benefits include improved precision and consistency in needle placement during prostate biopsies.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Equivalence established through comparison of materials, design, and adherence to established standards (Mil Std 105E, ISO-10993, 29CFR 1910.1200).
Technological Characteristics
Materials: stainless steel and medical-grade plastic. Form factor: tube/cannula with clip/bracket for transducer attachment. Energy source: none (mechanical accessory). Sterilization: ETO. Connectivity: none. Standards: Mil Std 105E, ISO-10993, 29CFR 1910.1200. No electrical components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for use by physicians as a needle guide for rectal ultrasound transducers during prostate biopsies to guide needles, biopsy instruments, or catheters into the prostate gland.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A diagnostic ultrasonic transducer is a device made of a piezoelectric material that converts electrical signals into acoustic signals and acoustic signals into electrical signals and intended for use in diagnostic ultrasonic medical devices. Accessories of this generic type of device may include transmission media for acoustically coupling the transducer to the body surface, such as acoustic gel, paste, or a flexible fluid container.
{0}
K971115
JUN 13 1997
Document # 9-926-0005 Rev.3 FDA 510(k) Notification-Rectal Ultrasound Needle Guide
6-1

February 20, 1997
Document Mail Center (HFZ-401)
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Boulevard
Rockville, Maryland 20850 USA
# SUMMARY
## PREMARKET NOTIFICATION 510 (k)
## FOR TRANSRCTAL NEEDLE GUIDE
## an ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ACCESSORY
| SUBMITTER: | Rick L. Pruter |
| --- | --- |
| COMPANY: | PROTEK Medical Products Inc. |
| ADDRESS: | 221 East Market Street |
| CITY: | Iowa City |
| STATE: | Iowa |
| COUNTRY: | USA |
| CONTACT: | Rick L. Pruter |
| PHONE: | (319)358-8080 |
| FAX: | (319)339-8258 |
DATE SUMMARY PREPARED: January 21, 1997
Trade Name:
Transrectal Needle/Biopsy Guide for Ultrasound Transducers
Common Name:
Needle Guide, Puncher guide, Biopsy guide, Needle Guide system
Classification Name:
Diagnostic Ultrasound Transducer Accessory
892.1570 ITX class 11
PROTEK Medical Products Inc. Contact: Rick L. Pruter Phone (319)358-8080 Fax (319)339-8258
{1}
Document # 9-926-0005 Rev.3 FDA 510(k) Notification-Rectal Ultrasound Needle Guide
6-2
# SUMMARY
## COMMERCIALLY PRODUCED PRODUCTS OF EQUIVALENCE:
### Substantial Equivalence Comparison:
These new devices are the same as devices being legally marketed by several companies.
The new devices design, manufacturing, labeling and its intended uses are the same as many existing devices currently being marketed by Civco Medical Instruments, and Amedic among others. The only deviation is in the size and shape. Owner of this new company is co-inventor of these products and was an officer at Civco, one of the companies we are claiming substantial equivalence.
The following is a cross reference of products that will be identical:
| New Device | PROTEK Medical Inc | Civco | Civco’s 510(k) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | 1-535-0001 Guide | 612-045 | K875128/A |
| | 1-535-0002 Guide | 612-035 | K875128/A |
*Other part numbers vary only in size and shape
### Commercially Produced Products of Equivalence:
There are several products of equivalence legally marketed by companies including the following:
- Civco Medical from Iowa, USA
- Amedic of Sweden,
- GE Medical Wis. USA,
### Other known companies that legally market this device:
- ATL Bothell Washington
- Siemens Medical Systems Isaque Washington
- Diasonics San Jose Calif.
- Toshiba Tustin, California
among others
### Comparison: (see Comparison Chart Appendix D-1)
These devices are similar to several predicate devices legally marketed in respect to the materials, packaging, distribution and intended use. There are several hundred different configurations that Civco and Amedic are currently legally marketing for the (OEM)original equipment manufacturers. The original equipment manufacturers also legally markets these devices. This notification compares our product with Civco,s and Amedic and GE Medical.
These new products have the same intended use as legally marketed devices. The same end users. The same material manufactures and the same people that tested and processed Civco’s legally marketed devices.
PROTEK Medical Products Inc. Contact: Rick L. Pruter Phone (319)358-8080 Fax (319)339-8258
{2}
Document # 9-926-0005 Rev.3 FDA 510(k) Notification-Rectal Ultrasound Needle Guide
6-3
# SUMMARY
## DEVICE DESCRIPTION:
### Narrative Description:
A tube, a cannula that is an accessory that snaps or rests (depending on configuration) onto an ultrasound transducer (892.1570)
A disposable, single use, sterile tube that helps direct a needle, biopsy or catheter to a target working in conjunction with an ultrasound transducer and system
### Device Physical Specifications:
A stainless steel cannula or plastic tube with a small clip or bracket for locating and securing. Dimensions and designs vary and are specified with the original equipment manufacturer of ultrasound systems and transducers
### Intended use:
1. Used to assist doctors when performing a prostate biopsy
2. Used to guide a needle, biopsy or catheter into the prostate gland.
3. Used as an accessory in conjunction with an ultrasound transducer (892.1570)
4. Used to improve needle placement vs. guiding needle with the finger
## TECHNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS COMPARED TO PREDICATE DEVICE:
(SEE ATTACHED CHART - APPENDIX D)
PROTEK Medical Products Inc. Contact: Rick L. Pruter Phone (319)358-8080 Fax (319)339-8258
{3}
Document # 9-926-0005 Rev.3 FDA 510(k) Notification-Rectal Ultrasound Needle Guide
6-4
# Appendix D in SUMMARY
## Substantially Equivalence Comparison Chart With Civco Medical 510(k) #K875128/A
| Description | PROTEK Medical Products Inc. | Civco Medical |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Indications for use | Ultrasound transducer needle guide | Ultrasound transducer needle guide |
| Target Population | Doctor’s | Doctor’s |
| Designed by | OEM, Doctor, PROTEK | OEM, Doctor, Civco |
| Design | Sizes & Shapes Varies | Sizes & Shapes Varies |
| Materials | Stainless steel
Medical grade plastic | Stainless steel
Medical grade plastic |
| Performance | Target fixtures
Mil Std 105E | Target Fixtures
Mil Std 105E |
| Sterility | ETO | ETO |
| Biocompatibility | ISO-10993 | ISO-10993 |
| Mechanical Safety | end product tests | end products tests |
| Chemical Safety | No Hazardous Components
29CFR 1910,1200 | No Hazardous Components
29CFR 1910,1200 |
| Anatomical Sites | Where Ultrasound is Used | Where Ultrasound is Used |
| Disposition | Disposable | Disposable |
| Where Used | Hospitals & Clinics | Hospitals & Clinics |
| Standards Met | Mil Std 105E on voluntary standards | Mil Std 105E on voluntary standards |
| Electrical Safety | No Electrical Components | No Electrical Components |
| Manufacturing Method | Injection molded clips and purchased surgical tube | Injection molded clips and purchased surgical tube |
| Packaging | TYVEK “Chevron Peel Pouch” | TYVEK “Chevron Peel Pouch” |
| Human Factor | No Known Adverse Effects | No Known Adverse Effects |
*OEM definition: Original Equipment manufacturer of Ultrasound Transducer 892.1570
PROTEK Medical Products Inc. Contact: Rick L. Pruter Phone (319)358-8080 Fax (319)339-8258
{4}
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Boulevard
Rockville MD 20850
JUN 13 1997
Rick L. Pruter
President/CEO
PROTEK Medical Products, Inc.
221 E. Market, Suite 291
Iowa City, IA 52245-2166
Re: K971115
1-535-0001 Transrectal Needle Guide for GE Medical and 1-535-0002 Transrectal Needle guide for Acuson, Inc.
Dated: February 20, 1997
Received: February 27, 1997
Regulatory Class: II
21 CFR 892.1570/Procode: 90 ITX
Dear Mr. Pruter:
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, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. 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.
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, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, 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 sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
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) 594-4591 for Radiology devices, or 594-4613 for Ear, Nose and Throat devices. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 807.97). 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,

Enclosure
{5}
Document # 9-926-0005 Rev.3 FDA 510(k) Notification-Rectal Ultrasound Needle Guide
510(k) Number K971115
# Statement
## Indication For Use
I, Rick L. Pruter, President/CEO of PROTEK Medical Products Inc., certify that the devices in this notification are used for:
Needle Guides for Rectal Ultrasound Transducers used in prostate biopsies.

Rick L. Pruter, President/CEO
PROTEK Medical Products Inc.
6-11-97
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT, and Radiological Devices
510(k) Number K971115
Prescription Use ☑
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
PROTEK Medical Products Inc. Contact: Rick L. Pruter Phone (319)358-8080 Fax (319)339-8258
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.