The ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire is a steerable wire intended to facilitate the placement of balloon dilatation catheters during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The wire is also intended to facilitate the placement of equipment such as atherectomy and compatible stent devices during other diagnostic and therapeutic intravascular procedures.
Device Story
Steerable guide wire; facilitates placement of balloon dilatation catheters, atherectomy devices, and stents during PTCA, PTA, and other intravascular procedures. Constructed from stainless steel core wire with distal tapers/flats for tip flexibility; coated with Microglide® and PTFE to reduce friction. Used in clinical settings by physicians; provides mechanical support and navigation for interventional equipment. Benefits patient by enabling precise delivery of therapeutic devices to target vascular sites. Not for cerebral use.
Clinical Evidence
Animal study compared performance of subject device to ACS Hi-Torque Floppy Xtra Support® Guide Wire (K913353) using stent delivery systems, atherectomy catheters, and intravascular ultrasound catheters. Results demonstrated subject device performs as well as or better than the predicate in majority of parameters. Biocompatibility data leveraged from predicate device.
Technological Characteristics
Stainless steel core wire; distal tapers and flats for flexibility. Coated with Microglide® (distal 40cm to 3cm from tip) and PTFE. Steerable design. Sterilized using same methods as predicate K925381.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients undergoing PTCA, PTA, or other diagnostic/therapeutic intravascular procedures requiring placement of balloon dilatation catheters, atherectomy devices, or stents. Not intended for use in cerebral vasculature.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A catheter guide wire is a coiled wire that is designed to fit inside a percutaneous catheter for the purpose of directing the catheter through a blood vessel.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device, when it is a torque device that is manually operated, non-patient contacting, and intended to manipulate non-cerebral vascular guide wires, is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 870.9.
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971815
## APPENDIX V
!
# SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
JUL - 9 1997
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This 510(k) summary of safety and effectiveness information is being submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990.
| 1. | Trade Name: | ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™<br>Guide Wire |
|----|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| | Common Name: | Guide Wire |
| 2. | Device Classification: | Vascular Guide Wire |
#### 3. Performance Standards:
Performance standards have not been established under Section 514 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for vascular guide wires.
#### Device Description: 4.
The ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire is a steerable guide wire intended to facilitate placement of balloon dilatation catheters during Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) and Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA). The wire is also intended to facilitate the placement of equipment, such as atherectomy and compatible stent devices, during other diagnostic and therapeutic intravascular procedures. It is not intended for use in the cerebral vasculature.
The proximal and distal portions of the guide wire are constructed from a core assembly. A series of tapers and flats, which reduce the diameter of the core wire distally, yields the desired tip flexibility. The ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire is coated with Microglide® from 40cm to 3cm back from the distal tip, while the remaining portion is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Both coatings are intended to reduce friction for improved movement of the wire within the catheter.
#### 5. Summary of Substantial Equivalence:
A comparison of the ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire to the predicate ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE® Guide Wire (K925381, approved February 12, 1993), indicates that the new guide wire is substantially equivalent to the predicate guide wire with regard to its materials, design, and functional properties, and packaging.
The ACS BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire is a steerable guide wire intended to facilitate placement of balloon dilatation catheters during Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) and Percutaneous
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Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA). The wire is also intended to facilitate the placement of equipment, such as atherectomy and compatible stent devices, during other diagnostic and therapeutic intravascular procedures. It is not intended for use in the cerebral vasculature. The ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire is substantially equivalent to the ACS Hi-Torque Floppy Xtra Support® Guide Wire (K913353, approved October 23, 1991) with regard to its intended use.
The design of the new ACS BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT" Guide Wire is constructed from a stainless steel core wire. Like the predicate 0.014" HI-TORQUE BALANCE® guide wire, the new guide wire design includes a series of tapers and flats which reduce the diameter of the core wire distally, yielding the desired tip flexibility. Unlike the 0.014" HI-TORQUE BALANCE® Guide Wire, the ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ wire diameters and tapers along the length of the distal portion of the guide wire have been modified to yield the desired support over the distal 30 centimeters of the wire. This modification involves no new materials or processes in comparison to the predicate wire, and has no effect on the distal tip of the guide wire. Therefore, the tapers and diameters positioned at different locations proximal to the tip cannot significantly impact the safety or effectiveness of the guide wire.
#### ર્. Testing Data:
### Bench Testing:
The tensile strengths of the guide wire distal tip and hypotube junction were determined by pull tests. These tests demonstrated that the ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire has adequate tensile strength.
The torsional strength of the distal tip and hypotube junction were determined by turns-to-failure tests. This test showed that the ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire has adequate torsional tip strength.
The correlation between rotation of the proximal end and the corresponding rotation of the distal end of the guide wire was determined by the rotational accuracy test. This test showed that the ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire has an adequate torque response.
The tip flexibility testing demonstrated that tip flexibility of the ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire has acceptable tip flexibility.
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### In vivo Testing:
An animal study was completed to evaluate and compare the performance of the ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire to that of the ACS Hi-Torque Floppy Xtra Support® Guide Wire (K913353, October 23, 1991) when used in combination with the Johnson and Johnson (JJIS) Stent Delivery System, the DVI AtheroCath-GTO Atherectomy Catheter, and with the CVIS UltraCrossIntravascular ultrasound catheter.
The results of these studies show that the ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire performs as well as or better than the ACS Hi-Torque Floppy Xtra Support® Guide Wire in the majority of the performance parameters when used to facilitate the placement of equipment, such as atherectomy and compatible stent devices, and during other diagnostic and therapeutic intravascular procedures.
### Biocompatibility:
Since the materials for the ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire are identical to those of the predicate 0.014" HI-TORQUE BALANCE® Guide Wire, the biocompatibility data from the predicate device were used to demonstrate that the materials and processes utilized in the new guide wire are biocompatible for short term use within the vascular system.
#### 7. Sterilization:
The ACS BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire is sterilized by the same methods and following the same parameters as those used for the predicate 0.014" HI-TORQUE Balance@ Guide Wire (K925381, approved February 12, 1993),
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- 8. Conclusion:
The ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices, the 0.014" HI-TORQUE BALANCE® Guide Wire (K925381, approved February 12, 1993), and the Hi-Torque Floppy Xtra Support® Guide Wire (K913353, approved October 23, 1991).
Signed:
Mora Miraji
Mona Mirapuri
Regulatory Affairs Coordinator
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#### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/5/Picture/1 description: The image shows the seal of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) of the United States of America. The seal features a stylized caduceus, a symbol often associated with healthcare, with three intertwined snakes and a staff. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES • USA" is arranged in a circular pattern around the caduceus.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Ms. Mona Mirapuri Regulatory Affairs Coordinator Guidant Corporation ----- JUL -- 9 1997 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems 3200 Lakeside Drive P.O. Box 58167 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Santa Clara, California 95052-8167
Re: K971815 ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire Requlatory Class: II (two) Product Code: DQX Dated: May 16, 1997 Received: May 17, 1997
Dear Ms. Mirapuri:
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 Requlations, Title 21, Parts 800 A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance to 895. with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirement, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic QS 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.
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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. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 807.97). Other qeneral 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
Thomas J. Callahan, Ph.D. Director Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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## Indications for Use Statement
510(k) Number (if known):
## Device Name: ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire
### Indications for Use:
The ACS HI-TORQUE BALANCE MIDDLEWEIGHT™ Guide Wire is a steerable wire intended to facilitate the placement of balloon dilatation catheters during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The wire is also intended to facilitate the placement of equipment such as atherectomy and compatible stent devices during other diagnostic and therapeutic intravascular procedures.
### (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
| Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) | |
|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
| Prescription Use<br>(Per 21 CFR 801.109) | <div>✓</div> |
OR
| Over-The-Counter<br>(Optional Format 1-1-96) | |
|----------------------------------------------|--|
|----------------------------------------------|--|
| | <div>Tana A. Ar</div> <div>(Division Sign-Off)</div> <div>Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory,</div> <div>and Neurological Devices</div> |
|--|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|--|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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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.