Total knee replacement is indicated for patients with severe knee pain and disability due to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, primary and secondary traumatic arthritis, polyarthritis, collagen disorders, avascular necrosis of the femoral condyle or pseudogout, posttraumatic loss of joint configuration, particularly when there is patellofemoral erosion, dysfunction or prior patellectomy, moderate valgus, varus, or flexion deformities. These devices may also be indicated in the salvage of previously failed surgical attempts or for a knee in which satisfactory stability in flexion cannot be obtained at the time of surgery. Intended for cemented use only.
Device Story
NexGen Convex Inset Patella is an orthopedic implant component for total knee replacement. Device is axisymmetrical, manufactured from ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and features a convex fixation side with a single central post. Intended for cemented fixation only; used by orthopedic surgeons in clinical settings to restore joint function and alleviate pain in patients with severe knee pathology. Device replaces damaged patellar surface; provides stability and articulation within the knee joint. Performance validated via shear and pull-out testing.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided for this specific device. Evidence relies on literature studies demonstrating satisfactory results for cemented patellar components in general. Bench testing included shear and pull-out testing.
Technological Characteristics
Material: Ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Geometry: Axisymmetrical, convex fixation side, single central post. Fixation: Cemented only. Sterilization: Not specified.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with severe knee pain and disability due to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, polyarthritis, collagen disorders, avascular necrosis, pseudogout, posttraumatic joint loss, patellofemoral erosion/dysfunction, prior patellectomy, or valgus/varus/flexion deformities. Also indicated for salvage of failed surgical attempts or knee instability. Intended for cemented use only.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A knee joint patellofemorotibial polymer/metal/polymer semi-constrained cemented prosthesis is a device intended to be implanted to replace a knee joint. The device limits translation and rotation in one or more planes via the geometry of its articulating surfaces. It has no linkage across-the-joint. This generic type of device includes prostheses that have a femoral component made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, and a tibial component or components and a retropatellar resurfacing component made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. This generic type of device is limited to those prostheses intended for use with bone cement (§ 888.3027).
Predicate Devices
Johnson & Johnson Universal Inset Patella
Insall/Burstein® Patellar Dome
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image shows a logo with the letter 'Z' inside a circle above the word 'zimmer'. The 'Z' is bold and black, contrasting with the white background of the circle. The word 'zimmer' is written in a lowercase, sans-serif font, also in black. The overall design is simple and modern.
K97-2270
P.O. Box 708 Warsaw, IN 46581-0708 219-267-6131
Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Convex Inset Patella
NOV 2 4 1997
- Submitted By: .
Zimmer, Inc. P.O. Box 708 Warsaw, Indiana 46581-0708 219-267-6131
- Contact Person: .
Ruth Ann Wood Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate Telephone: 219-372-4944 Fax: 219-372-4605
- Date: .
November 4, 1997
- Trade Name: ●
NexGen® Complete Knee Solution, Convex Inset Patella
- Common Name: .
- . Classification Name:
Class II 21 CFR 888.3530
- Predicate Devices: .
Johnson & Johnson Universal Inset Patella, Insall/Burstein® Patellar Dome
Image /page/0/Picture/20 description: The image shows a black and white geometric design labeled with the letter A. The design is a hexagon composed of smaller triangles. Each triangle is further divided into smaller triangles, creating a complex, tessellated pattern within the hexagon.
<sup>1</sup>Trademark of the Hospital for Special Surgery
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- . Device Description
The NexGen Convex Inset Patella is made of ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). This patellar component is axisymmetrical. The fixation side geometry is convex in shape. It tapers toward a single post that is coincident with the symmetry axis.
- . Intended Use
Total knee replacement is indicated for patients with severe knee pain and disability due to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, primary and secondary traumatic arthritis, polyarthritis, collagen disorders, avascular necrosis of the femoral condyle or pseudogout, posttraumatic loss of joint configuration, particularly when there is patellofemoral erosion, dysfunction or prior patellectomy, moderate valgus, varus, or flexion deformities. These devices may also be indicated in the salvage of previously failed surgical attempts or for a knee in which satisfactory stability in flexion cannot be obtained at the time of surgery. Intended for cemented use only.
- . Performance Data
Shear Testing and Pull-Out Testing
- . Clinical Data
Studies in the literature demonstrate that satisfactory results are obtained through the use of cemented patellar components. Relevant articles are provided in the 510(k).
RA02701K.510
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Image /page/2/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The logo consists of a stylized eagle with its wings spread, and the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular fashion around the eagle. The logo is black and white.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Ms. Ruth Ann Wood Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate Zimmer, Inc. P.O. Box 708 Warsaw, Indiana 46581-0708
NOV 2 4 1997
K972270 Re: NexGen® Complete Knee Solution, Convex Inset Patella Requlatory Class: II Product Code: JWH September 30, 1997 Dated: Received: October 2, 1997
Dear Ms. Wood:
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). This decision is based on this device being equivalent only to similar devices labeled and intended to be fixed within bone with acrylic "bone You may, therefore, market your device subject to cement . " the general controls provisions of the Act and the following limitations:
- 1. This device may not be labeled or promoted for noncemented use.
- 2. All labeling for this device, including package label and labeling included within the package, must prominently state that the device is intended for cemented use only.
- 3. Any non-cemented fixation of this device is considered investigational and may only be investigated as a significant risk device in accordance with the investigational device exemption (IDE) regulation under 21 CFR, Part 812. All users of the device for noncemented fixation must receive approval from their respective institutional review boards (IRBs) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct the investigation.
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Page 2 - Ms. Ruth Ann Wood
The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practices, 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 to 895. ਰੈ substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance 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.
This letter will allow you to beqin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification immediately. An FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and 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) 594-4659. 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
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## Page 3 - Ms. Ruth Ann Wood
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,
Celia M. Witten, Ph.D., M.D.
Director
Division of General and
Restorative Devices
Office of Device Evaluation
Center for Devices and
Radiological Health
Enclosure
{5}------------------------------------------------
510(k) Number (if known): 长9722270
Device Name: NexGen® Complete Knee Solution, Convex Inset Patella
Total knee replacement is indicated for patients with severe knee pain and disability due to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, primary and secondary traumatic arthritis, polyarthritis, collagen disorders, avascular necrosis of the femoral condyle or pseudogout, post traumatic loss of joint configuration, particularly when there is patellafemoral erosion, dysfunction or prior patellectomy, moderate valgus, varus or flexion deformities. These devices may also be indicated in the salvage of previously failed surgical attempts or for a knee in which satisfactory stability in flexion cannot be obtained at the time of surgery. Intended for cemented use only.
## (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use X (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RA02701K.510
to
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General Restorative Devices
510(k) Number K972270
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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.