K974671 · Athena Technology, Inc. · EFB · Mar 11, 1998 · Dental
Device Facts
Record ID
K974671
Device Name
ATHENA 20R S TYPE SLOW SPEED HANDPIECE MOTOR
Applicant
Athena Technology, Inc.
Product Code
EFB · Dental
Decision Date
Mar 11, 1998
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 872.4200
Device Class
Class 1
Indications for Use
Use in combination with attachments, i.e., a nosecone or contra angle to prepare carious teeth for restorations; to perform prophylaxis; endodontic preparation or other procedures used by a dentist in the oral cavity.
Device Story
Air-powered dental handpiece motor; utilizes E-type coupling for standard attachments. Operates by delivering air through a port system to a vaned rotor; rotary ring controls direction (forward/reverse) and operation. Used by dentists in clinical settings to drive attachments for restorative, prophylactic, and endodontic procedures. Fully autoclavable. Benefits include versatility in dental procedures via interchangeable attachments.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Sterilization validation performed using biological indicators (Bacillus stearothermophilus) in a Pelton & Crane Validator 8 autoclave at 132°C and 210 kPa for 12 minutes. Spore strips tested sterile after 7-day incubation.
Indicated for use by dentists in the oral cavity for procedures including preparation of carious teeth for restorations, prophylaxis, and endodontic preparations, when used with compatible nosecone or contra angle attachments.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A dental handpiece and accessories is an AC-powered, water-powered, air-powered, or belt-driven, hand-held device that may include a foot controller for regulation of speed and direction of rotation or a contra-angle attachment for difficult to reach areas intended to prepare dental cavities for restorations, such as fillings, and for cleaning teeth.
{0}------------------------------------------------
K974671
# Section 8: 510(k) Summary
MAR 1 1 1998
Submitted By: Athena Technology, Inc. 984 N. Amelia Ave. San Dimas, CA 91773
> (800) 253-1771 FAX (800) 722-4460
Contact: William T. Anderson
Date Prepared:
Device Name: Trade or Proprietary Name - Athena 20R E Type Motor Common or Usual Name - Slow Speed Dental Handpiece Motor Classification Name - Air Powered Dental Handpiece
Identification: The following devices are identified to be equivalent in indications for use, design, material and energy source to Athena's 20R "E" Type Slow Speed Dental Handpiece motor:
- A. Champion Lowspeed Handpiece Motors marketed by Champion Dental Products Inc., 1941 Miraloma, Placentia, California 92870; and
- B. Lynx Low Speed Handpiece Motors marketed by MTI Precision Products, 175 Oberlin North Avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey 08701; and
- C. KaVo Handpieces marketed by KaVo America Corporation, 2401 West Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60195; and
- D. Medidenta Slow Speed Motors marketed by Medidenta International, Inc., 39-23 62nd Street. Woodside, New York 11377.
Description: 20R "E" type slow speed dental handpiece motor; fully autoclavable (up to 135°C); utilizes an E type coupling to accept standard E type attachments. ISO couplings B, C and D are available.
Device Function: With the air driven motor, air is delivered through a port system which will allow forward, reverse or no operation to a vaned rotor system. The rotor spins as a result of the air delivery and that rotation is converted to RPM and torque used to operate any attachment coupled to the motor.
{1}------------------------------------------------
Significant Physical and Performance Characteristics: The exploded drawing (attached) illustrates the typical placement and function of the various components and parts of the motor. Air enters through the hose connector into the drive air port. That air is routed through the air delivery passages to the proper port which controls the direction of rotation of the motor. That porting arrangement is controlled by a rotary ring which permits the user to control either direction or operation. The air, having been ported, enters the motor stator body and impinges on the blades attached to the rotor causing them to spin in the appropriate direction. After approximately a 2/3 to 3/4 revolution, the air is permitted to exhaust from the stator cavity and is expelled from the motor through the exhaust porting to the exhaust tube attached to the air delivery and exhaust hose.
Materials Used: The motor is principally made of the following materials: aluminum; stainless steel and instrument quality stainless steel. Alternatively titanium is used in place of aluminum and stainless steel in certain applications. VITON is used for "O" rings. Flourosilicone is used for the hose to motor gasket.
Material Physical Properties: Aluminum Type 2011 or 6016 is used. Physical properties associated with these materials is defined by ASTM specification. Commonly used in medical and dental instruments and devices. Stainless steel type 300 series and 416 used. Physical properties associated with these materials is defined by ASTM specification. Commonly used in medical and dental instruments and devices. VITON is a medical grade. FDA approved elastomer commonly used in various of medical and dental instruments and devices. Flourosilicone is a commonly used gasket material for medical and dental instruments and devices.
Statement of the Intended Use: Use in combination with attachments, i.e., a nosecone or contra angle to prepare carious teeth for restorations; to perform prophylaxis; endodontic preparations or other procedures used by a dentist in the oral cavity.
Technological Characteristics: The Athena 20R "E" Type Slow Speed Handpiece Motor is similar to predicate devices in indications for use, design (E couplings and ISO couplings); material (aluminum, stainless steel, VTTON and flourosilicone); energy source (air).
Sterilization Test and Anaylsis: Autoclave procedures for the 20R "E" type slow speed motor were conducted in a Pelton & Crane Validator 8 at Athena Technology, Inc., 984 N. Amelia Ave., San Dimas, CA 91773, (800) 253-1771. Biological indicator used was Sportrol Spore Strip @106, bacillus stearothermophilus. Manufacturers lot #S51703 with an expiration date of May 1999. The biological testing facility was Namsa, 9 Morgan, Irvine, CA 92718, (714) 951-3110.
One Athena 20R "E" type motor was disassembled and a spore strip inserted into the rotor area of the motor. The motor was reassembled, inserted into an Athena standard
{2}------------------------------------------------
autoclaye bag and placed into the autoclave according to the recommendations received with the spore strips.
The 20R "E" type motor was placed on a tray with a pair of tweezers to be used for the removal of the spore strips . In addition, a stainless steel plate was inserted into the autoclave to provide a sterile surface for the device on the removal from the autoclave.
The sterilization cycle in the Pelton & Crane Validator 8 consisted of 12 minutes at 132 degrees Celsius and 210 kPa pressure.
The device was removed from the autoclave using sterile gloves and the spore strip removed with the sterile tweezers. The spore strip was sealed in bag and identified. It was then forwarded to Namsa for incubation.
The spore strip was cultured at Namsa for a period of 7 days using the procedure/test method S-04491-01-00/Immersion. The spore strip tested sterile by Namsa (report included).
In conclusion, Athena devices sterilized in a Pelton & Crane Validator 8 or similar autoclave at 132 degrees Celsius at 210 kPa for 12 minutes will be sterile.
Life Cycle Estimates: The Athena 20R "E" Type Slow Speed Motor has an estimated minimum life of 500 cycles when autoclaved for 12 minutes at 132 degrees Celsius and 210 kPa pressure.
{3}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/3/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for NAMSA, a company that provides testing services for the medical device industry. The logo is black and white and features the company's name in a bold, sans-serif font. Below the name is the tagline "World Leader In Testing Services for the Medical Device Industry." The TM symbol is located to the right of the logo.
Corp. Hdqtrs: 2261 Tracy Road, Northwood, OH 43619-1397, 419.666.9455, Fax 419.666.2954 100 Cobb International Blvd., Kennesaw, GA 30152-7601, 770.427.3101, Fax 770.426.5692 9 Morgan, Irvine, CA 92618-2078, 714.951.3110, Fax 714.951.3280 Affiliations: Taiwan . Germany . France
Confidential MS017-101
ATHENA TECHNOLOGY INC 984 N. AMELIA AVE.
91773 SAN DIMAS, CA ATTN: WILLIAM T. ANDERSON
| Lab No. | 97C 22873 00 |
|---------|--------------|
| P.O. No | 97112006 |
ID No. Not Applicable
## STERILITY TEST
Testing Follows USP Methods or the Client's Procedures
| Test Article: | ATHENA 20R "E" Type Slow Speed Handpiece Motor, ATHENA Compact<br>Nosecone, ATHENA 1:1 Contra Angle, ATHENA 64:1 Contra Angle, ATHENA<br>Heavy Duty 1:1 Straight Nosecone, ATHENA Heavy Duty 4:1 Straight Nosecone |
|------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Procedure/Test Method: | S-04491-01-00/Immersion |
| Test Article Received: | 11-21-97 |
| Test Start Date: | 11-21-97 |
| Test Termination Date: | 11-28-97 |
### STERILITY TEST RESULTS Test Article Identity Maintained as Submitted by Client
| BIOINDICATOR: B.subtilis | | | B.I. Lot Number: Not Supplied | | | |
|--------------------------|---------------------------------|------------------|------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------|--|
| Articles<br>Tested | Number of<br>Articles<br>Tested | Type<br>of Media | Incubation<br>Temperature<br>(Degrees C) | Number of<br>Days<br>Incubated | Number of<br>Positive<br>Articles | |
| Spore Strip | 6 | SCDB 15 ml | 30-35 | 7 | 0 | |
| Positive Control | 2 | SCDB 15 ml | 30-35 | 1 | 2 | |
Results and conclusions apply only to the test article tested. No further evaluation of these results is made by NAMSA. Any extrapolation of these data to other samples is the responsibility of the sponsor.
TEST ARTICLE MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STERILITY TEST Conclusion:
SCDB = Soybean Casein Digest Broth
Record Storage: All raw data pertaining to this study and a copy of the final report are to be retained in designated NAMSA archive files. Test Facility: North American Science Associates, Inc., California Division.
Date Completed 11/25/
Frank Zuklic, M. S.
Approved By
{4}------------------------------------------------
## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the department's name around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized representation of a human figure, composed of three overlapping profiles, symbolizing health and human services.
#### Public Health Service
JUN 1 8 2002
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Mr. William T. Anderson President Athena Technology, Incorporated 984 North Amelia Avenue San Dimas, California 91773
Re: K974671
Trade/Device Name: Athena 20R "S" Type Slow Speed Handpiece Motor Regulation Number: Air Powered Dental Handpiece Regulation Name: 872.4200 Regulatory Class: I Product Code: EFB Dated: December 12, 1997 Received: December 15, 1997
Dear Mr. Anderson:
This letter corrects our substantially equivalent letter of March 11, 1998 regarding the product code.
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce proor to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device mendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of Anticinuncia, or to ac research Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general approvisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include Controls provibions of the 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 If your device is clabitional controls. Existing major regulations affecting (1 Mrx), it may of subject to fact of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In your device can be roundsh further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
{5}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 - Mr. Anderson
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not Please be advisor that 1 Dr. 3 lectuation that your device complies with other requirements Incall that FDA nas mace a actess and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. of the Act of ally I edena bates and survey including, but not limited to: registration r ou must comply with a807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); good manufacturing practice and listing (21 CFR Pat 807), laceling (21 CFR Pat 820) regulation (21 CFR Patt 820); and if requirents as set form in the quality and control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section I his letter will anow you to ocgin mains ling jo a or substantial equivalence of your device to 310(K) premarket nourceared vice 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 IT you desire specific ac not 10. your in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the and additionally 21 - 21 - 31 - 4618. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and Office of Colliphance wee, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. ad veranding or your the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under llouncation (ZTCF It Fur 6079).
the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html
Sincerely yours,
L. W. McIntosh
Timothy A. Ulatowski Director Division of Dental, Infection Control and General Hospital Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
{6}------------------------------------------------
# Section 3: Statement of Indications for Use
Intended Use: Use in combination with attachments, i.e., nosecone or contra angle to prepare carious teeth for restorations; to perform prophylaxis; endodontic preparation or other procedures used by a dentist in the oral cavity.
Susan Runner
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Dental, Infection Control, and General Hospital Devices 2074107 510(k) Number
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109) 3-1
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.