The ISOLA Spinal System, when used with pedicle screws, is intended for use in grade 3 or 4 spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 utilizing autologous bone graft, when affixed to the lumbosacral spine, and intended to be removed after solid fusion is attained. The ISOLA Spinal System, when not used with pedicle screws, is intended for hook, wire, and/or sacral/iliac screw fixation from T1 to the illium/sacrum. The non-pedicle screw indications are spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease (defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies), deformities (scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis), tumor, fracture and previous failed fusion. As a whole, the ISOLA Spinal System is intended for T1-sacral fixation. Screw fixation is from L3-S1.
Device Story
Pediatric Plate-Rod Combination (PRC) and downsized hooks added to ISOLA Spine System; components provide spinal fixation. Used by surgeons in clinical settings for spinal stabilization. Input: surgical placement of implants into spine. Operation: mechanical fixation via rods, plates, hooks, and screws. Output: structural support for spinal fusion. Clinical decision-making: used to treat severe spondylolisthesis or spinal deformities; intended to facilitate solid fusion. Benefit: stabilization of spine in pediatric patients. Risks: component fracture, loss of fixation, non-union, neurological/vascular injury.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Static and fatigue testing conducted to characterize performance of pediatric PRC and downsized hooks compared to predicate ISOLA components. No clinical data provided.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: ASTM F-138 or F-1314 stainless steel or ASTM F-136 titanium alloy. Components: Plate-Rod Combination (PRC) and downsized hooks. Mechanical fixation system. No software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring spinal fixation. Pedicle screw use limited to grade 3 or 4 spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 with autologous bone graft; requires removal after fusion. Non-pedicle screw use (hook, wire, sacral/iliac screw) indicated for T1-sacrum fixation for spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, deformities (scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis), tumor, fracture, and failed fusion.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
(1) Rigid pedicle screw systems are comprised of multiple components, made from a variety of materials that allow the surgeon to build an implant system to fit the patient's anatomical and physiological requirements. Such a spinal implant assembly consists of a combination of screws, longitudinal members (e.g., plates, rods including dual diameter rods, plate/rod combinations), transverse or cross connectors, and interconnection mechanisms (e.g., rod-to-rod connectors, offset connectors).(2) Semi-rigid systems are defined as systems that contain one or more of the following features (including but not limited to): Non-uniform longitudinal elements, or features that allow more motion or flexibility compared to rigid systems.
Special Controls
*Classification.* (1) Class II (special controls), when intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in skeletally mature patients as an adjunct to fusion in the treatment of the following acute and chronic instabilities or deformities of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine: severe spondylolisthesis (grades 3 and 4) of the L5-S1 vertebra; degenerative spondylolisthesis with objective evidence of neurologic impairment; fracture; dislocation; scoliosis; kyphosis; spinal tumor; and failed previous fusion (pseudarthrosis). These pedicle screw spinal systems must comply with the following special controls:(i) Compliance with material standards;
(ii) Compliance with mechanical testing standards;
(iii) Compliance with biocompatibility standards; and
(iv) Labeling that contains these two statements in addition to other appropriate labeling information:
“Warning: The safety and effectiveness of pedicle screw spinal systems have been established only for spinal conditions with significant mechanical instability or deformity requiring fusion with instrumentation. These conditions are significant mechanical instability or deformity of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine secondary to severe spondylolisthesis (grades 3 and 4) of the L5-S1 vertebra, degenerative spondylolisthesis with objective evidence of neurologic impairment, fracture, dislocation, scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal tumor, and failed previous fusion (pseudarthrosis). The safety and effectiveness of these devices for any other conditions are unknown.”
“Precaution: The implantation of pedicle screw spinal systems should be performed only by experienced spinal surgeons with specific training in the use of this pedicle screw spinal system because this is a technically demanding procedure presenting a risk of serious injury to the patient.”
(2) Class II (special controls), when a rigid pedicle screw system is intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine as an adjunct to fusion in the treatment of degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis other than either severe spondylolisthesis (grades 3 and 4) at L5-S1 or degenerative spondylolisthesis with objective evidence of neurologic impairment. These pedicle screw systems must comply with the following special controls:
(i) The design characteristics of the device, including engineering schematics, must ensure that the geometry and material composition are consistent with the intended use.
(ii) Non-clinical performance testing must demonstrate the mechanical function and durability of the implant.
(iii) Device components must be demonstrated to be biocompatible.
(iv) Validation testing must demonstrate the cleanliness and sterility of, or the ability to clean and sterilize, the device components and device-specific instruments.
(v) Labeling must include the following:
(A) A clear description of the technological features of the device including identification of device materials and the principles of device operation;
(B) Intended use and indications for use, including levels of fixation;
(C) Identification of magnetic resonance (MR) compatibility status;
(D) Cleaning and sterilization instructions for devices and instruments that are provided non-sterile to the end user; and
(E) Detailed instructions of each surgical step, including device removal.
(3) Class II (special controls), when a semi-rigid system is intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine as an adjunct to fusion for any indication. In addition to complying with the special controls in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (v) of this section, these pedicle screw systems must comply with the following special controls:
(i) Demonstration that clinical performance characteristics of the device support the intended use of the product, including assessment of fusion compared to a clinically acceptable fusion rate.
(ii) Semi-rigid systems marketed prior to the effective date of this reclassification must submit an amendment to their previously cleared premarket notification (510(k)) demonstrating compliance with the special controls in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (v) and paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section.
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# PEDIATRIC PRC for use with the ISOLA Spine System 510(k) SUMMARY
AcroMed Corporation COMPANY: 3303 Carnegie Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115 Pediatric PRC TRADENAME: for use with the ISOLA Spine System Labeled for pedicle screw use: CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified, preamendments device system Labeled for previously cleared uses: Spinal interlaminal fixation orthosis; Class II The purpose of the premarket notification is to add a pediatric DESCRIPTION: PRC (Plate-Rod Combination) and downsized hooks to the components intended for use with AcroMed's ISOLA Spine System. All implant components are manufactured of either ASTM F-MATERIAL: 138 or F-1314 stainless steel or ASTM F-136 titanium alloy. The ISOLA Spinal System, when used with pedicle screws, is INDICATIONS: intended for use in grade 3 or 4 spondylolisthesis at LS-S1 utilizing autologous bone graft, when affixed to the lumbosacral spine, and intended to be removed after solid fusion is attained. The ISOLA Spinal System, when not used with pedicle screws, is intended for hook, wire, and/or sacral/iliac screw fixation from T1 to the illium/sacrum. The non-pedicle screw indications are spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease (defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies), deformities (scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis), tumor, fracture and previous
failed fusion.
MAY 2 9 1998
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As a whole, the ISOLA Spinal System is intended for TI-sacral fixation. Screw fixation is from L3-S1.
Benefit of spinal fusions utilizing any pedicle screw fixation has not been adequately established in patients with stable spines.
Potential risks identified with the use of this device system, which may require additional surgery, include: device component fracture, loss of fixation, non-union, fracture of the vertebra, neurological injury, and vascular or visceral injury.
### PERFORMANCE DATA:
Static and fatigue testing were conducted to characterize the performance of the devices.
### SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE:
The Pediatric PRCs, manufactured from stainless steel or titanium alloy, and the downsized hooks manufactured from titanium alloy are substantially equivalent to the ISOLA PRCs (K920392), titanium alloy ISOLA components (K952236), and to the Pediatric ISOLA components (K962984).
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Image /page/2/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 text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract symbol that resembles an eagle or a stylized human figure, composed of three curved lines.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
MAY 2 9 1998
Mr. William Christianson Vice President Regulatory Affairs AcroMed Corporation 3303 Carnegie Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Re: K981113
Pediatric PRC to be used with ISOLA Spinal System Regulatory Class: II Product Codes: MNH and KWP Dated: March 25, 1998 Received: March 27, 1998
Dear Mr. Christianson:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device system referenced above and we have determined the device system is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to device systems marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976 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 i on your device system being found equivalent only to similar device systems labeled and intended for patients: (a) having severe spondylolisthesis (Grades 3 and 4) of the fifth lumbar - first sacral (L5-S1) vertebral joint; (b) who are receiving fusions using autogenous bone graft only: (c) who are having the device fixed or attached to the lumbar and sacral spine; and (d) who are having the device removed after the development of a solid fusion mass. You may, therefore, market your device system subject to the general controls provisions of the Act and the limitations identified below.
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. Note that labeling or otherwise promoting this device system for pedicular screw fixation/attachment for indications other than severe spondylolisthesis, as described above, would cause the device system to be adulterated under 501(f)(1) of the Act.
This device system, when intended for pedicular screw fixation/attachment to the spine for indications other than severe spondylolisthesis, as described above, is a class III device under Section 513(f) of the Act. Class III devices are required to have an approved premarket approval (PMA) application prior to marketing. Accordingly:
- 】. All labeling for this device, including the package label, must state that there are labeling limitations. The package insert must prominently state that the device system using pedicle screws is intended only for patients: (a) having severe
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spondylolisthesis (Grades 3 and 4) of the fifth lumbar - first sacral (L5-S1) vertebral joint; (b) who are receiving fusions using autogenous bone graft only; (c) who are having the device fixed or attached to the lumbar and sacral spine; and (d) who are having the device removed after the development of a solid fusion mass.
- 2. You may not label or in anyway promote this device system for pedicular, screw fixation/attachment to the cervical, thoracic or lumbar vertebral column for intended uses other than severe spondylolisthesis, as described above. The package insert must include the following statements:
#### WARNINGS:
- When used as a pedicle screw system, this device system is intended only for . grade 3 or 4 spondylolisthesis at the fifth lumbar - first sacral (L5-S1) vertebral joint.
- The screws of this device system are not intended for insertion into the . pedicles to facilitate spinal fusions above the L5-S1 vertebral joint.
- . Benefit of spinal fusions utilizing any pedicle screw fixation system has not been adequately established in patients with stable spines.
- . Potential risks identified with the use of this device system, which may require additional surgery, include:
device component fracture, loss of fixation, non-union, fracture of the vertebra. neurological injury, and vascular or visceral injury.
See Warnings, Precautions, and Potential Adverse Events sections of the package insert for a complete list of potential risks.
- 3. Any pedicular screw fixation/attachment for intended uses other than severe spondylolisthesis, as described by item 1, for this device is considered investigational and may only be investigated as a significant risk device in accordance with the investigational device exemption (IDE) regulations under 21 CFR, Part 812. All users of the device for pedicular screw fixation/attachment for intended uses other than severe spondylolisthesis, as described above, must receive approval from their respective institutional review boards (IRBs) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to conducting an investigation.
- 4. Any previous warning statements identified as part of previous 510(k) clearances or required by OC/Labeling and Promotion which stated that a component/system was not approved for screw fixation into the pedicles of the spine must be replaced by the warnings of items 1 and 2 above.
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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 current Good Manufacturing Practice requirement, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (OS) 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.
FDA advises that the use of your device system with any other device components but those identified in this 510(k) would require submission of a new 510(k) providing documentation of design, material, and labeling compatibility between the device components. Mechanical testing of a spinal system consisting of the subject device components and other device components, whether yours or those of other manufacturers, may also be required.
This letter will allow you to begin 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 obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or at (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
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## 510(k) Number (if known): K981113
Device Name: ISOLA Spine System Pediatric PRC
Indications for Use:
The ISOLA Spinal System, when used with pedicle screws, is intended for use in grade 3 or 4 spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 utilizing autologous bone graft, when affixed to the lumbosacral spine, and intended to be removed after solid fusion is attained.
The ISOLA Spinal System, when not used with pedicle screws, is intended for hook, wire, and/or sacraViliac screw fixation from T1 to the illium/sacrum. The non-pedicle screw indications are spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease (defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by deformities (scoliosis, lordosis and history and radiographic studies), kyphosis), tumor, fracture and previous failed fusion.
As a whole, the ISOLA Spinal System is intended for T1-sacral fixation. Screw fixation is from L3-S1.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
| Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) | |
|--------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| Division Sign-Off | |
| Division of General Restorative Devices | |
| 510(k) Number | K981113 |
| Prescription Use<br>(per 21 CRF 801.109) | X |
|------------------------------------------|---|
|------------------------------------------|---|
OR
| Over-The-Counter Use | _________________ |
|----------------------|--------------------------|
| | (Optional Format 1-2-96) |
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
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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.