The Universal Drive System functions as a powered instrument system consisting of drills, saws, and associated handpieces to perform cutting of soft tissue and bone. The fields of application include: Orthopedic, Arthroscopic, Otolaryngological, Oral/Maxillofacial, Hand, Foot, Neuro, and Plastic/Reconstructive surgical procedures.
Device Story
Universal Drive System is a powered surgical instrument system for cutting soft tissue and bone. System comprises AC-powered console, sterilizable handpiece cord, foot switch, and various motorized handpieces (drills, saws, routers). Modification adds three handpieces for large bone procedures: single trigger modular, dual trigger modular, and oscillating saw. Console software upgraded to provide increased current for these large bone handpieces. Used in OR by surgeons; handpieces connect to console via detachable cord. Output is mechanical rotation or oscillation of surgical blades/burrs/drills. Benefits include expanded utility for large bone orthopedic procedures using existing console infrastructure.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence supported by bench testing and design comparison to legally marketed predicate devices.
Technological Characteristics
System consists of AC-powered console, foot control, and motorized handpieces (drills, saws). Features software-controlled power management for large bone handpieces. Handpieces include single/dual trigger modular units and oscillating saw. Sterilizable components. Connectivity via detachable handpiece cord. No specific material standards or advanced AI/ML algorithms described.
Indications for Use
Indicated for cutting soft tissue and bone during orthopedic, oral/maxillofacial, otolaryngological, arthroscopic, hand, foot, neuro, and plastic/reconstructive surgical procedures.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An arthroscope is an electrically powered endoscope intended to make visible the interior of a joint. The arthroscope and accessories also is intended to perform surgery within a joint.
Hall® Versipower® Plus Large Bone Instrument System (K895198)
3M™ Maxi-Driver™ Electric Powered Instrument System (K951118)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
981/269
# JUN 24 1998
Image /page/0/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for Linvatec. To the left of the company name is a geometric shape that looks like three arrows pointing to the left. The company name is in bold, black font.
11311 Concept Boulevard Largo, Florida 33773 813 399-5334 Fax 813 399-5264
Carol A. Weideman, Ph.D.
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs
### April 6, 1998
### 510 (k) SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
In accordance with the requirements of the Safe Medical Device Act of 1990 and 21 CFR 807.92, Linvatec Corporation is Safety the 510(k) Summary of and hereby submittinq Effectiveness for the Universal Drive System, 510(k) Number
#### A. Submitter
Linvatec Corporation 11311 Concept Boulevard Largo, Florida 33773-4908
#### Company Contact B.
Carol A. Weideman, Ph.D. Director, Regulatory and Clinical Affairs
#### c. Device Name
Trade Name: Common Name Classification Name
Universal Drive System : Drive System . Instrument, Surgical, . . Powered Motor Orthopedic, AC cessory/Attachment
#### Predicate/Legally Marketed Devices D.
Universal Drive System Linvatec Corporation
Hall® Versipower® Plus Large Bone Instrument System Linvatec Corporation
ЗМТМ Maxi-Driver™ Electric Powered Instrument System 3M Health Care
{1}------------------------------------------------
Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Universal Drive System 510 (k) # April 6, 1998 Page 2 of 4
#### Device Description E .
System is a modification of the Universal Drive The Linvatec Universal Drive System with the addition of three new handpieces used in large bone orthopedic procedures. The Universal Drive System was cleared under #K971059 on 6/18/97 for the following intended 510 (k) Cutting of soft tissue and bone in Orthopedic, uses: Oral/Maxillofacial, Otolaryngological, Arthroscopic, Foot, Neuro, and Plastic/Reconstructive surgical Hand, procedures.
Universal Drive System consists of an AC powered The drive console, a sterilizable handpiece cord, various motorized handpieces, various shavers, blades, burrs, drills, routers, and a foot switch.
The modification will take place within the Universal drive console power unit. A software computer chip will be upgrade to allow the use of additional motorized handpieces for large in order to have more available current to drive the large bone handpieces.
Three handpieces used in large bone orthopedic procedures will be added to the system. The new handpieces include single trigger modular, dual trigger modular handpiece and an oscillating saw. These handpieces are similar in design to the Hall® Versipower® Plus handpieces. The handpieces will be sold with a detachable handpiece cord. The detachable handpiece cord will allow the handpieces run on the same console. The new handpieces will to perform as the Versipower® Plus handpieces described in the predicate information.
accessories used with the system include shavers, The as described in blades, burrs, drills, and routers 510(k)# K971059.
{2}------------------------------------------------
Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Universal Drive System 510(k) # April 6, 1998 Page 3 of 4
#### Intended Use r.
System functions as a powered Drive The Universal system consisting of drills, saws, and instrument associated handpieces to perform cutting of soft tissue and bone. The fields of application include: Orthopedic, Oral/Maxillofacial, Otolaryngological, Arthroscopic, Hand, Foot, Neuro, and Plastic/Reconstructive surgical procedures.
#### Substantial Equivalence G.
The Universal Drive System is substantially equivalent in design, function and intended use to the Universal Drive System (Linvatec Corporation), Hall® Versipower® Plus Large Bone Instrument System (Linvatec Corporation), and the 3M™ Maxi-Driver™ Eyectmin Powered Instrument System (3M Health Care) .
Testing has been done to prove safety and effectiveness of the devices.
The similarities/dissimilarities to the predicates are shown in the attached table.
{3}------------------------------------------------
### Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Universal Drive System 510 (k) #
April 6, 1998 Page 4 of 4
## CHART OF SIMILARITIES AND DISSIMILARITIES
| Company | Device Name | Intended Use | System Components and Design |
|------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| NEW<br>PRODUCT<br>Linvatec | Universal Drive<br>System | Cut Soft Tissue & Bone during<br>Large Bone Orthopedic<br>Procedures. | System consists of: Universal Controller, Single Trigger<br>Modular Handpiece, Dual Trigger Modular Handpiece, Oscillating<br>Saw, Power Cord and Handpiece Cord. |
| PREDICATE<br>Linvatec<br>510 (k)<br>#K971059 | Universal Drive<br>System | Cut Soft Tissue & Bone during<br>Orthopedic,<br>Oral/Maxillofacial, Hand, Foot,<br>Neuro and<br>Plastic/Reconstructive surgical<br>procedures. | System consists of: Universal Controller, Foot Control,<br>Sagittal Saw, Oscillating Saw, Reciprocating Saw, High Speed<br>Drill, Medium Speed Drill, Low Speed Drill,<br>Wiredriver/Fixation Drill and associated attachments, blades,<br>and burs. |
| | | To perform cutting of soft<br>tissue and bone in the<br>applications of :<br>Arthroscopic/Orthopedic,<br>Otolaryngological and<br>Reconstructive Surgery. | System consists of: Universal Controller, Foot Control, "Apex<br>style" Handpieces and associated attachments, blades, and<br>burrs.<br>Shaver blades & burrs: length 75-200mm, diameter 2.0-6.0mm. |
| PREDICATE<br>Linvatec<br>510 (k)<br>#K895198 | Hall®<br>Versipower® Plus<br>Large Bone<br>Instrument<br>System | Drill, Ream, and Cut large bone<br>during Orthopedic Procedures. | System consists of: drills and saws which are powered either<br>by battery or electric console. |
| PREDICATE<br>3M Health<br>Care<br>510 (k)<br>K951118 | 3M Maxi-Driver<br>Electric Powered<br>Instrument<br>System | Drill, Ream, and Cut large bone<br>during Orthopedic Procedures | System consists of: Controller, handpiece, and interchangeable<br>attachments. |
7
Comments of the
{4}------------------------------------------------
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 words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized image of three human profiles facing to the right, with flowing lines representing hair or clothing.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
JUN 2 4 1998
Carol A. Weideman, Ph.D. ·Linvatec Corporation 11311 Concept Boulevard Largo, Florida 33773
Re: K981269 Trade Name: Universal Drive System Regulatory Class: II Product Code: HRX Dated: April 6, 1998 Received: April 7, 1998
Dear Dr. Weideman:
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 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 (OS) 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.
{5}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 - Carol Weideman, Ph.D.
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) 594-4595. 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,
Colin M. Witwer, Ph.D., M.D.
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
{6}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/6/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Linvatec. The logo consists of a geometric shape on the left and the word "Linvatec" on the right. The geometric shape is made up of three nested chevrons, with the innermost chevron being a solid black diamond. The word "Linvatec" is written in a bold, sans-serif font.
11311 Concept Boulevard Largo, Florida 33773-4908 813 392-6464
April 6, 1998
Page 1 of 1
510 (k) Number (if known) : Universal Drive System Device Name:
Indications for Use:
The Universal Drive System functions as a powered instrument system consisting of drills, saws, and associated handpieces to perform cutting of soft tissue and bone. The fields of Orthopedic, Arthroscopic, include: application Otolaryngological, Oral/Maxillofacial, Hand, Foot, Neuro, and Plastic/Reconstructive surgical procedures.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
| | <center>Proleps</center> |
|---------------|-----------------------------------------|
| | (Division Sign-Off) |
| | Division of General Restorative Devices |
| 510(k) Number | K981269 |
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-the-Counter Use
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
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.