K982646 · Myco Medical Supplies, Inc. · GAL · Jun 2, 1999 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K982646
Device Name
AILEE SUTURES AND AILEE NEEDLES
Applicant
Myco Medical Supplies, Inc.
Product Code
GAL · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Jun 2, 1999
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4830
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Chromic Gut surgical sutures are indicated for use as absorbable sutures in gegeral soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures, out NOT for use in cardiovascular and neural tissue. Catgut plain surgical sutures are indicated for use as absorbable sutures in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, but NOT for use in cardiovascular and neural tissue. Polyglycolic acid sutures are indicated for use as absorbable sutures in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures, but NOT for use in cardiovascular and neurological tissues. Silk sutures are indicated for use as non-absorbable sutures in general soft tissues and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neural tissue. Polyester sutures are indicated for use as non-absorbable sutures in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neural tissue. Nylon sutures are indicated for use as non-absorbable sutures in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neural tissue. Polyproylene sutures are indicated for use as non-absorbable sutures in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neural tissue.
Device Story
Ailee Sutures and Ailee Needles are surgical devices used for tissue approximation and ligation. The product line includes various materials: absorbable (Chromic Gut, Catgut plain, Polyglycolic acid) and non-absorbable (Silk, Polyester, Nylon, Polypropylene). These sutures are used by surgeons in clinical settings to close wounds or secure tissues. The device functions by physically holding tissue edges together to facilitate healing. The healthcare provider selects the appropriate suture material and needle based on the specific surgical procedure and tissue type. The device benefits patients by providing mechanical support to surgical sites, promoting effective wound closure, and reducing the risk of dehiscence.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; bench testing only.
Technological Characteristics
Suture materials include Chromic Gut, Catgut, Polyglycolic acid, Silk, Polyester, Nylon, and Polypropylene. Devices are provided as sterile sutures with needles. No specific ASTM standards or software algorithms are described.
Indications for Use
Indicated for general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation. Specific indications vary by material: Chromic Gut and Polyglycolic acid (ophthalmic, non-cardiovascular/neural); Silk, Polyester, Nylon, and Polypropylene (cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neural).
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An absorbable surgical gut suture, both plain and chromic, is an absorbable, sterile, flexible thread prepared from either the serosal connective tissue layer of beef (bovine) or the submucosal fibrous tissue of sheep (ovine) intestine, and is intended for use in soft tissue approximation.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for this device is FDA's “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Surgical Sutures; Guidance for Industry and FDA.” See § 878.1(e) for the availability of this guidance document.
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services USA. The logo features a stylized eagle with its head facing left and three lines extending from its body, representing feathers or wings. The eagle is enclosed within a circle, and the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES USA" is arranged around the circumference of the circle.
## APR 2 9 2010
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room -WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
MYCO Medical Supplies, Inc. % Mr. Raji Juma 101 Rose Valley Woods Drive Cary, North Carolina 27513
Re: K982646
Trade/Device Name: Ailee Sutures and Ailee Needles Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.5010 Regulation Name: Nonabsorbable polypropylene surgical suture Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: GAW, GAL, GAP, GAS, GAR, GAM, GAN, and GAO Dated: April 6, 1999 Received: April 6, 1999
Dear Mr. Juma:
This letter corrects our substantially equivalent letter of June 2, 1999.
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 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) that do not require approval of a premarket approval (PMA). 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 (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
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Page 2 - Mr. Raji Juma
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please contact the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance at (240) 276-0115. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please contact the CDRH/Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance at 240-276-3464. For more information regarding the reporting of adverse events, please go to http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mdr/.
You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (240) 276-3150 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely yours,
for
Mark N. Mellerason
Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of Surgical, Orthopedic and Restorative Devices Center for Devices and Radiological Health
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Page 1 of 1
510 (k) Number (if known): K982646
Device Name: Chromic Gut
Indication For Use:
Chromic Gut surgical sutures are indicated for use as absorbable sutures in gegeral soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures, out NOT for use in cardiovascular and neural tissue.
(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 K982646
510(k) Number
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109) ✗
OR
Over-The-Counter Use__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
10/300/H202/A
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### K982646
| | Page 1 of 1 | R<br>ﺎ ﺍﻟﻤﺮﺍﺟﻊ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺎﺣﺔ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺎﺣﺔ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮﻯ ﺍ<br>ে | ្រី អ៊ី<br>6 | 300/HAQ2/403 |
|------------------------------------|-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|--------------|
| 510 (k) Number (if known): K982646 | | ﺃﺷﺎﺭ<br>ﻪ ﻳﺴﺮ | 12 | |
| Device Name: Catgut plain | | ું છે. ગુજરાત રાજ્યના દિવસાય ખેતી, ખેત<br>్లో గ్రా | 66. Hy Lt | onal |
| Indication For Use: | | | | |
Catgut plain surgical sutures are indicated for use as absorbable sutures in general soft Catgut plain surgical sutures are indicated of assessments of the subscribed on the researces, but NOT tissue approximation and neural tissue.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Continued Collection of CORL Office Explugtion (ODE) RITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTING of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Accevedo
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General Restorative Devices
510(k) Number K-982646
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use_
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
b
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Page 1 of 1
/ 300/ HAQOV
్రాన
510 (k) Number (if known): K982646
Device Name: Polyglycolic acid sutures
Indication For Use:
Polyglycolic acid sutures are indicated for use as absorbable sutures in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures, but NOT for use in cardiovascular and neurological tissues.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED) Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
BRL, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE),
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General Restorative Devices K982646
510(k) Number
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
sh
32
1
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Image /page/5/Picture/0 description: The image shows a document page with some text. The text includes "K982646" at the top left, "FDA/CDRH/ODE/OMC" vertically aligned on the right, and "APR 6 12 17 PH '99" also vertically aligned. The word "RECEIVED" is printed vertically, and the phrase "Page 1 of 1" is at the bottom left.
510 (k) Number (if known): K982646
Device Name: Silk sutures
Indication For Use:
Silk sutures are indicated for use as non-absorbable sutures in general soft tissues Silk sutures are indicated for use as non-acolorodolorouse in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neural tissue.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
THE CONSTITUTION OF CORPL Office Firelustion (ODE) Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General Restorative Devices
510(k) Number 1462646
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use_
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
{6}------------------------------------------------
#### 1982646
| 510 (k) Number (if known): | K982646 |
|----------------------------|-------------------|
| Device Name: | Polyester sutures |
| Indication For Use: | |
Page 1 of 1
FDA/CDRH/ODE/DMC
APR 6 12 17 PM '99
RECEIVED
Polyester sutures are indicated for use as non-absorbable sutures in general soft tissue r oreximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neural tissue.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED) Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Otley
(Division Sign-Off)
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General Restorative Devices K982646
510(k) Number
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109) X
OR
Over-The-Counter Use_
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
റ
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# 1982646
| Page 1 of 1 |
|-------------|
|-------------|
| 510 (k) Number (if known): | K982646 |
|----------------------------|---------------|
| Device Name: | Nylon sutures |
| Indication For Use: | |
| | FDA/CDRH/ODE/DMC |
|--|--------------------|
| | APR 6 12 17 PM '99 |
| | RECEIVED |
Nylon sutures are indicated for use as non-absorbable sutures in general soft tissue rylon battleoo and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neural tissue.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED) Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Eyaluation (ODE)
Páello
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General Restorative Devices
510(k) Number. K982646
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use_
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
{8}------------------------------------------------
#### 14982646
| | Page 1 of 1 | ri<br>1<br>ر | APP<br>0 | |
|------------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|--|
| 510 (k) Number (if known): K982646 | | ﺃﺷﺎﺭﻙ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻘﻠﺔ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻤ | 12 | |
| Device Name: Polyproylene sutures | | | 66. Hy LT | |
| Indication For Use: | | ో | | |
Polyproylene sutures are indicated for use as non-absorbable sutures in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, neural tissue.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED) Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
billes
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General Restorative Devices
510(k) Number K982646
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use_
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.