P030034 · Orthofix, Inc. · LOF · Dec 23, 2004 · Orthopedic
Device Facts
Record ID
P030034
Device Name
CERVICAL-STIM MODEL 505L CERVICAL FUSION SYSTEM
Applicant
Orthofix, Inc.
Product Code
LOF · Orthopedic
Decision Date
Dec 23, 2004
Decision
APRL
Regulation
21 CFR 890.5870
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Cervical-Stim® Model 505L Cervical Fusion System is a noninvasive, pulsed electromagnetic bone growth stimulator indicated as an adjunct to cervical fusion surgery in patients at high risk for non-fusion.
Device Story
Cervical-Stim is an external, portable, low-level pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) device. It consists of a control unit with a microprocessor and a treatment transducer. The device generates a therapeutic PEMF signal delivered to the cervical fusion site to promote bone growth. It is intended for patient self-use at home, worn for 4 hours daily for 3 months or until fusion occurs. The device monitors battery voltage and signal integrity, providing visual and audible feedback (colored lights/alarm) for operation and battery status. Healthcare providers use the device as an adjunct to surgery to improve fusion rates in high-risk patients. It is powered by a 9-volt disposable battery.
Clinical Evidence
Controlled, randomized, parallel-group study of 323 high-risk adult subjects (163 treatment, 160 control). Primary endpoint: radiographic fusion at 6 months. Results: 83.6% fusion rate in Cervical-Stim group vs 68.6% in control (p=0.0065). 12-month follow-up showed no statistically significant difference (92.8% vs 86.7%, p=0.1129). Secondary endpoints (neurological function, VAS pain, Neck Disability Index) showed no significant clinical difference. Safety profile was similar between groups; adverse events were generally unrelated to the device.
Technological Characteristics
External PEMF device; control unit (ABS plastic) and treatment transducer (nylon/polyester). Powered by 9V disposable battery. Microprocessor-controlled signal generation. Compliant with EN 60601-1 (safety) and EN 60601-1-2 (EMC).
Indications for Use
Indicated for adult patients (18-75 years) undergoing primary cervical spinal fusion (Smith-Robinson technique) with allograft and anterior cervical plate, specifically those at high risk for non-fusion due to multi-level fusion or smoking status.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A non-invasive bone growth stimulator is a prescription device that provides stimulation through electrical, magnetic, or ultrasonic fields. The device is intended to be used externally to promote osteogenesis as an adjunct to primary treatments for fracture fixation and spinal fusion or as a treatment for established nonunions or failed fusions. Please reference: www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/16/2026-07366/physical-medicine-devices-reclassification-of-non-invasive-bone-growth-stimulators.
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# SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS DATA
## I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Device Generic Name: Bone Growth Stimulator
Device Trade Name: Cervical-Stim® Model 505L Cervical Fusion System
Device Common Name: Cervical-Stim
Applicant Name and Address: Orthofix Inc.
1720 Bray Central Drive
McKinney, TX 75069 U.S.A.
PMA Number: P030034
Date of Panel Recommendation: None
Date of notice of approval to applicant: December 23, 2004
## II. INDICATIONS FOR USE
The Cervical-Stim® Model 505L Cervical Fusion System is a noninvasive, pulsed electromagnetic bone growth stimulator indicated as an adjunct to cervical fusion surgery in patients at high risk for non-fusion.
## III. CONTRAINDICATIONS
There are no known contraindications for the Cervical-Stim as an adjunct to cervical spine fusion surgery.
## IV. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
The warnings and precautions can be found in the Physician Manual.
## V. DEVICE DESCRIPTION
The Cervical-Stim is an external, low-level, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) device. It is a single piece device that is lightweight, flexible and portable allowing freedom of movement during treatment. Colored lights and an alarm provide information during treatment (e.g. device is on, normal operation, battery low).
The Cervical-Stim is made up of a control unit and a treatment transducer. The control unit contains a microprocessor that generates the Cervical-Stim electrical signal. That signal is converted to a highly uniform, low-energy magnetic field by the treatment transducer. When the device is centered over the treatment area, the therapeutic PEMF signal is delivered directly to the fusion site.
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To ensure that the device is functioning properly, the Cervical-Stim constantly monitors battery voltage and the electrical signal. If at any time during treatment, the device stops functioning properly, the red light will come on and the device will not provide treatment.
The Cervical-Stim is powered from a single 9-volt disposable battery. When the red light flashes and the alarm sounds, the battery needs to be replaced. The device will provide approximately 5 days of treatment on one battery. Orthofix will provide a supply of batteries adequate to cover the patient’s treatment time.
The device is intended to be worn for 4 hours per day for 3 months or until fusion occurs. The technology and design utilized is the same as that of Orthofix’s own PMA Approved Physio-Stim® bone growth stimulator (P850007 and P850007/S18).
## VI. ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES OR PROCEDURES
Conventional adjunctive procedures for cervical fusion surgery include the standard of care, which is at the physician's discretion, but generally includes the following: a hospital stay of 1-3 days, appropriate medication for pain, use of a cervical collar for 1-2 weeks and appropriate levels of physical therapy with follow-up examinations and x-rays by the physician. There is currently no other commercially available adjunctive treatment for the cervical spine after fusion surgery.
## VII. MARKETING HISTORY
The Cervical-Stim is marketed and commercially distributed within the European Union. The Cervical-Stim has not been withdrawn from marketing for any reason relating to the safety and effectiveness of the device.
## VIII. POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE DEVICE ON HEALTH
In a clinical study of 323 subjects in which subjects received either treatment with the Cervical-Stim device (n=163) or the standard of care (n=160) the adverse events listed in Table 1 were reported:
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| Table 1: Adverse Events Reported at 6 Months by Treatment Group | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | Control Group (n=160) | | Cervical-Stim Group (n=163) | |
| Adverse Event | # (%) of Events | # (%)^{1} of subjects experiencing the event | # (%) of Events* | # (%)^{1} of subjects experiencing the event |
| Increased Neck Pain | 10 (14.9) | 9(5.6) | 16(17.8) | 15(9.2) |
| Shoulder/Arm Pain | 10(14.9) | 9(5.6) | 16(17.8) | 16(9.8) |
| Re-Injury to Cervical Spine | 10(14.9) | 8(5.0) | 9(10.0) | 9(5.5) |
| Adjacent level pathology | 3(4.5) | 3(1.9) | 8(8.8) | 8(4.9) |
| Surgical Complications | 2(3.0) | 2(1.3) | 7(7.7) | 5(3.1) |
| LBP/Lumbar pathology | 8(11.9) | 8(5.0) | 5(5.5) | 5(3.1) |
| Trauma/Injury(not cervical) | 2(3.0) | 2(1.3) | 5(5.5) | 4(2.5) |
| Numbness/Tingling | 6(8.9) | 6(3.8) | 4(4.4) | 4(2.5) |
| Headache/Migraine | 2(3.0) | 2(1.3) | 4(4.4) | 4(2.5) |
| Nonspecific/Unrelated Pain | 2(3.0) | 2(1.3) | 3(3.3) | 3(1.8) |
| Nausea | 0 | 0 | 2(2.2) | 2(1.2) |
| Dizziness/Vertigo | 2(3.0) | 2(1.3) | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Rash/Discoloration | 0 | 0 | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Rapid/Irregular Heartbeat | 0 | 0 | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Shortness of Breath | 0 | 0 | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Ringing in Ears | 0 | 0 | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Neurologic Symptom/Stroke | 1(1.5) | 1(0.6) | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Lump in Throat | 0 | 0 | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Diagnosis of Diabetes | 0 | 0 | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Diagnosis of Breast Cancer | 0 | 0 | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Seizure | 0 | 0 | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Death, Unrelated | 0 | 0 | 1(1.1) | 1(0.6) |
| Tenderness | 1(1.5) | 1(0.6) | 0 | 0 |
| Screw Broken | 1(1.5) | 1(0.6) | 0 | 0 |
| Graft Collapse | 1(1.5) | 1(0.6) | 0 | 0 |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | 2(3.0) | 2(1.3) | 0 | 0 |
| Choking Sensation | 1(1.5) | 1(0.6) | 0 | 0 |
| Cardiac Symptoms | 1(1.5) | 1(0.6) | 0 | 0 |
| Nephrotic Syndrome | 1(1.5) | 1(0.6) | 0 | 0 |
| Suicide Attempt | 1(1.5) | 1(0.6) | 0 | 0 |
| | | | | |
| TOTAL | 67 | 47^{2} | 90 | 58^{2} |
1% expressed as number of subjects experiencing the event / total number of subjects in the group.
2 Some subjects experienced multiple adverse events.
*There were several adverse events that were more frequently observed in the Cervical-Stim group than in the control group. Given the types of events, it is unlikely that these adverse events are related to the treatment.
Safety data obtained between the six-month visit and the final contact with each subject indicated that 57 adverse events were experienced by a total of 51 subjects
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between both groups. The number of subjects who experienced one or more adverse events is similar in the two groups. None of the adverse events reported between the six-month visit and the final contact were severe and are similar to those reported at six months.
## IX. SUMMARY OF PRECLINICAL STUDIES
### ELECTRICAL SAFETY AND ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY
The Cervical-Stim was subjected to testing for electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility by an independent laboratory. The Cervical-Stim was found to be fully compliant with EN 60601-1 for medical electric equipment and general requirements for safety and with EN 60601-1-2 for radiated emissions and electrostatic discharge.
### BIOCOMPATIBILITY
The Cervical-Stim is an external device and has only localized, short term contact with skin. Users are instructed to wear clothing under the device strap to avoid direct skin contact. The transducer is covered in nylon with polyester seam binding and the control unit is made from ABS plastic. These materials are commonly used in consumer goods and no additional biocompatibility testing was required.
### SOFTWARE VALIDATION
The Cervical-Stim is a software controlled medical device. It contains an embedded, one time programmable operating software. The operating software provides the following functions: treatment signal, self-test diagnostics, compliance data and user interface. The Cervical-Stim treatment signal is identical to the Physio-Stim treatment signal, therefore the software information was submitted for FDA review in the original clearance for the Physio-Stim (P850007). The software validation results show that the software meets the software requirements specifications and that the device performs as intended meeting all device specifications. A summary of these results are found in the Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data for P850007.
### LABORATORY AND ANIMAL STUDIES
The PEMF signal produced by the Cervical-Stim is the same signal as that of the commercially available Physio-Stim. The signal has been subjected to biological testing in cell level studies and in vivo animal studies and those results were submitted for FDA review in the original clearance for the Physio-Stim (P850007). A summary of these results are found in the Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data for P850007.
## X. SUMMARY OF CLINICAL STUDIES
### Study Design
The Cervical-Stim clinical study was a controlled, randomized, parallel group study of 323 high-risk (smokers, multi-level or both and allograft) adult subjects with radiographic evidence of compressed cervical nerve roots and symptomatic radiculopathy. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the PEMF Cervical-Stim device as an adjunct for high risk patients who undergo cervical fusion surgery. All subjects underwent anterior cervical discectomy and
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fusion using the Smith Robinson technique with the Atlantis Plate. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the control group (standard treatment, n=160) or the treatment group (standard treatment plus the Cervical-Stim, n=163). Standard treatment was at the physician's discretion but typically included the standard hospital stay, use of a soft cervical collar, appropriate medications, and physical therapy.
Subjects who met the following inclusion and exclusion criteria were eligible for participation in the study:
## Inclusion Criteria
Adult male or female, 18-75 years old with radiographic evidence of compressed cervical nerve root(s), symptomatic radiculopathy, pain of 5 or greater on the visual analog scale (VAS) and/or any muscle weakness or, primary cervical spinal fusion performed using the Smith-Robinson technique with allograft bone and an anterior cervical plate. The fusion procedure must have been either multi-level (>1 fusion level) or the subject was a smoker (one pack/day or more) or both; and signed informed consent.
## Exclusion Criteria:
Traumatic cervical injury, posterior approach or revision fusion, autograft or bone substitute materials for graft source, history of vascular migraine headache or prone to uncontrolled seizures or epilepsy (controlled or uncontrolled) or any neurological diseases or injury; depressed immune system, regional conditions (Spondylitis, Paget's disease, rheumatoid arthritis), infection (systemic or local) within 2 weeks prior to surgery, systemic conditions (cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, thyroid disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, renal disease/dysfunction, chronic steroid use, or other conditions that may have affected bone metabolism), cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, dorsal column stimulators, hearing aids, cochlear prostheses and cranial stimulators, subjects who were pregnant, nursing or had planned to become pregnant within 12 months, subjects that had participated in other clinical studies within the last 12 months, or had mental or physical conditions which may have precluded compliance with physician instructions.
## Evaluation and Follow-Up
Follow-up visits were to have been performed at Months 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 and annually thereafter until the last subject enrolled reached 12 months.
## Device Usage
Subjects assigned to the treatment group (Cervical-Stim) were instructed to wear the device for 4 hours per day for a minimum of three months postoperative. Surgeons could, at their discretion, extend the Cervical-Stim treatment up to six months postoperative.
## Demographic Data
The subjects in this study had a mean age of 46.8 years (range 24 to 73 years). Of the 323 subjects, 148 (45.8%) were female and 175 (54.2%) were male. Three hundred
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one (93.2%) were Caucasian, while 17 (5.3%) were African American and 5 (1.6%) were Hispanic. One hundred fifty nine (49.2%) were nonsmokers and 164 were smokers (50.8%). Demographic data is summarized in Table 2.
| Table 2: Baseline Demographic Characteristics | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Variables | Number of Subjects (N = 323) | Control (n = 160) | Cervical-Stim (n = 163) | P-value^{1} |
| Age (years) | | | | |
| Mean | 46.8 | 46.7 | 46.9 | 0.846 |
| Range | 24 – 73 | 26 – 72 | 24-73 | |
| SD | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.4 | |
| Gender | | | | |
| Female | 148 (45.8%) | 75 (46.9%) | 73 (44.8%) | 0.706 |
| Male | 175 (54.2%) | 85 (53.1%) | 90 (55.2%) | |
| Race | | | | |
| Caucasian | 301 (93.2%) | 150 (93.8%) | 151 (92.6%) | 0.703 |
| African-American | 17 (5.3%) | 7 (4.4%) | 10 (6.1%) | |
| Hispanic | 5 (1.6%) | 3 (1.9%) | 2 (1.2%) | |
| Asian | 0 | - | - | |
| Others | 0 | - | - | |
| Smoking Status | | | | |
| Nonsmoking | 159 (49.2%) | 79 (49.4%) | 80 (49.1%) | 0.958 |
| Smoking | | | | |
1. P-values of comparison tests between treatment groups using Student’s t-test for numerical variables and Pearson $x^{2}$ test for categorical variables.
## Data Analysis and Results
The primary effectiveness endpoint was the increase in frequency of cervical fusion success by six months postoperatively as assessed by radiographic evidence. Secondary endpoints were neurological function, VAS pain assessment, and Neck Disability Index. Safety was assessed by the frequency and severity of adverse events.
Fusion was assessed by Radiographs at each visit:
Radiographic Fusion was defined as $\geq 50\%$ bony bridging on both the superior and inferior graft interfaces between adjacent vertebral bodies AND $\leq 4^{\circ}$ angulation (motion) between adjacent fused vertebrae on flexion/extension lateral films AND absence of radiolucency.
Radiographic Non-Fusion was defined as $< 50\%$ bony bridging at either the superior or inferior graft interface OR $>4^{\circ}$ angulation (motion) between adjacent fused vertebrae on flexion/extension lateral films OR presence of radiolucency.
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For purposes of device evaluation, all films were scanned into a central database and reviewed by two independent, blinded orthopedic surgeons and a blinded, independent radiologist following completion of the entire study. Films were viewed and scored using a common protocol. All films at each time point were evaluated for amount of radiolucency, bony bridging, and degree of motion evidenced on the flexion/extension cervical spine films. A software program was used to calculate motion. Results obtained in this fashion were reviewed and verified by the reviewing orthopedic surgeons. The radiologist’s diagnosis was considered definitive in the case of a disagreement between the two orthopedic surgeons.
### Effectiveness Results
Of the 323 subjects who were randomized and received surgery, 240 were evaluable for the effectiveness analysis (Cervical-Stim treatment group, n=122; control group, n=118). Subjects were deemed unevaluable for the following reasons: non-existent or non-readable x-rays, subject non-compliance, protocol violations (inclusion criteria), graft collapse, broken internal hardware, early study exits due to minor adverse experiences, and one suicide. The success or failure of these subjects is not known. These unavailable data could positively or negatively affect the overall success of the study. In order to assess the impact of the missing data, sensitivity analyses were performed. These included last observation carried forward, and all missing data imputed as non-fusion. Both of these analyses showed that the results at six months were still statistically significantly different in favor of the Cervical-Stim group.
In addition, the baseline demographic data from the evaluable population was compared to the demographic data of the missing subjects. The results of this analysis indicated there were no significant differences between the evaluable subjects and the non-evaluable subjects in 14 study variables including key demographics and clinical parameters.
### Primary Effectiveness Endpoint
The primary effectiveness endpoint was evidence of radiographic fusion at the 6 month time point postoperative. At the six month time point, 102 of the 122 evaluable subjects (84%) in the Cervical-Stim treatment group were judged to be fused versus 81 of the 118 evaluable subjects (69%) in the control group (p=0.0065). Fusion outcomes are summarized on Table 3.
| Table 3: Comparison of Radiographic Fusion Outcomes at Six Months | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Treatment Group | Number of Subjects | Number of Subjects Fused | Fusion Rate (%) |
| Control | 118 | 81 | 68.64 |
| Cervical-Stim | 122 | 102 | 83.61 |
These data show that for patients undergoing cervical fusion surgery, patients treated adjunctively with the Cervical-Stim experienced an increase in the frequency of radiographic fusion at six months when compared to the control group.
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An additional analysis was performed to allow for the differences between the Cervical-Stim treatment group and the control group with respect to demographic characteristics (gender, age, diagnosis) and risk status (smoking, multilevel). The overall radiographic fusion rate at 6 months postoperative in the Cervical-Stim group remained statistically significant after adjustment for each of these variables.
Long term follow-up (12 Months) showed no statistical difference between the two groups with respect to radiographic fusion. As summarized in Table 4, one hundred sixteen of the 125 evaluable subjects (92.8%) in the Cervical-Stim treatment group were judged to be fused at the long term final endpoint, while 104 of the 120 evaluable subjects (86.7%) in the control group were judged to be fused.
| Table 4: Overall Radiographic Fusion Outcomes at 12 Months | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Treatment Group | Number of Subjects | Number of Subjects Fused | Fusion Rate (%) |
| Control | 120 | 104 | 86.67 |
| Cervical-Stim | 125 | 116 | 92.80 |
Note: The differences in long-term success rates between treatment groups is not statistically significant per Pearson $x^2$ test with the available sample size ($x^2 = 2.5136$, $p = 0.1129$).
## Secondary Effectiveness Endpoints
Secondary endpoints evaluated changes in clinical symptoms. A “clinical success” with regard to symptoms was defined as no worsening in neurological function, an improvement in VAS pain assessment, and no worsening in Neck Disability Index. A “clinical failure” with regard to symptoms was defined as failure for any one of these criteria. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to the percent of subjects considered a “clinical success” at six months ($p=0.8456$), or at 12 months ($p=0.1129$).
## Safety
The adverse events observed in this study are described in Table 1 (Adverse Events Report at 6 Months by Treatment Group). At six months, the numbers of subjects who experienced one or more adverse events is similar in the two groups. A total of fourteen severe events were reported in thirteen subjects; nine of the subjects were in the Cervical-Stim treatment group and five subjects were in the control group. These events included increased pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, unrelated trauma and injury, unrelated death, surgical complication, and adjacent level pathology. For the nine subjects in the Cervical-Stim treatment group, all severe adverse events were, in the judgment of the investigators, definitely or probably unrelated to the device.
Safety data obtained between the six-month visit and the final contact with each subject indicate that 57 adverse events were experienced by a total of 51 subjects between both groups. The number of subjects who experienced one or more adverse events is similar in the two groups. None of the adverse events reported between the six-month visit and the final contact were severe and are similar to those reported at six months.
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# XI. CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM THE STUDIES
The clinical data showing increased frequency of fusion at 6 months demonstrated reasonable assurance of effectiveness, especially considering the long history of use of PEMF as an adjunct to spinal fusion surgery and the low risk posed by use of the device. Safety was established by the low incidence and severity of adverse events.
# XII. PANEL RECOMMENDATION
In accordance with the provisions of section 515(c)(2) of the act as amended by the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, this PMA was not referred to the Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel, an FDA advisory committee, for review and recommendation because the information in the PMA substantially duplicates information previously reviewed by this panel.
# XIII. CDRH DECISION
FDA issued an approval letter on December 23, 2004.
The applicants manufacturing facility was inspected and was found to be in compliance with the Quality System Regulation (21 CFR 820).
# XIV. APPROVAL SPECIFICATIONS
Directions for Use: See the labeling.
Hazards to Health from Use of the Device: See Indications, Contraindications, Warnings, Precautions and Adverse Events in the labeling.
Post Approval Requirements and Restrictions: See approval order.
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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.
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.