K Number
K994217
Date Cleared
2000-02-28

(75 days)

Product Code
Regulation Number
888.3070
Panel
OR
Reference & Predicate Devices
N/A
AI/MLSaMDIVD (In Vitro Diagnostic)TherapeuticDiagnosticis PCCP AuthorizedThirdpartyExpeditedreview
Intended Use

Blackstone Spinal Fixation System is intended for non-cervical use in the spine.

The Blackstone Spinal Fixation System, when used for pedicle screw fixation, is intended only for patients:
a) Having severe spondylolisthesis (Grades 3 and 4) at the L5-S1 joint;
b) Who are receiving fusion using autogenous bone graft only;
c) Who are having the device fixed or attached to the lumbar and sacral spine (L3 and below); and
d) Who are having the device removed after the development of a solid fusion mass.

The Blackstone Spinal Fixation System, when used as a pedicle screw system in skeletally mature patients, is intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments, as an adjunct to fusion, in treatment of the following acute and chronic instabilities or deformities of the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine:
a) Degenerative spondylolisthesis with objective evidence of neurologic impairment;
b) Fracture;
c) Dislocation;
d) Scoliosis;
e) Kyphosis;
f) Spinal tumor; and
g) Failed previous fusion (pseudarthrosis).

The Blackstone Spinal Fixation System, when used for anterolateral non-pedicle fixation, is intended for the following indications:
a) Degenerative disc disease (as defined as back pain of discogenic origin with degenerative disc confirmed by patient history and radiographic studies);
b) Spinal stenosis;
c) Spondylolisthesis;
d) Spinal deformities (i.e., scoliosis, kyphosis, and/or lordosis);
e) Pseudarthrosis;
f) Tumor;
g) Trauma (i.e., fracture or dislocation);
h) Previous failed fusion.

Device Description

The Blackstone™ Spinal Fixation System is a titanium alloy; multiple component system comprised of a variety of non-sterile, single use components that allow the surgeon to build a spinal implant construct. The system is attached to the vertebral body by means of screws to the non-cervical spine.

The Blackstone™ Spinal Fixution System consists of an assortment of screws, rods, and cross-connectors with are all new implant offerings specific to this system.

AI/ML Overview

This document describes a 510(k) submission for the Blackstone™ Spinal Fixation System. This type of submission relies on demonstrating substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate device rather than conducting new clinical studies with defined acceptance criteria and performance metrics.

Therefore, the information requested in your prompt regarding acceptance criteria, specific studies proving the device meets those criteria, sample sizes, expert involvement, adjudication methods, MRMC studies, standalone performance, and ground truth establishment for a new device is not applicable in this context.

Here's why and what the document does provide:

  1. Acceptance Criteria and Reported Device Performance: Not applicable. The submission is based on substantial equivalence. The "performance" is considered equivalent to the predicate device.

  2. Sample Size, Data Provenance: Not applicable. No new clinical studies were conducted to generate performance data for this submission.

  3. Number of Experts, Qualifications: Not applicable. No new ground truth needed to be established for a performance study.

  4. Adjudication Method: Not applicable.

  5. Multi Reader Multi Case (MRMC) Comparative Effectiveness Study: Not applicable.

  6. Standalone Performance Study: Not applicable.

  7. Type of Ground Truth Used: Not applicable.

  8. Sample Size for Training Set: Not applicable. This is not an AI/ML device that requires training data.

  9. How Ground Truth for Training Set was Established: Not applicable.

What the document does provide regarding "performance" and "equivalence":

The core of this 510(k) submission is the demonstration of substantial equivalence to existing, legally marketed devices.

  • Predicate Devices Identified:

    • DePuy Moss Miami Spinal System
    • Moss Miami Spinal System - 6.0 System
  • Basis of Substantial Equivalence: "The Blackstone™Spinal Fixation System by its very nature is substantially equivalent to the DePuy Motech Moss Miami Spinal Systems which have been cleared by FDA for certain anterior and pedicle fixation use indications."

This means that Blackstone Medical, Inc. did not need to perform new clinical trials demonstrating the performance of their device against specific acceptance criteria. Instead, they showed that their device is similar enough in terms of intended use, design, materials, and technological characteristics to devices that have already been cleared by the FDA. The FDA, by clearing the 510(k), concurred that the device is substantially equivalent to the predicate.

§ 888.3070 Thoracolumbosacral pedicle screw system.

(a)
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.
(b)
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.