Cleared Special

K061521 - TRIATHLON METAL BACKED PATELLA (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

Class II Orthopedic device cleared through the Special 510(k) pathway - typically does not require clinical trials.

K061521 · Howmedica Osteonics Corp. · Orthopedic device
Download Printable Device Report (PDF)
Optimized for regulatory review, auditing and printing
Aug 2006
Decision
70d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K061521 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the TRIATHLON METAL BACKED PATELLA. Classified as Prosthesis, Knee, Patello/femorotibial, Semi-constrained, Uncemented, Porous, Coated, Polymer/metal/polymer (product code MBH), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Howmedica Osteonics Corp. (Mahwah, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on August 11, 2006 after a review of 70 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the Orthopedic FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 888.3565 - the FDA orthopedic device regulatory framework. As a Special 510(k), this submission covers a manufacturer modification to an existing cleared device rather than a new device introduction.

Device pattern: Iterative device modification. Low regulatory complexity profile. This Special 510(k) clearance confirms that the manufacturer's modifications remained within the established regulatory envelope of the original cleared device.

View all Howmedica Osteonics Corp. devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K061521 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received June 02, 2006
Decision Date August 11, 2006
Days to Decision 70 days
Submission Type Special
Review Panel Orthopedic (OR)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
52d faster than avg
Panel avg: 122d · This submission: 70d
Pathway characteristics
Modification to existing cleared device.

Device Classification

Product Code MBH Prosthesis, Knee, Patello/femorotibial, Semi-constrained, Uncemented, Porous, Coated, Polymer/metal/polymer
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 888.3565
What this classification means

Class II devices require demonstration of substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate device. This pathway does not require clinical trials - it relies on engineering equivalence and performance data. Most Orthopedic devices follow this clearance model.

Regulatory Peers - MBH Prosthesis, Knee, Patello/femorotibial, Semi-constrained, Uncemented, Porous, Coated, Polymer/metal/polymer

All 141
Devices cleared under the same product code (MBH) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K061521.
Persona the Personalized Knee System (Persona Porous Plasma Spray PPS Femurs)
K253189 · Zimmer, Inc. · Mar 2026
GMK 3D Metal Tibial Tray Extension
K253328 · Medacta International S.A. · Feb 2026
Triathlon® Total Knee System - Triathlon® X3® Medial Stabilized Tibial Bearing Insert
K253637 · Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Dba Stryker Orthopaedics · Feb 2026
Active-V Total Knee System
K253239 · Signature Orthopaedics Pty, Ltd. · Dec 2025
Balanced Knee System TriMax Porous Femoral Components
K253161 · Ortho Development Corp. · Dec 2025
Freedom Metaphyseal Cone Implants (Metaphyseal Cones)
K252777 · Maxx Orthopedics, Inc. · Oct 2025