Cleared Special

K160521 - ECHELON FLEX 60 Powered Plus Compact Articulating Endoscopic Linear Cutter, 280mm

K160521 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for ECHELON FLEX 60 Powered Plus Compact Ar..., manufactured by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC. The device is a Class 2 General & Plastic Surgery device with product code GDW cleared through the Special 510(k) pathway after a 26-day FDA review.

K160521 · Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC · General & Plastic Surgery device
Download Printable Device Report (PDF) Official FDA 510(k) Summary (PDF)
Optimized for regulatory review, auditing and printing
Mar 2016
Decision
26d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K160521 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the ECHELON FLEX 60 Powered Plus Compact Articulating Endoscopic Linear Cutter, 2.... Classified as Staple, Implantable (product code GDW), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC (Guaynabo, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on March 22, 2016 after a review of 26 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the General & Plastic Surgery FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 878.4750 - the FDA general and plastic surgery device 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.

FDA 510(k) Submission Details - K160521

510(k) Number K160521 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received February 25, 2016
Decision Date March 22, 2016
Days to Decision 26 days
Submission Type Special
Review Panel General & Plastic Surgery (SU)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Combination Product No
PCCP Authorized No
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
89d faster than avg
Panel avg: 115d · This submission: 26d
Pathway characteristics
Modification to existing cleared device.

GDW Device Classification - Class 2, Special Controls

Product Code GDW Staple, Implantable
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 878.4750
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 General & Plastic Surgery devices follow this clearance model.

Regulatory Consultant

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
Kweku Biney

The regulatory consultant manages the 510(k) submission process on behalf of the applicant - coordinating technical documentation, predicate strategy and FDA communications. Identifying the consultant behind a submission is a key signal for competitive regulatory intelligence.

Regulatory Peers - GDW Staple, Implantable

All 276
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K160521 · ECHELON FLEX 60 Powered Plus Compact Articulating Endoscopic Linear Cutter, 280mm
Download PDF FDA Summary Ethicon Endo-Surgery,…