Cleared Special

K163142 - SpeedStitch Suture Passer (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

Also includes:
SpeedStitch Suture Cartridges, White Suture, Blue Cobraid, Black Cobraid, Mixed Pack SpeedStitch Needle Loader and Unloader

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

Download Printable Device Report (PDF)
Optimized for regulatory review, auditing and printing
Jan 2017
Decision
58d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K163142 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the SpeedStitch Suture Passer. Classified as Suture, Nonabsorbable, Synthetic, Polyethylene (product code GAT), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by ArthroCare Corporation (Irvine, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on January 6, 2017 after a review of 58 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the General & Plastic Surgery FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 878.5000 - 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.

View all ArthroCare Corporation devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K163142 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received November 09, 2016
Decision Date January 06, 2017
Days to Decision 58 days
Submission Type Special
Review Panel General & Plastic Surgery (SU)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
56d faster than avg
Panel avg: 114d · This submission: 58d
Pathway characteristics
Modification to existing cleared device.

Device Classification

Product Code GAT Suture, Nonabsorbable, Synthetic, Polyethylene
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 878.5000
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 Peers - GAT Suture, Nonabsorbable, Synthetic, Polyethylene

All 172
Devices cleared under the same product code (GAT) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K163142.
HyperSuture All Green Extension Line
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Pre-Sutured Tendon
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ProZip Knotless Implant
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PowerKnot High Strength Sutures
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HS Fiber
K252201 · Riverpoint Medical · Aug 2025