Cleared Traditional

K183256 - GlideScope BFlex Single-Use Bronchoscope System (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

Class II Ear, Nose, Throat device cleared through predicate-based substantial equivalence - typically does not require clinical trials.

K183256 · Verathon Medical (Canada) Ulc · Ear, Nose, Throat device
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Jan 2019
Decision
44d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K183256 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the GlideScope BFlex Single-Use Bronchoscope System. Classified as Bronchoscope (flexible Or Rigid) (product code EOQ), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Verathon Medical (Canada) Ulc (Burnaby, CA). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on January 4, 2019 after a review of 44 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the Ear, Nose, Throat FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 874.4680 - the FDA ear, nose and throat device framework. The Traditional 510(k) pathway establishes clearance through substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate device, without requiring clinical trial data.

Device pattern: Fast-track predicate clearance. Standard predicate reliance. The short review cycle indicates strong predicate alignment - the FDA found sufficient equivalence without extended technical review.

View all Verathon Medical (Canada) Ulc devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K183256 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received November 21, 2018
Decision Date January 04, 2019
Days to Decision 44 days
Submission Type Traditional
Review Panel Ear, Nose, Throat (EN)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review Yes - reviewed by an FDA-accredited third party
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
45d faster than avg
Panel avg: 89d · This submission: 44d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required. Third-party reviewed.

Device Classification

Product Code EOQ Bronchoscope (flexible Or Rigid)
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 874.4680
Definition A Bronchoscope (flexible Or Rigid) And Accessories Is A Tubular Endoscopic Device With Any Of A Group Of Accessory Devices Which Attach To The Bronchoscope And Is Intended To Examine Or Treat The Larynx And Tracheobronchial Tree. If The Device Is Reprocessed, Reprocessing Validation Data For This Device Type Must Be Included In A 510(k) Submission. If The Device Is Reusable, Validated Reprocessing Instructions And Reprocessing Validation Data For This Device Type Must Be Included In A 510(k) Submission (82 Fr 26807, Available At Https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/fr-2017-06-09/pdf/2017-12007.pdf).
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 Ear, Nose, Throat devices follow this clearance model.

Regulatory Peers - EOQ Bronchoscope (flexible Or Rigid)

All 236
Devices cleared under the same product code (EOQ) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K183256.
EVIS EXERA III BRONCHOVIDEOSCOPE (OLYMPUS BF-Q190)
K252341 · Olympus Medical Systems Corp. · Apr 2026
LoopView® Single-Use Digital Flexible Bronchoscope (B27-C, B27-CG)
K260420 · MacroLux Medical Technology Co., Ltd. · Apr 2026
FUJIFILM Ultrasonic Endoscope EB-710US
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KARL STORZ Flexible Intubation Video Endoscope – Sterile (FIVE-S) (0916612)
K251731 · Karl Storz SE & CO. KG · Dec 2025
Himaging Bronchscope System
K251894 · Himaging Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. · Sep 2025
Ion Endoluminal System (IF1000)
K252045 · Intuitive Surgical, Inc. · Sep 2025