Cleared Traditional

K232173 - Ascend VBR System, Ascend NanoTec VBR System (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

Class II Orthopedic device cleared through predicate-based substantial equivalence - typically does not require clinical trials.

K232173 · Alphatec Spine, Inc. · Orthopedic device
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Oct 2023
Decision
77d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K232173 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the Ascend VBR System, Ascend NanoTec VBR System. Classified as Spinal Vertebral Body Replacement Device (product code MQP), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Alphatec Spine, Inc. (Carlsbad, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on October 6, 2023 after a review of 77 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the Orthopedic FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 888.3060 - the FDA orthopedic device regulatory 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 Alphatec Spine, Inc. devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K232173 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received July 21, 2023
Decision Date October 06, 2023
Days to Decision 77 days
Submission Type Traditional
Review Panel Orthopedic (OR)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Combination Product No
PCCP Authorized No
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
45d faster than avg
Panel avg: 122d · This submission: 77d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required.

Device Classification

Product Code MQP Spinal Vertebral Body Replacement Device
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 888.3060
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 - MQP Spinal Vertebral Body Replacement Device

All 276
Devices cleared under the same product code (MQP) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K232173.
VyBrate™ VBR System
K253158 · Vy Spine, LLC · Jan 2026
Vertiwedge® Intraosseous System
K241468 · Foundation Surgical Group, Inc. · Nov 2024
KONG®-TL VBR System and KONG® C VBR System
K232790 · Icotec AG · Apr 2024
DOMINION Expandable Corpectomy System
K233359 · Astura Medical · Mar 2024
VerteLoc Spinal System
K231134 · Signature Orthopaedics Pty, Ltd. · Feb 2024