Cleared Traditional

IMPROVED PASSIVATION METHOD FOR METALLIC ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS (K934590) - FDA 510(k) Clearance

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

K934590 · Smith & Nephew Richards, Inc. · Orthopedic device
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Jun 1995
Decision
628d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K934590 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the IMPROVED PASSIVATION METHOD FOR METALLIC ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANTS. Classified as Screw, Fixation, Bone (product code HWC), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Smith & Nephew Richards, Inc. (Memphis, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on June 14, 1995 after a review of 628 days - an unusually long review period, suggesting complex equivalence evaluation.

This device falls under the Orthopedic FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 888.3040 - 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: High-complexity regulatory submission. Elevated predicate reliance profile. The extended review timeline suggests the FDA required additional documentation before confirming substantial equivalence - a pattern common in complex or first-of-kind Orthopedic submissions.

View all Smith & Nephew Richards, Inc. devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K934590 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received September 24, 1993
Decision Date June 14, 1995
Days to Decision 628 days
Submission Type Traditional
Review Panel Orthopedic (OR)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
506d slower than avg
Panel avg: 122d · This submission: 628d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required.

Device Classification

Product Code HWC Screw, Fixation, Bone
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 888.3040
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 - HWC Screw, Fixation, Bone

All 404
Devices cleared under the same product code (HWC) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K934590.
DEPUY SET SCREW
K950833 · Depuy, Inc. · Jul 1995
HARPOON SUTURE ANCHORS
K943806 · Biomet, Inc. · Jul 1995
SYNTHES 2.7 MM CANNULATED SCREW AND THREADED WASHER
K951304 · Synthes (Usa) · Jun 1995
ARTHREX CANCELLOUS SCREW AND WASHER
K945426 · Arthrex, Inc. · Apr 1995
BONE MULCH SCREW
K941941 · Biomet, Inc. · Feb 1995
6.2 VITALLIUM ALLOY CANCELLOUS BONE SCREW
K944213 · Howmedica Corp. · Dec 1994