Cleared Traditional

K940179 - ARTHROSCOPE FOR SMALL JOINT AFTER FELDKAMP, MODEL 8871.011 (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

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

K940179 · Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp. · Orthopedic device
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May 1995
Decision
496d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K940179 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the ARTHROSCOPE FOR SMALL JOINT AFTER FELDKAMP, MODEL 8871.011. Classified as Arthroscope (product code HRX), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp. (Vernon Hills, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on May 23, 1995 after a review of 496 days - an unusually long review period, suggesting complex equivalence evaluation.

This device falls under the Orthopedic FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 888.1100 - 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 Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp. devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K940179 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received January 12, 1994
Decision Date May 23, 1995
Days to Decision 496 days
Submission Type Traditional
Review Panel Orthopedic (OR)
Summary Statement
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
374d slower than avg
Panel avg: 122d · This submission: 496d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required.

Device Classification

Product Code HRX Arthroscope
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 888.1100
Definition Validated Reprocessing Instructions And Reprocessing Validation Data For This Device Type Must Be Included In A 510(k) Submission If The Device Is Reusable And Has Specific Design Features (please Refer To Table 2 Of 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 Orthopedic devices follow this clearance model.

Regulatory Peers - HRX Arthroscope

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