Cleared Traditional

K955531 - ARTHROCARE BIPOLAR LOOP ELECTRODE SYSTEM (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

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

K955531 · Arthrocare Corp. · Gastroenterology & Urology device
Download Printable Device Report (PDF)
Optimized for regulatory review, auditing and printing
Feb 1996
Decision
79d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K955531 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the ARTHROCARE BIPOLAR LOOP ELECTRODE SYSTEM. Classified as Electrode, Electrosurgical, Active, Urological (product code FAS), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Arthrocare Corp. (Sunnyvale, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on February 21, 1996 after a review of 79 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the Gastroenterology & Urology FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 876.4300 - the FDA gastroenterology and urology 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 Arthrocare Corp. devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K955531 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received December 04, 1995
Decision Date February 21, 1996
Days to Decision 79 days
Submission Type Traditional
Review Panel Gastroenterology & Urology (GU)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
51d faster than avg
Panel avg: 130d · This submission: 79d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required.

Device Classification

Product Code FAS Electrode, Electrosurgical, Active, Urological
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 876.4300
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 Gastroenterology & Urology devices follow this clearance model.

Regulatory Peers - FAS Electrode, Electrosurgical, Active, Urological

All 57
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