Cleared Traditional

3M LITTMANN ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPE (K961848) - FDA 510(k) Clearance

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

K961848 · Minnesota Mining and Mfg. Co. · Cardiovascular device
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Sep 1997
Decision
501d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K961848 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the 3M LITTMANN ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPE. Classified as Stethoscope, Electronic (product code DQD), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Minnesota Mining and Mfg. Co. (St. Paul, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on September 26, 1997 after a review of 501 days - an unusually long review period, suggesting complex equivalence evaluation.

This device falls under the Cardiovascular FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 870.1875 - the FDA cardiovascular device oversight 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 Cardiovascular submissions.

View all Minnesota Mining and Mfg. Co. devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K961848 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received May 13, 1996
Decision Date September 26, 1997
Days to Decision 501 days
Submission Type Traditional
Review Panel Cardiovascular (CV)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
376d slower than avg
Panel avg: 125d · This submission: 501d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required.

Device Classification

Product Code DQD Stethoscope, Electronic
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 870.1875
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 Cardiovascular devices follow this clearance model.