Cleared Traditional

K962321 - ARTHOCARE ARTHROSCOPIC ELECTROSURGERY S...

K962321 is the FDA 510(k) clearance for ARTHOCARE ARTHROSCOPIC ELECTROSURGERY S... by Arthrocare Corp.. It is a Class 2 Orthopedic device (product code HRX) cleared through the Traditional 510(k) pathway after a 32-day FDA review.

K962321 · Arthrocare Corp. · Orthopedic device
Download Printable Device Report (PDF)
Optimized for regulatory review, auditing and printing
Jul 1996
Decision
32d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K962321 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the ARTHOCARE ARTHROSCOPIC ELECTROSURGERY SYSTEM MODEL 970. Classified as Arthroscope (product code HRX), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Arthrocare Corp. (Sunnyvale, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on July 19, 1996 after a review of 32 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

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: 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 K962321 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received June 17, 1996
Decision Date July 19, 1996
Days to Decision 32 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
90d faster than avg
Panel avg: 122d · This submission: 32d
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

All 360
Devices cleared under the same product code (HRX) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K962321.
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K963332 · Stryker Endoscopy · Oct 1996
KARL STORZ MAGNIFYING ARTHROSOCPES
K961228 · KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc. · Oct 1996
APEX UNIVERSAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM & TWO-CONNECTION TUBING SET
K961590 · Linvatec Corp. · Oct 1996
ARTHROCARE ARTHROSCOPIC ELECTROSURGERY SYSTEM (MODEL 970)
K961747 · Arthrocare Corp. · Jul 1996
PROLINE FAST PASS ARTHOSCOPIC NEEDLE PASSER
K961853 · Acufex Microsurgical, Inc. · Jun 1996
INSTRUMENT SET FOR ARTHROSCOPIC PERCUTANEOUS DISCECTOMY
K961713 · KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc. · May 1996