Cleared Traditional

K973173 - POWERSTAR BIPOLAR SCISSORS

K973173 is the FDA 510(k) clearance for POWERSTAR BIPOLAR SCISSORS by Ethicon, Inc.. It is a Class 2 General & Plastic Surgery device (product code GEI) cleared through the Traditional 510(k) pathway after a 65-day FDA review.

K973173 · Ethicon, Inc. · General & Plastic Surgery device
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Oct 1997
Decision
65d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K973173 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the POWERSTAR BIPOLAR SCISSORS. Classified as Electrosurgical, Cutting & Coagulation & Accessories within the GEI classification (a category for electrosurgical cutting and coagulation devices), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Ethicon, Inc. (Somerville, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on October 29, 1997 after a review of 65 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the General & Plastic Surgery FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 878.4400 - the FDA general and plastic surgery 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 Ethicon, Inc. devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K973173 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received August 25, 1997
Decision Date October 29, 1997
Days to Decision 65 days
Submission Type Traditional
Review Panel General & Plastic Surgery (SU)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Combination Product No
PCCP Authorized No
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
50d faster than avg
Panel avg: 115d · This submission: 65d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required.

Device Classification

Product Code GEI Electrosurgical, Cutting & Coagulation & Accessories
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 878.4400
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 General & Plastic Surgery devices follow this clearance model.

Regulatory Peers - GEI Electrosurgical, Cutting & Coagulation & Accessories

All 1118
Devices cleared under the same product code (GEI) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K973173.
BIOPOLAR BUTTON ELECTRODE, WL 150MM, W/SUCTION APPLICATOR/WL 280MM, W/SUCTION APPLICATOR(8801.451
K973295 · Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp. · Nov 1997
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K973341 · Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp. · Nov 1997
UNCOATED ELECTROSURGICAL ELECTRODE
K973346 · Megadyne Medical Products, Inc. · Nov 1997
COSMAN COAGULATOR (CC-1) SYSTEM
K973297 · Radionics, Inc. · Oct 1997
PIONEER ELEC-TROCAR DEVICE
K971728 · Pioneer Surgical Technology · Sep 1997
MINISITE*BIPOLAR FORCEPS** DEVICE
K972415 · United States Surgical, A Division of Tyco Healthc · Sep 1997