Cleared Traditional

ALPHATEC WIRE EXTERNAL FIXATION SYSTEM (K980788) - FDA 510(k) Clearance

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

K980788 · Alphatec Mfg., Inc. · Orthopedic device
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May 1998
Decision
81d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K980788 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the ALPHATEC WIRE EXTERNAL FIXATION SYSTEM. Classified as Pin, Fixation, Threaded (product code JDW), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Alphatec Mfg., Inc. (Palm Desert, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on May 22, 1998 after a review of 81 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the Orthopedic FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 888.3040 - 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 Alphatec Mfg., Inc. devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K980788 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received March 02, 1998
Decision Date May 22, 1998
Days to Decision 81 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
41d faster than avg
Panel avg: 122d · This submission: 81d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required.

Device Classification

Product Code JDW Pin, Fixation, Threaded
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 888.3040
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 - JDW Pin, Fixation, Threaded

All 38
Devices cleared under the same product code (JDW) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K980788.
SMITH & NEPHEW EXTERNAL FIXATION SYSTEM [UNILATERAL (LINEAR) & MULTILATERAL (CIRCULAR) FIXATORS AND ACCESSORIES]
K994143 · Smith & Nephew, Inc. · Feb 2000
DEPUY ROCKWOOD CLAVICLE PIN
K991649 · Depuy, Inc. · Jul 1999
HOWMEDICA TITANIUM HOFFMANN FIXATION PIN SYSTEM
K982068 · Howmedica Corp. · Aug 1998
PROXIMAL FEMORAL NAIL (PFN) SYSTEM
K970097 · Synthes (Usa) · Mar 1997
HANSSON PIN SYSTEM
K964893 · Osteonics Corp. · Feb 1997
DEPUY CANNULATED CROSS PIN SCREW SYSTEM
K963973 · Depuy, Inc. · Dec 1996