| FDA market status (United States) | Confirm the applicable FDA pathway for the specific device and verify any claimed 510(k) clearance against the exact device, indications, and configuration. | FDA 510(k) summary or decision information; matching device description and intended use; relevant FDA database entry. | A 510(k) is a clearance based on substantial equivalence; it is not the same as FDA “approval.” A 510(k) claim should not be assumed to cover every size, design, or indication. |
| EU market status (EU MDR) | For EU placement, check applicable conformity assessment and CE-marking documentation under Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR), including the device’s classification and notified-body involvement where required. | EU Declaration of Conformity; CE certificate where applicable; certificate scope and validity; device identification and intended purpose. | Classification depends on intended purpose and the MDR rules. Do not treat a CE mark or certificate as interchangeable with FDA 510(k) clearance. |
| Quality management: ISO 13485:2016 | Check whether the manufacturer’s quality-management-system certificate is current and covers the relevant manufacturing activities and sites. | Certificate number, certification body, accreditation details, scope, covered site(s), issue date, and expiry or current validity confirmation. | ISO 13485:2016 is a quality-management-system standard. Certification alone does not establish that a particular screw is clinically suitable or authorized in a market. |
| Intended use and surgical indication | Match the labeled indication, anatomical site, graft type, and surgical technique to the procedure being considered. | Current instructions for use (IFU), labeling, indications, contraindications, warnings, and surgical technique documentation. | Do not infer an indication from the product name or material. Confirm that the intended use is supported by the applicable market authorization. |
| Implant material and traceability | Confirm the implant material specification, material grade, and traceability controls for the supplied device. | Material specification or declaration, manufacturing and lot-traceability information, and relevant biocompatibility documentation. | “PEEK” alone is not a complete material specification. Verify the exact material and device documentation rather than assuming all PEEK formulations or products are equivalent. |
| Mechanical and design evidence | Review device-specific test data relevant to the screw’s design, size range, insertion method, and intended use. | Test methods, sample and size coverage, acceptance criteria, test reports or summaries, and any stated limitations. | Ask for evidence supporting the claims made for the specific device. Do not compare headline values unless the test methods and configurations are comparable. |
| Imaging considerations | Check whether the device design and labeling describe its visibility or appearance in the imaging modalities relevant to the procedure. | IFU statements and device-specific imaging information, including any radiopaque marker details if present. | PEEK is generally radiolucent compared with metallic implant materials, but device visibility and imaging performance depend on the complete design and any markers. |
| Sterility, packaging, and shelf life | Confirm whether the supplied device is sterile or non-sterile, its sterilization status, packaging configuration, and labeled expiry or storage conditions. | Labeling and IFU; sterilization and packaging validation information as applicable; shelf-life and storage statements. | Check that the product supplied matches the ordering specification and that the package is intact and within its labeled shelf life before use. |
| Instrument and technique compatibility | Verify the specified driver, insertion instruments, compatible sizes, and any technique-specific requirements. | Current surgical technique guide, instrument list, size chart, and compatibility statements from the device documentation. | Confirm availability of the required instruments and training before purchasing; do not assume instruments from other systems are compatible. |
| Clinical evidence and post-market information | Review evidence relevant to the intended use and population, along with applicable safety notices or field actions. | Published clinical evidence where available; clinical evaluation or summary documentation where applicable; current safety communications and recall checks. | Assess the quality, relevance, and limitations of the evidence. Regulatory clearance or certification does not by itself guarantee a particular clinical outcome. |
| Ordering and import readiness | Confirm the exact catalog configuration, labeling, local-language requirements, importer or representative arrangements, and distribution authorization for the destination market. | Market-specific labeling and IFU; product identifiers; shipping and storage conditions; applicable local registration or import documentation. | Requirements vary by destination and can change. Validate the exact product and documentation for each target market before placing an order. |
| Official reference sources | Use primary regulatory and standards sources to independently check claims and current requirements. | FDA 510(k) database EU Regulation 2017/745 (MDR) ISO 13485:2016 standard page | Check current records and documents directly; a database search result or certificate should be matched to the precise device, scope, and market. |