510(k) Report

510(k) · Cleared

Cleared

Ascend Shoulder System

K120794510(k) SpecialCleared Apr 13, 201229-day reviewClass II21 CFR 888.3660

Data to Oct 25, 2026 (FDA decisions) Oct 12, 2026 (recalls) Sep 30, 2026 (MAUDE) refreshed weekly, last Nov 3, 2026

Tornier, Inc. · KWS Prosthesis, Shoulder, Semi-Constrained, Metal/Polymer Cemented

Cleared on Apr 13, 2012 as substantially equivalent to K113413 (Tornier, Inc., 2012) and 1 other predicate after a 29-day review. Its family tree reaches back 9 generations to 1980. 98 later devices descend from it.

Decided
Apr 13, 2012
Review
29 days
Class
Class II
Product code
KWS
Recalls
None
Predicates
2

Its longest line of descent runs back 9 generations to K800494 (1980). 51 ancestors in all. 98 later devices descend from it, 1 citing it directly.

Other ancestors, by year clearedDescendants, by year cleared 2006: 4 other ancestors2003: 4 other ancestors2002: 1 other ancestor1997: 1 other ancestor2001: 4 other ancestors1999: 5 other ancestors1998: 2 other ancestors1996: 2 other ancestors1995: 2 other ancestors1994: 1 other ancestor1992: 2 other ancestors1988: 1 other ancestor1987: 4 other ancestors2004: 2 other ancestors1991: 1 other ancestor2000: 4 other ancestors1980: 1 other ancestor1993: 1 other ancestor2012: 1 descendant cleared2013: 2 descendants cleared2015: 1 descendant cleared2026: 13 descendants cleared2023: 10 descendants cleared2022: 13 descendants cleared2019: 7 descendants cleared2014: 3 descendants cleared2017: 4 descendants cleared2025: 12 descendants cleared2021: 9 descendants cleared2018: 3 descendants cleared2016: 1 descendant cleared2020: 9 descendants cleared2024: 10 descendants clearedK800494 · New Jersey Hemiarthroplasty Sholder Pros · Depuy, Inc. · 1980K991585 · Bipolar Shoulder Prosthesis · Biomet, Inc. · 1999K002998 · Biomet BI-Polar Shoulder System · Biomet, Inc. · 2000 · recalledK010827 · Copeland MB/HA Resurfacing Humeral Heads · Biomet Orthopedics, Inc. · 2001 · recalled×2: 2 generations cleared close together, K031971 (2003), K033516 (2003) K061862 · Axiom Orthopaedics Shoulder Resurfacing System · Axiom Orthopaedics, Inc. · 2006K071147 · Nexa Orthopedics Total Shoulder System · Nexa Orthopedics, Inc. · 2007K113413 · Ascend Shoulder System · Tornier, Inc. · 201219801990200020102020
Other ancestors, by generationDescendants, by generation 1 generation back: 1 other ancestor2 generations back: 3 other ancestors3 generations back: 17 other ancestors4 generations back: 6 other ancestors5 generations back: 11 other ancestors6 generations back: 4 other ancestors 1 generation forward: 1 descendant2 generations forward: 1 descendant3 generations forward: 16 descendants4 generations forward: 39 descendants5 generations forward: 27 descendants6 generations forward: 9 descendants7 generations forward: 2 descendants8 generations forward: 2 descendants9 generations forward: 1 descendant K113413 · Ascend Shoulder System · Tornier, Inc. · 2012K071147 · Nexa Orthopedics Total Shoulder System · Nexa Orthopedics, Inc. · 2007K061862 · Axiom Orthopaedics Shoulder Resurfacing System · Axiom Orthopaedics, Inc. · 2006K033516 · Depuy Global Cap HA Resurfacing Shoulder Humeral Heads · DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. · 2003K031971 · Global Cap Resurfacing Replacement Shoulder · DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. · 2003K010827 · Copeland MB/HA Resurfacing Humeral Heads · Biomet Orthopedics, Inc. · 2001 · recalledK002998 · Biomet BI-Polar Shoulder System · Biomet, Inc. · 2000 · recalledK991585 · Bipolar Shoulder Prosthesis · Biomet, Inc. · 1999K800494 · New Jersey Hemiarthroplasty Sholder Pros · Depuy, Inc. · 1980−50+5
  1. Root · 9 generations backK800494 New Jersey Hemiarthroplasty Sholder ProsDepuy, Inc. · 1980
  2. 5 generations between
  3. 3 generations backK061862 Axiom Orthopaedics Shoulder Resurfacing SystemAxiom Orthopaedics, Inc. · 2006
  4. 2 generations backK071147 Nexa Orthopedics Total Shoulder SystemNexa Orthopedics, Inc. · 2007
  5. 1 generation backK113413 Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc. · 2012
  6. This deviceK120794 Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc. · 2012
  7. Descendant · cites it directly · 97 of its ownK121493 Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc. · 2012
  8. Descendant · 2 generations on · 96 of its ownK122698 Aequalis Ascend Flex Shoulder SystemTornier S.A.S. · 2013 · Recalled
  9. Descendant · 3 generations on · 29 of its ownK140082 Aequalis (TM) Ascent (TM) Flex Shoulder SystemTornier S.A.S. · 2014
  10. Descendant · 3 generations on · 26 of its ownK132285 Aequalis Reversed Shoulder ProsthesisTornier S.A.S. · 2013
  11. Descendant · 3 generations on · 20 of its ownK163669 Humeris ShoulderFx Solutions · 2017
Show all 9 generations
  1. Root · 9 generations backK800494 New Jersey Hemiarthroplasty Sholder ProsDepuy, Inc. · 1980
  2. 8 generations backK991585 Bipolar Shoulder ProsthesisBiomet, Inc. · 1999
  3. 7 generations backK002998 Biomet BI-Polar Shoulder SystemBiomet, Inc. · 2000 · Recalled
  4. 6 generations backK010827 Copeland MB/HA Resurfacing Humeral HeadsBiomet Orthopedics, Inc. · 2001 · Recalled
  5. 5 generations backK031971 Global Cap Resurfacing Replacement ShoulderDePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. · 2003
  6. 4 generations backK033516 Depuy Global Cap HA Resurfacing Shoulder Humeral HeadsDePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. · 2003
  7. 3 generations backK061862 Axiom Orthopaedics Shoulder Resurfacing SystemAxiom Orthopaedics, Inc. · 2006
  8. 2 generations backK071147 Nexa Orthopedics Total Shoulder SystemNexa Orthopedics, Inc. · 2007
  9. 1 generation backK113413 Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc. · 2012
  10. This deviceK120794 Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc. · 2012

Showing 5 of 98 descendants. See all descendants

Descendants cleared per year

2012: 12013: 22014: 32015: 12016: 12017: 42018: 32019: 72020: 92021: 92022: 132023: 102024: 102025: 122026: 13
2012high 13 (2022) · low 1 (2012)2026

Most influential descendants

Showing 5 of 98 · See all
  • K121493Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc. · 2012 · cites it directly97descendants
  • K122698Aequalis Ascend Flex Shoulder SystemTornier S.A.S. · 2013 · 2 generations on96descendants
  • K140082Aequalis (TM) Ascent (TM) Flex Shoulder SystemTornier S.A.S. · 2014 · 3 generations on29descendants
  • K132285Aequalis Reversed Shoulder ProsthesisTornier S.A.S. · 2013 · 3 generations on26descendants
  • K163669Humeris ShoulderFx Solutions · 2017 · 3 generations on20descendants
View FIG. 1 as a table

Line of descent and top descendants

GenerationNumberDeviceApplicantDecidedRecalls
−9K800494New Jersey Hemiarthroplasty Sholder ProsDepuy, Inc.1980—
−8K991585Bipolar Shoulder ProsthesisBiomet, Inc.1999—
−7K002998Biomet BI-Polar Shoulder SystemBiomet, Inc.20001
−6K010827Copeland MB/HA Resurfacing Humeral HeadsBiomet Orthopedics, Inc.20011
−5K031971Global Cap Resurfacing Replacement ShoulderDePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.2003—
−4K033516Depuy Global Cap HA Resurfacing Shoulder Humeral HeadsDePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.2003—
−3K061862Axiom Orthopaedics Shoulder Resurfacing SystemAxiom Orthopaedics, Inc.2006—
−2K071147Nexa Orthopedics Total Shoulder SystemNexa Orthopedics, Inc.2007—
−1K113413Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc.2012—
0 (this device)K120794Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc.2012—
+1K121493Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc.2012—
+2K122698Aequalis Ascend Flex Shoulder SystemTornier S.A.S.20132
+3K140082Aequalis (TM) Ascent (TM) Flex Shoulder SystemTornier S.A.S.2014—
+3K132285Aequalis Reversed Shoulder ProsthesisTornier S.A.S.2013—
+3K163669Humeris ShoulderFx Solutions2017—

Other ancestors by year cleared

Year clearedDevicesWith a Class I recall
198010
198740
198810
199110
199220
199310
199410
199520
199620
199710
199820
199950
200040
200140
200210
200340
200420
200640

Descendants by year cleared

Year clearedDevicesWith a Class I recall
201210
201320
201430
201510
201610
201740
201830
201970
202090
202190
2022130
2023100
2024100
2025120
2026130
FIG. 1 — Lineage of K120794, 1980–2026Source: FDA 510(k) summaries, read by 510(k) Report · How lineage is built

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Notable FDA decisions, review times and new Class I recalls. See an issue.

Sources: FDA 510(k) database (decision fields), the FDA summary (predicates and indications), FDA recall and enforcement reports, and MAUDE; processed by 510(k) Report. Verify on FDA.gov · Methodology and accuracy.

Planning a device in KWS? A 510(k) Report weighs predicate choices, recall history and review times for a new device like this one.

Top candidate predicates for a new KWS device

  1. #1 K220847 AETOS Shoulder Systemscore 21.1 · 16 generations · no Class I recall
  2. #2 Held for the reportin the report
  3. #3 Held for the reportin the report
Get a 510(k) Report

What was it cleared against? (2)

Devices the submitter claimed this one is substantially equivalent to (*), and reference devices cited for a specific test or feature (†), as written in the FDA summary.

TypeNumberDeviceApplicantDecidedRecalls
*K113413Ascend Shoulder System
Summary page 2
…roduct code: KWT; KWS; HSD; 5) Legally Marketed Device to which Equivalence is Claimed: * Primary Predicate: Tornier Ascend Shoulder System: K113413 * Secondary Predicate: Biomet Comprehensive Shoulder System: K060692 6) Device description The Ascend Shoulder Syst…
Tornier, Inc.2012—
*K060692Comprehensive Primary Shoulder Stems
Summary page 2
…h Equivalence is Claimed: * Primary Predicate: Tornier Ascend Shoulder System: K113413 * Secondary Predicate: Biomet Comprehensive Shoulder System: K060692 6) Device description The Ascend Shoulder System consists of a humeral stem Titanium Plasma Spray (Ti PS) coated and un-coa…
Biomet Manufacturing Corp20066

Also cleared against K113413: 2 other devices →

What descends from it? (98)

See all 98

1 later device cites it directly; ranked here by how many devices descend from each in turn.

NumberDeviceApplicantDecidedDescendants
K121493Ascend Shoulder SystemTornier, Inc.201297

Has anything in its family been recalled? (0 Class I)

No FDA recall names this device.

No ancestor or descendant has a Class I recall.

What does this lineage say?

  • The line of descent spans 32 years and passes through 7 companies; a new generation was cleared every 1.1 years on median.
  • 8 of the 51 ancestors have a recall of any class.
  • Of its descendants, K121493 (Tornier, Inc., 2012) has gone furthest, with 97 descendants of its own.
  • 2 other devices also cite its predicate K113413.

How does its category compare?

All KWS devices

KWS Prosthesis, Shoulder, Semi-Constrained, Metal/Polymer Cemented: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years. 2012, this device’s year, is highlighted.

FDA decisions per year · KWS

3in 2025

2007: 22008: 42009: 42010: 72011: 112012: 72013: 122014: 72015: 82016: 102017: 72018: 42019: 92020: 32021: 52022: 52023: 42024: 22025: 32026 (partial year): 2
2007high 12 (2013) · low 2 (2007)2026

2026 to Oct 25, outlined.

Median 510(k) review, days · KWS

97in 2025

2008: 37 days median2009: 108 days median2010: 33 days median2011: 90 days median2012: 86 days median2013: 120 days median2014: 89 days median2015: 129 days median2016: 114 days median2017: 120 days median2018: 152 days median2019: 106 days median2020: 98 days median2021: 151 days median2022: 158 days median2023: 250 days median2025: 97 days median
2007high 250 (2023) · low 33 (2010)2026

Receipt to decision; years with fewer than 3 clearances left blank.

Recalls per year · KWS

2in 2023

2007: 212008: 292010: 102011: 112012: 102014: 12016: 12017: 42018: 12019: 22020: 52023: 22026 (partial year): 1
2007high 29 (2008) · low 0 (2009)2026

Class I (0 since 2007) Class II/III not classified

Adverse event reports per year · KWS

2,281in 2025

2007: 1582008: 2382009: 2942010: 3932011: 4862012: 5422013: 8182014: 1,0662015: 1,1702016: 9702017: 1,6812018: 1,5452019: 1,7282020: 1,5672021: 1,3582022: 1,2682023: 1,7502024: 2,1222025: 2,281
2007high 2,281 (2025) · low 158 (2007)2025

MAUDE reports naming product code KWS, not matched to any one device; reports are not rates.

View these four charts as a table
YearDecisionsMedian 510(k) review, daysRecalls (Class I)MAUDE reports
20072—21158
200843729238
200941080294
201073310393
2011119011486
201278610542
2013121200818
201478911,066
2015812901,170
2016101141970
2017712041,681
2018415211,545
2019910621,728
202039851,567
2021515101,358
2022515801,268
2023425021,750
20242—02,122
202539702,281
20262—1—

What is it indicated for?

The Ascend Shoulder System consists of a humeral stem, a mating humneral head, and an optional polyethylene glenoid. The stem and head may be used by themselves, as a hemniarthroplasty, if the natural glenoid provides a sufficient bearing surface, or in conjunction with the glenoid, as a total replacement. The Ascend Shoulder System is to be used only in patients with an intact or reconstructable rotator cuff, where it is intended to provide increased…

Read the full statement (162 words)

The Ascend Shoulder System consists of a humeral stem, a mating humneral head, and an optional polyethylene glenoid. The stem and head may be used by themselves, as a hemniarthroplasty, if the natural glenoid provides a sufficient bearing surface, or in conjunction with the glenoid, as a total replacement. The Ascend Shoulder System is to be used only in patients with an intact or reconstructable rotator cuff, where it is intended to provide increased mobility and stability and to relieve pain.

The Ascend Shoulder System is indicated for use as a replacement of shoulder joints disable by:

* Rheumatoid arthritis with pain

* Non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease (i.e. osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis)

* Correction of functional deformity

* Fractures of the humneral head

* Traumatic arthritis

* Revision of other devices if sufficient bone stock remains

All components are single use. The humneral stem is intended for cemented or cementless use, while the all polyethylene glenoid is intended for cemented use only.

Indications for use as stated in the FDA summary.

Cite this page

510(k) Report. “K120794: Ascend Shoulder System.” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K120794

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Record history
  • FDA decision record loaded May 2, 2026
  • Summary read Oct 13, 2026 (extraction version 9eaa42aa01ed)
  • Lineage and recalls computed Nov 3, 2026
  • Page last updated Nov 3, 2026