510(k) · Cleared
ClearedViper System
Data to Oct 25, 2026 (FDA decisions) Oct 12, 2026 (recalls) Sep 30, 2026 (MAUDE) refreshed weekly
Depuy Spine, Inc. · NKB Thoracolumbosacral Pedicle Screw System
Cleared on May 3, 2012 as substantially equivalent to K102701 (Depuy Spine, Inc., 2010) and 1 other predicate after a 29-day review. Its family tree reaches back 13 generations to 1985. 94 later devices descend from it.
- Decided
- May 3, 2012
- Review
- 29 days
- Class
- Class II
- Product code
- NKB
- Recalls
- None
- Predicates
- 2
Its longest line of descent runs back 13 generations to K853033 (1985). 107 ancestors in all, the oldest K841189 (1984). 94 later devices descend from it, 4 citing it directly.
- Root · 13 generations backK853033 Hartshill Rect & Wires, Spinal Fixation SystemA.W. Showell (Surgicraft), Ltd. · 1985
- 9 generations between
- 3 generations backK063741 Expedium Spine SystemDepuy Spine, Inc. · 2007
- 2 generations backK080313 Modification to Expedium Spine SystemDepuy Spine, Inc. · 2008
- 1 generation backK111571 Viper SystemsJohnson & Johnson · 2011
- This deviceK121020 Viper SystemDepuy Spine, Inc. · 2012
- Descendant · cites it directly · 84 of its ownK153442 CD HORIZON Spinal System, Medtronic Navigated Manual Reusable…Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. · 2016
- Descendant · 2 generations on · 48 of its ownK161014 NuVasive® Reline® SystemNu Vasive, Incorporated · 2016
- Descendant · 3 generations on · 39 of its ownK170126 NuVasive® Reline® 4.5-5.0 SystemNu Vasive, Incorporated · 2017
- Descendant · 2 generations on · 20 of its ownK221244 CD Horizon™ Spinal SystemMedtronic · 2022
- Descendant · 3 generations on · 17 of its ownK223494 CD Horizon Spinal SystemMedtronic · 2023
Show all 13 generations
- Root · 13 generations backK853033 Hartshill Rect & Wires, Spinal Fixation SystemA.W. Showell (Surgicraft), Ltd. · 1985
- 12 generations backK965221 Ransford Cervical Fixation SystemSurgicraft, Ltd. · 1997
- 11 generations backK982322 Synthes Spine Occipital-Cervical Plate/Rod and Hook SystemSynthes (Usa) · 1998
- 10 generations backK002733 Summit Occipito-Cervico-Thoracic (Oct) Spinal SystemDepuyacromed · 2000
- 9 generations backK013222 Summit Occipito-Cervico- Thoracic (Oct) Spinal SystemDepuyacromed · 2001
- 8 generations backK022190 Modification to Summit Occipito-Cervico-Thoracic (Oct) Spinal SystemDepuyacromed · 2002
- 7 generations backK030103 Summit Oct Spinal System Minipolyaxial ScrewsDepuyacromed · 2003
- 6 generations backK041203 Summit Oct Spinal SystemDepuy Spine, Inc. · 2004
- 5 generations backK062174 Modification to Expedium Spine SystemDepuy Spine, Inc. · 2006
- 4 generations backK063156 Modification to Expedium Spine SystemDepuy Spine, Inc. · 2006
- 3 generations backK063741 Expedium Spine SystemDepuy Spine, Inc. · 2007
- 2 generations backK080313 Modification to Expedium Spine SystemDepuy Spine, Inc. · 2008
- 1 generation backK111571 Viper SystemsJohnson & Johnson · 2011
- This deviceK121020 Viper SystemDepuy Spine, Inc. · 2012
Showing 5 of 94 descendants. See all descendants
Descendants cleared per year
Most influential descendants
Showing 5 of 94 · See all- K153442CD HORIZON Spinal System, Medtronic Navigated Manual Reusable Instruments for Use with…Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. · 2016 · cites it directly84descendants
- K161014NuVasive® Reline® SystemNu Vasive, Incorporated · 2016 · 2 generations on48descendants
- K170126NuVasive® Reline® 4.5-5.0 SystemNu Vasive, Incorporated · 2017 · 3 generations on39descendants
- K221244CD Horizon™ Spinal SystemMedtronic · 2022 · 2 generations on20descendants
- K223494CD Horizon Spinal SystemMedtronic · 2023 · 3 generations on17descendants
View FIG. 1 as a table
Line of descent and top descendants
| Generation | Number | Device | Applicant | Decided | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| −13 | K853033 | Hartshill Rect & Wires, Spinal Fixation System | A.W. Showell (Surgicraft), Ltd. | 1985 | — |
| −12 | K965221 | Ransford Cervical Fixation System | Surgicraft, Ltd. | 1997 | — |
| −11 | K982322 | Synthes Spine Occipital-Cervical Plate/Rod and Hook System | Synthes (Usa) | 1998 | — |
| −10 | K002733 | Summit Occipito-Cervico-Thoracic (Oct) Spinal System | Depuyacromed | 2000 | — |
| −9 | K013222 | Summit Occipito-Cervico- Thoracic (Oct) Spinal System | Depuyacromed | 2001 | — |
| −8 | K022190 | Modification to Summit Occipito-Cervico-Thoracic (Oct) Spinal System | Depuyacromed | 2002 | — |
| −7 | K030103 | Summit Oct Spinal System Minipolyaxial Screws | Depuyacromed | 2003 | — |
| −6 | K041203 | Summit Oct Spinal System | Depuy Spine, Inc. | 2004 | — |
| −5 | K062174 | Modification to Expedium Spine System | Depuy Spine, Inc. | 2006 | — |
| −4 | K063156 | Modification to Expedium Spine System | Depuy Spine, Inc. | 2006 | — |
| −3 | K063741 | Expedium Spine System | Depuy Spine, Inc. | 2007 | — |
| −2 | K080313 | Modification to Expedium Spine System | Depuy Spine, Inc. | 2008 | — |
| −1 | K111571 | Viper Systems | Johnson & Johnson | 2011 | — |
| 0 (this device) | K121020 | Viper System | Depuy Spine, Inc. | 2012 | — |
| +1 | K153442 | CD HORIZON Spinal System, Medtronic Navigated Manual Reusable Instruments for… | Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. | 2016 | — |
| +2 | K161014 | NuVasive® Reline® System | Nu Vasive, Incorporated | 2016 | — |
| +3 | K170126 | NuVasive® Reline® 4.5-5.0 System | Nu Vasive, Incorporated | 2017 | — |
| +2 | K221244 | CD Horizon™ Spinal System | Medtronic | 2022 | — |
| +3 | K223494 | CD Horizon Spinal System | Medtronic | 2023 | — |
Other ancestors by year cleared
| Year cleared | Devices | With a Class I recall |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 | 3 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 | 6 | 0 |
| 1999 | 7 | 0 |
| 2000 | 7 | 0 |
| 2001 | 12 | 0 |
| 2002 | 5 | 0 |
| 2003 | 6 | 0 |
| 2004 | 13 | 0 |
| 2005 | 10 | 0 |
| 2006 | 5 | 0 |
| 2007 | 5 | 0 |
| 2008 | 4 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 |
Descendants by year cleared
| Year cleared | Devices | With a Class I recall |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 | 12 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 0 |
| 2026 | 17 | 0 |
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 NKB? 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 NKB device
- #1 K223494 CD Horizon Spinal Systemscore 40.4 · 30 generations · no Class I recall
- #2 Held for the reportin the report
- #3 Held for the reportin the 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.
| Type | Number | Device | Decided |
|---|---|---|---|
| * | K102701 | Viper Spine SystemSummary page 2…K IZA702- F. Predicate Device Name Trade name: DePuy Spine VIPER' Spinal System (K102701) DePuy Spine VIPER' System (K1 11571) G. Device Description The VIPER" System is a.5.… | 2010 |
| * | K111571 | Viper SystemsSummary page 2…K IZA702- F. Predicate Device Name Trade name: DePuy Spine VIPER' Spinal System (K102701) DePuy Spine VIPER' System (K1 11571) G. Device Description The VIPER" System is a.5.5mm rod system offered in both stainless steels and… | 2011 |
What descends from it? (94)
See all 944 later devices cite it directly; ranked here by how many devices descend from each in turn.
| Number | Device | Decided | Descendants |
|---|---|---|---|
| K153442 | CD HORIZON Spinal System, Medtronic Navigated Manual Reusable Instruments for Use with… | 2016 | 84 |
| K131538 | Caplox II Pedicle Screw System/Towerlox Pedicle Screw System | 2013 | 6 |
| K191212 | CrossOver Cross Connectors, DePuy PULSE Thoracolumbar Screw System, EXPEDIUM Fenestrated… | 2019 | 0 |
| K123487 | Gso GS1 Cannulated Screw System | 2013 | 0 |
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 27 years and passes through 6 companies; a new generation was cleared every 1.3 years on median.
- 6 of the 107 ancestors have a recall of any class.
- Of its descendants, K153442 (Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc., 2016) has gone furthest, with 84 descendants of its own.
- 8 other devices also cite its predicate K102701.
How does its category compare?
All NKB devicesNKB Thoracolumbosacral Pedicle Screw System: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years. 2012, this device’s year, is highlighted.
FDA decisions per year · NKB
24in 2025
2026 to Oct 25, outlined.
Median 510(k) review, days · NKB
61in 2025
Receipt to decision; years with fewer than 3 clearances left blank.
Recalls per year · NKB
1in 2025
Class I (1 since 2007) Class II/III not classified
Adverse event reports per year · NKB
1,171in 2025
MAUDE reports naming product code NKB, not matched to any one device; reports are not rates.
View these four charts as a table
| Year | Decisions | Median 510(k) review, days | Recalls (Class I) | MAUDE reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 38 | 87 | 4 | 34 |
| 2008 | 36 | 59 | 5 | 82 |
| 2009 | 44 | 71 | 33 | 171 |
| 2010 | 37 | 111 | 4 | 462 |
| 2011 | 48 | 84 | 3 | 577 |
| 2012 | 60 | 79 | 13 | 1,747 |
| 2013 | 35 | 73 | 0 | 1,962 |
| 2014 | 46 | 90 | 3 (1) | 1,671 |
| 2015 | 55 | 90 | 3 | 1,446 |
| 2016 | 50 | 84 | 1 | 1,585 |
| 2017 | 63 | 69 | 1 | 1,618 |
| 2018 | 56 | 61 | 3 | 1,684 |
| 2019 | 39 | 84 | 1 | 1,915 |
| 2020 | 48 | 68 | 1 | 2,076 |
| 2021 | 32 | 61 | 0 | 1,745 |
| 2022 | 34 | 88 | 5 | 1,339 |
| 2023 | 44 | 72 | 2 | 919 |
| 2024 | 39 | 57 | 3 | 1,614 |
| 2025 | 24 | 61 | 1 | 1,171 |
| 2026 | 30 | 91 | 3 | — |
What is it indicated for?
The VIPER systems are intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in skeletally mature patients as an adjunct to fusion in the treatment of acute and chronic instabilities of deformities of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine. The VIPER System is intended for noncervical pedlicle fixation and nonpedicle fixation for the following indications: degenerative disc disease (defined as back pain of discogenic origin with…
Read the full statement (168 words)
The VIPER systems are intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in skeletally mature patients as an adjunct to fusion in the treatment of acute and chronic instabilities of deformities of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine.
The VIPER System is intended for noncervical pedlicle fixation and nonpedicle fixation for the following indications: degenerative disc disease (defined as back pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies); spondylolisthesis; trauma(i.e., fracture or dislocation); spinal stenosis; curvatures (i.e., scoliosis, kyphosis, and/or lordlosis); tumor, pseudloarthrosis; and failed previous fusion in skeletally mature patients.
When used in a percutaneous, posterior approach with MIS instrumentation, VIPER Systems are intended for noncervical pedicle fixation and nonpedlicle fixation for the following indications: degenerative disc disease (defined as back pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies); spondylolisthesis; trauma(i.e., fracture or dislocation); spinal stenosis; curvatures (i.e., scoliosis, kyphosis, and/or lordlosis); tumor, pseudoarthrosis; and failed previous fusion in skeletally mature patients.
Indications for use as stated in the FDA summary.
https://510kreport.com/device/K121020 · printed Nov 6, 2026
Cite this page
510(k) Report. “K121020: Viper System.” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K121020
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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