510(k) · Cleared
ClearedPenumbra Aspiration System
Data to Oct 25, 2026 (FDA decisions) Oct 12, 2026 (recalls) Sep 30, 2026 (MAUDE) refreshed weekly
Penumbra, Inc. · QEW Peripheral Mechanical Thrombectomy With Aspiration
Cleared on Sep 26, 2016 as substantially equivalent to K103405 (Vascular Solutions, Inc., 2010) after a 117-day review. Its family tree reaches back 7 generations to 2001. 1 of the 26 devices in its family, counting itself, has a Class I recall. 3 later devices descend from it.
- Decided
- Sep 26, 2016
- Review
- 117 days
- Class
- Class II
- Product code
- QEW
- Recalls
- None
- Predicates
- 1
Its longest line of descent runs back 7 generations to K010579 (2001). 22 ancestors in all, the oldest K883718 (1989). 3 later devices descend from it, 1 citing it directly. 1 of the 26 devices in this family, counting this one, has a Class I recall.
- Root · 7 generations backK010579 Stent Support Guide CatheterMedtronic Vascular · 2001 · Recalled
- 6 generations backK030201 Modification to Export Aspiration CatheterMedtronic Vascular · 2003
- 5 generations backK040869 Export CatheterMedtronic Vascular · 2004
- 4 generations backK071727 QXT Extraction CatheterVascular Solutions, Inc. · 2007
- 3 generations backK072810 Pronto Low Profile (LP) Extraction Catheter, Model 5010Vascular Solutions, Inc. · 2007
- 2 generations backK083784 Pronto V3 Extraction Center, Model 5003, Pronto LP Extraction…Vascular Solutions, Inc. · 2009
- 1 generation backK103405 Pronto V4 Extraction Catheter 5.5F; Pronto V4 Extraction Catheter…Vascular Solutions, Inc. · 2010 · Recalled
- This deviceK161506 Penumbra Aspiration SystemPenumbra, Inc. · 2016
- Descendant · cites it directly · 2 of its ownK163618 INDIGO Aspiration SystemPenumbra, Inc. · 2017
- Descendant · 2 generations on · 1 of its ownK180412 Indigo Aspiration System (CAT RX and Separator 4)- Penumbra Engine…Penumbra, Inc. · 2018
- Descendant · 3 generations on · 0 of its ownK220683 INDIGO Aspiration System (CAT RX Aspiration Catheter and Separator 4)Penumbra, Inc. · 2022
Class I recalls in this family
- K060327 Vascular Solutions Twin-Pass Dual Access…3 generations back · 2006
Most influential descendants
Showing 3 of 3 · See all- K163618INDIGO Aspiration SystemPenumbra, Inc. · 2017 · cites it directly2descendants
- K180412Indigo Aspiration System (CAT RX and Separator 4)- Penumbra Engine Pump and CanisterPenumbra, Inc. · 2018 · 2 generations on1descendant
- K220683INDIGO Aspiration System (CAT RX Aspiration Catheter and Separator 4)Penumbra, Inc. · 2022 · 3 generations on0descendants
View FIG. 1 as a table
Line of descent and top descendants
| Generation | Number | Device | Applicant | Decided | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| −7 | K010579 | Stent Support Guide Catheter | Medtronic Vascular | 2001 | 27 |
| −6 | K030201 | Modification to Export Aspiration Catheter | Medtronic Vascular | 2003 | — |
| −5 | K040869 | Export Catheter | Medtronic Vascular | 2004 | — |
| −4 | K071727 | QXT Extraction Catheter | Vascular Solutions, Inc. | 2007 | — |
| −3 | K072810 | Pronto Low Profile (LP) Extraction Catheter, Model 5010 | Vascular Solutions, Inc. | 2007 | — |
| −2 | K083784 | Pronto V3 Extraction Center, Model 5003, Pronto LP Extraction Catheter, Model… | Vascular Solutions, Inc. | 2009 | — |
| −1 | K103405 | Pronto V4 Extraction Catheter 5.5F; Pronto V4 Extraction Catheter 6F; Pronto… | Vascular Solutions, Inc. | 2010 | 1 |
| 0 (this device) | K161506 | Penumbra Aspiration System | Penumbra, Inc. | 2016 | — |
| +1 | K163618 | INDIGO Aspiration System | Penumbra, Inc. | 2017 | — |
| +2 | K180412 | Indigo Aspiration System (CAT RX and Separator 4)- Penumbra Engine Pump and… | Penumbra, Inc. | 2018 | — |
| +3 | K220683 | INDIGO Aspiration System (CAT RX Aspiration Catheter and Separator 4) | Penumbra, Inc. | 2022 | — |
Other ancestors by year cleared
| Year cleared | Devices | With a Class I recall |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 1 |
Descendants by year cleared
| Year cleared | Devices | With a Class I recall |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 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.
1 device in this family has a Class I recall. 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 QEW device
- #1 K213402 Triever24, Triever20score 28.6 · 5 generations · no Class I recall
- #2 Held for the reportin the report
- #3 Held for the reportin the report
What was it cleared against? (1)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| * | K103405 | Pronto V4 Extraction Catheter 5.5F; Pronto V4 Extraction Catheter 6F; Pronto V4…Summary page 4…Name of Device Clearance Date Manufacturer Predicate Device K103405[22Dec2010] Pronto V4 Extraction Catheter Vascular Solutions, Inc. Reference Devices K072718 [28Dec… | 2010 |
| † | K072718 | Penumbra System | 2007 |
| † | K090752 | Penumbra System (Pennumbra Reperfusion Catheter 054), Model PSC054; (Penumbra Separator… | 2009 |
| † | K100769 | Penumbra System Separator Flex (026,032,041,054), Models PSF026, PSF032, PSF041, PSF054 | 2010 |
| † | K113163 | Penumbra System Max | 2011 |
| † | K151623 | Penumbra System 110 Aspiration Tubing | 2015 |
| † | K160449 | Penumbra System, Penumbra Pump MAX | 2016 |
| † | K121917 | Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System | 2012 |
| † | K142870 | Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System [INDIGO Aspiration System] | 2015 |
| † | K160533 | Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGOTM Aspiration System) | 2016 |
| † | K122756 | Penumbra Pump Max (110VAC), Penumbra Pump Max (230VAC), Penumbar Pump Max Canister/Tubing | 2012 |
What descends from it? (3)
1 later device cites it directly; ranked here by how many devices descend from each in turn.
| Number | Device | Decided | Descendants |
|---|---|---|---|
| K163618 | INDIGO Aspiration System | 2017 | 2 |
Has anything in its family been recalled? (1 Class I)
No FDA recall names this device.
Relatives with a Class I recall
Class I is FDA’s most serious recall class. A recall in the family tree is context for this device, not evidence about it.
- K060327Vascular Solutions Twin-Pass Dual Access Catheter and Skyway Support CatheterVascular Solutions, Inc. · 2006 · 3 generations back · ◆ in the 2006 ancestors bar of FIG. 11 Class I recall
What does this lineage say?
- The line of descent spans 15 years and passes through 3 companies; a new generation was cleared every 1.3 years on median.
- 11 of the 22 ancestors have a recall of any class; 1 has a Class I recall.
- Of its descendants, K163618 (Penumbra, Inc., 2017) has gone furthest, with 2 descendants of its own.
How does its category compare?
All QEW devicesQEW Peripheral Mechanical Thrombectomy With Aspiration: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years. 2016, this device’s year, is highlighted.
FDA decisions per year · QEW
14in 2025
2026 to Oct 25, outlined.
Median 510(k) review, days · QEW
58in 2025
Receipt to decision; years with fewer than 3 clearances left blank.
Recalls per year · QEW
7in 2022
Class I (7 since 2007) Class II/III not classified
Adverse event reports per year · QEW
207in 2025
MAUDE reports naming product code QEW, 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 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 2 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 2 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 | 88 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 4 | 63 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 61 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 8 | 51 | 0 | 33 |
| 2020 | 16 | 105 | 0 | 197 |
| 2021 | 11 | 60 | 0 | 322 |
| 2022 | 12 | 140 | 7 (7) | 125 |
| 2023 | 23 | 102 | 0 | 165 |
| 2024 | 14 | 65 | 0 | 162 |
| 2025 | 14 | 58 | 0 | 207 |
| 2026 | 10 | 74 | 0 | — |
What is it indicated for?
As part of the Penumbra Aspiration System, the Penumbra Aspiration Catheters and Separators are indicated for the removal of fresh, soft emboli and thrombi from vessels in the coronary and peripheral vasculature.
As part of the Penumbra Aspiration System, the Penumbra Sterile Aspiration Tubing is indicated to connect the Aspiration Catheters to the Penumbra Aspiration Pump.
The Penumbra Aspiration Pump is indicated as a vacuum source for Penumbra Aspiration Systems.
Indications for use as stated in the FDA summary.
https://510kreport.com/device/K161506 · printed Nov 6, 2026
Cite this page
510(k) Report. “K161506: Penumbra Aspiration System.” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K161506
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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