510(k) · Cleared
ClearedHeRO Graft
Data to Oct 25, 2026 (FDA decisions) Oct 12, 2026 (recalls) Sep 30, 2026 (MAUDE) refreshed weekly
Merit Medical Systems, Inc. · DSY Prosthesis, Vascular Graft, Of 6mm And Greater Diameter
Cleared on Nov 30, 2017 as substantially equivalent to K124039 (Hemoshpere, Inc., A Cryolife Company, 2013) after a 90-day review. Its family tree reaches back 9 generations to 1979. 2 later devices descend from it.
- Decided
- Nov 30, 2017
- Review
- 90 days
- Class
- Class II
- Product code
- DSY
- Recalls
- None
- Predicates
- 1
Its longest line of descent runs back 9 generations to K791810 (1979). 21 ancestors in all. 2 later devices descend from it, 1 citing it directly.
- Root · 9 generations backK791810 Vascular Graft Prost. of Expanded PtfeImpra, Inc. · 1979
- 5 generations between
- 3 generations backK120006 Hero GraftHemosphere, Inc. · 2012
- 2 generations backK121532 Hero GraftHemosphere, Inc. · 2012
- 1 generation backK124039 Hero GraftHemoshpere, Inc., A Cryolife Company · 2013
- This deviceK172637 HeRO GraftMerit Medical Systems, Inc. · 2017
- Descendant · cites it directly · 1 of its ownK203724 HeRO Graft, HeRO AdapterMerit Medical Systems, Inc. · 2021
- Descendant · 2 generations on · 0 of its ownK213845 HeRO GraftMerit Medical Systems, Inc. · 2022
Show all 9 generations
- Root · 9 generations backK791810 Vascular Graft Prost. of Expanded PtfeImpra, Inc. · 1979
- 8 generations backK955460 Meadox Medicals, Inc., Expanded & Externally Supported Expanded Ptfe…Meadox Medicals, Div. Boston Scientific Corp. · 1996
- 7 generations backK962433 Meadox Exxcel Eptfe Vascular GraftMeadox Medicals, Div. Boston Scientific Corp. · 1997
- 6 generations backK052964 Exxcel and Exxcel Soft Eptfe Vascular Grafts, Microvel Double Velour…Boston Scientific Corp · 2006 · Recalled
- 5 generations backK071778 Hero Vascular Access DeviceGraftcath, Inc. · 2008
- 4 generations backK091491 Hero Vascular Access DeviceHemosphere, Inc. · 2009
- 3 generations backK120006 Hero GraftHemosphere, Inc. · 2012
- 2 generations backK121532 Hero GraftHemosphere, Inc. · 2012
- 1 generation backK124039 Hero GraftHemoshpere, Inc., A Cryolife Company · 2013
- This deviceK172637 HeRO GraftMerit Medical Systems, Inc. · 2017
Most influential descendants
Showing 2 of 2 · See allView FIG. 1 as a table
Line of descent and top descendants
| Generation | Number | Device | Applicant | Decided | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| −9 | K791810 | Vascular Graft Prost. of Expanded Ptfe | Impra, Inc. | 1979 | — |
| −8 | K955460 | Meadox Medicals, Inc., Expanded & Externally Supported Expanded Ptfe Vascular… | Meadox Medicals, Div. Boston Scientific Corp. | 1996 | — |
| −7 | K962433 | Meadox Exxcel Eptfe Vascular Graft | Meadox Medicals, Div. Boston Scientific Corp. | 1997 | — |
| −6 | K052964 | Exxcel and Exxcel Soft Eptfe Vascular Grafts, Microvel Double Velour Knitted… | Boston Scientific Corp | 2006 | 3 |
| −5 | K071778 | Hero Vascular Access Device | Graftcath, Inc. | 2008 | — |
| −4 | K091491 | Hero Vascular Access Device | Hemosphere, Inc. | 2009 | — |
| −3 | K120006 | Hero Graft | Hemosphere, Inc. | 2012 | — |
| −2 | K121532 | Hero Graft | Hemosphere, Inc. | 2012 | — |
| −1 | K124039 | Hero Graft | Hemoshpere, Inc., A Cryolife Company | 2013 | — |
| 0 (this device) | K172637 | HeRO Graft | Merit Medical Systems, Inc. | 2017 | — |
| +1 | K203724 | HeRO Graft, HeRO Adapter | Merit Medical Systems, Inc. | 2021 | — |
| +2 | K213845 | HeRO Graft | Merit Medical Systems, Inc. | 2022 | — |
Other ancestors by year cleared
| Year cleared | Devices | With a Class I recall |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 | 2 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 |
Descendants by year cleared
| Year cleared | Devices | With a Class I recall |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 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.
Planning a device in DSY? 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 DSY device
- #1 K252445 Fusion Bioline Vascular Graftscore 12.4 · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| * | K124039 | Hero GraftSummary page 4…ssification Name: Prosthesis, Vascular Graft, of 6mm and Greater Predicate Diameter Device Premarket Notification: K124039 Manufacturer: Merit Medical Systems, Inc. This predicate has not been subje… | 2013 |
What descends from it? (2)
1 later device cites it directly; ranked here by how many devices descend from each in turn.
| Number | Device | Decided | Descendants |
|---|---|---|---|
| K203724 | HeRO Graft, HeRO Adapter | 2021 | 1 |
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 38 years and passes through 7 companies; a new generation was cleared every 2.1 years on median.
- 1 of the 21 ancestors has a recall of any class.
- Of its descendants, K203724 (Merit Medical Systems, Inc., 2021) has gone furthest, with 1 descendant of its own.
How does its category compare?
All DSY devicesDSY Prosthesis, Vascular Graft, Of 6mm And Greater Diameter: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years. 2017, this device’s year, is highlighted.
FDA decisions per year · DSY
2in 2025
2026 to Oct 25, outlined.
Median 510(k) review, days · DSY
160in 2024
Receipt to decision; years with fewer than 3 clearances left blank.
Recalls per year · DSY
1in 2025
Class I (0 since 2007) Class II/III not classified
Adverse event reports per year · DSY
151in 2025
MAUDE reports naming product code DSY, 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 | 1 | — | 0 | 120 |
| 2008 | 1 | — | 0 | 164 |
| 2009 | 5 | 73 | 2 | 193 |
| 2010 | 4 | 55 | 5 | 187 |
| 2011 | 1 | — | 0 | 165 |
| 2012 | 4 | 30 | 0 | 177 |
| 2013 | 5 | 69 | 1 | 207 |
| 2014 | 2 | — | 0 | 352 |
| 2015 | 1 | — | 0 | 460 |
| 2016 | 1 | — | 2 | 217 |
| 2017 | 3 | 269 | 0 | 193 |
| 2018 | 1 | — | 0 | 200 |
| 2019 | 1 | — | 0 | 232 |
| 2020 | 1 | — | 0 | 169 |
| 2021 | 2 | — | 0 | 168 |
| 2022 | 2 | — | 0 | 155 |
| 2023 | 2 | — | 0 | 149 |
| 2024 | 5 | 160 | 0 | 153 |
| 2025 | 2 | — | 1 | 151 |
| 2026 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
What is it indicated for?
The HeRO Graft is indicated for end stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis who have exhausted all other access options. These catheter-dependent patients are readily identified using the KDOQI guidelines[1] as patients who: • Have become catheter-dependent or who are approaching catheter-dependency (i.e., have exhausted all other access options, such as arteriovenous fistulas and grafts). • Are not candidates for upper extremity fistulas or grafts…
Read the full statement (173 words)
The HeRO Graft is indicated for end stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis who have exhausted all other access options. These catheter-dependent patients are readily identified using the KDOQI guidelines[1] as patients who:
• Have become catheter-dependent or who are approaching catheter-dependency (i.e., have exhausted all other access options, such as arteriovenous fistulas and grafts).
• Are not candidates for upper extremity fistulas or grafts due to poor venous outflow as determined by a history of previous access failures or venography.
• Are failing fistulas or grafts due to poor venous outflow as determined by access failure or venography (e.g. fistula/graft salvage).
• Have poor remaining venous access sites for creation of a fistula or graft as determined by ultrasound or venography.
• Have a compromised central venous system or central venous stenosis (CVS) as determined by a history of previous access failures, symptomatic CVS (i.e., via arm, neck, or face swelling) or venography.
• Are receiving inadequate dialysis clearance (i.e., low Kt/V) via catheters. KDOQI guidelines recommend a minimum Kt/V of 1.4.[2]
Indications for use as stated in the FDA summary.
https://510kreport.com/device/K172637 · printed Nov 6, 2026
Cite this page
510(k) Report. “K172637: HeRO Graft.” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K172637
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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