510(k) Report

510(k) · Cleared

Recalled · Class II · 2022

Empowr VVC Tibial Insert

K180930510(k) TraditionalCleared Jul 9, 201890-day reviewClass II21 CFR 888.3560Recalls 1

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

Encore Medical L.P. · JWH Prosthesis, Knee, Patellofemorotibial, Semi-Constrained, Cemented, Polymer/Metal/Polymer

Cleared on Jul 9, 2018 as substantially equivalent to K160342 (Encore Medical L.P., 2016) and 2 other predicates after a 90-day review. Its family tree reaches back 10 generations to 1981. 3 later devices descend from it. It has been recalled once.

Decided
Jul 9, 2018
Review
90 days
Class
Class II
Product code
JWH
Recalls
1
Predicates
3

Its longest line of descent runs back 10 generations to K810258 (1981). 50 ancestors in all. 3 later devices descend from it, 1 citing it directly.

Other ancestors, by year clearedDescendants, by year cleared 2014: 1 other ancestor1994: 7 other ancestors2013: 1 other ancestor2010: 1 other ancestor2007: 1 other ancestor2003: 2 other ancestors2002: 2 other ancestors2001: 1 other ancestor1995: 7 other ancestors1993: 2 other ancestors1991: 1 other ancestor2000: 1 other ancestor1998: 3 other ancestors1997: 2 other ancestors1996: 1 other ancestor1984: 1 other ancestor1981: 1 other ancestor2005: 1 other ancestor2004: 1 other ancestor1992: 3 other ancestors2023: 1 descendant cleared2025: 2 descendants clearedReference device: K072154 · Foundation (FMP) Porous Coated Spiked Acetabular System · Encore Medical L.P. · 2007 · recalledReference device: K091956 · Highly Cross-Linked Vitamin E Uhmwpe Tibial Inserts, Model 391/392-09_19-702_712 · Encore Medical L.P. · 2010 · recalledK810258 · Proximal Fermoral Hip Replacement · Biomet, Inc. · 1981K974558 · Salvage/Onocology Hip and Total Femur System · Biomet, Inc. · 1998K032396 · Ringloc 36MM Line and Modular Femoral Heads · Biomet, Inc. · 2003 · recalledK050327 · E-Poly (Vitamin E) Acetabular Liners · Biomet, Inc. · 2005K070364 · 100KGY E-Poly Maxrom Acetabular Liners · Biomet, Inc. · 2007K080528 · E-Poly Tibial Bearings · Biomet Orthopedics, Inc. · 2008K091956 · Highly Cross-Linked Vitamin E Uhmwpe Tibial Inserts, Model 391/392-09_19-702_712 · Encore Medical L.P. · 2010 · recalledK121727 · Movation Knee System · Encore Medical L.P. · 2012K143242 · Rebel 3DKNEE System · Encore Medical L.P. · 2015 · recalledK160342 · EMPOWR PS Knee System · Encore Medical L.P. · 2016 · recalled19801990200020102020
  1. Root · 10 generations backK810258 Proximal Fermoral Hip ReplacementBiomet, Inc. · 1981
  2. 6 generations between
  3. 3 generations backK121727 Movation Knee SystemEncore Medical L.P. · 2012
  4. 2 generations backK143242 Rebel 3DKNEE SystemEncore Medical L.P. · 2015 · Recalled
  5. 1 generation backK160342 EMPOWR PS Knee SystemEncore Medical L.P. · 2016 · Recalled
  6. This deviceK180930 Empowr VVC Tibial InsertEncore Medical L.P. · 2018
  7. Descendant · cites it directly · 2 of its ownK230169 EMPOWR Revision VVC+ (Varus / Valgus Constrained), e+ Tibial InsertEncore Medical, L.P Dba Enovis · 2023
  8. Descendant · 2 generations on · 0 of its ownK251776 EMPOWR Revision Knee™ (EMPOWR Revision VVC+, e+ Tibial Insert)Encore Medical L.P. · 2025
  9. Descendant · 2 generations on · 0 of its ownK251241 EMPOWR Revision Knee™ (EMPOWR Revision Knee™ Symmetric TT Cones)Encore Medical L.P. · 2025
Show all 10 generations
  1. Root · 10 generations backK810258 Proximal Fermoral Hip ReplacementBiomet, Inc. · 1981
  2. 9 generations backK974558 Salvage/Onocology Hip and Total Femur SystemBiomet, Inc. · 1998
  3. 8 generations backK032396 Ringloc 36MM Line and Modular Femoral HeadsBiomet, Inc. · 2003 · Recalled
  4. 7 generations backK050327 E-Poly (Vitamin E) Acetabular LinersBiomet, Inc. · 2005
  5. 6 generations backK070364 100KGY E-Poly Maxrom Acetabular LinersBiomet, Inc. · 2007
  6. 5 generations backK080528 E-Poly Tibial BearingsBiomet Orthopedics, Inc. · 2008
  7. 4 generations backK091956 Highly Cross-Linked Vitamin E Uhmwpe Tibial Inserts, Model…Encore Medical L.P. · 2010 · Recalled
  8. 3 generations backK121727 Movation Knee SystemEncore Medical L.P. · 2012
  9. 2 generations backK143242 Rebel 3DKNEE SystemEncore Medical L.P. · 2015 · Recalled
  10. 1 generation backK160342 EMPOWR PS Knee SystemEncore Medical L.P. · 2016 · Recalled
  11. This deviceK180930 Empowr VVC Tibial InsertEncore Medical L.P. · 2018

Most influential descendants

Showing 3 of 3 · See all
  • K230169EMPOWR Revision VVC+ (Varus / Valgus Constrained), e+ Tibial InsertEncore Medical, L.P Dba Enovis · 2023 · cites it directly2descendants
  • K251776EMPOWR Revision Knee™ (EMPOWR Revision VVC+, e+ Tibial Insert)Encore Medical L.P. · 2025 · 2 generations on0descendants
  • K251241EMPOWR Revision Knee™ (EMPOWR Revision Knee™ Symmetric TT Cones)Encore Medical L.P. · 2025 · 2 generations on0descendants
View FIG. 1 as a table

Line of descent and top descendants

GenerationNumberDeviceApplicantDecidedRecalls
−10K810258Proximal Fermoral Hip ReplacementBiomet, Inc.1981—
−9K974558Salvage/Onocology Hip and Total Femur SystemBiomet, Inc.1998—
−8K032396Ringloc 36MM Line and Modular Femoral HeadsBiomet, Inc.20033
−7K050327E-Poly (Vitamin E) Acetabular LinersBiomet, Inc.2005—
−6K070364100KGY E-Poly Maxrom Acetabular LinersBiomet, Inc.2007—
−5K080528E-Poly Tibial BearingsBiomet Orthopedics, Inc.2008—
−4K091956Highly Cross-Linked Vitamin E Uhmwpe Tibial Inserts, Model 391/392-09_19-702_712Encore Medical L.P.20104
−3K121727Movation Knee SystemEncore Medical L.P.2012—
−2K143242Rebel 3DKNEE SystemEncore Medical L.P.201517
−1K160342EMPOWR PS Knee SystemEncore Medical L.P.20165
0 (this device)K180930Empowr VVC Tibial InsertEncore Medical L.P.2018—
+1K230169EMPOWR Revision VVC+ (Varus / Valgus Constrained), e+ Tibial InsertEncore Medical, L.P Dba Enovis2023—
+2K251776EMPOWR Revision Knee™ (EMPOWR Revision VVC+, e+ Tibial Insert)Encore Medical L.P.2025—
+2K251241EMPOWR Revision Knee™ (EMPOWR Revision Knee™ Symmetric TT Cones)Encore Medical L.P.2025—

Other ancestors by year cleared

Year clearedDevicesWith a Class I recall
198110
198410
199110
199230
199320
199470
199570
199610
199720
199830
200010
200110
200220
200320
200410
200510
200710
201010
201310
201410

Descendants by year cleared

Year clearedDevicesWith a Class I recall
202310
202520
FIG. 1 — Lineage of K180930, 1981–2025Source: 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 JWH? 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 JWH device

  1. #1 K221479 Persona Personalized Knee Systemscore 22.4 · 11 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? (3)

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
*K160342EMPOWR PS Knee System
Summary page 5
…ts. K180930 - Page 2 of 2 Predicate Devices: • EMPOWR PS Knee System (K160342) • Exprt Knee System (K140830) • Foundation Constrained Posterior Stabilized Tibial Insert (K933539) Reference Devices: •…
Encore Medical L.P.20165
*K140830Exprt Revision Knee
Summary page 5
…K180930 - Page 2 of 2 Predicate Devices: • EMPOWR PS Knee System (K160342) • Exprt Knee System (K140830) • Foundation Constrained Posterior Stabilized Tibial Insert (K933539) Reference Devices: • Encore Medical Acetabular Syste…
Encore Medical L.P.20141
*K933539Foundation Posterior Stabilized Knee
Summary page 5
…0930 - Page 2 of 2 Predicate Devices: • EMPOWR PS Knee System (K160342) • Exprt Knee System (K140830) • Foundation Constrained Posterior Stabilized Tibial Insert (K933539) Reference Devices: • Encore Medical Acetabular System (K072154) • Highly Cross-Linked Vitamin E UHMWPE Tibial Insert (K091…
Encore Orthopedics, Inc.1994—
†K072154Foundation (FMP) Porous Coated Spiked Acetabular SystemEncore Medical L.P.20071
†K091956Highly Cross-Linked Vitamin E Uhmwpe Tibial Inserts, Model 391/392-09_19-702_712Encore Medical L.P.20104

Also cleared against K160342: 1 other device →

What descends from it? (3)

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

NumberDeviceApplicantDecidedDescendants
K230169EMPOWR Revision VVC+ (Varus / Valgus Constrained), e+ Tibial InsertEncore Medical, L.P Dba Enovis20232

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

Recalls of this device

DateClassRecallRoot causeReason
Dec 22, 2022Class IIZ-1187-2023Labeling Change ControlTibial insert implant large boxes were labeled small and the small boxes were labeled large. If the incorrect labeling is identified this could lead to surgical delay and if the surgeon does not recognize the size discrepancy between the…

No ancestor or descendant has a Class I recall.

What does this lineage say?

  • The line of descent spans 37 years and passes through 3 companies; a new generation was cleared every 2.1 years on median.
  • 22 of the 50 ancestors have a recall of any class.
  • Of its descendants, K230169 (Encore Medical, L.P Dba Enovis, 2023) has gone furthest, with 2 descendants of its own.
  • 1 other device also cites its predicate K160342.

How does its category compare?

All JWH devices

JWH Prosthesis, Knee, Patellofemorotibial, Semi-Constrained, Cemented, Polymer/Metal/Polymer: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years. 2018, this device’s year, is highlighted.

FDA decisions per year · JWH

20in 2025

2007: 182008: 172009: 112010: 192011: 252012: 332013: 312014: 332015: 272016: 182017: 252018: 252019: 282020: 222021: 242022: 172023: 202024: 192025: 202026 (partial year): 12
2007high 33 (2012) · low 11 (2009)2026

2026 to Oct 25, outlined.

Median 510(k) review, days · JWH

55in 2025

2007: 74 days median2008: 81 days median2009: 168 days median2010: 85 days median2011: 87 days median2012: 85 days median2013: 128 days median2014: 98 days median2015: 87 days median2016: 88 days median2017: 118 days median2018: 90 days median2019: 133 days median2020: 59 days median2021: 61 days median2022: 56 days median2023: 57 days median2024: 89 days median2025: 55 days median2026 (partial year): 63 days median
2007high 168 (2009) · low 55 (2025)2026

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

Recalls per year · JWH

2in 2025

2007: 142008: 102009: 1092010: 322011: 272012: 852013: 312014: 132015: 112016: 172017: 612018: 142019: 52020: 22021: 82022: 122023: 672024: 72025: 22026 (partial year): 4
2007high 109 (2009) · low 2 (2020)2026

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

Adverse event reports per year · JWH

9,306in 2025

2007: 1,3052008: 1,4832009: 1,8702010: 3,2862011: 5,1332012: 5,2032013: 6,1352014: 6,7222015: 6,8812016: 7,5862017: 12,2632018: 14,0712019: 14,9872020: 12,5922021: 9,4082022: 8,3642023: 8,9472024: 10,8282025: 9,306
2007high 14,987 (2019) · low 1,305 (2007)2025

MAUDE reports naming product code JWH, 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
20071874141,305
20081781101,483
2009111681091,870
20101985323,286
20112587275,133
20123385855,203
201331128316,135
20143398136,722
20152787116,881
20161888177,586
2017251186112,263
201825901414,071
201928133514,987
20202259212,592
2021246189,408
20221756128,364
20232057678,947
20241989710,828
2025205529,306
202612634—

What is it indicated for?

Joint replacement is indicated for patients suffering from disability due to: • degenerative, post-traumatic or rheumatoid arthritis; • avascular necrosis of the femoral condyle; • post-traumatic loss of joint configuration, particularly when there is patellofemoral erosion, dysfunction or prior patellectomy; • moderate valgus, varus or flexion deformities; • treatment of fractures that are unmanageable using other techniques. This device may also be…

Read the full statement (129 words)

Joint replacement is indicated for patients suffering from disability due to:

• degenerative, post-traumatic or rheumatoid arthritis;

• avascular necrosis of the femoral condyle;

• post-traumatic loss of joint configuration, particularly when there is patellofemoral erosion, dysfunction or prior patellectomy;

• moderate valgus, varus or flexion deformities;

• treatment of fractures that are unmanageable using other techniques.

This device may also be indicated in the salvage of previously failed surgical attempts. All devices are intended for cemented applications except for the 3DKNEE™ Porous Coated Femur, EMPOWR Porous™ Knee Femur and EMPOWR Porous™ Knee Tibia which are intended for cementless applications.

While knee replacements are not intended to withstand activity levels and loads of normal healthy bone, they are a means of restoring mobility and reducing pain for many patients.

Indications for use as stated in the FDA summary.

Cite this page

510(k) Report. “K180930: Empowr VVC Tibial Insert.” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 4, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K180930

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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