510(k) Report

510(k) · Cleared

Recalled · Class II · 2019

Thorecon Rigid Fixation System

K181607510(k) TraditionalCleared Oct 12, 2018115-day reviewClass II21 CFR 888.3010Recalls 5

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

A & E Medical Corporation · JDQ Cerclage, Fixation

Cleared on Oct 12, 2018 as substantially equivalent to K173579 (A & E Medical Corporation, 2018) after a 115-day review. Its family tree reaches back 14 generations to 1976. It has been recalled 5 times.

Decided
Oct 12, 2018
Review
115 days
Class
Class II
Product code
JDQ
Recalls
5
Predicates
1

Its longest line of descent runs back 14 generations to K761228 (1976). 37 ancestors in all. No later device cites it as a predicate yet.

Other ancestors, by year cleared 2015: 1 other ancestor2011: 2 other ancestors1994: 4 other ancestors2012: 1 other ancestor2010: 1 other ancestor2001: 1 other ancestor1995: 1 other ancestor2004: 1 other ancestor2003: 1 other ancestor1998: 1 other ancestor1997: 2 other ancestors1996: 3 other ancestors1991: 1 other ancestor1988: 1 other ancestor1986: 2 other ancestorsK761228 · Luhr Mandibular Compression-Screw System · Howmedica Corp. · 1976K963739 · Leibinger - Luhr Small Orthopedic Bone Screws · Howmedica Leibinger, Inc. · 1997K970912 · Leibinger Self-Drilling Screw · Howmedica Leibinger, Inc. · 1997K974785 · Auto-Drive Bone Screw · Osteomed Corp. · 1998K013954 · Lorenz Self Drilling Screws · Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2002×2: 2 generations cleared close together, K032228 (2003), K033740 (2003) K063506 · Lorenz Sternal Closure System · Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2006K110574 · Biomet Microfixation Sternalock Blu Sternal Closure System · Biomet Microfixation, Inc. · 2011 · recalledK122293 · Pioneer Sternal Cable Plate System · Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. · 2012K133785 · Tritium Sternal Cable Plate System · Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. · 2014 · recalledK150581 · Tritium Sternal Cable Plate System · Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. (Dba Rti Surgical, Inc.) · 2015K161876 · Tritium® Sternal Cable Plate System · Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc., Dba Rti Surgical, Inc. · 2016K173579 · Thorecon™ Fixation System · A & E Medical Corporation · 201819801990200020102020
Other ancestors, by generation 2 generations back: 3 other ancestors3 generations back: 6 other ancestors5 generations back: 4 other ancestors6 generations back: 2 other ancestors7 generations back: 2 other ancestors8 generations back: 6 other ancestors K173579 · Thorecon™ Fixation System · A & E Medical Corporation · 2018K161876 · Tritium® Sternal Cable Plate System · Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc., Dba Rti Surgical, Inc. · 2016K150581 · Tritium Sternal Cable Plate System · Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. (Dba Rti Surgical, Inc.) · 2015K133785 · Tritium Sternal Cable Plate System · Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. · 2014 · recalledK122293 · Pioneer Sternal Cable Plate System · Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. · 2012K110574 · Biomet Microfixation Sternalock Blu Sternal Closure System · Biomet Microfixation, Inc. · 2011 · recalledK063506 · Lorenz Sternal Closure System · Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2006K033740 · Lorenz Sternal Closure System · Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2003K032228 · Lorenz 2.4 Self Drilling Screws · Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2003K013954 · Lorenz Self Drilling Screws · Walter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2002K974785 · Auto-Drive Bone Screw · Osteomed Corp. · 1998K970912 · Leibinger Self-Drilling Screw · Howmedica Leibinger, Inc. · 1997K963739 · Leibinger - Luhr Small Orthopedic Bone Screws · Howmedica Leibinger, Inc. · 1997K761228 · Luhr Mandibular Compression-Screw System · Howmedica Corp. · 1976−10−50
  1. Root · 14 generations backK761228 Luhr Mandibular Compression-Screw SystemHowmedica Corp. · 1976
  2. 10 generations between
  3. 3 generations backK150581 Tritium Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. (Dba Rti Surgical, Inc.) · 2015
  4. 2 generations backK161876 Tritium® Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc., Dba Rti Surgical, Inc. · 2016
  5. 1 generation backK173579 Thorecon™ Fixation SystemA & E Medical Corporation · 2018
  6. This deviceK181607 Thorecon Rigid Fixation SystemA & E Medical Corporation · 2018
Show all 14 generations
  1. Root · 14 generations backK761228 Luhr Mandibular Compression-Screw SystemHowmedica Corp. · 1976
  2. 13 generations backK963739 Leibinger - Luhr Small Orthopedic Bone ScrewsHowmedica Leibinger, Inc. · 1997
  3. 12 generations backK970912 Leibinger Self-Drilling ScrewHowmedica Leibinger, Inc. · 1997
  4. 11 generations backK974785 Auto-Drive Bone ScrewOsteomed Corp. · 1998
  5. 10 generations backK013954 Lorenz Self Drilling ScrewsWalter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2002
  6. 9 generations backK032228 Lorenz 2.4 Self Drilling ScrewsWalter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2003
  7. 8 generations backK033740 Lorenz Sternal Closure SystemWalter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2003
  8. 7 generations backK063506 Lorenz Sternal Closure SystemWalter Lorenz Surgical, Inc. · 2006
  9. 6 generations backK110574 Biomet Microfixation Sternalock Blu Sternal Closure SystemBiomet Microfixation, Inc. · 2011 · Recalled
  10. 5 generations backK122293 Pioneer Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. · 2012
  11. 4 generations backK133785 Tritium Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. · 2014 · Recalled
  12. 3 generations backK150581 Tritium Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. (Dba Rti Surgical, Inc.) · 2015
  13. 2 generations backK161876 Tritium® Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc., Dba Rti Surgical, Inc. · 2016
  14. 1 generation backK173579 Thorecon™ Fixation SystemA & E Medical Corporation · 2018
  15. This deviceK181607 Thorecon Rigid Fixation SystemA & E Medical Corporation · 2018
View FIG. 1 as a table

Line of descent and top descendants

GenerationNumberDeviceApplicantDecidedRecalls
−14K761228Luhr Mandibular Compression-Screw SystemHowmedica Corp.1976—
−13K963739Leibinger - Luhr Small Orthopedic Bone ScrewsHowmedica Leibinger, Inc.1997—
−12K970912Leibinger Self-Drilling ScrewHowmedica Leibinger, Inc.1997—
−11K974785Auto-Drive Bone ScrewOsteomed Corp.1998—
−10K013954Lorenz Self Drilling ScrewsWalter Lorenz Surgical, Inc.2002—
−9K032228Lorenz 2.4 Self Drilling ScrewsWalter Lorenz Surgical, Inc.2003—
−8K033740Lorenz Sternal Closure SystemWalter Lorenz Surgical, Inc.2003—
−7K063506Lorenz Sternal Closure SystemWalter Lorenz Surgical, Inc.2006—
−6K110574Biomet Microfixation Sternalock Blu Sternal Closure SystemBiomet Microfixation, Inc.20111
−5K122293Pioneer Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.2012—
−4K133785Tritium Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.20141
−3K150581Tritium Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. (Dba Rti Surgical, Inc.)2015—
−2K161876Tritium® Sternal Cable Plate SystemPioneer Surgical Technology, Inc., Dba Rti Surgical, Inc.2016—
−1K173579Thorecon™ Fixation SystemA & E Medical Corporation2018—
0 (this device)K181607Thorecon Rigid Fixation SystemA & E Medical Corporation2018—

Other ancestors by year cleared

Year clearedDevicesWith a Class I recall
198620
198810
199110
199440
199510
199630
199720
199810
200110
200310
200410
201010
201120
201210
201510
FIG. 1 — Lineage of K181607, 1976–2018Source: 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 JDQ? 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 JDQ device

  1. #1 K261271 Cable-Ready® Cable Grip Systemscore 14.7 · 11 generations · no Class I recall
  2. #2 Held for the reportin the report
  3. #3 Held for the reportin the report
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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.

TypeNumberDeviceApplicantDecidedRecalls
*K173579Thorecon™ Fixation System
Summary page 4
…21 CFR 878.4495 (GAQ, Suture, Nonabsorbable, Steel, Monofilament and multifilament, Sterile) Panel: Panel Code 87 Predicate: K173579 Thorecon Fixation System Description: The Thorecon Rigid Fixation System may be implanted via an open or m…
A & E Medical Corporation2018—

What descends from it?

No later submission names this one as a predicate yet.

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

Recalls of this device

DateClassRecallRoot causeReason
Sep 10, 2019Class IIZ-0243-2020Process controlSome Thorecon disposable tensioners supplied in different Plating System Kits exhibit a molding defect which occludes the through-channel for cable tensioning, rendering the tensioner inoperable.
Sep 10, 2019Class IIZ-0244-2020Process controlSome Thorecon disposable tensioners supplied in different Plating System Kits exhibit a molding defect which occludes the through-channel for cable tensioning, rendering the tensioner inoperable.
Sep 10, 2019Class IIZ-0242-2020Process controlSome Thorecon disposable tensioners supplied in different Plating System Kits exhibit a molding defect which occludes the through-channel for cable tensioning, rendering the tensioner inoperable.
Sep 10, 2019Class IIZ-0245-2020Process controlSome Thorecon disposable tensioners supplied in different Plating System Kits exhibit a molding defect which occludes the through-channel for cable tensioning, rendering the tensioner inoperable.
Sep 10, 2019Class IIZ-0246-2020Process controlSome Thorecon disposable tensioners supplied in different Plating System Kits exhibit a molding defect which occludes the through-channel for cable tensioning, rendering the tensioner inoperable.

No ancestor or descendant has a Class I recall.

What does this lineage say?

  • The line of descent spans 42 years and passes through 9 companies; a new generation was cleared every 1.4 years on median.
  • 5 of the 37 ancestors have a recall of any class.

How does its category compare?

All JDQ devices

JDQ Cerclage, Fixation: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years. 2018, this device’s year, is highlighted.

FDA decisions per year · JDQ

2in 2025

2007: 12008: 22009: 22011: 62012: 32013: 12014: 22015: 52016: 42017: 12018: 62020: 42022: 22023: 32024: 32025: 22026 (partial year): 1
2007high 6 (2011) · low 0 (2010)2026

2026 to Oct 25, outlined.

Median 510(k) review, days · JDQ

130in 2024

2011: 130 days median2012: 134 days median2015: 92 days median2016: 129 days median2018: 101 days median2020: 93 days median2023: 141 days median2024: 130 days median
2007high 141 (2023) · low 92 (2015)2026

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

Recalls per year · JDQ

5in 2019

2008: 22010: 22013: 12015: 12019: 5
2007high 5 (2019) · low 0 (2007)2026

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

Adverse event reports per year · JDQ

84in 2025

2007: 52008: 252009: 192010: 282011: 302012: 1302013: 3212014: 2232015: 2052016: 2242017: 1382018: 1822019: 1582020: 1252021: 1412022: 1342023: 982024: 1152025: 84
2007high 321 (2013) · low 5 (2007)2025

MAUDE reports naming product code JDQ, 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
20071—05
20082—225
20092—019
20100—228
20116130030
201231340130
20131—1321
20142—0223
20155921205
201641290224
20171—0138
201861010182
20190—5158
20204930125
20210—0141
20222—0134
20233141098
202431300115
20252—084
20261—0—

What is it indicated for?

The Thorecon Rigid Fixation System is intended for use in the stabilization and fixation of fractures of the anterior chest wall including sternal fixation following sternotomy and sternal reconstructive surgical procedures. The system is intended for use in patients with normal and/or poor bone quality.

Indications for use read by OCR from a scanned FDA summary, so letters may be misread. Check the PDF before quoting it.

Cite this page

510(k) Report. “K181607: Thorecon Rigid Fixation System.” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 4, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K181607

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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