510(k) · Cleared
ClearedAesculap Caiman 5 Seal and Cut Technology System
Data to Oct 25, 2026 (FDA decisions) Oct 12, 2026 (recalls) Sep 30, 2026 (MAUDE) refreshed weekly
Aesculap, Inc. · GEI Electrosurgical, Cutting & Coagulation & Accessories
Cleared on Oct 30, 2020 as substantially equivalent to K151696 (Aesculap, Inc., 2015) after a 30-day review. Its family tree reaches back 9 generations to 1994.
- Decided
- Oct 30, 2020
- Review
- 30 days
- Class
- Class II
- Product code
- GEI
- Recalls
- None
- Predicates
- 1
Its longest line of descent runs back 9 generations to K932293 (1994). 20 ancestors in all. No later device cites it as a predicate yet.
- Root · 9 generations backK932293 Cabot Medical Bipolar Cutting ForcepsCabot Medical Corp. · 1994 · Recalled
- 5 generations between
- 3 generations backK093075 Aragon Surgical RF System Teleo InstrumentAragon Surgical, Inc. · 2010 · Recalled
- 2 generations backK130596 Caiman Seal and Cut TechnologyAesculap, Inc. · 2013
- 1 generation backK151696 Caiman Seal and Cut TechnologyAesculap, Inc. · 2015
- This deviceK202938 Aesculap Caiman 5 Seal and Cut Technology SystemAesculap, Inc. · 2020
Show all 9 generations
- Root · 9 generations backK932293 Cabot Medical Bipolar Cutting ForcepsCabot Medical Corp. · 1994 · Recalled
- 8 generations backK981916 Ligasure Vessel Sealing SystemValleylab, Inc. · 1998
- 7 generations backK031011 Ligasure 5MM Laparoscopic Sealer-Divider, Model LS1500Valleylab, Inc. · 2003 · Recalled
- 6 generations backK041587 Ligasure Precise Model #LS1200/Ligasure 5MM Laparoscopic Sealer…Valleylab · 2004
- 5 generations backK081312 Aragon Oneshot SystemAragon Surgical, Inc. · 2008
- 4 generations backK090306 Aragon Surgical RF System L2 InstrumentAragon Surgical, Inc. · 2009
- 3 generations backK093075 Aragon Surgical RF System Teleo InstrumentAragon Surgical, Inc. · 2010 · Recalled
- 2 generations backK130596 Caiman Seal and Cut TechnologyAesculap, Inc. · 2013
- 1 generation backK151696 Caiman Seal and Cut TechnologyAesculap, Inc. · 2015
- This deviceK202938 Aesculap Caiman 5 Seal and Cut Technology SystemAesculap, Inc. · 2020
View FIG. 1 as a table
Line of descent and top descendants
| Generation | Number | Device | Applicant | Decided | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| −9 | K932293 | Cabot Medical Bipolar Cutting Forceps | Cabot Medical Corp. | 1994 | 3 |
| −8 | K981916 | Ligasure Vessel Sealing System | Valleylab, Inc. | 1998 | — |
| −7 | K031011 | Ligasure 5MM Laparoscopic Sealer-Divider, Model LS1500 | Valleylab, Inc. | 2003 | 2 |
| −6 | K041587 | Ligasure Precise Model #LS1200/Ligasure 5MM Laparoscopic Sealer Divider Model… | Valleylab | 2004 | — |
| −5 | K081312 | Aragon Oneshot System | Aragon Surgical, Inc. | 2008 | — |
| −4 | K090306 | Aragon Surgical RF System L2 Instrument | Aragon Surgical, Inc. | 2009 | — |
| −3 | K093075 | Aragon Surgical RF System Teleo Instrument | Aragon Surgical, Inc. | 2010 | 2 |
| −2 | K130596 | Caiman Seal and Cut Technology | Aesculap, Inc. | 2013 | — |
| −1 | K151696 | Caiman Seal and Cut Technology | Aesculap, Inc. | 2015 | — |
| 0 (this device) | K202938 | Aesculap Caiman 5 Seal and Cut Technology System | Aesculap, Inc. | 2020 | — |
Other ancestors by year cleared
| Year cleared | Devices | With a Class I recall |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 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 GEI? 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 GEI device
- #1 K231790 The InMode System with the Morpheus8 Applicatorsscore 32.7 · 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| * | K151696 | Caiman Seal and Cut TechnologySummary page 4…: 21 CFR 878.4400 PRODUCT CODE: GEI DEVICE CLASS: Class II per 21 CFR 878.4400 PREDICATE DEVICE Caiman Seal and Cut Technology (K151696) DEVICE DESCRIPTION The Aesculap Caiman Seal and Cut Technology System consists of sterile, single-use bipolar instruments tha… | 2015 |
What descends from it?
No later submission names this one as a predicate yet.
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 26 years and passes through 5 companies; a new generation was cleared every 3.2 years on median.
- 5 of the 20 ancestors have a recall of any class.
- 1 other device also cites its predicate K151696.
How does its category compare?
All GEI devicesGEI Electrosurgical, Cutting & Coagulation & Accessories: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years. 2020, this device’s year, is highlighted.
FDA decisions per year · GEI
52in 2025
2026 to Oct 25, outlined.
Median 510(k) review, days · GEI
113in 2025
Receipt to decision; years with fewer than 3 clearances left blank.
Recalls per year · GEI
4in 2025
Class I (14 since 2007) Class II/III not classified
Adverse event reports per year · GEI
7,592in 2025
MAUDE reports naming product code GEI, 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 | 50 | 51 | 21 | 2,795 |
| 2008 | 61 | 71 | 19 | 2,556 |
| 2009 | 42 | 130 | 27 | 3,591 |
| 2010 | 46 | 109 | 51 | 3,377 |
| 2011 | 35 | 135 | 32 | 4,463 |
| 2012 | 39 | 133 | 30 | 5,216 |
| 2013 | 48 | 136 | 13 | 4,897 |
| 2014 | 49 | 103 | 3 | 4,908 |
| 2015 | 47 | 123 | 4 | 4,936 |
| 2016 | 64 | 108 | 3 | 5,616 |
| 2017 | 52 | 72 | 2 | 6,073 |
| 2018 | 47 | 93 | 6 | 6,545 |
| 2019 | 48 | 93 | 5 | 7,067 |
| 2020 | 59 | 105 | 1 | 6,490 |
| 2021 | 46 | 146 | 6 | 6,354 |
| 2022 | 55 | 150 | 49 | 6,103 |
| 2023 | 65 | 104 | 27 (4) | 7,176 |
| 2024 | 59 | 125 | 22 (10) | 7,897 |
| 2025 | 52 | 113 | 4 | 7,592 |
| 2026 | 43 | 183 | 8 | — |
What is it indicated for?
Caiman Seal and Cut Technology System consists of dedicated bipolar electrosurgical instruments intended for use in general surgery and gynecologic surgical procedures where ligation and division of vessels is desired. The instruments create a seal by the application of bipolar electrosurgical RF energy (coagulation) to vascular structure (vessels) interposed between the jaws of the device. A cutting blade is actuated for the division of tissue. The…
Read the full statement (208 words)
Caiman Seal and Cut Technology System consists of dedicated bipolar electrosurgical instruments intended for use in general surgery and gynecologic surgical procedures where ligation and division of vessels is desired. The instruments create a seal by the application of bipolar electrosurgical RF energy (coagulation) to vascular structure (vessels) interposed between the jaws of the device. A cutting blade is actuated for the division of tissue.
The Caiman 12 Plus (44cm) and the Caiman 5 (36cm and 44cm) are indicated for laparoscopic procedures and the Caiman 12 Plus (24cm) and the Caiman 5 (24cm) are indicated for open procedures. The indications for use include general surgical procedures, (including urologic, vascular, thoracic, and thoracoscopic), and gynecological procedures where ligation and division of vessels is performed. These procedures include: vaginal hysterectomies, Nissen fundoplication, colectomy, adhesiolysis, bowel resection, and oophorectomy etc., or any procedure where vessel ligation (seal and cut), tissue grasping, and dissection is performed. The devices can be used on vessels up to and including 7mm and bundles as large as wi 11 fit in the jaws of the instrument.
Caiman Seal and Cut Technology System has not been shown to be effective for tubal sterilization or tubal coagulation for sterilization procedures. Do not use the system for these procedures.
Indications for use as stated in the FDA summary.
https://510kreport.com/device/K202938 · printed Nov 6, 2026
Cite this page
510(k) Report. “K202938: Aesculap Caiman 5 Seal and Cut Technology System.” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K202938
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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