# K972679: Endopath Endoscopic Tissue Fastening System (Etfs)

- Pathway: 510(k) (Traditional)
- Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Decided: Sep 19, 1997 after 65 days
- Product code: GCJ (Laparoscope, General & Plastic Surgery)
- Device class: 2
- Regulation: 21 CFR 876.1500
- Recalls of this device: none
- Data: FDA decisions to Oct 25, 2026; recalls to Oct 12, 2026

## Lineage
No predicates in its family tree.
36 later devices descend from it; 3 cite it directly.
0 of 37 devices in its family (counting itself) have a Class I recall.

## Predicates on the family tree (from the FDA summary)
- None. The FDA summary names no predicate by number.

## Most influential descendants
- K980022: Endopath Endoscopic Tissue Fastening System (Etfs) (1998), 25 descendants of its own
- K994290: Bard Endoscopic Suturing System (2000), 23 descendants of its own
- K062875: Endogastric Stomaphyx Device and Accessories (2007), 21 descendants of its own
- K071651: Egs Serosafuse Implantable Fasteners, Associated Delivery Devices and Accessories (2007), 15 descendants of its own
- K061770: Ethicon Endo Surgery Endoscopic Suturing System (2006), 14 descendants of its own

## Indications for use
The ENDOPATH® Endoscopic Tissue Fastening System (ETFS) is intended for use in minimally invasive surgical applications where soft tissue is being approximated with interrupted stitches. ETHIBOND EXCEL Polyester Suture is intended for use in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic and neurological procedures.

Source page: https://510kreport.com/device/K972679
Methodology: https://510kreport.com/methodology