510(k) · Cleared
ClearedFoundation Plasma Sprayed Metal-Backed Patella
Data to Oct 25, 2026 (FDA decisions) Oct 12, 2026 (recalls) Sep 30, 2026 (MAUDE) refreshed weekly
Encore Orthopedics, Inc. · JWH Prosthesis, Knee, Patellofemorotibial, Semi-Constrained, Cemented, Polymer/Metal/Polymer
Cleared on Dec 18, 1997 as substantially equivalent to K932246 (Encore Orthopedics, Inc., 1994) and 2 other predicates after an 83-day review. Its family tree reaches back 1 generation to 1986.
- Decided
- Dec 18, 1997
- Review
- 83 days
- Class
- Class II
- Product code
- JWH
- Recalls
- None
- Predicates
- 3
Its longest line of descent runs back 1 generation to K863805 (1986). 3 ancestors in all. No later device cites it as a predicate yet.
- Root · 1 generation backK863805 Miller/Galante Total Knee Por Coated Patellar DomeZimmer, Inc. · 1986
- This deviceK973672 Foundation Plasma Sprayed Metal-Backed PatellaEncore Orthopedics, Inc. · 1997
View FIG. 1 as a table
Line of descent and top descendants
| Generation | Number | Device | Applicant | Decided | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| −1 | K863805 | Miller/Galante Total Knee Por Coated Patellar Dome | Zimmer, Inc. | 1986 | — |
| 0 (this device) | K973672 | Foundation Plasma Sprayed Metal-Backed Patella | Encore Orthopedics, Inc. | 1997 | — |
Other ancestors by year cleared
| Year cleared | Devices | With a Class I recall |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 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 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 K221479 Persona Personalized Knee Systemscore 22.4 · 11 generations · no Class I recall
- #2 Held for the reportin the report
- #3 Held for the reportin the 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.
| Type | Number | Device | Decided |
|---|---|---|---|
| * | K932246 | Foundation Metal-Backed PatellaSummary page 1…tal-backed Patella is the very same device in regards to articulating geometry, assembly, and indications for usage as the Porous Coated Metal-backed patella approved in K932246. The only difference is the coating applied. The Foundation® Plasma Sprayed Metal-backed Patella is equivalent in design and indi… | 1994 |
| * | K863805 | Miller/Galante Total Knee Por Coated Patellar DomeSummary page 1…o the Miller/Galante (Zimmer) and Natural-Knee (Sulzer Orthopedics) metal-backed patella (Exhibit VII). These devices were cleared for commercial distribution on 510(k)s K863805 and K873601, respectively. Similarities include, metal-backed baseplate with Ti-6A1-4V substrate, “sombrero” shaped articulating… | 1986 |
| * | K873601 | Agc Unicompartmental Knee ProsthesisSummary page 1…/Galante (Zimmer) and Natural-Knee (Sulzer Orthopedics) metal-backed patella (Exhibit VII). These devices were cleared for commercial distribution on 510(k)s K863805 and K873601, respectively. Similarities include, metal-backed baseplate with Ti-6A1-4V substrate, “sombrero” shaped articulating surface and… | 1988 |
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?
- 1 of the 3 ancestors has a recall of any class.
- 1 other device also cites its predicate K932246.
How does its category compare?
All JWH devicesJWH Prosthesis, Knee, Patellofemorotibial, Semi-Constrained, Cemented, Polymer/Metal/Polymer: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years.
FDA decisions per year · JWH
20in 2025
2026 to Oct 25, outlined.
Median 510(k) review, days · JWH
55in 2025
Receipt to decision; years with fewer than 3 clearances left blank.
Recalls per year · JWH
2in 2025
Class I (0 since 2007) Class II/III not classified
Adverse event reports per year · JWH
9,306in 2025
MAUDE reports naming product code JWH, 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 | 18 | 74 | 14 | 1,305 |
| 2008 | 17 | 81 | 10 | 1,483 |
| 2009 | 11 | 168 | 109 | 1,870 |
| 2010 | 19 | 85 | 32 | 3,286 |
| 2011 | 25 | 87 | 27 | 5,133 |
| 2012 | 33 | 85 | 85 | 5,203 |
| 2013 | 31 | 128 | 31 | 6,135 |
| 2014 | 33 | 98 | 13 | 6,722 |
| 2015 | 27 | 87 | 11 | 6,881 |
| 2016 | 18 | 88 | 17 | 7,586 |
| 2017 | 25 | 118 | 61 | 12,263 |
| 2018 | 25 | 90 | 14 | 14,071 |
| 2019 | 28 | 133 | 5 | 14,987 |
| 2020 | 22 | 59 | 2 | 12,592 |
| 2021 | 24 | 61 | 8 | 9,408 |
| 2022 | 17 | 56 | 12 | 8,364 |
| 2023 | 20 | 57 | 67 | 8,947 |
| 2024 | 19 | 89 | 7 | 10,828 |
| 2025 | 20 | 55 | 2 | 9,306 |
| 2026 | 12 | 63 | 4 | — |
What is it indicated for?
The Foundation® Plasma Sprayed Metal-backed Patella is intended to be used us a cemented patellar surface replacement in treating patients who are candidates for primary total knee arthroplsty as a result of osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, traumatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis with or without varus, valgus, or flexion deformities. or revision arthroplasty where bone loss is minimal. It is intended to aid the surgeon in relieving the patient of knee pain and restoring knee joint function.
Indications for use read by OCR from a scanned FDA summary, so letters may be misread. Check the PDF before quoting it.
https://510kreport.com/device/K973672 · printed Nov 4, 2026
Cite this page
510(k) Report. “K973672: Foundation Plasma Sprayed Metal-Backed Patella.” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 4, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K973672
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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