FDA product code · Orthopedic
Instrument, Surgical, Orthopedic, Ac-Powered Motor And Accessory/Attachment
FDA lists HWE as exempt from 510(k): a device of this type needs no clearance unless one of the limits in 21 CFR 878.9 applies, such as a new intended use or a different fundamental technology. 76 FDA decisions since 1976. 21 recalls name this code, 0 of them Class I. The most-cited predicate is K943589, named by 5 later devices.
Data to Oct 25, 2026 (FDA decisions) Oct 12, 2026 (recalls) Sep 30, 2026 (MAUDE) refreshed weekly Download the data (CSV)
Twenty years of HWE at a glance: how often FDA decides these devices, how long 510(k) reviews take, how often they are recalled, and how many adverse event reports name the code.
FDA decisions per year · HWE
1in 2015
2026 to Oct 25, outlined.
Median 510(k) review, days · HWE
Too few HWE 510(k)s in any year since 2007 to give a median.
Recalls per year · HWE
1in 2017
Class I (0 since 2007) Class II/III not classified
Adverse event reports per year · HWE
2,848in 2025
MAUDE reports naming product code HWE, 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 | 1 | — | 0 | 123 |
| 2008 | 0 | — | 0 | 72 |
| 2009 | 0 | — | 4 | 180 |
| 2010 | 0 | — | 2 | 297 |
| 2011 | 1 | — | 2 | 138 |
| 2012 | 0 | — | 0 | 221 |
| 2013 | 0 | — | 1 | 1,243 |
| 2014 | 0 | — | 3 | 3,794 |
| 2015 | 1 | — | 5 | 5,567 |
| 2016 | 0 | — | 2 | 4,974 |
| 2017 | 0 | — | 1 | 5,074 |
| 2018 | 0 | — | 0 | 3,589 |
| 2019 | 0 | — | 0 | 3,452 |
| 2020 | 0 | — | 0 | 3,248 |
| 2021 | 0 | — | 0 | 3,140 |
| 2022 | 0 | — | 0 | 3,327 |
| 2023 | 0 | — | 0 | 3,397 |
| 2024 | 0 | — | 0 | 3,686 |
| 2025 | 0 | — | 0 | 2,848 |
| 2026 | 0 | — | 0 | — |
Planning a device in HWE? A 510(k) Report ranks candidate predicates in this code by lineage, citations and recall history, with the review-time outlook.
See the 510(k) ReportRelated product codes
Other codes under 21 CFR 878.4820.