K020607 · Biomec, Inc. · MNR · Aug 30, 2002 · Anesthesiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K020607
Device Name
SLEEPFLO, MODEL 101501
Applicant
Biomec, Inc.
Product Code
MNR · Anesthesiology
Decision Date
Aug 30, 2002
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Abbreviated
Regulation
21 CFR 868.2375
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Pediatric
Indications for Use
SleepFLO is intended for use during sleep disorder studies to detect up to five breathing signals: airflow, body position, thoracic effort, abdominal effort and snore.
Device Story
SleepFLO is a ventilatory effort recorder used in sleep disorder clinics to monitor respiratory signals. Inputs include nasal airflow (via cannula pressure), thoracic/abdominal effort (via piezoelectric belts), and body position (via ball switches). The device consists of a sensor unit and a battery unit connected by cable. The sensor unit captures raw signals; the battery unit houses snore detection circuitry, which band-pass filters the airflow signal to derive snore output. The device outputs five signals (airflow, snore, thoracic effort, abdominal effort, body position) to a polysomnograph (PSG) system via standard 1.5 mm recessed plugs. Operated by clinical staff, the device provides continuous physiological data to the PSG, assisting clinicians in diagnosing sleep disorders. Patient benefits include non-invasive monitoring of respiratory effort and airflow during sleep studies.
Clinical Evidence
Bench and clinical testing compared SleepFLO against predicate devices. Testing demonstrated that SleepFLO's electrical output signals for respiratory airflow, effort, body position, and snore provided equivalent informational content to the predicate devices. No specific sensitivity, specificity, or AUC metrics were reported.
Technological Characteristics
Device uses solid-state pressure transducers for airflow, piezoelectric sensors for respiratory effort, and ball switches for body position. Powered by 2 AA batteries (3V DC). Outputs are 1V max. Connectivity via 1.5 mm recessed plugs to PSG. Single-use nasal cannula includes a 0.2-micron hydrophobic filter. Enclosures are non-conducting plastic. No direct electrical patient connection.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients 2 years and older who are candidates for sleep diagnostic evaluation. Not indicated for infants or pediatric patients less than 2 years of age, including SIDS monitoring.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A breathing (ventilatory) frequency monitor is a device intended to measure or monitor a patient's respiratory rate. The device may provide an audible or visible alarm when the respiratory rate, averaged over time, is outside operator settable alarm limits. This device does not include the apnea monitor classified in § 868.2377.
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K020607
AUG 3 0 2002
### BIOMEC
A BIOMEDICAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION COMPANY
# 510(K) Summary Safety and Effectiveness Data Summary
Prepared By:
Telephone Number: Fax Number:
216.937.2800 216.937.2812
1771 E. 30th Street
BIOMEC Inc.
Contact Person:
Proprietary Name: Classification Name: Common Name:
Classification: Requlation Number: Product Code:
Performance Standards:
Tracey H. Wielinski, RAC
Cleveland, OH 44114 USA
SleepFLO Ventilatory Effort Recorder Airflow Sensor
Class II 868.2375 MNR, BZQ
EN 60601-1 Medical Electrical Equipment- Part 1: General Requirements for Safety
EN 60601-1-2 Medical Electrical Equipment - Part 1: General Requirements for Safety; Electromagnetic compatibility -Requirements and tests
Pro-Tech Pressure Transducer Airflow Sensor 510(k) Number: K982293
Pro-Tech SPI Sensor 510(k) Number: K940013
Pro-Tech Crystal Trace® Piezo Respiratory Effort Sensor 510(k) Number: K923402
BIOMEC Inc., 1771 East 30th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 U.S.A. Telephone: 216 / 937-2800 Facsimile: 216 / 937-2812
### 020071
Substantial Equivalence:
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#### Description of the Device:
The SleepFLO device is a compact breathing sensor used during sleep disorder diagnosis procedures. The device senses airflow, snore (derived from the airflow), body position, thoracic effort, and abdominal effort. The device consists of two enclosures - a sensor unit and a battery unit, and two respiratory effort belts. A 7-foot, eight-conductor cable connects the sensor unit and the battery unit; a 1-foot two-conductor cable connects each of the respiratory sensor belts to the sensor unit.
The sensor unit houses the airflow pressure sensor, the body position sensors, and the connectors for both effort belts (abdominal and thoracic). Airflow is measured using a pressure-based technique. Patients wear a nasal cannula that carries breathing air fluctuations to a pressure sensor inside the sensor unit. The cannula attaches to the sensor unit via a luer lock. The pressure measurements are used to indicate airflow and to derive the snore output. The cannula is a one-time use device and contains a 0.2-micron filter. The position sensors utilize miniaturized ball switches that detect five body positions: upright, supine, prone, left, and right. The effort belt connectors (thoracic and abdominal) are used to pass the signal of the effort belts to the polysomnograph system (PSG) device.
The two respiratory effort belts use a piezoelectric sensor attached to an elastic belt. The elastic sensor belt is held in place with a Velcro® strap about the thorax and abdomen.
The battery unit houses the snore detection circuitry, the connectors to the PSG, and the batteries that power the device (both the sensor unit and the battery unit). The sensor unit signals (airflow, thoracic effort, abdominal effort, and body position) are passed to the battery unit via the interconnecting eight-conductor cable. The battery unit receives these signals and delivers them to the appropriate output cables, which are connected to the PSG. In the case of the snore, the airflow signal is band pass filtered to generate a snore signal, which is then passed to the PSG via the snore output cable.
The connections to the PSG junction box are accomplished via five (5) pairs of cables. All five-cable pairs are terminated with standard PSG pluqs (1.5 mm recessed). The battery compartment can be attached to the junction box with Velcro®.
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#### Intend d Use:
SleepFLO is intended for use during sleep disorder studies to detect up to five breathing signals: airflow, body position, thoracic effort, abdominal effort and snore.
#### Patient Population:
SleepFLO can be used to monitor the respiration for patients who are candidates for Sleep Diagnostic evaluation. SleepFLO is indicated for use in patients two (2) years and older. The device is not indicated for use in infant or pediatric patients less than two (2) years of age. SleepFLO is not for use by pediatrics and infants below two years of age for SIDS monitoring.
#### Safety and Effectiveness:
The maximum voltage inside the SleepFLO is 3-volts DC. This is because the device uses two (2) AA batteries in series. There are no direct electrical connections to the patient since the airflow pressure input uses a cannula made from non-conducting plastic, the respiratory sensor belts use an insulated piezoelectric device surrounded by cloth material for comfort, and the body position sensors are housed inside a non-conducting plastic enclosure. The maximum output voltage for all five (5) signals is 1-volt. Due to these low voltages and the insulation material, there is no danger to the patient or provider of serious injury due to electrical shock.
The cannula is a single use only device with a 0.2-micron hydrophobic filter permanently attached. Due to the single use only cannula and integral filter. there is no danger to the patient of serious illness due to cross contamination.
The SleepFLO device was used in place of the predicate devices in laboratory and clinical testing. These tests showed that the electrical output signals from the SleepFLO device provided equivalent informational content as the electrical output signals from the predicate devices. The testing compared respiratory airflow and effort along with body position and snore.
#### Summary of Technological Characteristics:
The following comparison is provided as a summary of the technological characteristics relative to the predicate devices. This is to demonstrate that
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the BIOMEC SleepFLO has no significant differences from the predicate
devices that would adversely affect product safety and effectiveness.
| Comparison<br>Parameter | BIOMEC<br>SleepFLO | Pro-Tech<br>PTAFlite | Pro-Tech<br>SPI Sensor | Pro-Tech<br>Crystal Trace<br>Piezo<br>Respiratory<br>Effort Sensor |
|---------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Intended Use | Intended for<br>use during<br>sleep disorder<br>studies to<br>detect up to<br>five breathing<br>signals:<br>airflow, snore,<br>thoracic effort,<br>abdominal<br>effort, and<br>body position<br>for recording<br>onto a<br>physiological<br>recorder. | Intended for<br>use during<br>sleep<br>disorder<br>studies to<br>detect<br>respiratory<br>airflow and<br>snoring via<br>nasal<br>pressure<br>changes for<br>recording<br>onto a<br>physiological<br>recorder. | Intended for<br>use in sleep<br>disorder<br>testing to<br>detect<br>positions of<br>sleep and to<br>provide an<br>output<br>voltage for<br>recording<br>onto a<br>compatible<br>computerized<br>polygraph. | Intended for<br>use during<br>sleep disorder<br>studies to<br>detect<br>respiratory<br>effort for<br>recording onto<br>a physiological<br>recorder. |
| Population | 2 yrs and<br>older | 2 yrs and<br>older | 2 yrs and<br>older | 2 yrs and older |
| Number of<br>Channels | 4 inputs (air<br>pressure,<br>abdominal<br>effort, thoracic<br>effort, and<br>body position)<br>5 outputs<br>(airflow,<br>snore,<br>abdominal<br>effort, thoracic<br>effort, and<br>body position) | 1 input (air<br>pressure)<br>2 outputs<br>(airflow &<br>snore) | 1 input (body<br>position)<br>1 output<br>(body<br>position) | 2 Inputs<br>(abdominal<br>and thoracic<br>effort)<br>2 outputs<br>(abdominal<br>and thoracic<br>effort) |
| Method of<br>Connection to<br>Patient | Plastic tubing<br>and cannula<br>set for airflow<br>and snore.<br>Elastic cloth<br>material for<br>effort belts (2) | Plastic tubing<br>and cannula<br>set for airflow<br>and snore. | | Elastic cloth<br>material for<br>effort belts (2) |
| Comparison<br>Parameter | BIOMEC<br>SleepFLO | Pro-Tech<br>PTAFlite | Pro-Tech<br>SPI Sensor | Pro-Tech<br>Crystal Trace<br>Piezo<br>Respiratory<br>Effort Sensor |
| | Body position<br>sensors<br>enclosed in<br>plastic case,<br>which<br>attaches to<br>respiratory<br>effort belt. | | A padded<br>sensor<br>pillow, which<br>mounts to<br>most<br>respiratory<br>effort belts. | |
| Safety<br>Characteristics | Connects to<br>physiological<br>recorder. | Connects to<br>physiological<br>recorder | Connects to<br>physiological<br>recorder. | Connects to<br>physiological<br>recorder |
| | Uses plastic<br>tubing to<br>insure patient<br>isolation.<br>Uses a 0.2-<br>micron<br>hydrophobic<br>filter on<br>cannula to<br>prevent cross<br>contamination<br>of patients. | Uses plastic<br>tubing to<br>ensure<br>patient<br>isolation | | |
| | Ball switches<br>used for body<br>position<br>sensors are<br>enclosed in a<br>plastic<br>housing to<br>insure patient<br>isolation. | | Ball bearing<br>rotary sensor<br>permanently<br>encapsulated<br>to ensure<br>patient<br>isolation. | |
| | Uses<br>insulated<br>piezoelectric<br>sensor on<br>effort belts to<br>ensure patient<br>isolation. | | | Uses insulated<br>piezoelectric<br>sensor on<br>effort belts to<br>ensure patient<br>isolation. |
| Comparison<br>Parameter | BIOMEC<br>SleepFLO | Pro-Tech<br>PTAFlite | Pro-Tech<br>SPI Sensor | Pro-Tech<br>Crystal Trace<br>Piezo<br>Respiratory<br>Effort Sensor |
| Re-Use | Disposable<br>tubing and<br>Cannula set<br>(single use<br>only).<br>Monitoring<br>Device and<br>respiratory<br>effort belts<br>and straps<br>can be re-<br>used | Disposable<br>tubing and<br>Cannula set<br>(single use<br>only).<br>Monitoring<br>Device can<br>be re-used | Sensor pillow<br>and wire can<br>be re-used. | Effort belts<br>and straps can<br>be re-used. |
| Sensor<br>Technology | Uses solid-<br>state pressure<br>transducer<br>that converts<br>small changes<br>in air pressure<br>into small<br>voltage<br>changes. | Uses solid-<br>state<br>pressure<br>transducer<br>that converts<br>small<br>changes in<br>air pressure<br>into small<br>voltage<br>changes | Uses Gold<br>plated ball<br>bearing<br>rotary sensor<br>to detect 5<br>body<br>positions. | Uses<br>piezoelectric<br>transducer that<br>converts small<br>movements of<br>the chest and<br>abdomen into<br>small voltage<br>changes. |
| | Uses<br>piezoelectric<br>transducer<br>that converts<br>small<br>movements of<br>the chest and<br>abdomen into<br>small voltage<br>changes. | | | |
| | Uses ball<br>(non-mercury)<br>switches to<br>detect 5 body<br>positions | | | |
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Image /page/6/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo features a stylized depiction of a human figure in profile, with three overlapping heads suggesting a sense of community and support. The figure is positioned to the right of the circular seal, which contains the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter.
# AUG 3-0 2002
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Ms. Tracey H. Wielinski Director, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance BioMec. Incorporated 1771 East 30th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44114-4407
Re: K020607
Trade/Device Name: SleepFLO, Model 101501 Regulation Number: 868.2375 -Regulation Name: Ventilatory Effort Recorder Regulatory Class: II Product Code: MNR Dated: June 17, 2002 Received: June 17, 2002
Dear Ms. Wielinski:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies.
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Page 2 - Ms. Wielinski
You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 21 CFR Part 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4646. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.qov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html
Sincerely yours
Timothy A. Ulatowski
Timothy Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Infection Control and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Intended Use:
K020607
SleepFLO is intended for use during sleep disorder studies to detect up to five breathing signals: airflow, body position, thoracic effort, abdominal effort and snore.
PRESCRIPTION USE
✓
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital
Infection Control, Dental Devices
510(k) Number: ***_***
020070
Two short videos show you everything — or skip straight to the written tutorial if you'd rather read. You can reopen this any time from the Tutorial button in the top bar.
Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.