For use in fine needle biopsies of various soft organs and tissues, including, but not limited to, biopsies for breast, lung, thyroid, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and prostate tissue.
Device Story
Maxi-Cell biopsy needle is a single-lumen, manual-use device for soft tissue biopsy. It features a modified shaft with additional sampling sites 0.40 inches proximal to the needle tip. Operation involves positioning the needle at the target site, removing the stylet, and manually advancing the needle while applying suction via a syringe. As the needle is withdrawn, the side-sampling site collects additional tissue, allowing for approximately double the sample volume compared to standard needles. Used by physicians in clinical settings for diagnostic tissue collection. Benefits include increased tissue yield for improved diagnostic accuracy.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; bench testing only.
Technological Characteristics
ASTM type 304 stainless steel needle and stylet. Available in 20-22 gauge sizes; lengths 3.5 to 9 inches. Single-lumen design with proximal side-sampling port. Manual operation.
Indications for Use
Indicated for fine needle biopsies of soft organs and tissues including breast, lung, thyroid, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and prostate in patients requiring tissue sampling.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A gastroenterology-urology biopsy instrument is a device used to remove, by cutting or aspiration, a specimen of tissue for microscopic examination. This generic type of device includes the biopsy punch, gastrointestinal mechanical biopsy instrument, suction biopsy instrument, gastro-urology biopsy needle and needle set, and nonelectric biopsy forceps. This section does not apply to biopsy instruments that have specialized uses in other medical specialty areas and that are covered by classification regulations in other parts of the device classification regulations.
Predicate Devices
Kendall/Sherwood Medical Plastic Hub Spinal Needle (K822630)
{0}------------------------------------------------
3 200 SEP
Biopsy Sciences, LLC Traditional 510(k) Maxi-Cell Biopsy Needle
# TAB 4
# PREMARKET NOTIFICATION [510(K)] SUMMARY
- May, 2002
| Trade Name: | Maxi-Cell biopsy needle |
|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Common Name: | Biopsy needle |
| Classification Name: | Instrument, biopsy (per 21 CFR section 876.1075) |
| Manufacturer's Name: | Biopsy Sciences, LLC<br>1011 North Craycroft Road, Suite 302<br>Tucson, AZ 85711 |
| Corresponding Official: | Sharon Rockwell<br>Vice-President RA/QA<br>5582 Chalon Road<br>Yorba Linda, CA 92886<br>Phone: (714) 695-9269<br>Fax: (714) 779-0406 |
| Predicate Device(s): | Kendall/Sherwood Medical Plastic Hub Spinal Needle,<br>K822630 and, Manan Westcott Biopsy Needles, K851838. |
| Device Description: | The biopsy needle is a single lumen needle, identical in<br>design to the predicate, from Sherwood Medical. The shaft<br>of the needle has been modified to provide additional<br>sampling sites approximately 0.40inches proximal to the<br>needle tip. Once the needle is positioned at the site of<br>interest, the stylet is removed and the needle is manually<br>advanced to obtain a freehand needle biopsy of tissue, or<br>aspirate, while suction is applied with a syringe. Then as the<br>needle is withdrawn, the side-sampling site will also remove<br>tissue, allowing the physician to collect at least twice the<br>amount of tissue sample typically removed by a biopsy<br>needle. The needle is made of ASTM type 304 stainless<br>steel, as is the stylet. |
{1}------------------------------------------------
Biopsy Sciences, LLC Traditional 510(k) Maxi-Cell Biopsy Needle
K021847
P
Pg 2 of 2
Intended Use:
For use in fine needle biopsies of various soft organs and tissues, including, but not limited to, biopsies for breast, lung, thyroid, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and prostate tissue.
Technological Characteristics:
The biopsy needles are available in 20-22 gauge sizes and lengths from 3 ½ to 9 inches. A stylet is provided with the needle to avoid coring tissue during advancement to the lesion site.
Confidential: This document and the information contained herein may not be reproduced, used or disclosed without written permission from Biopsy Sciences, LLC.
{2}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circular border with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the circumference. Inside the circle is a stylized symbol resembling three abstract human profiles or a triple helix design. The symbol is rendered in black, contrasting with the white background.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
#### 3 2002 SEP
Ms. Sharon Rockwell Vice President RA/QA Biopsy Sciences, LLC. 5582 Chalon Road YORBA LINDA CA 92886
Re: K021847
Trade/Device Name: Biopsy Sciences, LLC. Maxi-Cell Biopsy Needles Regulation Number: 21CFR § 876.1075 Regulation Name: Gastroenterology-urology biopsy instrument Regulatory Class: II Product Code: FCG Dated: May 31, 2002 Received: June 5, 2002
Dear Ms. Rockwell:
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 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. 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.
{3}------------------------------------------------
Page 2
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 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), please contact the Office of Compliance at one of the following numbers, based on the regulation number at the top of this letter:
| 8xx.1xxx | (301) 594-4591 |
|----------------------------------|----------------|
| 876.2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx | (301) 594-4616 |
| 884.2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx | (301) 594-4616 |
| 892.2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx | (301) 594-4654 |
| Other | (301) 594-4692 |
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" (21 CFR 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.gov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html.
Sincerely yours,
Nancy Cbrogdon
Nancy C. Brogdon Director, Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, and Radiological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{4}------------------------------------------------
## TAB 3
### INDICATIONS FOR USE
510(k) Number: x 021847
Device Name: Maxi-Cell Biopsy Needle
#### Indications for Use:
The Biopsy Sciences, LLC., Maxi-Cell Biopsy Needles are intended to be used for fine needle biopsies of various soft organs and tissues, including, but not limited to, biopsies for breast, lung, thyroid, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and prostate
#### (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
David G. Regan
Image /page/4/Picture/12 description: The image shows the words "Prescription Use" and "(per 21 CFR 801.109)". There is a box to the left of the words "Prescription Use" that has been marked with an X. The text is in black and the background is white.
Or
] Over-The-Counter Use
Confidential: This document and the information contained herein may not be reproduced, used or disclosed without written permission from Biopsy Sciences, LLC.
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.