Northstar System is indicated for the administration of lidocaine hydrochloride to provide local dermal anesthesia on normal intact skin. This system is an alternative to hypodermic injection or topical application of lidocaine hydrochloride. Northstar System is indicated for use on patients 5 years of age and older.
Device Story
Northstar System is an iontophoretic drug delivery system consisting of a solid-state electronic controller and a pre-medicated patch containing 10.0% Lidocaine hydrochloride and 1.0% Epinephrine. The device uses electric current to transport drug ions across the skin barrier. The controller features an ON button, an LCD for delivery count, and LEDs for status indication. Operation involves applying the patch to the patient, connecting the controller, and pressing the ON button to initiate a 10-minute delivery interval. The system is designed for local dermal anesthesia, serving as an alternative to hypodermic injection or topical application. It is intended for use in clinical settings to provide anesthesia on intact skin.
Clinical Evidence
Safety and efficacy were evaluated in Phase III clinical studies submitted as part of NDA N21-504 to CDER. Studies demonstrated the system's ability to achieve local dermal anesthesia on intact skin in both adult and pediatric populations.
Technological Characteristics
Solid-state electronic controller with discrete analog circuitry for current control and an embedded microprocessor for monitoring. Delivers constant current for iontophoresis. Form factor includes a controller unit and a proprietary pre-medicated patch. No special patch preparation or parameter selection required. Status indicated via LCD and LEDs.
Indications for Use
Indicated for administration of lidocaine hydrochloride to provide local dermal anesthesia on normal intact skin in patients 5 years of age and older.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An iontophoresis device is a device that is intended to use a direct current to introduce ions of soluble salts or other drugs into the body and induce sweating for use in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis or for other uses if the labeling of the drug intended for use with the device bears adequate directions for the device's use with that drug. When used in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, the sweat is collected and its composition and weight are determined. Additionally, an iontophoresis device intended for any other purposes is a prescription device that is intended to use a current to introduce ions of drugs or non-drug solutions into the body for medical purposes other than those specified in paragraph (a) of this section, meaning that the device is not intended for use in diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, or a specific drug is not specified in the labeling of the iontophoresis device.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device is classified as class II. The special controls for this device are:(i) The following performance testing must be conducted:
(A) Testing using a drug approved for iontophoretic delivery, or a solution if identified in the labeling, to demonstrate safe use of the device as intended;
(B) Testing of the ability of the device to maintain a safe pH level; and
(C) If used in the ear, testing of the device to demonstrate mechanical safety.
(ii) Labeling must include adequate instructions for use, including sufficient information for the health care provider to determine the device characteristics that affect delivery of the drug or solution and to select appropriate drug or solution dosing information for administration by iontophoresis. This includes the following:
(A) A description and/or graphical representation of the electrical output;
(B) A description of the electrode materials and pH buffer;
(C) When intended for general drug delivery, language referring the user to drug labeling approved for iontophoretic delivery to determine if the drug they intend to deliver is specifically approved for use with that type of device and to obtain relevant dosing information; and
(D) A detailed summary of the device-related and procedure-related complications pertinent to use of the device, and appropriate warnings and contraindications, including the following warning:
*Warning:* Potential systemic adverse effects may result from use of this device. Drugs or solutions delivered with this device have the potential to reach the blood stream and cause systemic effects. Carefully read all labeling of the drug or solution used with this device to understand all potential adverse effects and to ensure appropriate dosing information. If systemic manifestations occur, refer to the drug or solution labeling for appropriate action.(iii) Appropriate analysis/testing must demonstrate electromagnetic compatibility, electrical safety, thermal safety, and mechanical safety.
(iv) Appropriate software verification, validation, and hazard analysis must be performed.
(v) The elements of the device that may contact the patient must be demonstrated to be biocompatible.
(vi) The elements of the device that may contact the patient must be assessed for sterility, for devices labeled as sterile.
(vii) Performance data must support the shelf life of the elements of the device that may be affected by aging by demonstrating continued package integrity and device functionality over the stated shelf life.
IOMED Numby® 900 Iontophoretic Drug Delivery System
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
K03/551
# AUG 2 0 2003
### Section E
#### 5.0 510(k) Summary:
The following is a summary of the information contained in this traditional 510(k) application.
#### 5.1 Submitter:
·
Vyteris Inc. 13-01 Pollitt Drive Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 Phone: 201-703-2299 Fax : 201-703-2295
#### 5.2 Contact:
George M. Baskinger Manager, Quality Management and Regulatory Compliance
#### 5.3 Device Name:
Name- Northstar Lidocaine Iontophoretic Controller (Northstar Controller-D)
Classification Name- Iontophoresis Device
Classification- Class II (special controls) pursuant to FR Doc.00-21251 filed 8-21-00 and 21CFR890.5525 paragraph a (revised April 1, 2002)
#### Predicate Device: ર .4
Iontophoresis Device Phoresor® II, Model PM900 K974855 & K982668
Manufactured by: IOMED, Inc. 3385 West 1820 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104
{1}------------------------------------------------
#### ર : ર Description of Device:
The Northstar Lidocaine Iontophoretic Drug Delivery System (Northstar System) is composed of the Controller and the pre-medicated Patch. The Controller is fitted with a unique interconnect device, mating only with the Northstar Patch.
The Northstar System delivers drugs through a process known as iontophoresis. It is based on the principle that a soluble salt or drug can be transported across the skin barrier as a part of an electric current induced in the skin.
The quantity and distribution of delivered drug(s) is dependent on; ion charge, molecular weight, the intensity of the electric current and the time the current is present. In most iontophoretic systems the delivery is measured in terms of milliampere-minutes (mA-min).
It has been shown that the efficacious delivery of anesthetic levels of lidocaine hydrochloride can be made to local dermal areas through iontophoresis.
### 5.6 Intended Use of the Device:
Northstar System is indicated for the administration of lidocaine hydrochloride to provide local dermal anesthesia on normal intact skin. This system is an alternative to hypodermic injection or topical application of lidocaine hydrochloride.
Northstar System is indicated for use on patients 5 years of age and older.
### 5.7 Technical Characteristics:
The Northstar Controller-D uses a combination of discrete analog circuitry to control the delivery current and an embedded microprocessor to monitor the delivery.
The Northstar System utilizes a solid-state electronic controller and a pre-medicated drug delivery patch to form a simplified iontophoretic drug delivery system. As a result of this product design coordination, the Northstar System requires no special patch preparation or delivery parameter selection in the controller. An ON button actuation turns on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) indicating the number of deliveries
{2}------------------------------------------------
available, starts the delivery and two LED's (Light Emitting Diodes) on the controller indicate the delivery status to the user.
The Northstar System has been specifically designed for the delivery of a proprietary preparation containing 10.0% Lidocaine hydrochloride and 1.0% Epinepherine packaged in a pre-filled patch. The delivery is done over a 10 minute interval. The user simply applies the patch to the patient, connects the controller and patch then depresses the ON button to start the delivery.
### 5.8 Predicate Device Comparison:
The Northstar Lidocaine Iontophoretic Drug Delivery System and the IOMED Numby® 900 Iontophoretic Drug Delivery System have substantially the same function, that is to provide local dermal anesthesia. They both use the same drugs, lidocaine and epinepherine, to accomplish the result.
The Controllers for these systems (Northstar Lidocaine Iontophoretic Controller and the predicate device Phoresor® II. Model PM900) are both constant current generators. Both devices have similar safety features for over and under current delivery detection.
The differences in controller output characteristic are the result of differences in the drug concentrations used in the delivery. The predicate device uses a drug preparation of slightly lower concentrations requiring an increased charge to achieve similar levels of anesthesia.
### 5.9 Performance Summary
The Northstar Lidocaine Iontophoretic Drug Delivery System is a combination product consisting of an iontophoretic patch (drug component) and a controller (device component). The performance of the Northstar Lidocaine Iontophoretic Drug Delivery System were evaluated as a system by the end user during Phase III clinical studies to provide safety and efficacy data in support of the indication of local dermal anesthesia on intact skin which has been submitted as a part of the Northstar Lidocaine Iontophoretic Drug Delivery System New Drug Application (NDA) - N21-504 to CDER at the FDA.
These studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the Northstar Lidocaine Iontophoretic Drug Delivery System in achieving local dermal anesthesia on intact skin in both adults and pediatrics.
{3}------------------------------------------------
## 5.10 Conclusion
Overall, the controller of the Northstar system performed as intended to deliver the electrical current required to provide local dermal anesthesia to intact skin when used with the Northstar patch and is suitable for its intended use.
{4}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image is a black and white seal for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The seal is circular with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. In the center of the seal is a stylized image of three human profiles facing to the right, with flowing lines connecting them.
#### Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
AUG 2 0 2003
Mr. George M. Baskinger Manager, Quality Management and Regulatory Compliance Vyteris, Inc. 13-01 Pollitt Drive Fair Lawn. New Jersey 07410
Re: K031551
> Trade/Device Name: Northstar Lidocaine Iontophoretic Controller Northstar Controller D) Regulation Number: 21 CFR 890.5525 Regulation Name: Iontophoresis device Regulatory Class: II Product Code: KTB Dated: May 16, 2003 Received: May 19, 2003
Dear Mr. Baskinger:
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), as long as you comply with all of the Act's requirements relating to drugs labeled or promoted with the devices as described below. 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
{5}------------------------------------------------
### Page 2 - Mr. George M. Baskinger
forth in the quality systems (OS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
Our substantially equivalent decision does not apply to any specific drugs other than 10% Lidocaine and 1% Epinephrine packaged in a pre-filled patch submitted in NDA 21-504 for use with your device. Therefore, you may neither label nor promote your device for use with other specific drugs, nor package drugs with your device prior to FDA having approved the drugs for iontophoretic administration. For information on the requirements for marketing new drugs, you may contact:
> Director Division of Drug Labeling Compliance (HFD-310) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, Maryland
As you are aware, iontophoresis devices that are intended to use a direct current to introduce ions of soluble salts or other drugs into the body and induce sweating for use in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis or for other uses, if the labeling of the drug intended for use with the device bears adequate directions for the device's use with that drug, were classified into Class II. An iontophoresis device that is intended to use a direct current to introduce ions of soluble salts or other drugs into the body for medical purposes other than those specified for class II devices is classified into Class III (21 CFR 890.5525). We published our strategy for calling for premarket approval (PMA) applications in the enclosed Federal Register, dated May 6, 1994, and the enclosed memorandum, dated April 19, 1994, and the enclosed Federal Register, dated August 22, 2000.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, you may contact:
Kevin Lee. M.D. Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices 9200 Corporate Boulevard (HFZ-410) Rockville, Maryland 20850 (301) 594-1296
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.
{6}------------------------------------------------
## Page 3 - Mr. George M. Baskinger
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594- 4659. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR Part 807.97). You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act 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,
e Muh n Mullener
elia M. Witten, Ph.D., M.D. Director Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosures
{7}------------------------------------------------
## Section D
# 4.0 Statement of Indications for Use:
Northstar System is indicated for the administration of lidocaine hydrochloride to provide local dermal anesthesia on normal intact skin. This nyaloomoriae to provee to hypodermic injection or topical application of lidocaine hydrochloride.
Northstar System is indicated for use on patients 5 years of age and older.
Mark A Miller
(Division Sign Off)
(Division Sign-Off) Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices
510(k) Number K03155
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.
