The STERRAD® NX Sterilizer is designed for sterilization of both metal and nonmetal medical devices at low temperatures. The STERRAD sterilization process is a multiphase sterilization process that utilizes a combination of exposure to hydrogen peroxide vapor and plasma to affect sterilization. The STERRAD® NX Sterilizer can sterilize instruments which have diffusion-restricted spaces, such as the hinged portion of forceps and scissors. Medical devices with the following materials and dimensions can be processed in the STERRAD® NX Sterilizer Standard cycle: Single channel stainless steel lumens with An inside diameter of 1 mm or larger and a length of 150 mm or shorter An inside diameter of 2 mm or larger and a length of 400 mm or shorter Medical devices, including most flexible endoscopes, with the following materials and dimensions can be processed in the STERRAD® NX Sterilizer Advanced cycle: Single channel stainless steel lumens with An inside diameter of 1 mm or larger and a length of 500 mm or shorter Single channel polyethylene and Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) flexible endoscope with An inside diameter of 1 mm or larger and length of 850 mm or shorter Note: With the exception of the 1 x 850mm flexible endoscopes, the validation studies were performed using a validation load consisting of one instrument tray weighing 10.7 lbs. The 1 x 850mm flexible endoscope was validated without any additional load.
Device Story
STERRAD® NX Sterilizer is a self-contained, stand-alone system for low-temperature sterilization of medical instruments. Process involves injecting aqueous hydrogen peroxide into a vaporizer; vapor introduced into a chamber under sub-ambient pressure; electrical energy transforms vapor into gas-plasma. System features two cycles: Standard and Advanced. Hardware includes sterilization chamber, covered frame, disposable sterilant cassette, and optional movable cart. Operated by healthcare staff in clinical settings. Output is a sterilized medical device ready for use. Benefits include effective sterilization of heat-sensitive and diffusion-restricted instruments (e.g., hinged forceps, flexible endoscopes) without damaging materials.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Bench testing only. Validation performed using 'overkill' approach with G. stearothermophilus spores. Studies included dose response, surface/mated surface sterilization, lumen validation (various dimensions), flexible endoscope validation, bacteriostasis/fungistasis, toxicity, and chemical/biological indicator functionality. All tests passed.
Technological Characteristics
Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization system. Components: sterilization chamber, vaporizer, electrical energy source for plasma generation. Materials: stainless steel, polyethylene, Teflon. Connectivity: standalone. Software: embedded system for cycle control. Sterilization method: multiphase hydrogen peroxide vapor and plasma exposure.
Indications for Use
Indicated for low-temperature sterilization of metal and nonmetal medical devices, including hinged instruments and flexible endoscopes (polyethylene/Teflon). Validated for specific stainless steel lumen dimensions (1mm-2mm ID, 150mm-500mm length) and flexible endoscopes (1mm ID, 850mm length).
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An ethylene gas sterilizer is a nonportable device intended for use by a health care provider that uses ethylene oxide (ETO) to sterilize medical products.
Predicate Devices
STERRAD® 50
STERRAD® 100S
STERRAD® 200 Sterilization Systems
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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K 042116
## APR 2 2 2005
# 510(k) Summary
# Applicant's Name, Address, Telephone, FAX, Contact Person
Advanced Sterilization Products Division of Ethicon, Inc. 33 Technology Drive Irvine, CA 92618
## Contact Person
Natalie Bennington Regulatory Affairs Project Manager Tel: (949) 453-6482 Fax: (949) 789-3900
April 1, 2005
·
### CLASSIFICATION, COMMON OR USUAL NAME, DEVICE NAME 1.0
Classification Name: Sterilizer, Class II Common/Usual Name: Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma Sterilization System Product Classification: Sterilizer, Class II Proprietary Name: STERRAD® NX Sterilizer
#### PREDICATE DEVICES 2.0
STERRAD® 50, 100S and 200 Sterilization Systems
#### INDICATIONS FOR USE 3.0
The STERRAD® NX Sterilizer is designed for sterilization of both metal and nonmetal medical devices at low temperatures. The STERRAD sterilization process is a multiphase sterilization process that utilizes a combination of exposure to hydrogen peroxide vapor and plasma to affect sterilization. The STERRAD® NX Sterilizer can sterilize instruments which have diffusion-restricted spaces, such as the hinged portion of forceps and scissors.
Medical devices with the following materials and dimensions can be processed in the STERRAD® NX Sterilizer Standard cycle:
Single channel stainless steel lumens with
- · An inside diameter of 1 mm or larger and a length of 150 mm or shorter1
- · An inside diameter of 2 mm or larger and a length of 400 mm or shorter1
Medical devices, including most flexible endoscopes, with the following materials and dimensions can be processed in the STERRAD® NX Sterilizer Advanced cycle:
{1}------------------------------------------------
Single channel stainless steel lumens with
- An inside diameter of 1 mm or larger and a length of 500 mm or shorter*
Single channel polyethylene and Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) flexible endoscope with
- · An inside diameter of 1 mm or larger and length of 850 mm or shorter*
- Note: With the exception of the 1 x 850mm flexible endoscopes, the validation studies were performed using a validation load consisting of one instrument tray weighing 10.7 lbs. The 1 x 850mm flexible endoscope was validated without any additional load.
#### DESCRIPTION OF DEVICE 4.0
The STERRAD® NX Sterilizer is a self-contained stand-alone system of hardware and software designed to sterilize medical instruments and devices using a patented hydrogen peroxide gas plasma process. Hydrogen peroxide vapor is generated by injecting aqueous hydrogen peroxide into the vaporizer where the solution is heated and vaporized, introducing the vapor into the chamber under sub-ambient pressure and transforming the vapor into a gas-plasma using electrical energy. The STERRAD® NX Sterilizer has two different sterilization cycles, the Standard cycle and the Advanced cycle.
The hardware for the STERRAD® NX Sterilizer consists of a sterilization chamber and a variety of instruments and components which are housed in a covered frame. The sterilizer system also uses accessories such as a disposable sterilant cassette, reusable instrument system and an optional movable cart. The STERRAD® NX Sterilizer can be placed directly on a table, counter top, or on the movable cart.
<sup>*</sup> The validation testing for this lumen size was conducted using a maximum of 10 lumens per load. Hospital loads should not exceed the maximum number of lumens validated by this testing.
<sup>*</sup>Only one flexible endoscope can be processed per sterilization cycle with or without a silicone mat. No additional load.
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### SUMMARY OF NONCLINICAL TESTS 5.0
#### Validation Testing 5.1
Testing was performed using the "overkill" approach utilizing G. stearothermophilus spores. Table 8-1 on the following page identifies the validation studies performed and the results obtained.
| Table 8-1: Validation Studies | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Study | Results |
|----------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| Dose Response with 1 x 500mm Stainless Steel Lumens | Passed |
| Surface Sterilization | Passed |
| Mated Surface Sterilization | Passed |
| 1 x 500mm Stainless Steel Lumen Validation | Passed |
| 1 x 150 Stainless Steel Lumen Validation | Passed |
| 2 x 400mm Stainless Steel Lumen Validation | Passed |
| 1 x 850mm Flexible Endoscope Validation | Passed |
| Pouched 1 x 500mm Stainless Steel Lumen Validation | Passed |
| Bacteriostasis Testing in Standard and Advanced Cycles | Passed |
| Sporicidal Testing | Passed |
| In Use Testing | Passed |
| Bacteriostasis/Fungistasis Testing | Passed |
| Simulated Use Testing | Passed |
| Toxicity Testing of Materials | Passed |
| Chemical Indicator Functionality | Passed |
| Biological Indicator Functionality | Passed |
| Bacteriostasis Testing of CycleSure Biological Indicator | Passed |
| Device Functionality and Material Compatibility | Passed |
| Process Reproducibility | Passed |
#### OVERALL PERFORMANCE CONCLUSIONS 6.0
.
The nonclinical studies demonstrate that the STERRAD® NX Sterilizer is safe and effective for sterilization of medical devices within the indications for use for the sterilizer and establish equivalence of the STERRAD® NX Sterilizer to the predicate devices, the STERRAD® 50, 100S and 200 Sterilizers.
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Image /page/3/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized eagle with three stripes forming its body and wings. The eagle is enclosed in a circle with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. The text is in all capital letters and is arranged in a circular fashion to match the shape of the logo.
APR 2 2 2005
ﮯ
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Advanced Sterilization Products Ms. Natalie Bennington Regulatory Affairs Project Manager ETHICON, Incorporated 33 Technology Drive Irvine, California 92618
Re: K042116
K042110
Trade/Device Name: STERRAD® NX Sterilizer Regulation Number: 880.6860 Regulation Name: Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer Regulatory Class: II Product Code: MLR Dated: April 1, 2005 Received: April 4, 2005
Dear Ms. Bennington:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device We liave reviewed your Section of the device is substantially equivalent (for the referenced above and have determined to tegally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device interstate collinered proct to may 20, 1978, as a sectance with the provisions of Amendinens, of to devices that here obct (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket the Federal Pood, Drug, und Communey, therefore, market the device, subject to the general approval application (1 Mill). 1 over al controls provisions of the Act include confors provisions of the rea. "The girling 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 If your device is classified (see ass 10) into controls. Existing major regulations affecting (PMA), if may be subject to such adatin for a Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In your device can be found in the South no nouncements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
{4}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 - Ms. Bennington
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not Please be advised that PDA 3 issualled of a baseauxines with other requirements mean that FDA nas made a decommans in the many of ther Federal agencies. of the Act of any rederal statues and reguirements, including, but not limited to: registration You must comply with an the Act 5 requirements and 801); good manufacturing practices
and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); gDD manufacturing practice and ifiling (21 CFR Part 607), laceling (21 cess (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if requirements as set form in the quality Systems (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) I his letter whi anow you to begin mational equivalence of your device to a premarket notification. The PDA midning of bassification 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), If you desire specific auvree for your do at (240) 276-0115. Also, please note the regulation please contact the Office or Comphanes ar (210) = 11 = 1 = 1 = 1 may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the may obtain other general miormation on the mational and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free Division of Binasa 2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely yours,
Quitte y. Michau Ond.
Chiu Lin, Ph.D. Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Infection Control and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{5}------------------------------------------------
## Indications for Use
# 510(k) Number (if known): K042116
STERRAD® NX Sterilizer Device Name:
### Indications-For-Use:
Indieations-For-Use:
The STERRAD® NX Sterilizer is designed for sterilization process that utilizes a combination of The STERRAD® NX Sterilization process is a miliphas sterlization process that utilizes a combination of emperatures. The STERRAD stor and plasma o affect sterilization process and U.S. STERRAD® NY Sterlizer can sterilize exposure to hydrogen peroxide vapor and plasma to arrest stormation of forceps and scissors.
instruments which have diffusion-restricted spaces, such as the hinged portion of
Medical devices with the following materials and dimensions can be processed in the STERRAD® NX Sterilizer Standard cycle:
Single channel stainless steel lumens with
- . . An inside diameter of 1 mm or larger and a length of 150 mm or shorter"
- · An inside diameter of 2 mm or larger and a length of 400 mm or shorter]
Medical devices, including most flexible endoscopes, with the following matcrials and dimensions can be processed Medical devices, molading with Sterilizer Advanced cycle:
Single channel stainless steel lumcns with
- An inside diameter of I mm or larger and a length of 500 mm or shorter] .
Single channel polyethylene and Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) flexible endoscope with
An inside diameter of 1 mm or larger and length of 850 mm or shorter* .
+ The validation testing for this lumen size was conducted using a maximum of 10 lumens per load. Hospital loads and I he validation testing for this famon bize of lumens validated by this testing.
should not exceed the maximum number of lumens vanuated by the testing.
*Only one flexible endoscope can be processed per sterilization cycle with or without a silicone mat. load.
Note: With the exception of the 1 x 850mm flexible endoscopes, the validation studies were performed using a Note: With the exception of the 1 X 850mm fiexible chooseopes, the valuation comments of the readoscope was validated without any additional load.
Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use V (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Shula F. Murphy KB
on Sian-Off) ision of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, maction Control, Dental Devices
Number: K042116
7
Page 1 of
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.