G-scan is a Magnetic Resonance (MR) system that produces transversal, sagittal and coronal and oblique crosssection images of the limbs, joints and spinal column. It is intended for imaging portions of the upper limb, including the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm and shoulder, imaging portions of the lower limb, including the foot, ankle, calf, knee, thigh and imaging portions of the spinal column, including the cervical, thoracic and lumbo-sacral sections. G-scan images correspond to the spatial distribution of protons (hydrogen nuclei) that determine magnetic resonance properties and are dependent on the MR parameters, including spin-lattice relaxation time (T1), spinspin relaxation time (T2), nuclei density, flow velocity and "chemical shift". When interpreted by a medical expert trained in the use of MR equipment, the images can provide diagnostically useful information.
Device Story
G-scan is an open MRI system for imaging limbs, joints, and spinal column. System features hydraulic mechanism rotating magnet and patient table from horizontal to vertical, enabling weight-bearing scans of ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, and spine. Components include magnetic unit, electronics box, operating console (PC, monitor, keyboard/mouse), receiving coils, and modular shielding box. Operated by trained medical experts in clinical settings. Device inputs are proton spatial distribution signals; system transforms these via MR parameters (T1, T2, nuclei density, flow velocity, chemical shift) into cross-sectional images. Output images are interpreted by clinicians to provide diagnostic information, aiding clinical decision-making for musculoskeletal and spinal conditions.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided.
Technological Characteristics
Open MRI system; 0.24 T static field intensity; 33 cm gantry opening. Gradient system: ± 20 mT/m intensity, 0.8 ms rise time. RF system: up to 1800 W peak pulse, dual 900 W amplifiers. Receiving chain: < 1 dB noise figure. Patient table: automatic longitudinal movement (140 cm) and 0-90 degree rotation. Connectivity: PC-based console. Shielding: modular box with RF/AC field attenuation. Sterilization: N/A (non-invasive).
Indications for Use
Indicated for MR imaging of upper limbs (hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm, shoulder), lower limbs (foot, ankle, calf, knee, thigh, hip), and spinal column (cervical, thoracic, lumbo-sacral) in patients requiring diagnostic imaging of these anatomical regions.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A magnetic resonance diagnostic device is intended for general diagnostic use to present images which reflect the spatial distribution and/or magnetic resonance spectra which reflect frequency and distribution of nuclei exhibiting nuclear magnetic resonance. Other physical parameters derived from the images and/or spectra may also be produced. The device includes hydrogen-1 (proton) imaging, sodium-23 imaging, hydrogen-1 spectroscopy, phosphorus-31 spectroscopy, and chemical shift imaging (preserving simultaneous frequency and spatial information).
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). A magnetic resonance imaging disposable kit intended for use with a magnetic resonance diagnostic device only is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 892.9.
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510(k) Summary ( i->c .Hi Esaote. S.p.A.
K042236
OC1 4 - 2004
# 510(k) Summary
The following 510(k) summary has been prepared pursuant to requirements specificd in 21CFR¶807.92(a).
807.92(a)(1)
## Submitter Information
| Carri Graham, Official Correspondent<br>8000 Castleway Drive<br>Indianapolis, IN 46250<br>Phone:<br>Facsimile: | (317) 849-1916<br>(317) 577-9070 |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Contact Person: | Carri Graham |
| Date: | August 13, 2004 |
| 807.92(a)(2) | |
| Trade Name: | G-scan |
| Common Name: | Magnetic resonance diagnostic device |
| Classification Name(s): | System, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| Classification Number: | 90LNH |
807.92(a)(3)
# Predicate Device(s)
| Tradename | Common name | Class | Product code | Manufacturer | K number |
|-------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------|--------------|----------------------------|----------|
| E-scan XQ | System, nuclear<br>magnetic resonance<br>imaging | II | LNH | ESAOTE S.P.A. | K032121 |
| AIRIS II | System, nuclear<br>magnetic resonance<br>imaging | II | LNH | HITACHI MEDICAL<br>SYSTEMS | K001334 |
| MAGNA SL | System, nuclear<br>magnetic resonance<br>imaging | II | LNH | MAGNA-LAB | K940894 |
| Magna 5000<br>Phased Array<br>CTL Spine<br>Coil | Coil, Magnetic<br>Resonance, Specialty | II | MOS | USA INSTRUMENTS | K994345 |
| UROLOGIC | Table, radiographic,<br>tilting | II | IXR | PCK ELECTRONIC<br>INDUSTRY | K011311 |
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### "01.92(a)(4)
## Device Description
G-scan is an open MRI system designed specifically to image limbs, joints and the spinal column.
The system is equipped with a hydraulic mechanism that will rotate both the magnet and the patient table from horizontal to vertical position, as shown in the following figures.
The patient may be scanned while lying down in a horizontal position and later he can be scanned vertically, in the weight bearing state, limited to the ankle, knee, hip and shoulder joint, and the spine.
The system is composed of these main parts:
- 1. Magnetic unit.
- 2. Electronics box.
- 3. Operating console that consists of the PC unit (including keyboard and mouse), the monitor and the operating table.
- 4. Receiving coils.
- 5. Modular shielding box with filter panel.
### 807.92(a)(5)
### Intended Use(s)
7-scan is a Magnetic Resonance (MR) system that produces transversal, sagittal and coronal and oblique crosssection images of the limbs, joints and spinal column. It is intended for imaging portions of the upper limb, including the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm and shoulder, imaging portions of the lower limb, including the foot, ankle, calf, knee, thigh and imaging portions of the spinal column, including the cervical, thoracic and lumbo-sacral sections.
G-scan images correspond to the spatial distribution of protons (hydrogen nuclei) that determine magnetic resonance properties and are dependent on the MR parameters, including spin-lattice relaxation time (T1), spinspin relaxation time (T2), nuclei density, flow velocity and "chemical shift". When interpreted by a medical expert trained in the use of MR equipment, the images can provide diagnostically useful information.
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### 307.92(a)(6)
## Technological Characteristics
#### 1. Imaging System
| Characteristic | G-scan | AIRIS II | Comments |
|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | K001334 | |
| Clinical use | Portions of the upper limb,<br>including hand, wrist,<br>forearm, elbow, arm and<br>shoulder.<br>Portions of the lower limb,<br>including foot, ankle, calf,<br>knee, thigh and hip.<br>Portions of the spinal<br>column, including the<br>cervical, thoracic and<br>lumbo-sacral sections. | Whole body, central<br>nervous system and<br>orthopaedic regions. | The spinal<br>column has been<br>introduced for<br>examination. |
| Pulse sequences | Turbo Spin Echo 7 | Fast Spin Echo | All the other<br>pulse sequences<br>are the same of<br>E-scan XQ,<br>K032121.<br>The Turbo Spin<br>Echo 7 is<br>described in the<br>"Device<br>Description"<br>section. |
| Field of view | From 100 up to 350 mm,<br>step 10 mm (250 mm are<br>displayed). | From 50 up to 350 mm,<br>step 1 mm | A larger FOV is<br>available to<br>better cover the<br>anatomical parts<br>to be imaged. |
#### 2. Magnetic System
| Characteristic | G-scan | AIRIS II<br>K001334 | Comments |
|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|
| Static field<br>intensity | 0.24 T. | 0.3 T | |
| Fringe field | 0.5 mT line at 1.8 m<br>maximum from the centre<br>of the magnet. | 0.5 mT line at 2.5 m<br>maximum from the centre<br>of the magnet. | |
| Gantry opening | 33 cm high | 38 cm high | |
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510(k) Summary (i-scan Esaote. S.p.A.
| Characteristic | G-scan | MAGNA SL<br>K940894 | Comments |
|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Field direction | Vertical or horizontal,<br>according to system<br>orientation, between the<br>two "C" faces | Vertical or horizontal, according<br>to system orientation, between<br>the two "C" faces | The rotation of<br>the magnet,<br>together with the<br>patient table,<br>allows the<br>weight bearing<br>examination.<br>The rotation<br>system is<br>described in the<br>"Device<br>Description"<br>section. |
| Characteristic | G-scan | E-scan XQ<br>K032121 | Comments |
| Homogeneity | < ± 4 ppm (FWHM) on<br>250 mm DSV | < ± 4 ppm (FWHM) on<br>140 mm DSV | A larger<br>homogeneity<br>region has been<br>realized to cover<br>the anatomical<br>parts to be<br>imaged. |
#### 3. Gradients System
| Characteristic | G-scan | E-scan XQ<br>K032121 | Comments |
|-------------------|------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
| Maximum Intensity | ± 20 mT/m | ± 20 mT/m | Unchanged |
| Rise time | 0.8 ms (from 0 to 99%) | 0.8 ms (from 0 to 99%) | Unchanged |
| Linearity | ± 5 % on 250 mm DSV | ± 5 % on 140 mm DSV | The linearity<br>covers the<br>homogeneity<br>region. |
#### Radiofrequency System 4.
| Characteristic | G-scan | AIRIS II<br>K001334 | Comments |
|-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| RF power | up to 1800 W peak<br>pulse | up to 5000 W peak pulse | |
| Characteristic | G-scan | E-scan XQ<br>K032121 | Comments |
| Receiving chain | noise figure < 1 dB | noise figure < 1 dB | The receiving |
| Characteristic | G-scan | E-scan XQ<br>K032121 | Comments |
| | bandwidth at 0.5 dB:<br>600 kHz (10.2 MHz ±<br>300 kHz)<br>maximum<br>coil/preamplifier<br>system output -3<br>dBm<br>Chain gain<br>programmable in a 75<br>dB range with two<br>gain states with 256<br>levels each | bandwidth at 0.5 dB: 600 kHz<br>(7.7 MHz ± 300 kHz)<br>maximum coil/preamplifier<br>system output -3 dBm<br>Chain gain programmable in a<br>75 dB range with two gain<br>states with 256 levels each | chain bandwidth<br>is centered<br>around the center<br>frequency of the<br>G-scan magnet. |
| Transmission Coil | 2 linear flat coils: one<br>on the upper side and<br>the other on the lower<br>side of the gantry<br>IN-impedance = 50<br>ohm<br>active detuning<br>during receiving<br>through PIN diodes -<br>5 V 100 mA | linear saddle coil<br>IN-impedance = 50 ohm<br>active detuning during<br>receiving through PIN diodes<br>-5 V 100 mA | The upper and<br>lower<br>transmission coil<br>of E-scan XQ are<br>connected to<br>obtain a single<br>linear coil that is<br>excited by a<br>single 900 W RF<br>amplifier. The<br>upper and lower<br>transmission coil<br>of G-scan are not<br>connected and<br>each one is<br>excited by a<br>single 900 W RF<br>amplifier. |
| Transmission<br>chain | 2 RF power amplifier<br>until 900 W pep<br>bandwidth 9.5-11.5<br>MHz<br>gain stability 0.1 dB | 1 RF power amplifier until<br>900 W pep<br>bandwidth 7-9 MHz<br>gain stability 0.1 dB | The RF<br>amplifiers of G-<br>scan are the<br>same of E-scan<br>XQ, with the<br>bandwidth<br>centered around<br>the center<br>frequency of the<br>G-scan magnet. |
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.
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| Characteristic | G-scan | Magna 5000 Phased Array | Comments |
|--------------------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | CTL Spine Coil | |
| | | K994345 | |
| Linear receiving<br>coil | Thoracic - Lumbar<br>Spine coil | THORACIC CTL NB<br>(Thoracic) and LUMBAR<br>CTL NB (Lumbar)<br>Coil Selections for GE<br>OpenSpeed 0.7T Systems | The G-scan coil<br>is a linear coil<br>equivalent to the<br>linear part of the<br>Magna 5000<br>coil, i.e. the<br>Magna 5000 coil<br>without the<br>bridges that<br>make it a<br>quadrature coil.<br>The Thoracic --<br>Lumbar Spine<br>coil is described<br>in the "Device<br>Description"<br>section |
#### 5. Patient Positioning
| Characteristic | G-scan | AIRIS II | Comments |
|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | K001334 | |
| Patient table | Automatic movement in<br>longitudinal direction<br>(referred to the patient),<br>stroke 140 cm<br>Manual movement in<br>lateral direction (referred<br>to the patient), of tabletop<br>only, ± 25 cm<br>Fixed height | Longitudinal automatic<br>movement, stroke 175 cm<br>Lateral automatic<br>movement ± 5 cm<br>Vertical automatic<br>movement 45 ÷ 70 cm | The automatic<br>movement system of<br>G-scan is described<br>in the "Device<br>Description" section |
| Characteristic | G-scan | UROLOGIC<br>K011311 | Comments |
|----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Patient table | Automatic rotation, including<br>the magnetic system, from 0 o to<br>90o. | Motorized tilting movement,<br>including the x-ray tube, from -<br>16o to 90o. | The automatic<br>movement system of<br>G-scan is described<br>in the "Device<br>Description" section |
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#### Installation Area Conditions 4.
| Characteristic | G-scan | AIRIS II<br>K001334 | Comments |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|
| Area necessary | 4.1 m x 3.85m (magnetic unit)<br>4.1m x 1.65 m (operator console and<br>electronics box) | 4 m x 5 m (gantry and<br>patient table)<br>4 m x 2.5 m (operator<br>console, MRI unit and<br>other components) | |
| Floor load | Floor that can take a total<br>weight of about 8500 Kg<br>(including patient and<br>operator). | Floor that can take a total<br>weight of about 11300 Kg<br>(including patient and<br>operator). | |
#### 7. Power Supply
| Characteristic | G-scan | AIRIS II<br>K001334 | Comments |
|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|----------|
| Power supply | Single phase<br>200/208/220/230/240 VAC,<br>50/60 Hz, 24 hours | Single phase<br>200/208/220/230/240<br>VAC, 8 kVA | |
| Power<br>consumption | 1200 VA during rapid heating;<br>3000 VA during normal<br>operation;<br>450 VA with unit OFF<br>(thermal control) | Approx. 3 kW | |
| Characteristic | G-scan | E-scan XQ<br>K032121 | Comments |
|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Over-current<br>release | Thermal Circuit Breaker:<br>primary circuit:<br>200-240 V: 25 A<br>secondary circuit: 20 A | Main Fuses:<br>primary circuit:<br>200-240 V: 6.3 A<br>100-110 V: 15 A<br>secondary circuit: 6.3 A | G-scan needs<br>a protective<br>device,<br>capable of<br>carrying and<br>breaking<br>greater<br>currents |
| Earthing | via power supply cable of 1.5<br>mm2 section | via power supply cable of<br>1.5 mm2 section | Unchanged |
.
{7}------------------------------------------------
#### Shielding box ಳ್
| Characteristic | G-scan | E-scan XQ<br>K032121 | Comments |
|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Attenuation | attenuation:<br>RF 8-12 MHz E field 70 dB<br>AC 16.6 Hz H field 1.7<br>AC 50/60 Hz H field 3.0 | attenuation:<br>RF 7-9 MHz E field 70 dB<br>AC 16.6 Hz H field 1.7<br>AC 50/60 Hz H field 3.0 | Unchanged |
| Weight | 600 kg | 600 kg | Unchanged |
| Dimensions | 3.95 x 3.65 x 2.35 (w x d x h) | 3.85 x 3.85 x 2.65 (w x d x h) | The G-scan<br>shielding box<br>is described<br>in the<br>"Device<br>Description"<br>section |
Note: Any deviations from original E-scan XQ specifications are substantiated within Quality System documentation at Esaote S.p.A.
:
:
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/8/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The logo features a stylized eagle with three stripes representing health, human services, and well-being. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular pattern around the eagle.
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Esaote, S.p.A. % Ms. Carrie Graham Consultant . 7992 Castleway Drive INDIANAPOLIS IN 46250 Re: K042236
OCT 4 - 2004
Trade/Device Name: G-Scan Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.1000 Regulation Name: Magnetic resonance diagnostic device Regulatory Class: II Product Code: 90 LNH Dated: August 13, 2004 Received: August 18, 2004
Dear Ms. Graham:
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 (Premarket Approval), 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. 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.
{9}------------------------------------------------
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), please contact the Office of Compliance at one of the following numbers, based on the regulation number at the top of this letter:
| 21 CFR 876.xxxx | (Gastroenterology/Renal/Urology) | 240-276-0115 |
|-----------------|----------------------------------|--------------|
| 21 CFR 884.xxxx | (Obstetrics/Gynecology) | 240-276-0115 |
| 21 CFR 892.xxxx | (Radiology) | 240-276-0120 |
| Other | | 240-276-0100 |
Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 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,
Nancy C. brogdon
Nancy C. Brogdon Director, Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, and Radiological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{10}------------------------------------------------
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: G-scan
Indications For Use:
G-scan is a Magnetic Resonance (MR) system that produces transversal, sagittal and G-scan is a Magnetic Resonance (Mrs) of the limbs, joints and spinal column. It is coronal and oblique cross-scollon images of the upper limb, including the foot, only intended for thiaging portions of the lower limb, including the foot, ankle, elbow, and shoulder, imaging portions of the spinal column, including the cervical, thoracic and lumbo-sacral sections.
G-scan images correspond to the spatial distribution of protons (hydrogen nuclei) that G-scan images conespond to the spatial distribution connects on the MR parameters, defermine magnetic resoriation time (T1), spin-spin relaxation time (T2), nuclei density, including spiri-latilee relaxation time (11), oph specifical expert trained in the flow velocity and "chemious stillt": . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prescription Use __ × (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
David A. Lyman
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Reproductive, Abdomina and Radiological Devices 510(k) Number
Page 1 of 1
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.