VANGUARD MRI AUXILIARY PATIENT TABLE WITH 4 AND 8 CHANNEL COIL ARRAY FOR GE SIGNA SYSTEMS
K060873 · Sentinelle Medical, Inc. · MOS · Apr 14, 2006 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K060873
Device Name
VANGUARD MRI AUXILIARY PATIENT TABLE WITH 4 AND 8 CHANNEL COIL ARRAY FOR GE SIGNA SYSTEMS
Applicant
Sentinelle Medical, Inc.
Product Code
MOS · Radiology
Decision Date
Apr 14, 2006
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.1000
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
3rd-Party Reviewed
Indications for Use
The Sentinelle Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil array is designed to provide magnetic resonance images of breast anatomy when used in conjunction with a Magnetic Resonance Scanner. These images can be interpreted by a trained physician. When used with the disposable sterile plate the Sentinelle Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil array permits access to the breast anatomy for biopsy and localization procedures that can be performed by a trained physician.
Device Story
Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table is an MRI accessory system for GE Signa 1.5T scanners; consists of table base, tabletop, and 8-channel phased array receive-only RF coil. Tabletop supports patient and provides breast immobilization/compression; includes aperture for breast access during imaging and interventional procedures. Physician uses disposable fenestrated plates for needle guidance during biopsy or localization. Coil system passively collects RF emissions from nuclei excited by MRI scanner; improves signal-to-noise ratio and image resolution compared to standard body coils. Device used in clinical radiology settings by trained physicians. Output is raw RF signal processed by MRI scanner into diagnostic images; assists physician in lesion detection, biopsy targeting, and localization. Benefits include improved image quality and access for interventional procedures.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Performance verified using NEMA standards for MRI coils. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and image uniformity compared against predicate (K993776) using breast imaging phantoms. Results demonstrated improved SNR for Vanguard coil arrangements compared to predicate. Additional validation performed in volunteers confirmed clinical performance and safety.
Technological Characteristics
Receive-only 8-channel phased array RF coil; 1.5T field strength; 63.86 MHz operating frequency. Materials: flame-retardant polycarbonate plastic and acetal resin. Decoupling via active PIN diode switching and passive blocking circuitry. Connectivity: docks with GE Signa MRI systems. Form factor: auxiliary table base and tabletop with breast immobilization/compression plates. Sterilization: disposable sterile plates for interventional use.
Indications for Use
Indicated for providing magnetic resonance images of female breast, chest wall, and axillary tissues for interpretation by a trained physician, and for facilitating MR-guided breast biopsy and lesion localization procedures.
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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# ATTACHMENT 2: 510(k) SUMMARY
APR 1 4 2006
- A.
Proprietary Name: Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil Array for GE Signa TM systems. Classification Name: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Accessory Common Name: Vanguard Breast MRI System Classification: Class II Contact Person: Cameron Piron, President Date of Preparation: Dec 31st, 2005
## B.
## Predicate Device:
(Model OBC-300 Breast Array Coil, MRI Devices Corp, K993776) with (Breast Immobilization and Biopsy Device MR-Biopsy 160, MRI Devices Corp, K010570)
# C.
Establishment Registration #: Applied for and Pending
# Manufacture Facility Location:
Sentinelle Medical Inc. 3080 Yonge Street, Suite 6020, M4N 3N1 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Telephone: 416-482-3828, Fax: 416-482-3807
## Performance Standard:
No applicable performance standards have been issued under Section 514 of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
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#### Indications for use:
The Sentinelle Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil array is designed to provide magnetic resonance images of breast anatomy when used in conjunction with a Magnetic Resonance Scanner. These images can be interpreted by a trained physician. When used with the disposable sterile plate the Sentinelle Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil array permits access to the breast anatomy for biopsy and localization procedures that can be performed by a trained physician.
#### Device Description:
The Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil Array is an MRI imaging coil and interventional system for breast. The system consists of a table base and a table top. The tabletop supports the patient, the imaging coils and means for modest compression/immobilization of the breast, as well as a means of enabling interventional device guidance. The table base is used to support and transport the tabletop. The table base is substantially equivalent to the table provided by General Electric with their GE Signa ® MRI machines.
The tabletop, like other breast coils provides an aperture to admit the breasts. A corresponding aperture in the table base maximizes physician access to the breast(s) when the tabletop is at the home position. This is useful for guidance of interventional devices (such as biopsy needles), especially when it is desired to perform a biopsy from a medial approach.
When performing a stereotactic interventional procedure (such as biopsy or wire localization), one or more compression plates may be interchanged for a sterile, single use, disposable fenestrated plates. The fenestrated plate has apertures which permit the
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physician to access the breast for intervention. No biopsy needles are included with or packaged with the system.
The tabletop's receive-only coil system acts to passively collect RF emissions from the nuclei excited by the MRI. The function of the tabletop is substantially equivalent to predicate devices used for breast MRI imaging and intervention.
The Vanguard phased array coil set consists of 8 RF coil elements in a phased array design. The 8 coil array may be interchanged with a four coil array. The coil elements and associated circuitry are enclosed to prevent exposure to the patient or the environment. The coil electronics are enclosed in a rigid housing that is resistant to fluids and is fire retardant. The coils are positioned close to the patient's breast during imaging. This receive-only coil is designed to give an improved signal-to-noise ratio, image resolution and image acquisition over that of a standard body coil.
This system is for use with GE Signa ® (3X-LX, Echo Speed, TwinSpeed) 1.5T Scanners. This system is compatible with GE Signa ® Excite platforms.
# Safety and Effectiveness:
# Equivalency Table:
| Vanguard Breast System with<br>8 Channel Coil Array | Comparison to predicate device or other<br>510K cleared products |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Indications for Use: The<br>Sentinelle Vanguard Breast<br>MRI Auxiliary Table with 8<br>Channel Coil array is designed<br>to provide magnetic resonance<br>images of breast anatomy when<br>used in conjunction with a | Same intended indications for use as K041481 -<br>BBC-127 as indicated:<br><br>Indications for Use: To be used in conjunction<br>with a Magnetic resonance scanner to:<br>1) Product diagnostic images of the female<br>breast, chest wall and axillary tissues<br>that can be interpreted by a trained |
| Magnetic Resonance Scanner. | physician. |
| These images can be interpreted<br>by a trained physician. When<br>used with the disposable sterile<br>plate the Sentinelle Vanguard<br>Breast MRI Auxiliary Table<br>with 8 Channel Coil array<br>permits access to the breast<br>anatomy for biopsy and<br>localization procedures that can<br>be performed by a trained<br>physician. | 2) Permit MR-guided breast biopsy and<br>localization of lesions that can be<br>performed and interpreted by a trained<br>physician. |
| | The two indications for use statements are the<br>same in content and will be used for similar<br>clinical indications. This does not affect<br>substantial equivalence. |
| Design and Technology: | General technology and design is the same as<br>predicate device: K041481 - BBC-127. The<br>major technological difference is the integration<br>of the auxiliary table to the coil system. A more<br>detailed comparison of similarities and<br>differences in detailed design components are<br>provided in Attachment 8. The sum of these<br>presented differences does not affect substantial<br>equivalence as discussed. |
| Coil Enclosure and<br>compression plate material:<br>Flame retardant Polycarbonate<br>plastic and Acetal Resin. | - Acetal Resin plastic material is same as that<br>used for coil enclosure in K013485 -- Machnet.<br>- Polycarbonate plastic material is same<br>material as used in K041481 - BBC-127. |
| Technology - Coil Design: 8 | - A similar coil geometry is used for the 8 coil |
| loop phased array receive only<br>coil design.<br>1 lateral left, 1 lateral right, 1<br>medial left, 1 medial right coil<br>arrays. 4 loop phased array<br>receive only. | cardiac array (K032045). In this geometry 4<br>coils are formed in a linear array on two sets of<br>coil plates. These 2 sets of coil arrays image the<br>anatomy from different orientations. The size of<br>the coils is different for the cardiac application<br>as they are significantly larger. As coil<br>geometries need to be modified to<br>accommodate various anatomies, this difference<br>is expected for breast imaging, and does not<br>affect the safety of the device and does not<br>affect substantial equivalence to the predicate.<br>Modification of the coil geometry in such a<br>manner does not negatively affect the safety of<br>the proposed device and does not deviate<br>significantly from predicated coil designs. |
| Technology - Decoupling:<br>Active PIN Diode switching<br>blocking circuitry. Passive<br>Blocking Circuitry. | - Active PIN diode circuitry is used in K993776<br>OBC, and K041481 - BBC-127 which is also<br>used in the proposed device. The circuitry is<br>designed differently in both predicate devices<br>however the effect is the same. All circuits act<br>to detune the coil during a blocking signal<br>provided from the scanner. Various blocking<br>circuits are used in predicate devices. The<br>particular difference does not affect substantial<br>equivalence as they provide the same desired<br>effect.<br>- Passive blocking Circuitry is used in K993776<br>OBC, and K041481 - BBC-127 which is also<br>used in the proposed device. The same type of<br>circuit is used, however the capacitor and<br>inductor values are different This is expected at |
| | the coil sizes are different. This difference does<br>not affect substantial equivalence as the same<br>desired outcome is accomplished. |
| Technology - Prevention of<br>RF Burns: Cables can not be<br>looped. | - Reducing the likelihood of RF burns has<br>enabled by increasing the stiffness of the cable.<br>Cable stiffness has been increased by addition<br>of an outer cable sheath in the predicate devices<br>(K993776, K041481). This is the same as the<br>proposed device by the use of an outer sheath.<br>The material used for the outer sheath is<br>different, but provides the same desired effect. |
| Technology - Radio<br>Frequency Absorption: Coil is<br>a receive-only coil and does not<br>transmit RF power. Power<br>deposition is limited by the<br>SAR program of the MRI<br>magnet. | - Operation is the same as (K993776, K013485,<br>K041481). |
| Technology - Formation of<br>Resonant Loop: Decoupling<br>isolates the coil elements from<br>RF fields during RF<br>transmission. | - Same as K993776 – OBC, K013485 –<br>Machnet, K041481 - BBC-127. The decoupling<br>strategy is standard for many MRI coil systems. |
| Intervention: Disposable<br>biopsy plate material –<br>polycarbonate resin, 20 mm<br>apertures | - Same as K041695 - Liberty 9000, K041481 –<br>BBC-127. The similar resin and similar<br>structure is used. BBC-127 has same aperture<br>size. The geometric modification does not<br>affect substantial equivalence. |
| Performance Testing:<br>Performance was determined<br>according to NEMA standards | - A comparison to the predicate device<br>K993776 has been provided in the Verification<br>Reports (Attachment 5) with respect to Signal |
| for MRI Coils. | to Noise ratio and uniformity according to these |
| | standards. Additional comparison has been |
| | made in volunteers in Attachment 9. The results |
| | conclude that the performance of the proposed |
| | device is improved relative to the predicate |
| | device and offers no additional risk with respect |
| | to safety of the device. |
| Specifications - Mode of | - Same as K993776 – OBC, K041481 - BBC- |
| operation, Frequency, Field | 127, K041695 - Liberty 9000. All operated at |
| Strength : Receive-only, 63.86 | the same frequency, same field strength, and all |
| MHz Factory Set, 1.5 Telsa, 30 | all receive-only coils. Same field of view. Same |
| cm Field of View, Bilateral and | unilateral and bilateral applications. Presented |
| unilateral applications, Medial, | system has additional anterior access, while |
| Lateral and anterior access. | others only have lateral (OBC) and |
| | lateral/medial access (OBC, BBC). This access |
| | difference does not affect safety and does not |
| | affect substantial equivalence. |
| Compatibility: | - Same as K993776 – OBC, K041481 - BBC- |
| This system is for use with GE | 127, K041695. |
| Signa ® (3X-LX, Echo Speed, | |
| TwinSpeed) 1.5T Scanners. | |
| This system is compatible with | |
| GE Signa ® Excite platforms. | |
| | |
| Table Specifications: | Differs only from predicate K041476 - table |
| For use with General Electric | accessory as the table can not be raised up and |
| Signa ® MRI Systems. Max | down. This feature does not affect the safety |
| table weight 350 lbs. Patient | and effectiveness of the presented device. All |
| table driven by GE system. | safety mechanisms on the presented device |
| | function to provide the same level of safety and |
| | functionality to the predicate device. |
| | |
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### Testing Information and Conclusion:
There is no change to the magnet, rf system, and gradient system of the GE Signa® System by introduction of the auxiliary patient table. The receive coil system operates in a substantially equivalent manner to standard coil systems as indicated.
Operation of the GE Signa ® system with the auxiliary table is substantially equivalent to standard operation of the GE Signa ® system. The auxiliary table is docked in-place of the Signa ® system table and provides the identical docking and passive patient transfer functionalities. The functioning and safety features with the auxiliary patient table are substantially equivalent to the Signa ® system. Verification testing was performed according to internal procedures and is presented in this documentation.
Verification of imaging was performed to determine the effectiveness of the imaging system using two imaging phantoms indicative of the MRI imaging properties of a female breast. The first test compared a predicate device (K993776) signal to noise relative to the two different imaging modes of the Vanguard system. The second test used two different imaging modes of the Vanguard system (4 coil bilateral verses 4 coil unilateral) to perform a signal to noise and image uniformity comparison.
The first test demonstrated the Vanguard coil arrangements demonstrated improved signal-to-noise over that of the predicate device (K993776). The second test demonstrated the 4 coil unilateral imaging mode demonstrated improved signal-to-noise than the 4 coil bilateral mode. From these tests the Vanguard imaging modes were shown to provide signal-to-noise exceeding the predicate device.
Operation of the General Electric Signa® MRI system with the new Vanguard Breast System is substantially equivalent to standard operation of the Signa® MRI system. Additional SNR and image uniformity measurements were performed for the new imaging coil and presented in this documentation.
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# Use with MRI Models:
This system is for use with GE Signa ® (3X-LX, Echo Speed, TwinSpeed) 1.5T Scanners. This system is compatible with GE Signa ® Excite platforms.
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Image /page/9/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services USA. The logo consists of a circular seal with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract image of an eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Blvd. Rockville MD 20850
Sentinelle Medical, Inc. % Mr. Daniel W. Lehtonen Responsible Third Party Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc. 2307 East Aurora Rd., Unit B7 TWINSBURG OH 44087
APR 1 4 2006
Re: K060873
Trade/Device Name: Vangard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil Array for GE Signa™ Systems Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.1000 Regulation Name: Magnetic resonance diagnostic device Regulatory Class: II Product Code: MOS Dated: March 29, 2006 Received: March 30, 2006
Dear Mr. Lehtonen:
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.
Image /page/9/Picture/10 description: The image shows the FDA Centennial logo. The logo is a circular seal with the words "1906-2006" at the top and "FDA Centennial" in the center. The words "Protecting and Promoting Public Health" are written below the logo. The logo is black and white.
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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.
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/industry/support/index.html
Sincerely vours.
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
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): _ Ko b o 8 7 3
Device Name: Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil Array for GE Signa TM systems
Indications for Use:
The Sentinelle Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil array is designed to provide magnetic resonance images of breast anatomy when used in conjunction with a Magnetic Resonance Scanner. These images can be interpreted by a trained physician. When used with the disposable sterile plate the Sentinelle Vanguard Breast MRI Auxiliary Table with 8 Channel Coil array permits access to the breast anatomy for biopsy and localization procedures that can be performed by a trained physician.
Division Sign-Off ion of Reproducti adiological Devices
× Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PERFOR OF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH. Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
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.