K063240 · C.R. Bard, Inc. · LJS · Nov 21, 2006 · General Hospital
Device Facts
Record ID
K063240
Device Name
SHERLOCK TLS STYLET, SHERLOCK TLS DETECTOR
Applicant
C.R. Bard, Inc.
Product Code
LJS · General Hospital
Decision Date
Nov 21, 2006
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 880.5970
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
Catheter stylets provide internal reinforcement to aid in catheter placement. The Sherlock™ TLS Stylet contains passive magnets that generate a magnetic field. This field can be detected by the Sherlock™ TLS Detector to provide the placer rapid feedback on catheter tip location. The Sherlock™ TLS Detector quickly locates and confirms the position of specially designed. magnet-tipped Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCS) and Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) during and after initial placement. This device may be used by appropriate caregivers in hospitals, long-term care facilities or home-care settings. The Sherlock™ TLS Detector provides rapid feedback to the caregiver, but was not designed to replace conventional methods of placement verification. Users are urged to confirm correct placement according to their established institutional protocol and clinical judgment.
Device Story
Sherlock™ TLS Stylet provides internal reinforcement/stiffness to catheters during venotomy; contains passive magnets generating magnetic field. Used with Sherlock™ TLS Detector to provide real-time feedback on catheter tip location during PICC/CVC placement. Operated by clinicians in hospitals, long-term care, or home settings. Detector senses magnetic field to track tip position; output provides visual/auditory feedback to caregiver. Does not replace conventional verification methods (e.g., X-ray); intended to supplement established institutional protocols. Benefits include rapid tip location feedback, potentially reducing need for multiple placement attempts or post-procedure adjustments.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Bench testing only. Verification and validation testing performed per FDA guidance and standards (ISO 11070, ISO 11135, ISO 10993). Testing confirmed tensile integrity under extreme kink conditions and biocompatibility for long-term, blood-contacting use. FMEA analysis confirmed risks are acceptable.
Technological Characteristics
Stylet contains passive magnets for magnetic field generation. Materials meet ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards for long-term, blood-contacting devices. Design provides structural reinforcement/stiffness to catheters. Sterilization via Ethylene Oxide (AAMI/ANSI/ISO 11135). Connectivity involves magnetic field interaction with external detector unit.
Indications for Use
Indicated for use as an accessory to aid in the placement of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) and Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) in patients requiring central venous access. Used by caregivers in hospitals, long-term care, or home-care settings to provide rapid feedback on catheter tip location during and after placement.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A percutaneous, implanted, long-term intravascular catheter is a device that consists of a slender tube and any necessary connecting fittings, such as luer hubs, and accessories that facilitate the placement of the device. The device allows for repeated access to the vascular system for long-term use of 30 days or more, and it is intended for administration of fluids, medications, and nutrients; the sampling of blood; and monitoring blood pressure and temperature. The device may be constructed of metal, rubber, plastic, composite materials, or any combination of these materials and may be of single or multiple lumen design.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls) Guidance Document: “Guidance on Premarket Notification [510(k)] Submission for Short-Term and Long-Term Intravascular Catheters.”
Sherlock™ Tip Location System (TLS) Detector (K061240)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Sherlock™ (TLS) Stylet 510(k) Modifications
K063240
#### Section 6
NOV 2 1 2006
## 510(k) Summary Sherlock™ Tip Location System (TLS) Stylet
## 510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Information 21 CFR 807.92
- 1. Submitter Information:
| Submitter Name: | Bard Access Systems, Inc.<br>[Subsidiary of C. R. Bard, Inc.] |
|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| Address: | 5425 W. Amelia Earhart Drive<br>Salt Lake City, UT 84116 |
| Telephone Number: | (801) 595-7136 |
| Fax Number: | (801) 595 5425 |
| Contact Person: | Lynn M. Kirchoff |
| Date of Preparation: | October 25, 2006 |
#### 2. Subject Device Information:
| Device Name: | Sherlock™ Tip Location System Stylet |
|-----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Trade Name: | Sherlock™ Tip Location System (TLS) Stylet |
| Common/Usual Name: | Vascular Access Catheter Accessories |
| Classification Name: | 80 LJS - Accessory to Percutaneous, Implanted, Long-Term<br>Intravascular Catheter |
| | 21 CFR 880.5970- Class II |
| Classification Panel: | General Hospital |
#### Predicate Device Information: 3.
| Device Name: | Sherlock™ Tip Location System |
|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Trade Name: | Sherlock™ Tip Location System (TLS) |
| Common/Usual Name: | Vascular Access Catheter Accessories |
| Classification Name: | 80 LJS - Accessory to Percutaneous, Implanted, Long-Term Intravascular Catheter<br>21 CFR 880.5970- Class II |
| Classification Panel: | General Hospital |
| Premarket Notification: | K060341, concurrence date April 14, 2006 |
| Device Name: | Sherlock™ Tip Location System (TLS) Detector |
|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Trade Name: | Sherlock™ Tip Location System (TLS) Detector |
| Common/Usual Name: | Vascular Access Catheter Accessories |
| Classification Name: | 80 LJS- Accessory to Percutaneous, Implanted, Long-Term Intravascular Catheter<br>21 CFR 880.5970- Class II |
| Classification Panel: | General Hospital |
| Premarket Notification: | K061240, concurrence date June 2, 2006 |
#### 4. Device Description
·
The Sherlock™ Tip Location System (TLS) consists of the Sherlock™ TLS Detector and Sherlock™ TLS Stylet.
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The Sherlock™ TLS Stylet has been developed to aid in the placement of Bard Access Systems catheters using current placement techniques. The stylets are designed to give the catheters added support and stiffness while traversing the patient's venotomy. Also, should the clinician choose to do so, the stylets have been designed to be used in conjunction with Sherlock™ TLS Detector to allow for rapid feedback of catheter tip placement. The information provided by the Sherlock™ TLS is not meant to replace conventional methods of catheter placement verification. Clinicians are urged to confirm correct catheter placement according to their established institutional protocol and clinical judgment.
#### 5. Intended Use
Catheter stylets provide internal reinforcement to aid in catheter placement. The Sherlock™ TLS Stylet contains passive magnets that generate a magnetic field. This field can be detected by the Sherlock™ TLS Detector to provide the placer rapid feedback on catheter tip location.
The Sherlock™ TLS Detector quickly locates and confirms the position of specially designed. magnet-tipped Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCS) and Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) during and after initial placement. This device may be used by appropriate caregivers in hospitals, long-term care facilities or home-care settings. The Sherlock™ TLS Detector provides rapid feedback to the caregiver, but was not designed to replace conventional methods of placement verification. Users are urged to confirm correct placement according to their established institutional protocol and clinical judgment.
#### Summary of Technological Characteristics in relation to Predicate Device: 6.
Does the new device have the same indication statement?
Yes.
## Does the new device have the same technological characteristics, e.g. design, material, etc.?
Not in all regards. The Sherlock™ TLS Stylet has some minor differences from the predicate Sherlock™ TLS Stylet. However, the basic fundamental scientific technology of the stylet has not changed.
## Could the new characteristics affect safety or effectiveness?
Yes. The new characteristics could affect safety and effectiveness of the device,
## Do the new characteristics raise new types of safety and effectiveness questions?
No. A failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) of the modified device was conducted in accordance with an internal protocol based on ISO 14971:2000, Medical Devices - Risk Management for Medical Devices, to assure that risks posed by the subject device are acceptable. The analysis did not raise any new types of safety or effectiveness questions.
## Do accepted scientific methods exist for assessing effects of the new characteristics?
Yes. Testing was based on FDA guidance document and standards to evaluate the devices' performance:
- . Coronary and Cerebrovascular Guidewire FDA Guidance, dated 1/95
- . ISO 11070:1998, Sterile, single-use intravascular catheter introducers
- AAMI/ANSI/ISO 11135:1994, Medical Devices Validation and Routine Control of . Ethylene Oxide Sterilization
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The need for design validation was assessed and no additional validation was required. The modification to the design did not necessitate the need for additional design validation activities. There is no change in how the clinician will use the device in placement procedures, only additional clarification in the IFU for the safe and effective use of the device. Verification testing demonstrated the ability of the modified design to maintain tensile integrity under extreme kink conditions.
Biocompatibility requirements of ISO-10993, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices Part-1: Evaluation and Testing, and the FDA-Modified ISO 10993 Test Profile for externally communicating, blood-contacting, long-term devices, were met. No materials are used in the manufacture of the modified device that have not already been cleared for similar applications by Bard Access Systems.
#### Are performance data available to assess effects of new characteristics?
Yes. Verification and validation testing was performed according to protocols based on the above-referenced guidance document recommendations and standards, as well as in accordance with in-house protocols. The modified devices met the acceptance criteria for the tests performed.
#### Do performance data demonstrate equivalence?
Yes. Performance data demonstrated that the modified Sherlock™ TLS Stylets are substantially equivalent to the predicate devices and/ or met pre-determined acceptance criteria, and the risks associated with use of the new device were found acceptable when evaluated by FMEA.
#### 7. Conclusion
The modified Sherlock™ TLS Stylets met predetermined performance acceptance criteria of testing performed and are substantially equivalent to the predicate Sherlock™ TLS Stylets, cleared under K060341.
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Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
C.R. Bard, Incorporated Ms. Lynn M. Kirchoff Regulatory Affairs Specialist Bard Access Systems, Incorporated 5425 West Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
NOV 2 1 2006
Re: K063240
Trade/Device Name: Sherlock™ Tip Location System (TLS) Regulation Number: 880.5970 Regulation Name: Percutaneous, Implanted Long-Term Intravascular Catheter Regulatory Class: II Product Code: LJS Dated: October 25, 2006 Received: October 26, 2006
Dear Ms. Kirchoff:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to 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.
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## Page 2 - Ms. Kirchoff
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 (240) 276-0115. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR 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/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely yours,
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
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): K063240
Device Name: SherlockTM Tip Location System (TLS)
Indications For Use:
Catheter stylets provide internal reinforcement to aid in catheter placement. The Sherlock™ TLS Stylet contains passive magnets that generate a magnetic field. This field can be detected by the Sherlock™ TLS Detector to provide the placer rapid feedback on catheter tip location.
AND/OR Prescription Use × (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-The-Counter Use (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)
Ald C. Ager for now 11/27/2006
eneral Hospital.
K063240
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.