K092835 · Respironics Inc., Sleep & Home Respiratory Group · BZD · Feb 12, 2010 · Anesthesiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K092835
Device Name
COMFORTGEL NASAL MASK
Applicant
Respironics Inc., Sleep & Home Respiratory Group
Product Code
BZD · Anesthesiology
Decision Date
Feb 12, 2010
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 868.5905
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic, Pediatric
Indications for Use
The ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask is intended to provide an interface for application of CPAP or bi-level therapy to patients. The mask is for single patient use in the home or multi-patient use in the hospital/institutional environment. The mask is to be used by patients (>66lbs/30kg) for whom CPAP or bi-level therapy has been prescribed.
Device Story
ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask is a non-invasive patient interface for CPAP or bi-level therapy. Device consists of a polycarbonate faceplate, gel cushion with polyester seal, and integrated exhalation ports on the elbow. It covers the nose only and secures via headgear with ball clip attachments. Connects to flow generators via standard 22mm tubing. Used in home (single-patient) or hospital (multi-patient) settings by patients >66lbs/30kg. Healthcare providers or patients attach the mask to deliver positive pressure ventilation to the lungs. The gel cushion design aims to improve fit and reduce air leaks compared to traditional masks. The device facilitates therapy delivery, potentially improving patient compliance and treatment efficacy for respiratory conditions.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Performance testing included intentional leak, pressure drop, CO2 rebreathing, deadspace, and swivel torque on both untreated and treated samples. Disinfection efficacy testing was performed to ensure a minimum 6-log reduction in accordance with AAMI TIR No. 12-2004, AAMI TIR 30-2003, and ANSI/AAMI/ISO 14937-2000.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: Polycarbonate faceplate, gel cushion with polyester overlay, silicone cushion flap, Delrin exhalation port, UBL/urethane foam/lycra headgear. Sensing/Actuation: Passive interface for positive pressure delivery. Connectivity: Standard 22mm tubing. Sterilization: Provided clean, non-sterile; validated for high-level disinfection. Form factor: Nasal mask with integrated exhalation ports.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients >66lbs/30kg requiring CPAP or bi-level therapy. Used as an interface for non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in home or hospital settings.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A noncontinuous ventilator (intermittent positive pressure breathing-IPPB) is a device intended to deliver intermittently an aerosol to a patient's lungs or to assist a patient's breathing.
Respironics Reusable Contour II Nasal Mask (K991648)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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## TAB 3
K092835
page 1 of 7
# 510(K) SUMMARY OF SAFETY & EFFECTIVENESS
| Original Date of Submission | 14 September 2009 | FEB 1 2 2010 |
|------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|
| Device Trade Name | ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask | |
| Common/Usual Name | Ventilator, non-continuous (respirator) | |
| Establishment Registration # | 2518422 | |
| Address of Mfr. Facility | Respironics, Inc.<br>1001 Murry Ridge Lane<br>Murrysville, PA 15668<br>(724) 387-4120 | |
| Classification | Class II device | |
| Classification Panel | Anesthesiology Devices | |
| Classification Reference | 21 CFR 868.5905 | |
| Product Code | BZD - Ventilator, non-continuous (respirator) | |
| Predicate Device(s) | Respironics ComfortGel Full Face Mask (K073600) | |
| | Respironics Reusable Contour II Nasal Mask (K991648) | |
| Labeling | Draft Labeling can be found in Tab 5. | |
| Intended Use | The ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask is intended to provide an interface<br>for application of CPAP or bi-level therapy to patients. The mask is for<br>single patient use in the home or multi-patient use in the<br>hospital/institutional environment. The mask is to be used by patients<br>(>66lbs/30kg) for whom CPAP or bi-level therapy has been<br>prescribed. | |
| Reason for Submission | Modify the ComfortGel Full Face Mask to provide a nasal mask<br>offering with a gel cushion. | |
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### Intended Use
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The ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask is intended to provide an interface for application of CPAP or bi-level therapy to patients. The mask is for single patient use in the home or multi-patient use in the hospital/institutional environment. The mask is to be used by patients (>66lbs/30kg) for whom CPAP or bi-level therapy has been prescribed.
### Device Description
The Respironics ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask consists of a polycarbonate faceplate with a gel cushion encapsulated in a polyester seal for the face. The mask includes integrated exhalation features on the elbow. It is an accessory for use with CPAP and bi-level devices in the home (single patient use) and hospital/institution (multi-patient use).
The ComfortGel Blue Nasal mask covers the patient's nose only. It is strapped to the patient's face using headgear which connects to the mask via slots in the forehead bracket at the top, and via ball clip headgear attachments, which fit into sockets in the mask faceplate at the bottom. The mask is connected to the CPAP or bi-level flow generator via standard 22mm patient tubing. Positive pressure ventilation is then able to be applied to the lungs in a non-invasive way.
### Substantial Equivalence
The ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask has the following similarities to the previously cleared predicate devices:
- D Same intended use.
- D Same operating principle.
- O Same technology.
- O Same manufacturing process.
There is no change to the intended use, operating principle, technology or manufacturing process for the ComfortGel Blue nasal mask. Design modifications were made to the previously cleared ComfortGel Full Face Mask (K073600) to provide a nasal mask offering, similar to the Reusable Contour II Nasal Mask, with a gel cushion. The following changes have been made:
- 1. Modification to the mask materials
- Removal of pressure pick-off port. 2.
- Modification to match mask dimensions to that of a nasal mask 3.
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- 4. Modification to the mask elbow to remove entrainment valve, similar to the Reusable Contour II Nasal Mask (K991648).
- 5. Modification to add additional sizes of the mask.
- 6. Modification to the mask deadspace.
Table 1 provides a detailed technology and performance comparison for the ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask to the cited device predicates Reusable Contour II Nasal Mask (K991648) and ComfortGel Full Face Mask (K073600). Differences from the predicate devices are noted by the shaded areas.
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| | Subject Device: | Predicate Device: | Subject Device: |
|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Device: | Device: | Device: |
| | Respironics ComfortGel<br>Full Face Mask | Respironics<br>Reusable Contour II<br>Nasal Mask | Respironics ComfortGel<br>Nasal Mask |
| | Manufacturer: | Manufacturer: | Manufacturer: |
| | Respironics, Inc. | Respironics, Inc. | Respironics, Inc. |
| | 510(k) Number: | 510(k) Number: | 510(k) Number: |
| | K073600 | K991648 | To be determined |
| Intended Use | The ComfortGel Full<br>Face Mask is intended to<br>provide an interface for<br>application of CPAP or<br>bi-level therapy to<br>patients. The mask is for<br>multi-patient use in the<br>home or<br>hospital/institutional<br>environment. The mask<br>is intended to be used on<br>patients (>66 lbs/30kg)<br>for whom CPAP or bi-<br>level therapy has been<br>prescribed using a CPAP<br>or bi-level system. | The Respironics<br>Reusable Contour II<br>Nasal Mask is<br>intended to provide<br>an interface for<br>application of<br>Respironics bi-level<br>or CPAP therapy to<br>patients. For single<br>patient use in the<br>home or<br>hospital/institutional<br>environment. The<br>mask is to be used<br>on adult patients<br>(>30kg) for who bi-<br>level or CPAP<br>therapy has been<br>prescribed using a<br>Respironics bi-level<br>or CPAP system. | The ComfortGel Nasal<br>Mask is intended to<br>provide an interface for<br>application of CPAP or bi-<br>level therapy to patients.<br>The mask is for single<br>patient use in the home or<br>multi-patient use in the<br>hospital/institutional<br>environment. The mask is<br>intended to be used on<br>patients (>66lbs/30kg) for<br>whom CPAP or bi-level<br>therapy has been<br>prescribed using a CPAP<br>or bi-level system. |
| Patient<br>Population | Patients > 66 lbs/30 kg | Patients >30kg | Unchanged from<br>K073600/K991648 |
| Environment of<br>Use | Home or<br>Hospital/institutional<br>Environment | Home or<br>Hospital/Institutional<br>Environment | Unchanged from<br>K073600/K991648 |
| Product Code | BZD | BZD | Unchanged from<br>K073600/K991648 |
| Provided Sterile<br>or Non-Sterile | Provided clean, not<br>sterile | Provided clean, not<br>sterile | Unchanged from<br>K073600/K991648 |
| Patient Usage<br>Type | Multi-patient Use | Single patient use | Single Patient Use in the<br>home or multi-patient use<br>in the hospital/institutional<br>environment. |
| Design | Face Interface and<br>headgear | Nasal interface and<br>headgear | Unchanged from K991648 |
| Materials | Faceplate: Polycarbonate<br>Face Seal: gel cushion | Faceplate:<br>Polycarbonate | Faceplate: Polycarbonate<br>Face seal: Gel cushion |
| | with urethane overlay .<br>Cushion flap: Silicone<br>Exhalation Port:<br>Polycarbonate<br>Entrainment Valve:<br>Polycarbonate with<br>Silicone Flapper<br>Headgear: UBL,<br>Urethane foam and lycra | Face Seal: Silicone<br>Cushion<br>Exhalation Elbow:<br>Polycarbonate<br>Headgear:<br>Velstretch/Lycra<br>laminated foam | with polyester overlay<br>Cushion Flap: Silicone<br>Exhalation Elbow:<br>Polycarbonate<br>Exhalation Port: Delrin<br>Forehead Pad: Silicone<br>Headgear: UBL, Urethane<br>Foam, and Lycra |
| Number of<br>Pressure Pickoff<br>ports | One | One | None |
| Shape and size<br>of faceplate | The shape of the<br>faceplate follows the<br>contours of the face<br>allowing clearance of<br>facial features, covering<br>the nose and mouth for<br>therapy. The faceplate<br>attaches to a silicone<br>sealing flap via a<br>retaining ring. | Profile of the<br>faceplate is<br>streamlined for a<br>slightly flatter,<br>rounder and more<br>complete shape to<br>help reduce mask<br>volume. | The shape of the<br>faceplate follows the<br>contours of the face<br>allowing clearance of<br>facial features, covering<br>the nose only for therapy.<br>The faceplate attaches to<br>a silicone sealing flap via<br>a retaining ring. |
| Shape and size<br>of cushion | Gel cushion to allow for a<br>more comfortable fit and<br>improved mask<br>performance (less leak). | Cushion varies in<br>thickness for better<br>seal and easier fit.<br>The cushion material<br>is thinnest where the<br>cushion contacts the<br>user's nose. Thin<br>cushion material<br>allows three basic<br>mask sizes to fit a<br>broad range of facial<br>features. | Gel cushion to allow for a<br>more comfortable fit and<br>improved mask<br>performance (less leak).<br>Dimensions modified to fit<br>nasal mask. |
| Safety Valve | The safety valve is<br>integral to the mask. | N/A- nasal mask | Unchanged from K991648 |
| Exhalation<br>device | No accessory exhalation<br>device is required.<br>Exhalation ports are<br>integrated | No accessory<br>exhalation device is<br>required. Exhalation<br>ports are integrated | No accessory exhalation<br>device is required. 54 pin<br>hole exhalation ports are<br>integrated |
| Anatomical Sites | Nose & mouth | Nose | Unchanged from K991648 |
| Patient Circuit<br>Connection | 22 mm entrainment valve<br>elbow | 22 mm exhalation<br>elbow | Unchanged from K991648 |
| Pressure Range | 4 to 30 cmH2O | 4 to 30 cmH2O | Unchanged from<br>K073600/K991648 |
| Number of Mask<br>Sizes | Three - small, medium<br>and large | Three - small,<br>medium and large | Four- petite, small,<br>medium, and large |
| Mask Deadspace | Small - 210 cc | Small: ~95 cc | Petite: 76 cc |
| | Medium - 260 cc | Medium: ~123 cc | Small: 97 cc |
| | Large - 300 cc | Large: ~123 cc | Medium: 99 cc |
| | | | Large: 118 cc |
| Intentional Leak | > 9.5 SLPM @ 2.5 cm | ≥ 7.5 SLPM @ 1.5<br>cm H2O | Unchanged from K073600 |
| | H2O<br>> 15 SLPM @ 5 cm H2O<br>< 64 SLPM @ 40 cm<br>H2O | H2O<br>≥ 10 SLPM @ 2.5 cm<br>≥ 16 SLPM @ 5.0 cm<br>≤ 67 SLPM @ 40 cm<br>H2O | |
| Unintentional<br>Leak | ≤17 SLPM @20 cm H2O<br>≤ 28 SLPM @ 35 cm<br>H2O | ≤17 SLPM @20 cm<br>≤ 28 SLPM @ 35 cm<br>H2O | Unchanged from<br>K073600/K991648 |
| Pressure Drop | Closed to Atmosphere:<br>≤ 1 cm H2O at flows ≤ 50<br>SLPM<br>≤ 4 cm H2O at flows ≤<br>100 SLPM<br>Open to Atmosphere:<br>≤ 2 cm H2O @ flow up 60<br>lpm | Not known | < 1 cmH2O (.98 hPa) at<br>flows ≤ 50 SLPM<br>< 4 cmH2O (3.9 hPa) at<br>flows ≤ 100 SLPM (Elbow<br>without entrainment valve<br>comparable to Elbow with<br>entrainment valve, closed<br>to atmosphere.) |
| Valve Open to<br>Atmosphere | PAP Pressure ≥ 1cm<br>H2O (0.40 in H2O) and ≤<br>3 cm H2O (1.2 in H2O) | N/A- nasal mask | Unchanged from K99164 |
| Valve Close to<br>Atmosphere | PAP Pressure ≥ - 1 cm<br>H2O (-0.40 in H2O) | N/A- nasal mask | Unchanged from K99164 |
| Mask Weight | Small: 5.24 oz.<br>Medium: 5.54 oz.<br>Large: 5.86 oz. | No information<br>available | Petite: ~4.83 oz.<br>Small: ~ 5.39 oz.<br>Medium:~ 5.28 oz.<br>Large: ~ 5.45 oz. |
| Cushion<br>Height, Length<br>and Width | Small: 4.01" x 3.51" x<br>1.73"<br>Medium: 4.34" x 3.84" x<br>1.72"<br>Large: 4.78" x 3.84" x<br>1.74" | No information<br>available | Petite: 2.26" x 2.45" x<br>1.47"<br>Small: 2.76" x 2.78" x<br>1.47"<br>Medium: 2.76" x 2.78" x<br>1.49"<br>Large: 3.16" x 2.84" x<br>1.47" |
| Faceplate | Small: 4.82" x 4.00" x<br>1.09" | No information<br>available | Petite: 3.25" x 3.25" x<br>0.97" |
| | 1.09" | | 3.38" x 0.97" |
| | Large: 5.47" x 4.32" x<br>1.09" | | Large: 3.90" x 3.52" x<br>0.97" |
| Occluded End<br>Tidal CO2 | Small = 7.6%<br>Medium = 6.9%<br>Large = 6.7% | No information<br>available | Large = 7.9% |
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To demonstrate performance and functionality of the ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask was unaffected as a result of these changes, extensive performance testing, to include intentional leak, pressure drop, CO2 rebreathing, deadspace testing and swivel torque was completed on both untreated and treated samples. Testing was performed pre and post home/clinical cleaning and disinfection treatments. Additionally, efficacy testing was performed to ensure that the mask could be high level disinfected to assure a minimum of a 6 log reductions for this mask as tested in accordance with AAM TIR No. 12-2004, AAMI TIR 30-2003, ANSI/AAMI/ISO 14937-2000, and the "content and format of Premarket notification submissions for liquid chemical sterilants/high level disinfectants" - FDA CDRH, January 3, 2000. Results from this testing concluded that the verification testing raises no new issues of safety or effectiveness.
Respironics has followed the FDA's Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff document "pre-market assessment of pediatric medical devices" and applied the principle of FDA's Least Burdensome Approach to demonstrate the Substantial Equivalence of the ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask. As a result we conclude that the existing indications for use can be safely and effectively applied to this device.
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#### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/7/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circular border with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the circumference. Inside the circle is an emblem featuring a stylized depiction of an eagle or other bird with outstretched wings, symbolizing national strength and protection.
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room W-O66-0609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
FEB 1 2 2010
Respironics, Incorporated Ms. Zita A. Yurko Director, Regulatory Affairs 1001 Murry Ridge Lane Murrysville, Pennsylvania 15668
Re: K092835
Trade/Device Name: ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask Regulation Number: 21CFR 868.5905 Regulation Name: Noncontinuous Ventilator IPPB Regulatory Class: II Product Code: BZD Dated: January 18, 2010 Received: February 2, 2010
Dear Ms. Yurko:
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. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
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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); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); 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.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801). please go to
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDRH/CDRHOffices/ucm115809.htm for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm for the CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
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) 796-7100 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours.
Wh fo=
Anthony D. Watson, B.S., M.S., M.B.A. 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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Page _ 1 _ of _ 1
#### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): ___
Device Name: ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask
The ComfortGel Blue Nasal Mask is intended to provide an interface for application of CPAP or bi-level therapy to patients. The mask is for single patient use in the home or multi-patient use in the hospitallinstitutional environment. The mask is to be used by patients (>66lbs/30kg) for whom CPAP or bi-level therapy has been prescribed.
Prescription Use X AND/OR (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
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)
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital Infection Control, Dental Devices
510(k) Number:
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Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
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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.
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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.
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Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
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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.
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A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
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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.