K121223 · Philips Ultrasound, Inc. · LLZ · May 15, 2012 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K121223
Device Name
QLAB WITH FHN AND VPQ PLUG-IN
Applicant
Philips Ultrasound, Inc.
Product Code
LLZ · Radiology
Decision Date
May 15, 2012
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.2050
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Software as a Medical Device, 3rd-Party Reviewed
Indications for Use
QLAB Quantification software is a software application package. It is designed to view and quantify image data acquired on Philips Healthcare ultrasound products.
Device Story
QLAB Quantification Software is a software package for viewing and quantifying ultrasound image data, operating on standard PCs, dedicated workstations, or on-board Philips ultrasound systems. It includes two plug-ins: Fetal Heart Navigator (FHN) and Vascular Plaque Quantification (VPQ). FHN uses 4D ultrasound acquisitions to provide semi-automated alignment of the fetal heart, guiding users through standard views (4-Chamber, LVOT, RVOT) for visualization of anomalies; it does not produce quantitative measurements. VPQ provides protocol-driven, semi-automated analysis of carotid artery plaques, outputting maximum reduction site location, percentage of stenosis, and plaque volume. Clinicians use these outputs to assist in fetal heart assessment and vascular plaque characterization. The software facilitates clinical decision-making by providing standardized views and automated quantification metrics.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical studies were required to support substantial equivalence. Evidence consists of bench testing, including risk analysis, product specifications, design reviews, and verification and validation processes.
Technological Characteristics
Software-based image processing application. Operates on standard PCs, dedicated workstations, or integrated into Philips ultrasound systems. Utilizes semi-automated algorithms for image alignment (FHN) and plaque analysis (VPQ). Complies with AIUM, ACOG, ACR, and ISOUG standards for fetal heart screening. No specific hardware materials or energy sources; software-only device.
Indications for Use
Indicated for the viewing and quantification of ultrasound image data acquired on Philips Healthcare ultrasound systems. Intended for prescription use by clinicians.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A medical image management and processing system is a device that provides one or more capabilities relating to the review and digital processing of medical images for the purposes of interpretation by a trained practitioner of disease detection, diagnosis, or patient management. The software components may provide advanced or complex image processing functions for image manipulation, enhancement, or quantification that are intended for use in the interpretation and analysis of medical images. Advanced image manipulation functions may include image segmentation, multimodality image registration, or 3D visualization. Complex quantitative functions may include semi-automated measurements or time-series measurements.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls; voluntary standards—Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Std., Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) Std., Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) Test Pattern).
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QLAB Quantification Software
4121223
#### 5. 510(k) Summary
# MAY 1 5 2012
This summary of safety and effectiveness is provided as part of the Premarket Notification in compliance with 21CFR. Part 807, Subpart E, Section 807.92
1) Submitter's name, address, telephone number, contact person
Philips Ultrasound, Inc. 3000 Minuteman Road Andover, MA Penny Greco, Regulatory Affairs Specialist Telephone: (978) 659-4615 Facsimile: (978) 975-7324 E-mail: penny.greco@philips.com
Date prepared: April 4, 2012
2) Name of the device, including the trade or proprietary name if applicable, the common or usual name, and the classification name, if known:
| Common/Usual Name: | Picture Archiving and Communications Systems<br>Workstation |
|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Proprietary Name: | QLAB Quantification Software with FHN & VPQ |
| Classification Name: | CFR 892.2050, system, image processing, radiological.<br>Product code LLZ, Class II |
3) Substantially Equivalent Devices
Philips Ultrasound believes that the QLAB software with
- · Fetal Heart Navigator (FHN) plug-in is substantially equivalent to other commercially available products, including Philips QLAB MVQ (K070792) and GE's Voluson Expert 8 VCAD (K113758).
- · Vascular Plaque Quantification (VPO) plug-in is substantially equivalent to other commercially available products, including Philips QLAB ROI (K021966) and IMT's M'Ath® Std (K040686).
### 4) Device Description
The QLAB software application is available either as a stand-alone product that can function on a standard PC, a dedicated workstation, and on-board Philips' ultrasound
Philips Ultrasound
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#### 510(k) Premarket Notification
systems. It can be used for the on-line and off-line review and quantification of ultrasound studies.
QLAB Quantification software now includes two new plug-in applications: Fetal Heart Navigator (FHN) and Vascular Plaque Quantification (VPO).
### Fetal Heart Navigator
The Fetal Heart Navigator (FHN) plug-in provides a semi-automated alignment of the fetal heart from a 4D acquisition and a protocol that steps users through the standard views. The objective of the protocol is to obtain the standard set of views that best reveal the most common fetal heart anomalies. The purpose of the FHN plug-in is for visualization The Fetal Heart Navigator tools do not produce quantitative data or measurements.
### Vascular Plaque Quantification
The Vascular Plaque Quantification (VPQ) plug-in provides protocol-driven tools for performing a semi-automated analysis of plaques in the carotid artery. The clinical results include the location of the maximum reduction site, the percentage of stenosis. and the plaque volume in the entire image.
### 5) Intended Use
QLAB Quantification software is a software application package. It is designed to view and quantify image data acquired on Philips Healthcare ultrasound products.
### 6) Technological comparison to predicate devices
QLAB's FHN is similar to the QLAB MVQ in that users are able to rotate an image to a desired view. While MVQ requires the user to place reference points to finish a trace, FHN finds the center of the heart and ductal arch and then displays the ductal arch view. Similar to GE's VCAD, the QLAB Fetal Heart Navigator (FHN) feature is a tool that helps guide the user through the process of obtaining standard views used for fetal heart assessment: 4-Chamber, LVOT, and RVOT. Both FHN and VCAD comply with the recommended standard screening exam of the fetal heart as outlined by AIUM, ACOG, ACR and ISOUG.
Similar to the QLAB ROI plug-in, VPQ creates ROIs and can then measure the area of arbitrarily sized/shaped ROIs. Both the QLAB VPQ plug-in and the IMT M' Ath software automate plaque visualization and characterization. Both process Ultrasound images.
### 7) Non-clinical performance data
No performance standards for PACS systems or components have been issued under the authority of Section 514. The FHN and VPQ plug-ins were tested in accordance with Philips verification and validation processes. Quality assurance measures were applied to the system design and development, including:
## Philips Ultrasound
8
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- . Risk Analysis
- . Product Specifications
- . Design Reviews
- Verification & Validation .
### Summary of Clinical Tests:
The subject of this premarket submission, OLAB Quantification software with VPO and FHN did not require clinical studies to support substantial equivalence.
#### Conclusion:
Verification and validation testing concluded that the Fetal Heart Navigator and Vascular Plaque Quantification plug-ins are safe and effective and introduced no new risks.
#### 8) General Safety and Effectiveness Concerns
The device labeling contains operating instructions for the safe and effective use of the QLAB software with the Fetal Heart Navigator and Vascular Plaque Quantification plugins.
### 9) Conclusions
The QLAB Quantification Software with Fetal Heart Navigator and Vascular Plaque Quantification incorporate components common to all image viewing systems for the display, manipulation and quantification tasks within a clinical setting. Software development for the QLAB software follows documented processes for software design, verification and validation testing. A risk assessment was completed to identify potential design hazards that could cause an error or injury based on the use of the quantification results. Appropriate steps have been taken to control all identified risks for this type of image display and quantification product. Verification and validation testing of the QLAB Quantification software with Fetal Heart Navigator and Vascular Plaque Quantification indicate no new issues of safety and effectiveness.
#### Philips Ultrasound
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ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾ
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Image /page/3/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo features a stylized caduceus symbol, which is a staff with two snakes coiled around it. The symbol is surrounded by the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES • USA" in a circular arrangement. The text is in all caps and is evenly spaced around the symbol.
### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Philips Ultrasound, Inc. % Mr. Mark Job Third Party Consultant Regulatory Technology Services LLC 1394 25th Street NW BUFFALO MN 55313
MAY 1 5 2012
Re: K121223
Trade/Device Name: QLAB Quantification Software Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.2050 Regulation Name: Picture archiving and communications system Regulatory Class: II Product Code: LLZ Dated: May 10, 2012 Received: May 14, 2012
### Dear Mr. Job:
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 class II (Special Controls), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 800 to 895. 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 Parts 801 and 809); medical device reporting (reporting of
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medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); and good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820). 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 Parts 801 and 809), please contact the Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety at (301) 796-5450. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 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/cdrh/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely Yours,
Janine M. Morris
Acting Director Division of Radiological Devices Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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## Indications for Use Statement
510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: QLAB Quantification Software
Indications for Use:
QLAB Quantification Software is a software application package. It is designed to view and quantify image data acquired on Philips Healthcare ultrasound products.
Prescription Use X (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 PAGE OF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices (OIVD)
Division Sign-Off
Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety
510(k) Kla1223
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.