K121525 · Smiths Medical Asd, Inc. · CAZ · Aug 2, 2012 · Anesthesiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K121525
Device Name
PERIFUSE CATHETER
Applicant
Smiths Medical Asd, Inc.
Product Code
CAZ · Anesthesiology
Decision Date
Aug 2, 2012
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 868.5140
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The PeriFuse™ regional anesthesia Catheter is indicated for use during procedures where intermittent administration of local anesthetics is indicated for control of operative, postoperative, acute or chronic pain for peripheral nerve block procedures. The duration of use should not exceed 72 hours.
Device Story
PeriFuse™ Catheter is a flexible nylon regional anesthesia catheter designed for peripheral nerve block procedures. It features patented 'bubbling technology' to enhance echogenicity, allowing visualization under ultrasound guidance for accurate placement. The device is available in 21G, with either a closed-end 3-lateral-eye design or an open-end finished tip design. It is intended for single-use, sterile, disposable application. During procedures, clinicians use ultrasound to guide the catheter into the target nerve area. The enhanced visibility provided by the bubbling technology assists the physician in confirming catheter position, potentially improving placement accuracy and reducing procedural complications. Once placed, the catheter facilitates the intermittent administration of local anesthetics to manage pain. The device is intended for short-term use, not exceeding 72 hours.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; bench testing only. Device performance was validated through mechanical, functional, and performance testing in accordance with BS 6196:1989 standards for sterile epidural catheters and introducer needles.
Technological Characteristics
Flexible nylon catheter; 21G (0.83mm O.D./0.41mm I.D.); 944mm nominal length. Features patented bubbling technology for ultrasound echogenicity. Available in closed-end (3 lateral eyes) or open-end configurations. Sterile, single-use, disposable. Complies with BS 6196:1989.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring intermittent local anesthetic administration for operative, postoperative, acute, or chronic pain management via peripheral nerve block procedures. Duration of use limited to 72 hours.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An anesthesia conduction kit is a device used to administer to a patient conduction, regional, or local anesthesia. The device may contain syringes, needles, and drugs.
Predicate Devices
ProLong® Regional Anesthesia Catheter, Model PL50, PL100, PL150 (K001129)
Wallace (SureView™) Embryo Replacement Catheters & Trial Transfer Catheters (K033084)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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# smiths medical
bringing technology to life
Smiths Medical ASD Inc. 10 Bowman Drive Keene, NH 03431, USA T: +1 603 352 3812 F: +1 603 355 8157 www.smiths-medical.com
## SECTION 5, 510(k) Summary
#### Company Information:
Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. 10 Bowman Dr Keene, NH 03431 (781)763-9404 Contact: Christine Lloyd Regulatory Affairs Specialist Summary Prepared: June 28, 2012
#### Product Name:
Trade Name: PeriFuse™ Catheter Common Name: Anesthesia Conduction Kit Classification Name: Anesthesia Conduction Kit, (21 CFR 868.5140, Product Code CAZ)
V121525
#### Predicate Device(s):
Primary Predicate K001129, ProLong® Regional Anesthesia Catheter, Model PL50, PL100, PL150 Secondary Predicate K994275, SIMS Portex Anesthesia Catheter
#### Reference Device(s):
K033084, Wallace (SureView™) Embryo Replacement Catheters & Trial Transfer Catheters
#### Device Description
The PeriFuse™ Catheter is an echogenic regional anesthesia catheter intended to enhance visibility of the catheter under ultrasound guidance. The PeriFuse™ Catheter is made of flexible nylon tubing and comes in two versions. One version is a closed end with 3 lateral eyes. The second version is an open end with a finished tip. The catheters are available as 21G (O.D. 0.83mm nominal/I.D. 0.41mm nominal) and have a nominal length of 944mm. They will be provided as sterile, single use, disposable devices.
The PeriFuse™ Catheter tip is marked for ease of identification and to ensure complete catheter removal. The catheter is extruded using a patented Smiths Medical technology which leaves a surface finish that is slightly textured on both the inner diameter and outer diameter
AUG 2 2012
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The PeriFuse™ Catheter may be packaged in either a catheter kit or may be included in Smiths Medical regional anesthesia trays (K965017).
#### Indications for Use:
The PeriFuse™ regional anesthesia Catheter is indicated for use during procedures where intermittent administration of local anesthetics is indicated for control of operative, postoperative, acute or chronic pain for peripheral nerve block procedures. The duration of use should not exceed 72 hours.
#### Technological Characteristics:
- The proposed device and the predicate devices are nylon catheters for regional . anesthesia use for peripheral nerve blocks.
- . Both the proposed and predicate devices are 21G catheters,
- Both the proposed and predicate catheters are closed end 3 eye design. ●
- Both the proposed and secondary predicates are open ended, no eye design, .
- The proposed PeriFuse™ Catheters are available in a styleted version the same as the . secondary predicate catheters.
- The proposed PeriFuse™ Catheter incorporates a bubbling technology to enable the . catheter to be visible under ultrasound guidance. The reference devices, the Wallace (SureView™) Embryo Replacement Catheters & Trial Transfer Catheters, are provided to show the acceptable use of this technology in medical devices. This patented technology is used in the cleared Wallace (SureView™M) Embryo Replacement Catheters to enable the physician to guide the catheter into the proper position in the uterus to properly place the viable embryo into position during reproductive procedures.
All statements and representations set forth herein regarding or related to "substantially equivalent" or "substantial equivalence" are in the limited context of the definition and purpose of substantial equivalence in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended, and applicable regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and are not made in the context of, for any purpose related to, or as an admission against interest under, any other laws or regulations, including patent laws (whether in the context of patent infringement or otherwise).
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#### Non-Clinical Data:
Non-clinical testing for the PeriFuse™ Catheter has been conducted including mechanical, functional and performance. The PeriFuse™ Catheter meets the requirements of the stated sections of BS 6196:1989 Sterile epidural catheters and introducer needles for single use.
## Clinical Data:
Not required.
#### Conclusion:
The comparison to the predicate catheter devices demonstrates that the proposed PeriFuse™ Catheter is safe and effective and is substantially equivalent to the predicate catheter devices.
Sincerely,
Christie Lloyd
SMITHS MEDICAL ASD, INC.
Christine Lloyd Regulatory Affairs Specialist
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### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image is a black and white seal for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The seal is circular with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. In the center of the seal is a stylized image of an eagle with its wings spread.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room -WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Ms. Christine Lloyd Regulatory Affairs Specialist Smiths Medical ASD, Incorporated 10 Bowman Drive Keene, New Hampshire 03431
Re: K121525
Trade/Device Name: PeriFuse™ Catheter Regulation Number: 21 CFR 868.5140 Regulation Name: Anesthesia Conduction Kit Regulatory Class: II Product Code: CAZ Dated: May 22, 2012 Received: May 23, 2012
Dear Ms. Lloyd:
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 Eederal Register.
AUG 2 2012
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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.
for
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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## SECTION 4, Indications for Use Statement
## Indications for Use
K121525 510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: PeriFuse™ Catheter
Indications for Use:
The PeriFuse™ regional anesthesia Catheter is indicated for use during procedures where intermittent administration of local anesthetics is indicated for control of operative, postoperative, acute or chronic pain for peripheral nerve block procedures. The duration of use should not exceed 72 hours.
Prescription Use Over-The-Counter Use X AND/OR (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) (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)
Page _1_ of _1_
L. Schultheis
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital Infection Control, Dental Devices
. 510(k) Number: . .
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.