K141335 · Boston Scientific Corp · FGE · Oct 17, 2014 · Gastroenterology, Urology
Device Facts
Record ID
K141335
Device Name
EXPEL APD DRAINAGE CATHETER SYSTEM
Applicant
Boston Scientific Corp
Product Code
FGE · Gastroenterology, Urology
Decision Date
Oct 17, 2014
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 876.5010
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The drainage catheter is intended to provide percutaneous drainage of abscess fluid and biliary collections. The drainage catheter is intended to provide external and internal percutaneous drainage of the biliary system.
Device Story
Expel™ drainage catheters are nonvascular, single-lumen catheters with distal drainage holes and proximal hubs; used for percutaneous drainage of fluid collections in body cavities. Catheters are inserted by physicians using percutaneous access; indwelling for up to 90 days. Distal ends feature radiopaque marker bands and tapered tips; shafts have graduation markings and hydrophilic coatings. APDL models include a distal locking pigtail activated by a proximal Twist-Loc™ hub; APD/Large Capacity models feature distal J-tip geometry and non-locking hubs. Accessories include cannulas, trocars, dilators, guidewires, and connecting tubes to assist placement and fluid management. Output is the drainage of fluid, which aids in managing abscesses or biliary obstructions. Benefits include minimally invasive fluid removal.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Testing included catheter tensile strength, tip robustness, pigtail retention, resistance to deformation/kinking, flow recovery, leakage resistance, chemical/MRI compatibility, accessory compatibility, sterile barrier integrity, shelf life, sterilization, and biocompatibility.
Technological Characteristics
Nonvascular, single-lumen catheter; 6-26 French OD; 15-45 cm length. Materials include hydrophilic coating, radiopaque marker bands. Features distal locking pigtail (APDL) or J-tip (APD). Sterilization method not specified. No software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring percutaneous drainage of abscess fluid, biliary collections, or internal/external biliary system drainage.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A biliary catheter and accessories is a tubular flexible device used for temporary or prolonged drainage of the biliary tract, for splinting of the bile duct during healing, or for preventing stricture of the bile duct. This generic type of device may include a bile collecting bag that is attached to the biliary catheter by a connector and fastened to the patient with a strap.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device, when it is a bile collecting bag or a surgical biliary catheter that does not include a balloon component, is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 876.9.
Predicate Devices
Flexima™ APD™ All Purpose Drainage Catheter Set (K944290)
Flexima™ Biliary Drainage Catheter with RO Marker (K023870)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
October 17, 2014
Boston Scientific Corp Matt Beauchane Regulatory Affairs Specialist One Scimed Place Maple Grove, MN 55311-1566
Re: K141335 Trade/Device Name: Expel™ APD Drainage Catheter System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 876.5010 Regulation Name: Biliary catheter and accessories Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: FGE Dated: October 9, 2014 Received: October 10, 2014
Dear Matt Beauchane,
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.
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 devicerelated adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in
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the quality systems (OS) 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 contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm. 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 Industry and Consumer Education at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours,
Herbert P.
Lerner -S
for Benjamin Fisher, Ph.D. Director Division of Reproductive, Gastro-Renal, and Urological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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| DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES<br>Food and Drug Administration<br><b>Indications for Use</b> | Form Approved: OMB No. 0910-0120<br>Expiration Date: January 31, 2017<br>See PRA Statement below. |
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| 510(k) Number (if known)<br>K141335 | |
| Device Name | Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub Biliary Drainage Catheter<br>Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub Biliary Drainage Catheter Kit |
| Indications for Use (Describe) | The drainage catheter is intended to provide external and internal percutaneous drainage of the biliary system. |
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) | |
| | <label><input checked="checked" type="checkbox"/> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)</label> <label><input type="checkbox"/> Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)</label> |
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON A SEPARATE PAGE IF NEEDED.
FOR FDA USE ONLY
Concurrence of Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) (Signature)
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| FORM FDA 3881 (1/14) | Page 1 of 1 | PSC Publishing Services (301) 443-6740<br>EF |
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## 510(k) Summary
Per 21 CFR §807.92
Per 21 CFR §807.92
| Submitter's Name<br>and Address | Boston Scientific Corporation<br>One Scimed Place<br>Maple Grove, MN 55311<br>USA | Predicate Devices | Flexima™ APD™ All Purpose Drainage Catheter Set<br>(K944290, 08-Dec-1994) |
|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact Name<br>and Information | Matt Beauchane<br>Regulatory Affairs Specialist<br>Phone: 763-494-1789<br>Fax: 763-494-2222<br>Email: matt.beauchane@bsci.com | | Flexima™ Biliary Drainage Catheter with RO Marker<br>(K023870, 20-Dec-2002) |
| Date Prepared | 03-Sep-2014 | Intended Use /<br>Indications for<br>Use | Expel™ Drainage Catheter APD Drainage Catheter,<br>Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub APDL<br>Drainage Catheter,<br>Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub APDL<br>Drainage Catheter Kit,<br>Expel™ Large Capacity Drainage Catheter APD Large<br>Capacity Drainage Catheter :<br>The drainage catheter is intended to provide percutaneous<br>drainage of abscess fluid and biliary collections. |
| Proprietary<br>Names | Single Product Configurations<br>Expel™ Drainage Catheter APD Drainage Catheter<br>Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub APDL<br>Drainage Catheter<br>Expel™ Large Capacity Drainage Catheter APD Large<br>Capacity Drainage Catheter<br>Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub Biliary<br>Drainage Catheter<br>Kit Configurations<br>Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub APDL<br>Drainage Catheter Kit<br>Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub Biliary<br>Drainage Catheter Kit | | Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub<br>Biliary Drainage Catheter,<br>Expel™ Drainage Catheter with Twist-Loc™ Hub<br>Biliary Drainage Catheter Kit:<br>The drainage catheter is intended to provide external and<br>internal percutaneous drainage of the biliary system. |
| Common Name | Diagnostic Biliary Catheter | Device<br>Description | Expel™ drainage catheters are nonvascular intervention<br>catheters that consist of a single lumen tube with drainage<br>holes in the distal region and a proximal hub. The<br>catheters are inserted using percutaneous access to<br>provide internal and/or external drainage of fluid collections<br>in body cavities. They can be long-term indwelling devices<br>not to exceed 90 days in the body. |
| Classification | Classification: Class II<br>Regulation: 21 CFR 876.5010<br>Product Code: FGE<br>Classification Panel: Gastroenterology/Urology | | Expel™ APD™, APDL, and APD Large Capacity families<br>differentiate the available French sizes, distal shape<br>geometries, and hub types. These families contain the<br>widest range of products with catheter outer diameters<br>ranging from 6 to 26 French, and working lengths ranging<br>from 15 to 45 cm. The distal ends of the catheters contain<br>drainage holes, an adjacent radiopaque marker band, and<br>a tapered tip. The catheter shafts have graduation<br>markings with numeric values and a hydrophilic coating<br>distally. Expel™ APDL family has a distal locking pigtail<br>and a proximal Twist-Loc™ hub. Expel™ APD™ and APD |
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| Device | Large Capacity families have a distal J-tip geometry and a |
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| Description, cont. | proximal non-locking hub. |
Expel™ Biliary drainage catheters are available in outer diameters of 8 to 14 French and lengths ranging from 20 to 40 cm. The distal end of the catheter contains drainage holes within a locking pigtail, an adjacent radiopaque marker band, and a tapered tip. The catheter shaft has additional drainage holes, graduation markings and numeric values, and a hydrophilic coating distally. The distal locking pigtail is activated by the proximal Twist-Loc™ hub.
The Expel™ drainage catheters come with a variety of accessories that aid in percutaneous access, device placement, device securement, and drainage fluid management. Accessories include:
- Cannulas .
- Trocars .
- . Connecting Tubes
- Plugs / Caps ●
- Pigtail Straightener ●
- Facial Dilators ●
- Guidewires ●
- Dressing .
- Catheter Cuff ●
- Introducers / Needles ●
- Cable Ties
## Comparison of Technological Characteristics
The Expel™ drainage catheter families are similar in fundamental design, function, device materials, sterilization, operating principle, intended use / indication for use and fundamental technology as the predicate devices, Flexima™ APD™ All Purpose Drainage Catheter Set and Flexima™ Biliary Drainage Catheter with RO Marker. The modifications from the predicate devices include:
- Modified hub designs .
- New catheter shaft material ●
- Addition of length graduation markings and radiopaque ● (RO) marker bands
- Extended sizes/platforms ●
- Modified packaging ●
Performance Data The following bench testing was conducted for design elements and performance characteristics deemed appropriate to demonstrate equivalence to the predicate device. The Expel™ drainage catheter families, including packaging, met the predetermined acceptance criteria
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ensuring substantial equivalence to the predicate device. No new safety or performance issues were raised during testing.
- Catheter OD
- · Catheter Shaft Tensile Strength
- · RO Marker Band Tensile Strength
- Hub to Shaft Tensile Strength
- Tip Tensile Strength
- Distal Tip Robustness
- · Pigtail Retention (Curl Strength) / Removal Force
- · Resistance to Deformation
- · Kink Resistance
- Flow Recovery Post Kinking
- · Resistance to Liquid Leakage
- Alcohol Compatibility
- · MRI Compatibility
- · Urine and Bile Compatibility
- Accessory to Catheter
- Connection Force • Cannula to Catheter
- Compatibility
- · Guidewire to Catheter/ Accessory Compatibility
- · Large Capacity Catheter to Large Capacity Connecting Tube Compatibility
- · Flexible Stiffening Cannula/Dilator Hub to Shaft Tensile Strength
- · Large Capacity Stiffening Dilator ID to Metal Stiffening Cannula OD Compatibility
- · Large Capacity Connecting Tube Hub to Shaft Tensile Strength
- · Sterile Barrier Integrity
- · Pouch Seal Strength
- Thermoformed Tray Visual
- Packaging Card Visual
- · Shelf Life
- · Sterilization
- · Biocompatibility
- · Coefficient of Friction
- · Radiopacitv
Conclusion Boston Scientific has demonstrated that the modifications made for the Expel™ drainage catheter families are substantially equivalent in fundamental design, technology, function, device materials, packaging, sterilization, operating principle, and intended use / indication for use as the predicate devices, Flexima™ APD™ All Purpose Drainage Catheter Set and Flexima™ Biliary Drainage Catheter with RO Marker.
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.