K143499 · Eclear International Co., Ltd. · NXC · Oct 9, 2015 · Dental
Device Facts
Record ID
K143499
Device Name
eCligner
Applicant
Eclear International Co., Ltd.
Product Code
NXC · Dental
Decision Date
Oct 9, 2015
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 872.5470
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
eCligner® is a series of clear, lightweight, plastic appliances indicated for the correction of dental malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition (i.e. all second molars). The eCligner® is intended for minor anterior tooth movement by way of continuous gentle force.
Device Story
eCligner is a transparent, removable orthodontic appliance system; used for minor anterior tooth movement. Process: dentist takes patient tooth molds; 3D CAD/CAM system designs treatment plan; plastic models printed; aligners produced via vacuum forming. Treatment: patient wears three sequential aligners of varying thickness (soft, medium, hard) per step; 17 hours/day wear required; 3-week intervals per step. Ultra-hard version available for bruxism patients. Dentist monitors treatment from delivery of first to final aligner. Output: continuous gentle force on teeth to achieve progressive realignment. Benefits: gradual, aesthetic tooth correction.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Biocompatibility testing (cytotoxicity, irritation, sensitization) performed per ISO 10993. Software validation performed for the CAD/CAM system used in fabrication per FDA guidance.
Technological Characteristics
Thermoplastic material; vacuum-formed clear aligners; 0.5mm (soft), 0.62mm (medium), 0.75mm (hard), and 1.00mm (ultra-hard) thicknesses. 3D CAD/CAM system for treatment planning and model fabrication. Standalone workflow involving dentist-approved digital model schemes.
Indications for Use
Indicated for correction of dental malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition (all second molars) requiring minor anterior tooth movement.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An orthodontic plastic bracket is a plastic device intended to be bonded to a tooth to apply pressure to a tooth from a flexible orthodontic wire to alter its position.
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Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract symbol that resembles a stylized caduceus, with three figures or lines representing the staff and intertwined snakes.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
October 9, 2015
eClear International Co., Ltd. c/o Ms. April Lee Consultant WithUS Consulting 2531 Pepperdale Drive Rowland Heights, California 91748
Re: K143499 Trade/Device Name: eCligner® Regulation Number: 21 CFR 872.5470 Regulation Name: Orthodontic Plastic Bracket Regulatory Class: II Product Code: NXC Dated: September 3, 2015 Received: September 9, 2015
Dear Ms. Lee:
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 devicerelated 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 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,
Tina
Kiang -S
for Erin I. Keith, M.S. Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital. Respiratory. Infection Control, and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Clear Internat
30 Teheranro 27 gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Rep Tel. 82-2-515-5945 / Fax. 82-2-3443-9092
## Indication for Use Statement
#### Indication for Use
K143499 510(K) Number (if known):
Device Name: eCligner®
#### Indication for Use:
eCligner® is a series of clear, lightweight, plastic appliances indicated for the correction of dental malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition (i.e. all second molars). The eCligner® is intended for minor anterior tooth movement by way of continuous gentle force.
Prescription Use _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
AND/OR
Over-The-Counter _____________
(Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
(Per 21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
For FDA Use Only
Concurrence of Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) (Signature)
Page 1 of 1
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# eClearInternational Co.,L 30Teheranro27 gil,Gangnam-gu, Seoul,Republic ofKorea
Tel.82-2-515-5945/Fax.82-2-3443-9092
#### 510(k) Summary
# 510(k) Summary
Submitter eClear International Co., Ltd. Dr. Tae Weon Kim 30 Teheranro 27 gilGangnam-gu Seoul, 135-915 Republic of Korea Email: info@ecligner.com Tel. +82-2-515-5945 Fax. +82-2-3443-9092
#### Official Correspondent
With US Group, Inc. April Lee 2531 Pepperdale Drive, Rowland Heights, CA 91748 USA Email: withus6664@gmail.com Phone: 1-909-274-9971 Fax: 1-909-460-8122
#### Device Information
- . Trade (Proprietary)Name: eCligner®
- . Common Name: Aligners, Sequential
- Classification Name: Orthodontic Plastic Bracket
- Product Code: NXC
- Panel: Dental
- Regulation Number: 21 CFR872.5470
- Device Class: ClassII
- Date prepared:10/08/2015 ●
## Predicate Device
Invisalign® System (K081960)
## General Description
eCligner® is a transparent and removable orthodontic appliance.
eCligner® is a digitally- made Clear Aligner by the 3DCAD/CAM system. By printing the completed setup data into a series of plastic models, eCligne® is produced by a simple stamping procedure (Vacuum forming). eCligner® is designed for orthodontic tooth movement.
Each step for using orthodontic appliance, eCligner® consists of 3 weeks (1 week for soft, 1 week for medium and 1 week for hard) and wearing the appliance 17 hours a day for each sequence is required. * More than 3 weeks of wearing may be required per step depending on the direction of orthodontic treatment and dentist's instruction.
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* eCligner® -H is used for 3 weeks during Final process.
During one individual step of treatment, three aligners of different layer thickness are worn in weekly intervals. The applied layer thicknesses are 0.5 mm (medium) and 0.75 mm (hard). Each individual step is consisting of three different thickness appliances as follows:
- 1. eCligner® -S (Soft)
- 2. eCligner® -M (Medium)
- 3. eCligner® -H (Hard)
*eCligner® -UH (Ultra Hard, 1.00mm) is used only for the patient with Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) since the aligner can be broken while the patient grinds their teeth unintentionally.
#### Indication for Use
eCligner® is a series of clear, lightweight, plastic appliances indicated for the correction of dental malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition (i.e.all second molars). The eCligner® is intended for minor anterior tooth movement by way of continuous gentle force.
#### Mechanism of Action
Each eCligner® exerts gentle force to achieve progressive realignmen to the teeth until the final correction has been attained.
## Summary of Technological Characteristics
A dental health care professional (e.g. orthodontist or dentist), prescribes the eCligner system based on an assessment of the patient's teeth, determines a course of treatment with the system, takes molds of the patient's teeth, and completes a prescription form, eCligner designs a series of plastic trays intended to gradually realign the patient's teeth in accordance with the physician's prescribing physician reviews and approves the model scheme before the molds are produced. Once approved, eCligner produces the trays, which are formed of clear, thin, thermoformed plastic. The trays are sent back to the dentist who then provides them to the patient, confirming fit and design. Over a period, additional trays are provided sequentially to the patient by the physician to gradually move the target teeth to the designed position. The dental care professional monitors treatment from the moment the first aligner is delivered to when the final aligner is delivered. The trays are held in place by pressure and can be removed by the patient at anytime.
The technology is essentially identical to that used by a number of sequential alignment systems including the predicate device.
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#### Performance Testing
Biocompatibility tests such as cytotoxicity, irritation, and sensitization were performed in accordance with ISO 10993.
In addition, software validation test for CAD/CAM system used to fabricate this subject device was performed according to Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff, Guidance for the content of premarket submissions for software contained in medical devices. A performance qualification of the available software utilized in the processing steps of the subject device has been included to support substantial equivalence.
## Comparison to the Predicate Devices
The subject device is substantially equivalent to the following predicate devices:
- K081960, Invisalign system manufactured by Align Technology.
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# Comparison to the Predicate Devices
| | Subject Device | Predicate Device |
|--------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Company Name | eClear International Co., Ltd. | ALIGNTECHNOLOGY |
| Device Name | eCligner® | INVISALIGNSYSTEM |
| 510(k)Number | NA | K081960 |
| Device Classification<br>Name | Aligner, Sequential | Aligner, Sequential |
| Classification Product<br>Code | NXC | NXC |
| Regulation Number | 21 CFR872.5470 | 21 CFR872.5470 |
| Indications for Use | eCligner® is a series of<br>clear, lightweight, plastic<br>appliances indicated for the<br>correction of dental<br>malocclusion in patients<br>with permanent dentition<br>(i.e.all second molars). The<br>eCligner® is intended for<br>minor anterior tooth<br>movement by way of<br>continuous gentle force. | The Invisalign system is<br>indicated for the alignment of<br>teeth during orthodontic<br>treatment of malocclusion. |
| Material | Thermoplastic | Thermoplastic |
| Design | Image: eCligner design | Image: Invisalign design |
| Mechanism of Action | Gentle continuous pressure on<br>teeth | Gentle continuous pressure on<br>teeth |
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#### Substantial Equivalence Discussion
The eCligner® has a substantially equivalent intended use as the identified predicate. The subject device is similar in fundamental scientific technology to the predicate device in that they all have been designed, manufactured and tested in compliance with 21 CFR 872.5470.
The subject and predicate devices are similar in indications, design, mechanism of action and materials.
The difference between the subject device and the predicate device is the aligners with various layer thicknesses. The subject device needs three steps of treatment with 0.5 mm (soft), 0.62 mm (medium) and 0.75 mm (hard) thickness.
The verbiage of the Indications for Use of the subject device is slightly different than that of the declared predicates; however, these slight differences in wording does not change the intended use of the subject device has compared to the declared predicate.
Any differences in technology characteristics are accompanied by information that demonstrated the device is as safe and as effective as the predicate and do not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness than the predicate.
#### Conclusion
Testing to demonstrate the acceptability of the software utilized in the treatment planning steps has been included to support substantial equivalence. Based on the similarities of the two devices, it is concluded that the eCligner® is substantially equivalent to the predicate device.
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.