K151585 · Andersen Sterilizers, Inc. · FRC · Nov 18, 2015 · General Hospital
Device Facts
Record ID
K151585
Device Name
Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest
Applicant
Andersen Sterilizers, Inc.
Product Code
FRC · General Hospital
Decision Date
Nov 18, 2015
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 880.2800
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
The Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest consists of a self-contained biological indicator inoculated with viable Bacillus atrophaeus bacterial spores that is placed in a dedicated BI receptacle in the sterilizer. It monitors the efficacy of the 3 hour sterilization cycle at 50°C in the EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer.
Device Story
Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest is a self-contained biological indicator (SCBI) used to monitor ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization efficacy. The device consists of a plastic vial containing Bacillus atrophaeus spores on a paper carrier and a glass ampoule with growth medium and pH indicator. The operator places the SCBI into a reusable BI receptacle on the sterilizer's purge probe. During the 3-hour, 50°C sterilization cycle, EO gas enters the vial through a filter port. Post-cycle, the operator crushes the ampoule to activate the medium. Incubation at 30-35°C for 48 hours follows. A color change from red-orange to yellow or turbidity indicates sterilization failure; no change indicates a pass. The device provides healthcare providers with a biological verification of sterilization conditions, ensuring the safety of processed instruments.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Validation performed per FDA 2007 Guidance for Biological Indicator Premarket Notification and AAMI/ANSI/ISO 11138-1. Testing included viable spore population assay, resistance characteristics, growth inhibition evaluation, holding time assessment, and reduced incubation time validation. Results confirmed the device maintains performance specifications over a 2-year shelf life and successfully monitors the 3-hour, 50°C sterilization cycle.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: paper, glass, polypropylene, and aluminum. Sensing principle: biological indicator using Bacillus atrophaeus spores (ATCC 9372) with pH-based colorimetric growth detection. Form factor: SCBI in a reusable BI receptacle. Energy source: none (passive). Sterilization monitoring: ethylene oxide gas. Connectivity: none.
Indications for Use
Indicated for monitoring the efficacy of the 3-hour, 50°C sterilization cycle in the EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer using a self-contained biological indicator containing Bacillus atrophaeus spores.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Biological sterilization process indicator: A device intended for use by a health care provider to accompany products being sterilized through a sterilization procedure and to monitor adequacy of sterilization. The device consists of a known number of microorganisms, of known resistance to the mode of sterilization, in or on a carrier and enclosed in a protective package. Subsequent growth or failure of the microorganisms to grow under suitable conditions indicates the adequacy of sterilization. Physical/chemical sterilization process indicator: A device intended for use by a health care provider to accompany products being sterilized through a sterilization procedure and to monitor one or more parameters of the sterilization process. The adequacy of the sterilization conditions as measured by these parameters is indicated by a visible change in the device.
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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 stylized caduceus symbol, which features a staff with a snake winding around it, and three human figures. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged around the symbol in a circular fashion.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
November 18, 2015
Andersen Sterilizers, Inc. Dr. William Andersen President 3154 Caroline Drive Haw River, North Carolina 27258
Re: K151585
Trade/Device Name: Andersen EOgas 4 Steritest Regulation Number: 21 CFR 880.2800 Regulation Name: Sterilization Process Indicator Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: FRC Dated: October 20, 2015 Received: October 22, 2015
Dear Dr. William Andersen:
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 device
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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 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,
# Erin I. Keith -S
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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### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K151585
Device Name Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest
Indications for Use (Describe)
The Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest consists of a self-contained biological indicator inoculated with viable Bacterial spores that is placed in a dedicated BI receptacle in the sterilizer. It monitors the 3 hour sterilization cycle at 50°C in the EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer.
Critical process parameters for the cycle are summarized below in Table 1.
Table 1. Critical parameters for the 3 hour cycle in the EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer
| EO Amount | Temperature | Relative Humidity | EO Exposure Time | Total Cycle Time |
|-------------|-------------|-------------------|------------------|------------------|
| 17.6 g ± 5% | 50°C ± 3°C | 35-90% | 3 hours | 3.5 hours |
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
× Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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## FOR FDA USE ONLY
Concurrence of Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) (Signature)
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## 510(k) Summarv
| 5.1 | Applicant's Name and Address | | Andersen Sterilizers, Inc.<br>3154 Caroline Drive<br>Haw River, NC 27258 | |
|-----|------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| 5.2 | Contact Person | | William K. Andersen, BE, MD, FAAOS<br>President<br>Phone: 336-376-8622, Fax: 336-376-5428 | |
| 5.3 | Date of Preparation | | November 17, 2015 | |
| 5.4 | Device | Proprietary Name<br>Common Name<br>Classification<br>Product Code | Andersen EOGas 4® SteriTest<br>Biological Sterilization Process Indicator<br>Class II (21 CFR 880.2800)<br>FRC | |
| 5.5 | Predicate Device | Device Name<br>510(k) number<br>Manufacturer | EZTest - Gas Biological Indicators<br>K930683<br>Mesa Laboratories Inc. | |
This 510(k) submission modifies the indications for use of the predicate device in order to include it as a component in a process challenge device. No modifications were made to the technology or intended use.
#### 5.6 Device Description
The Andersen EOGas 4® SteriTest consists of a single-use self-contained biological indicator (SCBI) placed in a reusable BI receptacle. It is designed for monitoring the efficacy of the 3 hour sterilization cycle at 50°C in an EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer.
The SCBI, the EZTest - Gas Biological Indicator, consists of a plastic vial that serves as the culture tube and a cap including a filter material port to allow ethylene oxide to enter the vial. The plastic vial contains Bacillus atrophaeus spores inoculated onto a paper carrier, and a glass ampoule containing modified soybean casein digest broth and phenol red acting as a pH indicator. There is a chemical indicator printed on the unit label of the SCBI to indicate EO exposure.
Following manufacturer's instructions, the operator inserts the Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest into the reusable BI receptacle on the purge probe of the EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer, and initiates a 3 hour cycle at 50°C. After cycle completion, the SCBI is retrieved and activated by crushing the glass ampoule. The chemical indicator on the SCBI changes from blue to a green/brown color depending on the duration of ethylene oxide exposure. The activated SCBI and an unprocessed control are incubated at 30-35℃ for 48 hours, and monitored for any color change and/or turbidity. Evidence of microbial growth by color change from red-orange to
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vellow and/or turbidity must be interpreted as a failure to meet the conditions necessary for sterilization (cycle failed); no color change or turbidity indicates conditions for sterilization were achieved (cycle passed).
#### 5.7 Indications for Use
The Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest consists of a self-contained biological indicator inoculated with viable Bacillus atrophaeus bacterial spores that is placed in a dedicated BI receptacle in the sterilizer. It monitors the efficacy of the 3 hour sterilization cycle at 50°C in the EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer. Critical process parameters for the cycle are summarized in Table 5-1.
| | Table 5-1. Critical parameters for the 3 hour cycle in the EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer | | |
|--|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|--|
|--|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|--|
| Ethylene Oxide | Temperature | Relative<br>Humidity | Ethylene Oxide<br>Exposure Time | Total Cycle<br>Time |
|----------------|-------------|----------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------|
| 17.6 g ± 5% | 50°C ± 3°C | 35-90% | 3 hours | 3.5 hours |
#### ર જ Device Comparison
The technological characteristics of the Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest are substantially equivalent to the predicate device - EZTest - Gas Biological Indicators, because both indicators are intended for the same use, use the same technology, are designed in the same way, and perform substantially equivalently.
The Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest differs from the predicate device in the configuration used in a load. The difference raises no issues related to safety or effectiveness of the subject device in the sterilization cvcle. A comparison between the devices is listed in Table 5-2.
| Element | EZTest - Gas BI | EOGas 4 SteriTest |
|------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Intended Use | Sterilization method: EO gas<br>Process parameters: EO concentration, time,<br>temperature, and relative humidity | Identical |
| Organism | Bacillus atrophaeus (ATCC 9372) | Identical |
| Viable Spore<br>Population | $\geq 1.0 x 10^6$ | Identical |
| Device Design | Paper strip containing indicator organism;<br>Glass ampoule containing growth medium;<br>Capped vial serving as a culture tube;<br>A pH indicator in medium for color change;<br>A process indicator indicating EO exposure | Identical for the BI;<br>Additionally, a BI receptacle is<br>added to create a greater<br>challenge to the sterilization<br>process. |
| Materials of<br>Construction | Paper, glass, and polypropylene | Paper, glass, polypropylene, and<br>aluminum |
| Configuration in<br>Load | SCBI placed within the load | SCBI in a receptacle |
Table 5-2. Device Comparison
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| Indications for Use | Not available | The Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest consists of a self-contained biological indicator inoculated with viable Bacillus atrophaeus bacterial spores that is placed in a dedicated BI receptacle in the sterilizer. It monitors the efficacy of the 3 hour sterilization cycle at 50°C in the EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer. |
|---------------------|---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|---------------------|---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
#### ર તે Performance Testing
The Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest has been validated using applicable tests in FDA 2007 "Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Biological Indicator (BI) Premarket Notification [510(k)] Submissions", and AAMI/ANSI/ISO 11138-1 "Sterilization of health care products - Biological indicators - Part 1: General requirements" (FDA Recognition Number 14-296).
For the EZTest - Gas Biological Indicators, tests include viable spore population assay, resistance characteristics study, carrier and primary packaging materials (growth inhibition) evaluation, holding time assessment, and reduced incubation time validation. The results of all studies met the established acceptance criteria when applicable.
We also demonstrated that under the same exposure conditions, the resistance characteristics of the EZTest - Gas Biological Indicators were the same when measured in a Biological Indicator Evaluator Resistometer in the presence or absence of vacuum.
The Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest represents a rigorous challenge to the EOGas 4 sterilization process. Its resistance characteristics are greater than the same EZTest-Gas Biological Indicator placed in the worst-case locations of the maximum fabric, metal, plastic, and endoscope validation loads. The performance of the Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest in the 3 hour cycle at 50 C in an EOGas 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer is summarized in Table 5-3.
Table 5-3. Summary of bench tests performed to demonstrate safety and effectiveness of the Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest
| Test | Description | Result |
|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| Functionality | 1) Critical parameters include temperature, time, and gas concentration under a<br>relative humidity of 35-90%;<br>2) Device is appropriate for monitoring the efficacy of the sterilization process<br>claimed | Pass |
| Shelf Life | Maintains performance specifications (resistance characteristics and correctly<br>indicate pass/fail in cycles) throughout the stated shelf life of 2 years;<br>Stability demonstrates reasonable assurance for effectiveness | Pass |
In conclusion, the Andersen EOGas 4 SteriTest is substantially equivalent to the legally marketed predicate, the EZTest - Gas Biological Indicator.
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.