K162641 · Smith & Nephew, Inc. · KWZ · Jun 19, 2017 · Orthopedic
Device Facts
Record ID
K162641
Device Name
Smith & Nephew, Inc. R3™ Constrained Liner
Applicant
Smith & Nephew, Inc.
Product Code
KWZ · Orthopedic
Decision Date
Jun 19, 2017
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 888.3310
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The R3™ Constrained Liner Acetabular System is an uncemented prosthesis intended to replace a hip joint. The Constrained Liner is intended for primary or revision patients at high risk for hip dislocation due to a history of prior dislocation, bone loss, soft tissue laxity, neuromuscular disease, or intra-operative instability and for whom all other options to constrained acetabular components have been considered. The R3 Constrained Liner is intended for single use only.
Device Story
R3 Constrained Liner Acetabular System is an uncemented hip prosthesis; provides stability for patients at high risk of dislocation. Device utilizes a tripolar design; consists of a bipolar bearing articulating with a captured outer polyethylene liner, locking ring, and outer poly support ring. Motion occurs at two interfaces: femoral head with bipolar bearing; bipolar bearing with outer liner. Subject device is a line extension of existing R3 Constrained Liners (K111635), adding new sizes (48mm, 50mm, 72-74mm, 76-80mm). Used in clinical settings by orthopedic surgeons during total hip arthroplasty. Output is a mechanical bearing surface; helps prevent hip dislocation; improves patient mobility; reduces pain. No software or AI components.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Mechanical testing conducted for attachment loads (push-in, pull-out, shuck-out, push-out) and dislocation resistance. Range of motion (ROM) evaluated. LAL testing performed for pyrogen limits (<= 20 EU/device). No clinical data required.
Indicated for primary or revision hip arthroplasty patients at high risk for dislocation due to prior dislocation, bone loss, soft tissue laxity, neuromuscular disease, or intraoperative instability, where other constrained acetabular options have been considered.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A hip joint metal/polymer constrained cemented or uncemented prosthesis is a device intended to be implanted to replace a hip joint. The device prevents dislocation in more than one anatomic plane and has components that are linked together. This generic type of device includes prostheses that have a femoral component made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, and an acetabular component made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene with or without a metal shell, made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum and titanium alloys. This generic type of device is intended for use with or without bone cement (§ 888.3027).
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for this device is the FDA guidance document entitled “Class II Special Controls Guidance: Hip Joint Metal/Polymer Constrained Cemented or Uncemented Prosthesis.”
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June 19, 2017
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Smith & Nephew, Inc. Dongeun Kim Regulatory Affairs Specialist I 7135 Goodlett Farms Parkway Cordova, Tennessee 38016
Re: K162641 Trade/Device Name: Smith & Nephew, Inc. R3TM Constrained Liner Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3310 Regulation Name: Hip Joint Metal/Polymer Constrained Cemented Or Uncemented Prosthesis Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: KWZ Dated: May 18, 2017 Received: May 19, 2017
Dear Dongeun Kim:
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,
Mark N. Melkerson -S
Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of Orthopedic Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K162641
Device Name Smith & Nephew, Inc. R3TM Constrained Liner
Indications for Use (Describe)
The R3™ Constrained Liner Acetabular System is an uncemented prosthesis intended to replace a hip joint. The Constrained Liner is intended for primary or revision patients at hip dislocation due to a history of prior dislocation, bone loss, soft tissue laxity, neuromuscular disease, or intraoperative instability and for whom all other options to constrained acetabular components have been considered. The R3 Constrained Liner is intended for single use only.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
X Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
| Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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| Submitted by: | Smith & Nephew, Inc.<br>Orthopaedic Division<br>1450 Brooks Road<br>Memphis, Tennessee 38116 |
|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Date of Summary: | June 19, 2017 |
| Contact Person and Address: | Dongeun Kim<br>Regulatory Affairs Specialist I<br>T 901-399-1151<br>F 901-566-7120 |
| Name of Device: | Smith & Nephew, Inc. R3TM Constrained Liner |
| Common Name: | Acetabular Liner, Constrained |
| Device Classification Name and<br>Reference: | 21 CFR 888.3310 Hip Joint Metal/Polymer Constrained<br>Cemented or Uncemented Prosthesis |
| Device Class: | Class II |
| Panel Code: | Orthopaedics/87 |
| Product Code: | KWZ |
#### Device Description
Subject of this Traditional premarket notification is the addition of new liner sizes to the Smith & Nephew R3" Constrained Liner Acetabular System. The R3 Constrained Liner Acetabular System currently consists of the R3 Constrained Liner offered in sizes of 52mm to 66/70mm cleared via premarket notification K111635. The proposed devices are additional sizes to the R3 Constrained Liners that were previously cleared. The proposed devices will be offered in sizes of 48mm, 50mm, 72-74mm, and 76-80mm, and will be marketed as part of the R3 Constrained Liner Acetabular System.
The new R3 Constrained Liner sizes are line additions to the primary predicate R3 Constrained Liners cleared via premarket notification K111635. The subject devices are similar to the primary predicate R3 Constrained Liners in that they are a multipiece acetabular component consisting of a bipolar bearing that articulates with a captured outer polyethylene liner, locking ring, and outer poly support ring. The subject devices and the primary predicate R3 Constrained Liners utilize a tripolar design allowing motion at two interfaces: the femoral head with the bipolar bearing and the bipolar bearing with the outer liner. The subject devices are identical in design to the cleared R3 Constrained Liners, with the exception that they are smaller or larger in overall size. The new R3 Constrained Liner sizes are also similar to the following additional predicates: R3 Constrained Liners (K122139), REFLECTION Constrained Liners (K021803, K033442), R3 XLPE Liners (K113848), and DePuy Self-Centering Hip Prostheses (K033273). The subject devices are also similar to reference predicate Osteonics Constrained Acetabular Inserts (P960047). The subject devices utilize seven components manufactured from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), forged Titanium Alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), and Cobalt Chrome (CoCr).
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#### Intended Use
The R3™ Constrained Liner Acetabular System is an uncemented prosthesis intended to replace a hip joint. The Constrained Liner is intended for primary or revision patients at high risk for hip dislocation due to a history of prior dislocation. bone loss, soft tissue laxity, neuromuscular disease, or intra-operative instability and for whom all other options to constrained acetabular components have been considered. The R3 Constrained Liner is intended for single use only.
### Technological Characteristics
Mechanical testing has been conducted for the subject devices to address the attachment loads (push-in, pull-out, shuck-out, and push-out) and dislocation resistance. The range of motion (ROM) has also been evaluated. A review of the testing has demonstrated that there are no new issues related to safety or effectiveness of the subject devices. Clinical data was not needed to support substantial equivalence.
The Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test was used to determine the subject devices meets the specified pyrogen limit specification of less than or equal to 20 EU/device.
# Substantial Equivalence Information
The intended use, indications for use, and technological characteristics of the subject R3 Constrained Liners are substantially equivalent to the predicate devices. A comparison of the subject devices to the predicate devices are provided in Table 5.1 below.
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| Design Features | Subject R3<br>Constrained<br>Liner | 510(k) Number | Manufacturer | | Indications for Use/Intended Use | R3 Constrained<br>Liner (Primary<br>Predicate) | R3 Constrained<br>Liner (Additional<br>Predicate) | REFLECTION<br>Constrained<br>Liner (Additional<br>Predicate) | R3 XLPE Liner<br>(Additional<br>Predicate) | DePuy Self-Centering<br>Hip Prosthesis<br>(Additional Predicate) | Osteonics<br>Constrained<br>Acetabular<br>Insert<br>(Reference<br>Predicate) | | | | | | | | | |
|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|------------------------------|
| | The R3<br>Constrained Liner<br>Acetabular<br>System is an<br>uncemented<br>prosthesis<br>intended to<br>replace a hip joint.<br>The Constrained<br>Liner is intended<br>for primary or<br>revision patients<br>at high risk for hip<br>dislocation due to<br>a history of prior<br>dislocation, bone<br>loss, soft tissue<br>laxity,<br>neuromuscular<br>disease, or intra-<br>operative<br>instability and for<br>whom all other<br>options to<br>constrained<br>acetabular<br>components have | K111635 | Smith & Nephew,<br>Inc. | The R3<br>Constrained Liner<br>Acetabular<br>System is a<br>cemented or<br>uncemented<br>prosthesis<br>intended to<br>replace a hip joint.<br>The Constrained<br>Liner is intended<br>for primary or<br>revision patients<br>at high risk for hip<br>dislocation due to<br>a history of prior<br>dislocation, bone<br>loss, soft tissue<br>laxity,<br>neuromuscular<br>disease, or intra-<br>operative<br>instability and for<br>whom all other<br>options to<br>constrained<br>acetabular | | The R3<br>Constrained Liner<br>Acetabular<br>System is a<br>cemented or<br>uncemented<br>prosthesis<br>intended to<br>replace a hip joint.<br>The Constrained<br>Liner is intended<br>for primary or<br>revision patients<br>at high risk for hip<br>dislocation due to<br>a history of prior<br>dislocation, bone<br>loss, soft tissue<br>laxity,<br>neuromuscular<br>disease, or intra-<br>operative<br>instability and for<br>whom all other<br>options to<br>constrained<br>acetabular | K122139 | Smith & Nephew,<br>Inc. | The<br>REFLECTION<br>Constrained Liner<br>Acetabular<br>System is a<br>cemented or<br>uncemented<br>prosthesis<br>intended to<br>replace a hip joint.<br>The Constrained<br>Liner is intended<br>for primary or<br>revision patients<br>at high risk for hip<br>dislocation due to<br>a history of prior<br>dislocation, bone<br>loss, soft tissue<br>laxity,<br>neuromuscular<br>disease, or intra'<br>operative<br>instability and for<br>whom all other<br>options to<br>constrained | K021803,<br>K033442 | Smith & Nephew,<br>Inc. | Hip components<br>are indicated for<br>individuals<br>undergoing<br>primary and<br>revision surgery<br>where other<br>treatments or<br>devices have<br>failed in<br>rehabilitating hips<br>damaged as a<br>result of trauma or<br>noninflammatory<br>degenerative joint<br>disease (NIDJD)<br>or any of its<br>composite<br>diagnoses of<br>osteoarthritis,<br>avascular<br>necrosis, traumatic<br>arthritis, slipped<br>capital epiphysis,<br>fused hip, fracture<br>of the pelvis, and<br>diastrophic variant | K113848 | Smith & Nephew,<br>Inc. | Indications for the<br>UltimaTM Unipolar<br>heads and the Self-<br>CenteringTM Hip<br>Prostheses previously<br>cleared for Hemi-Hip<br>Arthroplasty remain<br>unchanged. Additions to<br>the indications for use<br>include:<br>Self-CenteringTM Hip<br>Prostheses and unipolar<br>femoral heads are also<br>intended to be used for<br>total hip arthroplasty to<br>provide increased patient<br>mobility and reduce pain<br>by replacing the<br>damaged hip joint<br>articulation in patients<br>where there is evidence<br>of sufficient sound bone<br>to seat and support the<br>components, when used<br>in conjunction with a<br>UHMWPE bearing<br>surface having an inside | K033273 | DePuy Orthopaedics,<br>Inc. | The Osteonics<br>Constrained<br>Acetabular Insert<br>is indicated as a<br>component of a<br>total hip<br>prosthesis in<br>primary or<br>revision patients<br>at high risk of hip<br>dislocation, bone<br>loss, joint or soft<br>tissue laxity,<br>neuromuscular<br>disease or<br>intraoperative<br>instability. | P960047 | Howmedica<br>Osteonics Corp. |
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5-3
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| K162641 | | | |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------|
| | Size Offering<br>(Outer Diameter) | Materials | Sterilization |
| Constrained Liner<br>is intended for<br>single use only.<br>The R3<br>components have<br>been considered. | 48mm, 50mm, 72-<br>74mm, and 76-<br>80mm | UHMWPE, Ti-6Al-<br>4V, CoCr | Ethylene Oxide |
| Constrained Liner<br>is intended for<br>single use only.<br>The R3<br>components have<br>been considered. | 52mm to<br>66/70mm | UHMWPE, Ti-6Al-<br>4V, CoCr | Ethylene Oxide |
| Constrained Liner<br>is intended for<br>single use only.<br>The R3<br>components have<br>been considered. | 52mm to<br>66/70mm | UHMWPE, Ti-6Al-<br>4V, CoCr | Ethylene Oxide |
| acetabular<br>components have<br>been considered. | 46/48mm-<br>70/76mm | UHMWPE, Ti-6Al-<br>4V, CoCr | Ethylene Oxide |
| Hip components<br>are also indicated<br>for inflammatory<br>degenerative joint<br>disease including<br>rheumatoid<br>arthritis, arthritis<br>secondary to a<br>variety of diseases<br>and anomalies,<br>and congenital<br>dysplasia;<br>treatments of<br>nonunion, femoral<br>neck fracture, and<br>trochanteric<br>fractures of the<br>proximal femur<br>with head<br>involvement that<br>are unmanageable<br>using other<br>techniques;<br>endoprosthesis,<br>femoral<br>osteotomy, or<br>Girdlestone<br>resection; fracture-<br>dislocation of the<br>hip; and correction<br>of deformity. | 22mm-36mm | XLPE | Ethylene Oxide |
| diameter corresponding<br>to outside diameter of<br>the metallic cup that is<br>utilized. Use in total hip<br>replacement is indicated<br>in the following additional<br>conditions:<br>1. A severely painful<br>and/or disabled joint from<br>osteoarthritis, traumatic<br>arthritis, rheumatoid<br>arthritis, or congenital hip<br>dysplasia<br>2. Failed previous hip<br>surgery including joint<br>reconstruction, internal<br>fixation, arthrodesis,<br>hemiarthroplasty, or total<br>hip replacement. | 39mm-57mm | UHMWPE | |
| | 50mm-74mm | UHMWPE, Ti-<br>6Al-4V, CoCr | |
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# Conclusion
This Traditional 510(k) Premarket Notification is being submitted to request clearance for the new R3 Constrained Liner sizes of 48mm, 50mm, 72mm-74mm, and 76mm-80mm. Based on the similarities to the predicate devices and a review of the mechanical testing performed, the subject devices are substantially equivalent to the above predicate devices.
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.