AxoGen Nerve Cap is indicated to protect a peripheral nerve end and to separate the nerve from surrounding environment to reduce the development of symptomatic or painful neuroma.
Device Story
AxoGen Nerve Cap is a surgical implant; tubular device with one open end and one sealed end (cap); features internal channels. Used in surgical settings by physicians to protect peripheral nerve stumps. Nerve end is pulled into tube, sutured within cap, and tab secured to surrounding tissue. Device acts as physical partition; prevents nerve end dislocation; separates nerve from surrounding scar tissue; reduces mechanical stimulation. Manufactured from processed porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS); fully remodeled into soft connective tissue during healing. Benefits patient by reducing likelihood of symptomatic or painful neuroma formation.
Clinical Evidence
No human clinical data. Evidence consists of bench testing (end tab shear, suture retention, ultimate tensile strength, usability) and a chronic rat tibial nerve transposition (TNT) model. Animal study demonstrated containment of nerve end, reduced nerve width, and reduced sensitivity to mechanical stimulation compared to surgical controls at 56 and 84 days.
Technological Characteristics
Tubular implant; processed porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS 2.0). Dimensions: 1.5mm-8mm ID, 13mm-38mm length. Biocompatible per ISO 10993-1. Sterilized via ethylene oxide (EN ISO 11135:2014). Mechanical properties: suture retention strength >= 560.8 gf.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring protection of a peripheral nerve end or stump where repair is unattainable or not desired, to reduce the development of symptomatic or painful neuroma.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A nerve cuff is a tubular silicone rubber sheath used to encase a nerve for aid in repairing the nerve (e.g., to prevent ingrowth of scar tissue) and for capping the end of the nerve to prevent the formation of neuroma (tumors).
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### 510(k) Summary: K163446
#### Company Information
| Company Name: | AxoGen Corporation |
|-----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact Name: | Mark Friedman, PhD |
| Contact Title: | Vice President of Requlatory Affairs and Quality Assurance |
| Address: | 13631 Progress Boulevard |
| | Suite 400 |
| | Alachua, FL 32615 |
| Phone (office): | 386-462-6800 |
| Phone (mobile): | 386-462-6820 |
| Fax: | 386-462-6801 |
| Date Prepared: | August 3, 2017 |
| Product Information | |
| Trade Name: | AxoGen Nerve Cap |
| Common Name: | Nerve Cuff |
| Classification Name: | Nerve Cuff, 21 CFR 882.5275, Product Code JXI, Class II |
| Classification Panel: | Neurology |
| | |
#### Predicate Devices
The AxoGen Nerve Cap is substantially equivalent to the following devices:
- Nerve Capping Device (Neurocap) K152684
- . Surgisis Nerve Cuff (AxoGuard Nerve Connector) K031069 and K162741
#### Indications For Use
AxoGen Nerve Cap is indicated to protect a peripheral nerve end and to separate the nerve from surrounding environment to reduce the development of symptomatic or painful neuroma.
#### Device Description
The AxoGen Nerve Cap is a surgical implant that is a tubular device with one open end, one sealed end (cap) and internal channels designed to provide protection for a peripheral nerve end or stump where repair is unattainable or not desired. The device prevents dislocation of the nerve end by pulling the nerve into the tube, suturing the nerve within the cap, and securing the tab to the surrounding tissue.
AxoGen Nerve Cap is an extracellular matrix (ECM) and is fully remodeled during the healing process. The device is manufactured from processed porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) which is vacuum pressed prior to packaging. After hydration, the device is easy to handle, soft, pliable, non-friable and porous.
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AxoGen Nerve Cap is flexible to accommodate movement of the joints and surrounding soft tissues and has sufficient mechanical strength to hold appropriately sized nonabsorbable suture. It is supplied in nominal tube diameters ranging from 1.5mm up to 8mm, and a length of 13mm-38mm. AxoGen Nerve Cap is provided sterile, for single use only, and in a variety of sizes to meet clinical needs.
## Performance Specifications
The performance specifications for the AxoGen Nerve Cap are described below.
| Table 1 | |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| AxoGen Nerve Cap Performance Specifications | |
| Test | Results |
| End Tab Shear Test** | End tab is of sufficient size to hold a class I, 8-0 USP suture<br>as measured by lap shear of a 6-layer SIS sample with an<br>overlap representative of the device configuration. |
| Suture retention strength* | The suture retention of a 4-layer SIS sample (representative<br>of the lumen material) meets specifications ( $\geq$ 560.8 gf) after<br>aging for 19 months and there was no loss of the ability of the<br>material to hold suture after aging. The shelf life of the<br>product is 18 months. |
| Ultimate Tensile<br>Strength* | Ultimate Tensile Strength was not reduced with aging for 19<br>months. The shelf life of the product is 18 months. |
| Usability** | The usability study demonstrated that the design was<br>sufficient to show that the Nerve Cap can cover the nerve, is<br>easy to handle and suture, and the lumen did not collapse<br>during handling. |
| *Test results were drawn from authorized use of a FDA Master File on well-known and<br>characterized materials (SIS material) | |
| **AxoGen Nerve Cap samples were used for testing | |
## Biocompatibilitv
A biocompatibility evaluation in accordance with ISO 10993-1: Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices - Part 1: Evaluation and Testing within a Risk Management Process was performed. The patient contact was defined as follows:
> Patient Contact: Direct Body Contact: Implantation Type of Tissue: Tissue/Bone Duration: Permanent (>30 days)
| Table 2 | | | | |
|---------------------------|-------------------------------|--|--|--|
| Biocompatibility Testing | | | | |
| Biocompatibility Test | Results | | | |
| Cytotoxicity | Pass | | | |
| | Non-cytotoxic | | | |
| Sensitization | Pass | | | |
| | No evidence of sensitization | | | |
| Intracutaneous/Irritation | Pass | | | |
| | No evidence of intracutaneous | | | |
| | reactivity | | | |
| Acute Systemic Toxicity | Pass | | | |
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| | | No mortality or evidence of acute systemic toxicity |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Subchronic/chronic<br>Systemic Toxicity | Pass | Non-irritating to subcutaneous tissue<br>No evidence of subchronic or chronic toxicity |
| Genotoxicity | Pass | Device extracts are non-mutagenic |
| Implantation | Pass | Irritation not greater than control materials at 24 weeks |
| Test results were drawn from authorized use of a FDA Master File on well-known<br>and characterized materials (SIS material) See 510(k) K162741 | | |
# Sterilization
The AxoGen Nerve Cap is sterilized using an established ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization cycle that has been validated to a sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10th in conformance with EN ISO 11135:2014: Sterilization of Health Care Products - Ethylene Oxide - Part 1: Requirements for development, validation and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices.
Using the exhaustive extraction technique, the EO residuals for AxoGen Nerve Cap samples were verified to be less than the maximum allowable limits as defined by ISO 10993-7:2008, Biological evaluation of medical devices - Part 7: Ethylene oxide sterilization residuals:
# Non-clinical Testing
An animal study evaluating porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS) nerve end caps in a chronic rat tibial nerve transposition (TNT) model evaluated the safety, local effects. and overall efficacy of AxoGen Nerve Caps in the reduction of painful neuroma formation. Control groups were also implanted and included a hollow tube conduit nerve cuff with an open end and a surgical control. Overall, AxoGen Nerve Caps (both Partition and Spiral) and Open Tubes nerve cuffs had similar tissue and inflammatory responses at 56 and 84 days. Furthermore, AxoGen Nerve Caps (both Partition and Spiral) were partially remodeled, but still present at 84 days post-surgery. As compared to the Surgical Controls, the Nerve Caps provided containment of nerve end and subsequent outgrowth, a reduction in nerve width measurements, and overall reduced sensitivity to mechanical stimulation, indicating a reduced likelihood of symptomatic and painful neuroma formation.
## Substantial Equivalence
The AxoGen Nerve Cap is similar in intended use, design and function to the predicate device, the Polyganics Nerve Capping Device (Neurocap) cleared under 510(k) K152684. The technological similarities and differences (e.g., technological features, dimensions, materials, Intended Use, etc.) between the AxoGen Nerve Cap and the Polyganics Neurocap devices are shown in Table 3.
The primary differences include material differences, internal channels, end cap design, more sizes for the AxoGen Nerve Cap. The materials used in both devices are standard nerve cuff materials used in multiple nerve cuff products on the market today. Both devices have internal chambers/channels to reduce neuroma formation by
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containing the nerve end and subsequent outgrowth. Both devices can be sutured to surrounding structures to hold the nerve cap device in place after implantation. Both devices have a variety of sizes allowing the surgeon to size match the proximal nerve stump. The difference in Intended Use (addition of pain to the Indication For Use statement) is supported by AxoGen's preclinical study. These differences in technological characteristics do not raise safety or effectiveness issues as both devices are designed to cap the end of a proximal nerve to reduce neuroma formation by containing the nerve end and subsequent outgrowth with the ability to attach the device to surrounding tissue.
| Table 3<br>Substantial Equivalency Chart to Predicate Nerve Capping Device | | |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Name | AxoGen Nerve Cap | Nerve Capping Device<br>(Neurocap) |
| 510(k) # | This submission | K152684 |
| Company | AxoGen Corporation | Polyganics Innovations BV |
| Common Name | Nerve Cuff | Nerve Cuff |
| Classification | Class II | Class II |
| Classification Product<br>Code | JXI | JXI |
| Classification Panel | Neurology | Neurology |
| Intended Use | AxoGen Nerve Cap is indicated<br>to protect a peripheral nerve<br>end and to separate the nerve<br>from surrounding environment<br>to reduce the development of<br>symptomatic or painful<br>neuroma | The Nerve Capping Device is<br>indicated to protect a peripheral<br>nerve end and to separate the<br>nerve from surrounding<br>environment to reduce the<br>development of a symptomatic<br>neuroma. |
| Description | AxoGen Nerve Cap is an<br>implant manufactured from<br>porcine small intestinal<br>submucosa (SIS) and is in a<br>tubular form with channels and<br>an end cap. | Neurocap is a bioresorable<br>peripheral nerve capping device<br>composed of the biocompatible<br>resorbable and synthetic<br>polymer poly(DL-lactide)-e-<br>caprolactone and an end cap<br>with a hole for suturing |
| Device Design | Open Tube with internal<br>channels and one end closed.<br>Image: AxoGen Nerve Cap | Open Tube with one end closed.<br>Image: Nerve Capping Device |
| Material Used | Porcine submucosal intestinal<br>membrane SIS 2.0 | Poly(DL-lactide)-e-caprolactone |
| Container | PETG Clamshell in Tyvek/Poly<br>Chevron Pouch | Polycarbonate tray and Tyvek<br>pouch |
| Single Use/Disposable | Single use only | Single use only |
| Sterile | Sterile SAL 10-6 | Sterile SAL 10-6 |
| Sterilization Method | Ethylene Oxide | Ethylene Oxide |
| Table 3<br>Substantial Equivalency Chart to Predicate Nerve Capping Device | | |
| Name | AxoGen Nerve Cap | Nerve Capping Device<br>(Neurocap) |
| 510(k) # | This submission | K152684 |
| Mechanism of Action | AxoGen Nerve Cap is designed<br>to protect the peripheral nerve<br>end from neurotrophic agents<br>which can endure neuroma<br>formation and separate the<br>nerve from the surrounding<br>environment to prevent<br>adhesions of the stump to<br>surrounding (scar) tissue which<br>also may lead to the<br>development of a symptomatic<br>or painful neuroma. The<br>material surrounding the nerve<br>end would then remodel into a<br>layer of soft connective tissue<br>and function as a physical<br>partition between the nerve and<br>external stimuli at the nerve<br>end. The device can be sutured<br>to surrounding tissue with a<br>suture through the end cap to<br>any surrounding tissue. | Neurocap protects the peripheral<br>nerve end from neurotrophic<br>agents which can endure<br>neuroma formation and separate<br>the nerve from the surrounding<br>environment to prevent<br>adhesions of the stump to<br>surrounding (scar) tissue which<br>also may lead to the<br>development of a symptomatic<br>neuroma.<br>The device can be sutured to<br>surrounding tissue with a suture<br>through the hole in end cap to<br>any surrounding tissue. |
| Biocompatible | Biocompatible | Biocompatible |
| Sizes | Length includes inner lumen<br>length (varies with nerve<br>diameter and end cap length,<br>up to 5 mm length)<br>1.5 mm ID x 13.0 mm length<br>1.5mm ID x 18.0 mm length<br>2.0 mm ID x 18.0 mm length<br>2.0 mm ID x 23.0 mm length<br>3.0 mm ID x 18.0 mm length<br>3.0 mm ID x 23.0 mm length<br>4.0 mm ID x 18.0 mm length<br>4.0 mm ID x 23.0 mm length<br>5.0 mm ID x 25.0 mm length<br>6.0 mm ID x 25.0 mm length<br>7.0 mm ID x 25.0 mm length<br>8.0 mm ID x 28.0 mm length<br>8.0 mm ID x 38.0 mm length | 1.5 mm ID x 3.0 cm length<br>2.0 mm ID x 3.0 cm length<br>2.5 mm ID x 3.0 cm length<br>3.0 mm ID x 3.0 cm length<br>4.0 mm ID x 3.0 cm length<br>5.0 mm ID x 3.0 cm length<br>6.0 mm ID x 3.0 cm length<br>7.0 mm ID x 3.0 cm length<br>8.0 mm ID x 3.0 cm length |
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The AxoGen Nerve Cap is similar in material, design, manufacturing (including packaging and sterilization method) as the Surgisis Nerve Cuff (distributed as the AxoGuard® Nerve Connector) cleared under 510(k) K031069 and K162741. The technological similarities and differences (e.g., Indications for Use, manufacturing forming process, dimensions, material, and mechanism of use) between the AxoGen Nerve Cap and the Surgisis Nerve Cuff devices are shown in Table 4.
The Surgisis Nerve Cuff is a material predicate and not a device function predicate. The AxoGen Nerve Cuff has a different Indication For Use from the Surgisis Nerve Cuff. However both devices are used with peripheral nerve repair while achieving different purposes. There is a difference in materials, (SIS 1.0 for Surgisis Nerve Cuff versus SIS 2.0 for AxoGen Nerve Cap). Both materials are well-known and characterized materials (SIS material) and are considered equivalent. The output of the manufacturing process (device form) is different, but the manufacturing process itself is equivalent with respect to raw materials and process controls.
These differences in technological characteristics do not raise safety or effectiveness issues as both devices are designed for peripheral nerve repair and are manufactured in an equivalent manner.
| Table 4 | | |
|----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Material Substantial Equivalency | | |
| Name | AxoGen Nerve Cap | Surgisis<br>Nerve Cuff<br>(now AxoGuard Nerve Connector) |
| 510(k) # | This submission | K031069 and K162741 |
| Company | AxoGen Corporation | Cook Biotech, Inc. |
| Common Name | Nerve Cuff | Nerve Cuff |
| Classification | Class II | Class II |
| Classification<br>Product Code | JXI | JXI |
| Classification Panel | Neurology | Neurology |
| Intended Use | AxoGen Nerve Cap is indicated to<br>protect a peripheral nerve end and<br>to separate the nerve from<br>surrounding environment to reduce<br>the development of symptomatic or<br>painful neuroma. | The Surgisis Nerve Cuff is intended<br>for the repair of peripheral nerve<br>discontinuities where gap closure<br>can be achieved by flexion of the<br>extremity. The device is supplied<br>sterile and is intended for one-time<br>use. |
| Description | The device is an implant<br>manufactured from porcine small<br>intestinal submucosa (SIS) and is in<br>a tubular form with channels and an<br>end cap. The sizes range from<br>diameters of 1.5-8.0 mm and<br>lengths up to 38 mm. | The Surgisis Nerve Cuff is<br>manufactured from porcine small<br>intestinal submucosa (SIS) and is<br>supplied in nominal tube diameter<br>range of 2-7 mm and lengths up to<br>50 mm. |
| Device<br>Design/Form | Tube with channels and end cap | Open-ended tube |
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| Table 4 | | |
|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Material Substantial Equivalency | | |
| Name | AxoGen Nerve Cap | Surgisis<br>Nerve Cuff<br>(now AxoGuard Nerve Connector) |
| 510(k) # | This submission<br>Image: AxoGen Nerve Cap | K031069 and K162741<br>Image: Surgisis Nerve Cuff |
| Material Used | SIS 2.0 | SIS 1.0 |
| Container | PETG Clamshell in Tyvek/Poly<br>Chevron Pouch | PETG Clamshell in Tyvek/Poly<br>Chevron Pouch |
| Single<br>Use/Disposable<br>Sterile | Single use only<br>Sterile SAL 10-6 | Single use only<br>Sterile SAL 10-6 |
| Sterilization Method | Ethylene Oxide | Ethylene Oxide |
| Mechanism of<br>Action | AxoGen Nerve Cap is designed to<br>protect the peripheral nerve end<br>from neurotrophic agents which can<br>endure neuroma formation and<br>separate the nerve from the<br>surrounding environment to prevent<br>adhesions of the stump to<br>surrounding (scar) tissue which also<br>may lead to the development of a<br>symptomatic or painful neuroma..<br>The material surrounding the nerve<br>end would then remodel into a layer<br>of soft connective tissue and<br>function as a physical partition<br>between the nerve and external<br>stimuli at the nerve end. The device<br>can be sutured to surrounding<br>tissue with a suture through the end<br>cap to any surrounding tissue. | The Surgisis Nerve Cuff is designed<br>to be a flexible, resorbable and<br>semipermeable tubular membrane<br>matrix to provide a protective<br>environment for peripheral nerve<br>repair after injury and to create a<br>conduit for axonal growth across a<br>nerve gap |
| Manufacturing<br>Method | Manufacturing results in a closed<br>tube with channels | Manufacturing results in a simple<br>round open-ended tube |
| Biocompatible | Biocompatible | Biocompatible |
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# Conclusion
The non-clinical data and the device verification and validation demonstrate that the AxoGen Nerve Cap should perform as intended in the specified use conditions. The non-clinical data demonstrate that the AxoGen Nerve Cap is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
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Image /page/8/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 or a representation of human figures.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
AxoGen Corporation % Ms. Wendy Perreault Consultant/principal New South Regulatory, LLC 223 Coventry Road Decatur, GA 30030
Re: K163446
Trade/Device Name: AxoGen Nerve Cap Regulation Number: 21 CFR 882.5275 Regulation Name: Nerve Cuff Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: JXI Dated: July 5, 2017 Received: July 7, 2017
Dear Ms. Perreault:
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. Iisting 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 of medical devicerelated adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in
{9}------------------------------------------------
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/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely,
Carlos L. Peña, PhD, MS Director Division of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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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.