Portex® Lancet Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors, Portex® Pencil Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors
K172800 · Smiths Medical Asd, Inc. · MIA · Jun 14, 2018 · Anesthesiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K172800
Device Name
Portex® Lancet Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors, Portex® Pencil Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors
Applicant
Smiths Medical Asd, Inc.
Product Code
MIA · Anesthesiology
Decision Date
Jun 14, 2018
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 868.5150
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic, Pediatric
Indications for Use
The Portex® Lancet Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics or narcotics to provide regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid when used with compatible components. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults. The Portex® Pencil Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics or narcotics to provide regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid when used with compatible components. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults.
Device Story
Sterile, single-use spinal needles (Lancet or Pencil point) featuring ISO 80369-6 compliant NRFit™ connectors; designed to replace standard luer connectors to prevent neuraxial misconnections. Used in clinical settings (ICU/OR) by healthcare professionals for intrathecal delivery of anesthetics/narcotics or CSF withdrawal. Device consists of stainless steel cannula, polycarbonate hub, and polyethylene sheath. NRFit™ connector ensures compatibility only with neuraxial-specific components, reducing risk of medication errors. Output is physical access to intrathecal space; clinical decision-making relies on provider assessment of patient need for regional anesthesia or diagnostic CSF sampling.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Performance evaluated against ISO 80369-6 (connector integrity, leakage, stress cracking, non-interconnectability), ISO 11607 (packaging), ISO 11135 (sterilization), and ISO 10993 series (biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, sensitization, systemic toxicity, genotoxicity, leachable substances).
Technological Characteristics
Stainless steel cannula; polycarbonate hub; polyethylene sheath. ISO 80369-6 compliant NRFit™ connector. Sterile, ethylene oxide (EO) sterilized, single-use. Needle gauges 22-27G; lengths 38-152mm. No software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for injection of local anesthetics/narcotics for regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid in pediatric and adult patients.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An anesthesia conduction needle is a device used to inject local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia.
Predicate Devices
PORTEX® Spinal Anesthesia Needles and Introducer Needles (K983858)
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Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. Sunita Teekasingh Senior Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist Vascular Access and Infusion Regulatory Affairs Interim Manager 6000 Nathan Lane North Minneapolis, Minnesota 55442
Re: K172800
Trade/Device Name: Portex® Lancet Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors Portex® Pencil Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors Regulation Number: 21 CFR 868.5150 Regulation Name: Anesthesia Conduction Needle Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: MIA Dated: May 11, 2018 Received: May 15, 2018
Dear Sunita Teekasingh:
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
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801); medical device reporting of medical device-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.
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 comprehensive regulatory information about medical devices and radiation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/) and CDRH Learn (http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (http://www.fda.gov/DICE) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
# Todd D. Courtney -S
Tina Kiang, Ph.D. for Acting 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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### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K172800
#### Device Name
Portex® Lancet Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors Portex® Pencil Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors
Indications for Use (Describe)
The Portex® Lancet Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics or narcotics to provide regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid when used with compatible components. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults.
The Portex® Pencil Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics or narcotics to provide regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid when used with compatible components. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults.
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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### 1. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| 510(k) | K172800 |
|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Applicant's Name<br>And Address | Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.<br>6000 Nathan Lane North<br>Minneapolis, MN 55442 USA |
| Contact Person | Sunita Teekasingh<br>Senior Principal Regulatory Specialist<br>Vascular Access and Infusion Regulatory Affairs Interim Manager<br>Phone: 763-383-3336<br>Fax: 763-383-3679<br>Email: sunny.teekasingh@smiths-medical.com |
| Date | June 8, 2018 |
| Regulation No. | 21 CFR 868.5150 |
| Regulation Name | Anesthesia conduction needle |
| Primary Product<br>Codes | MIA |
| Classification | Class II |
| Trade Name | PORTEX® Lancet Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors<br>PORTEX® Pencil Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors |
#### 2. REASON FOR SUBMISSION
The purpose of this submission is to make a modification to the currently marketed Smiths Medical PORTEX® Spinal Anesthesia Needles and Introducer Needles, which are being updated to include an ISO 80369-6 compliant connector for neuraxial applications.
| | Predicate Device | Subject Devices |
|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Trade Name(s) | PORTEX® Spinal Anesthesia Needles<br>and Introducer Needles | PORTEX® NRFit™ Spinal Lancet Point<br>Needles<br>PORTEX® NRFit™ Spinal Pencil Point<br>Needles |
| Regulation No. | 21CFR868.5150 | 21CFR868.5150 |
| Regulation Name | Anesthesia conduction needle | Anesthesia conduction needle |
| Regulatory Class | II | II |
| Product Code | MIA | MIA |
| 510(k) | K983858 | K172800 |
#### 3. DEVICE INFORMATION
Reference device - K112515 - Pencan Spinal Needles, Spinocan Spinal Needles, Spinal Introducer Needles. This is used to support the expansion of the indication of withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid.
### 4. DEVICE DESCRIPTION
The PORTEX® Lancet Point Spinal Needle with NRFit™ connectors and PORTEX® Pencil Point Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics or narcotics to provide regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid when used with compatible components. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults.
The NRFit ™ connectors conform to ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications -- Part 6: Connectors for neuraxial applications. The connectors are not compatible with standard luer connectors which is intended to reduce the risk of misconnection that may result in the infusion of medications not intended for neuraxial or regional anesthetic use.
The PORTEX® NRFit™ Spinal Needles are color-coded yellow to indicate medication intended
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#### 510(k) Summary K172800; PORTEX® NRFit™ Spinal
for neuraxial or regional anesthetic delivery.
This Premarket Notification Traditional 510(k) includes various configurations of PORTEX® Lancet Point with NRFit TM connectors and PORTEX® Pencil Point Spinal with NRFit TM connectors. Descriptions of the configurations are provided in the table below.
| Device Type | Description |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| PORTEX® Lancet<br>Point Spinal<br>Needles with<br>NRFit connectors | The PORTEX® Spinal Lancet Point Needle with NRFit™ connectors are a range of sterile, single use needles, and are for the injection of local anesthetics to provide regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid when used with compatible components. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults. |
| PORTEX® Pencil<br>Point Needles with<br>NRFit™<br>connectors | The PORTEX® Spinal Pencil Point Needle with NRFit™ connectors are a range of sterile, single use needles, and are for the injection of local anesthetics to provide regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid when used with compatible components. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults. |
## 5. INDICATIONS FOR USE
| Device Type | Description |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| PORTEX® Lancet<br>Point Spinal<br>Needles with<br>NRFit connectors | The Portex® Lancet Point Spinal Needles with NRFitTM connectors are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics or narcotics to provide regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid when used with compatible components. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults. |
| PORTEX® Pencil<br>Point Needles with<br>NRFitTM<br>connectors | The Portex® Pencil Point Spinal Needles with NRFitTM connectors are indicated for the injection of local anesthetics or narcotics to provide regional anesthesia or withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid when used with compatible components. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults. |
## 6. SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE DISCUSSION
The Smiths Medical PORTEX® Lancet Point with NRFit ™ connectors and PORTEX® Pencil Point Spinal with NRFit ™ connectors have the same technological characteristics as the predicate devices with the exception of the NRFit TM Connectors.
The Smiths Medical PORTEX® Lancet Point with NRFit ™ connectors and PORTEX® Pencil Point Spinal with NRFit ™ connectors and predicate devices are both designed for the injection of local anesthetics and provide regional anesthesia. They are both made of the same materials, have the same chemical composition, and have the same design features excluding the NRFit TM connector design.
Differences in connector are addressed by ISO 80369-6, intending to reduce risk of misconnections by updating from luer to NRFit™ connectors. Needle gauge of subject device includes a 27 gauge needle in addition to the range of the predicate. Needle length range of the subject device is 38-152 mm and is within a similar range of the predicate device of 50.8-152.4 mm, being 12.8 mm shorter than the predicate. Potential risks associated with the length and gauge differences are addressed through biocompatibility and bench testing and validation and verification data. The differences are not critical to the intended therapeutic use of the device and do not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness of the device when used as labeled.
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A comparative analysis is provided in Table 1.
| Characteri<br>stic | Predicate Device<br>K983858 | Subject Device | Discussion |
|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Company | Sims Portex® (Smiths<br>Medical) | Smiths Medical | N/A |
| FDA Product<br>Code & CFR | MIA<br>21 CFR 868.5150 | MIA<br>21 CFR 868.5150 | Same |
| Regulation<br>Name | Anesthesia conduction needle | Anesthesia conduction needle | Same |
| Regulatory | II | II | Same |
| Trade<br>Name(s) | PORTEX® Spinal Anesthesia<br>Needles and Introducer<br>Needles | PORTEX® NRFit™ Spinal<br>Lancet Point Needles<br>PORTEX® NRFit™ Spinal<br>Pencil Point Needles | N/A |
| Common<br>Name | Spinal Anesthesia Needles | Spinal Anesthesia Needles | Same |
| Indications<br>for<br>Use | Spinal needles are indicated for<br>the injection of local<br>anesthetics into a patient to<br>provide regional anesthesia. | The Portex® Lancet Point<br>and Pencil Point Spinal<br>Needles with NRFit™<br>connectors are indicated for<br>the injection of local<br>anesthetics or narcotics to<br>provide regional anesthesia<br>or withdrawal of<br>cerebrospinal fluid when<br>used with compatible<br>components.<br>The intended target<br>population is pediatrics and<br>adults. | Similar. Both the subject and<br>predicate device are indicated<br>for the injection of local<br>anesthetics, and to provide<br>regional anesthesia. The<br>introduction of the spinal<br>needles with the NRFit<br>connectors into the intrathecal<br>space does not alter the safety<br>profile of the subject devices.<br>Both the subject and predicate<br>devices can be used for<br>collection of cerebral spinal<br>fluids. The addition of the<br>NRFit connector does not<br>impact the safety profile when<br>compared to the predicate<br>device. The addition of the<br>narcotics is an extension of<br>regional anesthesia<br>administration procedures,<br>therefore the safety profile<br>remains the same. The NRFit<br>connection is a safety feature<br>that aids in prevention of<br>inadvertent misconnections. |
| | | | |
| Indications<br>for<br>Use | Spinal needles are indicated for<br>the injection of local<br>anesthetics into a patient to<br>provide regional anesthesia. | The Portex® Lancet Point<br>and Pencil Point Spinal<br>Needles with NRFitTM<br>connectors are indicated for<br>the injection of local<br>anesthetics or narcotics to<br>provide regional anesthesia<br>or withdrawal of<br>cerebrospinal fluid when<br>used with compatible<br>components.<br>The intended target<br>population is pediatrics and<br>adults. | bringing technology to life<br>Similar. Both are indicated for<br>the injection of local<br>anesthetics, and to provide<br>regional anesthesia. |
| Hospital<br>Location Use | ICU/OR | ICU/OR | Same |
| Characteristic | Predicate Device<br>K983858 | Subject Device | Discussion |
| Connector | ISO 594 Luer | ISO 80369-6 NRFit™ | ISO 80369-6 NRFit™<br>connector intended to reduce<br>risk of misconnections. Both<br>met the requirements of the<br>respective standards<br>recognized by FDA. |
| Tip Design | Pencil, Lancet | Pencil, Lancet | Same |
| Packaging | Tyvek pouch | Tyvek pouch | Same |
| Sterility | Sterile, EO | Sterile, EO | Same |
| Use | Single Use Disposable | Single Use Disposable | Same |
| Needle Gauge | Pencil: 22-25<br>Lancet: 18-25 | Pencil: 22-27<br>Lancet: 22-27 | Similar. Needle gauge of<br>subject device includes a 27<br>gauge needle in addition to<br>the range of the predicate.<br>The use of a 27 gauge<br>needle is physician<br>preference. The use of a 27<br>gauge needle is physician<br>preference. The use of a 27<br>gauge needle is physician<br>preference. 18-27G Spinal<br>Needles are also being<br>offered by other<br>manufacturers such as Unisis<br>Corporation (K141126). |
| Needle Length<br>(mm) | Pencil: 50.8-152.4<br>Lancet: 50.8-152.4 | Pencil: 90-152<br>Lancet: 38-152 | Similar. Subject device<br>length is similar to<br>predicate's length. The<br>shorter spinal needle is to<br>satisfy physician preference<br>when using accepted clinical<br>methods. |
| Cannula Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Same |
| Needle Hub<br>Material | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate | Same |
| Sheath Material | Polyethylene | Polyethylene | Same |
## Table 1: PORTEX® NRFit™ Spinal Needles
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#### 510(k) Summary K172800; PORTEX® NRFit™ Spinal
- Withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using spinal needles is also indicated for similar devices. Please refer ● to K112515.
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#### 510(k) Summary K172800; PORTEX® NRFit™ Spinal
bringing technology to life
● The differences of the NRFit and Luer connector is a matter of connection. The introduction of the spinal needles to the intrathecal space is not altered and therefore does not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness. Collection of cerebral spinal fluid through the needle with either connector does not change and therefore does not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness. The injection of local anesthetics and narcotics into the intrathecal space require a specific NRFit syringe for use in the neuroaxial procedure. This difference reduces the risk of misconnection. NRFit needles and syringes are designed for neuroaxial procedures and using this system inhibits mis-injection of medications not designed for neuroaxial procedures.
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## 7. SUMMARY OF NON-CLINICAL TESTING
The PORTEX® Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors were evaluated via non-clinical performance testing to demonstrate the devices are substantially equivalent to the predicate devices. All testing met pre-established specifications, and successfully demonstrated that the PORTEX® Spinal Needles with NRFit™ connectors performed as intended. A summary of the evaluation is provided in Table 2.
| Category | Evaluation | Test Criteria |
|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Functional<br>Performance | Resistance to<br>overriding | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Resistance to<br>separation from<br>axial load | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Resistance to<br>separation from<br>unscrewing | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Resistance to<br>overriding | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Leakage by Pressure<br>Decay | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Subatmospheric<br>Pressure | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Stress Cracking | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Verifying Non-<br>interconnectable<br>characteristics<br>physical force | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| Packaging | Package integrity,<br>sterile barrier | ISO 11607, Packaging for terminally sterilized medical<br>devices - Part 1: Requirements for materials, sterile barrier<br>systems and packaging systems |
| Sterilization | Sterility | ISO 11135, Sterilization of health care products - Ethylene<br>Oxide - Requirements for development, validation<br>and routine control of a sterilization process for<br>medical devices. |
| | Residuals | ISO 10993-7, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 7: Ethylene oxide sterilization residuals |
| Biocompatibility | Intracutaneous<br>Reactivity | ISO 10993-10, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 10: Tests for irritation and skin sensitization |
| | Systemic Toxicity | ISO 10993-11, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 11: Tests for systemic toxicity |
| | Sensitization | ISO 10993-10, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 10: Tests for irritation and skin sensitization |
| | Cytotoxicity | ISO 10993-5, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 5: Tests for in vitro cytotoxicity |
| | Genotoxicity,<br>carcinogenicity and<br>reproductive toxicity | ISO 10993-3, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 3: Tests for genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and<br>reproductive toxicity |
| | Leachable<br>substances | ISO 10993-17, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 17: Establishment of allowable limits for leachable<br>substances |
| Category | Evaluation | Test Criteria |
| | Chemical characterization of materials | ISO 10993-18, Biological evaluation of medical devices - Part 18: Chemical characterization of materials |
| | Bacterial endotoxins | ANSI/AAMI ST72, Bacterial endotoxins - Test methods, routine monitoring, and alternatives to batch testing |
| | Particulate matter | USP 788, Particulate Matter in Injections |
Table 2: Summary of Non-Clinical Testing
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## Smiths me
bringing technology to life
## 8. SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE CONCLUSION
The evaluation of the Smiths Medical PORTEX® Spinal Lancet Point Needles with NRFit™ connector and the PORTEX® Spinal Pencil Point Needles with NRFit™ connector device classification, indications for use, and technological characteristics demonstrate substantial equivalence to the predicate devices. Device testing met pre-defined acceptance criteria and demonstrated substantial equivalence to the predicate device.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.