The Emprint™ Ablation Visualization Application is a stand-alone software product that allows physicians to visualize and compare CT imaging data. The display, annotation, and volume rendering of medical images aids in ablation procedures conducted using Emprint™ ablation systems. The software is not intended for diagnosis.
Device Story
Software-as-a-Medical-Device (SaMD) DICOM viewer; enables visualization, annotation, and volume rendering of pre-, intra-, and post-procedure CT images. Used by surgeons and interventionists in clinical settings to plan and evaluate soft-tissue ablation procedures performed with Emprint™ Ablation System or Emprint™ SX Ablation Platform. Physicians import DICOM datasets; select anatomical features; measure/mark areas of interest; overlay virtual antenna models and anticipated thermal ablation zones; and compare image sets. Device does not perform automated calculations; uses look-up tables (zone charts) to display predicted ablation zones. Output assists in procedure planning and post-procedure evaluation. Decoupled from dedicated hardware, allowing installation on standard Windows™-based computers.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Verification included software subsystem and system-level testing, including measurement accuracy (+/- 2 voxels). Human factors engineering (HFE) and simulated-use validation testing confirmed user needs and expectations. No animal or clinical studies were conducted.
Technological Characteristics
DICOM image viewer; SaMD; Windows™ 7/10 compatible. Complies with IEC 62304 (software lifecycle) and NEMA PS 3.1-3.20 (DICOM). Principle of operation: manual annotation and overlay of virtual ablation zones based on look-up tables (zone charts).
Indications for Use
Indicated for physicians to visualize and compare CT imaging data to aid in soft-tissue ablation procedures using Emprint™ ablation systems. Not intended for diagnosis.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A medical image management and processing system is a device that provides one or more capabilities relating to the review and digital processing of medical images for the purposes of interpretation by a trained practitioner of disease detection, diagnosis, or patient management. The software components may provide advanced or complex image processing functions for image manipulation, enhancement, or quantification that are intended for use in the interpretation and analysis of medical images. Advanced image manipulation functions may include image segmentation, multimodality image registration, or 3D visualization. Complex quantitative functions may include semi-automated measurements or time-series measurements.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls; voluntary standards—Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Std., Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) Std., Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) Test Pattern).
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March 21, 2018
Covidien LLC % Ms. Patti Arndt Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist 5920 Longbow Drive BOULDER CO 80301
Re: K180192
Trade/Device Name: Emprint™ Ablation Visualization Application Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.2050 Regulation Name: Picture archiving and communications system Regulatory Class: II Product Code: LLZ Dated: January 23, 2018 Received: January 25, 2018
Dear Ms. Arndt:
We have reviewed vour 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 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.
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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.
For comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-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,
Michael D. O'Hara
For
Robert Ochs, Ph.D Director Division of Radiological Health Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known)
K180192
Device Name
Emprint™ Ablation Visualization Application
Indications for Use (Describe)
The Emprint™ Ablation Visualization is a stand-alone software product that allows physicians to visualize and compare CT imaging data. The display, annotation, and volume rendering of medical images aids in ablation procedures conducted using Emprint™ ablation systems. The software is not intended for diagnosis.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) | |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| <div> <span>☑ Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)</span> </div> | |
| <div> <span>☐ Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)</span> </div> | |
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# 510(k) Summary - K180192
## 510(k) Submitter/Holder
Covidien IIc 15 Hampshire Street Mansfield, MA 02048
## Contact
Patti Arndt Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist Phone: 303-581-6668 Fax: 303-530-6313 Email: patti.l.arndt@medtronic.com
### Date of Summary Preparation
March 19, 2018
### Name of Device
| Device Trade Name: | Emprint™ Ablation Visualization Application |
|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Device Common Name: | DICOM Viewer |
| Classification Name: | Picture Archiving and Communications System / Class II |
| Regulation: | 21 CFR 892.2050 |
| Regulatory Class: | II |
| Product Code: | LLZ |
| Special Controls: | Compliance with Voluntary Standards:<br>(1) Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Standard<br>(2) Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) Standard, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers; (SMPTE) Test Pattern<br>Note: The JPEG Standard does not apply, as the subject device does not include motion imaging. |
#### Predicate Device
The Emprint™ Ablation Visualization Application described in this submission is substantially equivalent to the following, commercially available predicate device:
| Device Trade Name: | Emprint™ Procedure Planning Application |
|---------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| Device Common Name: | DICOM Viewer |
| 510(k) Numbers: | K142048 |
| Manufacturer: | Covidien IIc |
## Device Description
The Emprint™ Ablation Visualization Application is a software product that achieves its medical purpose without being part of the hardware of a medical device (SaMD).
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The visualization application is a DICOM image viewer that allows surgeons and interventionists to utilize a health care facility's PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications System) server (or other digital media transfer process) to view and interact with CT images. Using preprocedure, intra-procedure and post-procedure CT images, physicians can both plan and evaluate soft-tissue ablation procedures conducted with the Emprint™ Ablation System (K133821) and the Emprint™ SX Ablation Platform (K171358). The application is designed to streamline and enhance the procedure planning, execution and evaluation process; it is not required for the safe and effective conduct of an Emprint™ ablation procedure.
Using the application's three ablation workflows (Liver, Lung and Kidney Ablation), physicians can prepare for or evaluate an Emprint™ system ablation procedure by viewing and annotating patient-specific anatomy. The visualization's Compare Workflow facilitates the comparison of images across patients, or the comparison of images from the same patient before and after an ablation procedure. Physicians can use the software to perform the following, key, workflow-based tasks:
- Import standard DICOM images and render them in 3-dimensions ●
- . Select and view specific anatomical features (e.g., soft-tissue lesions, anatomical landmarks)
- Measure and mark critical anatomical features / areas of interest
- . Overlay and position virtual images of the Emprint ablation antenna and the anticipated thermal ablation zone onto the medical image
- . Add textual annotations to images
- . Save annotated plans for future viewing
- Export annotated plans for the patient's medical record or for use in a radiology or . operating suite
- . View and compare any 2 of the imported DICOM datasets, simultaneously
The visualization application is designed for installation and use on Windows™-based computers (Windows™ 7 or 10) and is compatible with procedure plans that were generated with the predicate device (Emprint™ Procedure Planning Application, K142048).
## Indications for Use
The Emprint™ Ablation Visualization Application is a stand-alone software product that allows physicians to visualize and compare CT imaging data. The display, annotation, and volume rendering of medical images aids in ablation procedures conducted using Emprint™ ablation systems.
The software is not intended for diagnosis.
## Technological Characteristics
The visualization application is a DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) image viewer. It relies on the same principle of operation and fundamental technology, and has the same performance characteristics as the predicate device.
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## Performance Testing
Extensive software verification testing was conducted for the SaMD product and included both software subsystem and system-level verification. Subsystem testing included unit and integration testing, while system-level verification was conducted to fully evaluate the user interface for the visualization's workflows. Additionally, system-level testing was conducted to verify the application's measurement accuracy (+/- 2 voxels).
During the product's development, Covidien followed a human factors engineering (HFE) process and conducted simulated-use, validation testing to confirm that the visualization application met user needs and expectations.
Performance testing demonstrated the Emprint™ Ablation Visualization Application's compliance with the following international standards.
| | International Standard |
|---|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1 | IEC 62304:2006, Medical Device Software – Software Life Cycle Processes |
| 2 | NEMA PS 3.1-3.20:2014, Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) |
## Animal and Clinical Testing
The performance and safety of the Emprint™ Ablation Visualization Application was characterized using laboratory (bench) verification and simulated-use validation testing. Animal studies and clinical studies in human subjects were not required.
## Comparison to Predicate Device - Key Differences and Similarities
There are two principal differences between the subject and predicate device. First, the Emprint™ Procedure Planning Application (K142048) was provided to users on a dedicated Japtop computer, while the Emprint™ Visualization is a stand-alone software product. This decoupling of the procedure planning software from a dedicated hardware platform allows users to install and use the software on a compatible computer of their choice. Secondly, the new software product does not include a VATs workflow that was designed for use by thoracic surgeons for the planning of non-ablation, surgical procedures. The subject device is configured to meet the procedure planning and evaluation needs of physicians conducting soft tissue ablation procedures using Emprint™-branded systems only.
The Emprint™ Ablation Visualization relies on the same principles of operation and fundamental technology and has essentially the same performance characteristics and intended use as its predicate. The subject device uses the same operating mechanism as the predicate Emprint™ Procedure Planning Application (K142048) to size and display predicted ablation zones in the software's Liver and Lung Ablation Workflows, as well as in the new Kidney Ablation Workflow. Like the predicate device, the Emprint Ablation Visualization does not calculate predicted ablation zones automatically, but references zone charts (look-up tables) that characterize the performance of the 510(k)-cleared Emprint Ablation System (K133821).
## Conclusion
The Emprint™ Ablation Visualization is used to plan and evaluate soft-tissue ablation procedures conducted with Emprint™-branded ablation systems in the same way as the predicate Emprint™ Procedure Planning Application. The subject and predicate devices are both DICOM image viewers and comply with the associated NEMA DICOM Standard.
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Differences between the subject and predicate devices include minor configuration changes and usability enhancements – none of which impact the SaMD product's intended use, measurement accuracy, underlying technology, principle of operation, or raise new questions of safety and effectiveness. The Emprint™ Ablation Visualization (subject device) and Emprint™ Procedure Planning Application (predicate device) are substantially equivalent.
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.