The ClearPath Aligner is a series of clear, lightweight, plastic appliances indicated for the correction of dental malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition (i.e. all second molars). The ClearPath Aligner positions teeth by way of continuous gentle force.
Device Story
ClearPath Aligner consists of series of clear, thermoformed, removable plastic trays designed to correct dental malocclusion. Clinician provides physical or scanned impressions; ClearPath uses Ortho Analyzer software (3Shape A/S) to create digital setup for clinician approval. Approved designs are 3D-printed into molds; aligners are thermoformed over molds and laser-marked. Device is used in dental clinic; operated by dentist/orthodontist; worn by patient 22 hours/day. Each tray exerts continuous gentle force for 2-3 weeks to achieve progressive tooth realignment. Output is physical aligner tray; clinician confirms fit and design. Benefits include non-invasive, removable orthodontic correction without conventional wires/brackets.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Validation performed to ensure accuracy of final thermoformed aligner compared to initial digital scan. Biocompatibility testing (ISO 10993-5 Cytotoxicity) provided for finished thermoformed aligner. No clinical or animal data required.
Technological Characteristics
Thermoformed plastic aligner trays; non-sterile. 3D-printed molds. Software: Ortho Analyzer 2019 ver 1.8.1.0 (3Shape A/S) for 3D model management, diagnosis, virtual treatment planning, and appliance design. Laser-marked. Connectivity: digital file transfer for planning.
Indications for Use
Indicated for correction of dental malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition (all second molars).
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An orthodontic plastic bracket is a plastic device intended to be bonded to a tooth to apply pressure to a tooth from a flexible orthodontic wire to alter its position.
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains the logo of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the left is the Department of Health & Human Services logo. To the right of that is the FDA logo, with the letters "FDA" in a blue square, followed by the words "U.S. FOOD & DRUG" in blue, and then the word "ADMINISTRATION" in a smaller font below.
January 5, 2021
ClearPath Orthodontics Ltd % Patsy Trisler Regulatory Consultant Oserve Group US, Inc. 7949 Beaumont Green East Drive Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
Re: K202857
Trade/Device Name: ClearPath Aligner Regulation Number: 21 CFR 872.5470 Regulation Name: Orthodontic Plastic Bracket Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: NXC Dated: September 25, 2020 Received: September 28, 2020
Dear Patsy Trisler:
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. Although this letter refers to your product as a device, please be aware that some cleared products may instead be combination products. The 510(k) Premarket Notification Database located at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm identifies combination product submissions. 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
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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) for devices or postmarketing safety reporting (21 CFR 4, Subpart B) for combination products (see https://www.fda.gov/combination-products/guidance-regulatory-information/postmarketing-safety-reportingcombination-products); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) for devices or current good manufacturing practices (21 CFR 4, Subpart A) for combination products; 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 https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-safety/medical-device-reportingmdr-how-report-medical-device-problems.
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/device-advice-comprehensive-regulatory-assistance) and CDRH Learn (https://www.fda.gov/training-and-continuing-education/cdrh-learn). 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 (https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-advice-comprehensive-regulatoryassistance/contact-us-division-industry-and-consumer-education-dice) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
For Michael Adjodha Assistant Director DHT1B: Division of Dental Devices OHT1: Office of Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, Respiratory, ENT and Dental Devices Office of Product Evaluation and Ouality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K202857
Device Name
ClearPath Aligner
Indications for Use (Describe)
The ClearPath Aligner is a series of clear, lightweight, plastic appliances indicated for the correction of dental malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition (i.e. all second molars). The ClearPath Aligner positions teeth by way of continuous gentle force.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
| <span style="font-family: sans-serif;"> </span> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) | Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C) |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| <div> <span style="font-size: 20px;"><b> </b></span> </div> | |
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## K202857
# 510(k) SUMMARY
| SUBMITTER | |
|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Submitter Name: | ClearPath Orthodontics, Ltd |
| Submitter Address: | 6-N Main Boulevard<br>Johar Town<br>Lahore-Pakistan, 54000 |
| Contact Person: | Dr. Waqas Wahab, Chief Executive Officer |
| Email: | Waqas.wahab@clearpathortho.com |
| Telephone: | +92 322 491 33 77 |
| Date Prepared: | September 25, 2020 |
| DEVICE | |
| Device Trade Name: | ClearPath Aligner |
| Common Name: | Aligner, Sequential (Clear Braces) |
| Classification Name<br>Number | Orthodontic Plastic Bracket<br>21 CFR 872.5470 |
| Product Code | NXC |
| Regulatory Class | 2 |
| Review Panel | Dental |
| PREDICATE DEVICE | Primary Predicate:<br>K162609, ClearPath Aligner, ClearPath Orthodontics<br>Reference Device:<br>K180941 Ortho System™, 3Shape A/S |
| DEVICE<br>DESCRIPTION | The ClearPath clear aligner is comprised of a series of clear,<br>thin, thermoformed removable aligner trays that are designed to<br>correct tooth malocclusions without the use of conventional<br>wire and bracket orthodontic technology. The aligners are<br>provided non-sterile and are customized for each patient<br>according to the dental clinician's prescription.<br><br>The dental health professional (dentist/orthodontist) takes<br>provides physical or scanned impressions of the patient's teeth<br>to ClearPath. A digital setup of either the scanned impression<br>or a scan of the physical impression is sent to the clinician for<br>approval. Upon approval, molds are then created with 3D-<br>printing technology and the clear aligners are thermoformed on<br>the molds and laser marked.<br><br>The finished, customized aligners are provided to the dental<br>health care professional who provides them to the patient,<br>confirming fit and design. The aligner trays are held in place by<br>pressure and can be removed by the patients at any time. |
| MECHANISM OF<br>ACTION | Based on a clinician's prescribed treatment plan, each aligner in<br>the set is used for the specified period of time to exert gentle<br>force to achieve progressive realignment of the teeth until the<br>final correction has been achieved. Standard treatment time for<br>each aligner tray is 2-3 weeks, worn by patient for 22 hours per<br>day. |
| SUMMARY OF<br>TECHNOLOGICAL<br>CHARACTERISTICS | The thermoplastic materials used for the manufacture of the<br>ClearPath aligner is the same material used to make the<br>predicate ClearPath Aligner. |
| | The software system used is Ortho Analyzer, 2019 ver 1.8.1.0<br>by 3Shape A/S (Reference device - K180941). It is used for<br>management of 3D scanned orthodontic models, orthodontic<br>diagnosis by measuring, analyzing, inspecting and visualizing<br>3D scanned orthodontic models, virtual planning of orthodontic<br>treatments by simulating tooth movements, and design of<br>orthodontic appliances based on 3D scanned orthodontic<br>models. |
| INDICATIONS FOR<br>USE STATEMENT | The ClearPath Aligner is a series of clear, lightweight, plastic<br>appliances indicated for the correction of dental malocclusion in<br>patients with permanent dentition (i.e. all second molars). The<br>ClearPath Aligner positions teeth by way of continuous gentle<br>force. |
| SAFETY TESTING | Biocompatibility: Testing of the plastic thermoformable material<br>used to make the ClearPath Aligner has been provided to FDA<br>previously. |
| | ISO 10993-5 Cytotoxicity Testing of the finished thermoformed<br>aligner was provided. |
| PERFORMANCE<br>TESTING | Bench testing was performed to validate the manufacturing<br>process: to ensure the accuracy of the final thermoformed<br>aligner compared to the initial digital scan. |
| | In vivo Animal and Human Clinical performance testing are not<br>required for this device category. |
| COMPARISON TO<br>THE PREDICATE<br>DEVICE | The ClearPath Aligner has the same intended use as the<br>predicate device. There are no fundamental technological<br>differences between the Predicate and the modified device.<br>The difference between the new and predicate devices is in the<br>use of the referenced software during specified steps in the<br>manufacturing process. |
| SUBSTANTIAL<br>EQUIVALENCE<br>CONCLUSION | The information and data provided in this 510(k) establish that<br>the ClearPath Aligner is substantially equivalent to the predicate<br>ClearPath Aligner in the intended use, design, principle of<br>operation, technology, and thermoformable material used to<br>make the aligner. Comparison of all key parameters are<br>presented in the following SE Comparison table |
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| | Proposed Device | Predicate Device<br>K162609 |
|------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Device Name | ClearPath Aligner | ClearPath Aligner |
| Manufacturer | ClearPath Orthodontics, Ltd | ClearPath Orthodontics, Ltd |
| Classification<br>Regulation Name<br>Product Code<br>Class | 21 CFR 872.5470<br>Orthodontic Plastic Bracket<br>NXC<br>2 | 21 CFR 872.5470<br>Orthodontic Plastic Bracket<br>NXC<br>2 |
| Indications for<br>Use | The ClearPath Aligner is a series of<br>clear, lightweight, plastic appliances<br>indicated for the correction of dental<br>malocclusion in adult and<br>adolescent patients with permanent<br>dentition (i.e. all second molars).<br>The ClearPath Aligner positions<br>teeth by way of continuous gentle<br>force. | The ClearPath Aligner is a series of<br>clear, lightweight, plastic appliances<br>indicated for the correction of dental<br>malocclusion in patients with<br>permanent dentition (i.e. all second<br>molars). The ClearPath Aligner<br>positions teeth by way of continuous<br>gentle force. |
| Mode of Action | The appliance applies gentle forces<br>on teeth according to the plan<br>prescribed by the doctor. | The appliance applies gentle forces<br>on teeth according to the plan<br>prescribed by the doctor. |
| Description of<br>Use | Each removable preformed plastic<br>tray is worn by the patient as<br>prescribed by the doctor, usually a<br>few weeks prior to using the next<br>sequential aligner tray. | Each removable preformed plastic<br>tray is worn by the patient as<br>prescribed by the doctor, usually a<br>few weeks prior to using the next<br>sequential aligner tray. |
| Material | Thermoformed plastic | Thermoformed plastic |
| Software Used | Yes, for treatment planning and 3D<br>printing of models. | No |
| Prescription Use | Rx | Rx |
| Biocompatibility | Yes, shown to meet requirements | Yes, shown to meet requirements |
| Validation<br>Testing | Yes, performed | Yes, performed. |
## Substantial Equivalence Comparison Table
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.