K202991 · Fotona D.O.O. · GEX · Jun 22, 2021 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K202991
Device Name
Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform
Applicant
Fotona D.O.O.
Product Code
GEX · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Jun 22, 2021
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4810
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
810 nm Diode Laser System: - Incision, excision, vaporization, ablation and coagulation of oral soft tissues including the following: o Gingival troughing for crown impression o Gingivectomy Gingivoplasty o o Gingival incision and excision Hemostasis and coagulation O o Excisional and incisional biopsies o Fibroma removal Frenectomy and frenotomy o Oral papillectomies o Soft tissue crown lengthening o Treatment of aphthous ulcers o o Treatment of herpetic lesions - Periodontology: . o Laser soft tissue curettage, o Laser removal of diseased, inflamed and necrosed soft tissue within the periodontal pocket - Cosmetic Dentistry: . Laser-assisted bleaching/whitening of the teeth, o Light activation for bleaching materials for teeth whitening o - . Implant recovery - Surgical applications requiring the ablation, vaporization, excision, incision, hemostasis, or . coagulation of soft tissues in medical specialties including dermatology, dentistry, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and pulmonology 810 nm Diode Laser Module: - Incision, excision, vaporization, ablation and coagulation of oral soft tissues including the following: - Gingival troughing for crown impression o - Gingivoplasty o - o Soft tissue crown lengthening - o Treatment of aphthous ulcers - Treatment of herpetic lesions o 810 nm Diode Laser System & Module in therapy: - Temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, minor arthritis pain, or muscle spasm, minor sprains and strains, and minor muscular back pain; the temporary increase in local blood circulation; the temporary relaxation of muscle. 980 nm Diode Laser: - Gingival troughing . - . Crown lengthening - Gingivoplasty • - Coagulation • - . Hemostasis of donor site - Implant recovery - Implant uncovery - . Soft tissue curettage - Sulcular debridement • - Biopsy - Frenectomy • - Operculectomy - Exposure of unerupted teeth - . Pulpotomy - Treatment of aphthous ulcers - Excision of lesions - Light activation of bleaching materials for teeth whitening - Surgical applications requiring the ablation, vaporization, excision, incision, hemostasis, or coagulation of soft tissues in medical specialties including dermatology, dentistry, gastroenterology, general surgery, genitourinary, gynecology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, orthopedics. ophthalmology, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery. 445 nm Diode Laser: • Incision/excision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis and coagulation of soft tissue
Device Story
Multi-application diode laser platform; utilizes 445 nm, 810 nm, and 980 nm wavelengths. System comprises console, footswitch, and attachable laser modules. Aiming beam (diode) combined with therapeutic beam; delivered via optical fiber to handpiece or bare fiber tip. Operated by clinician via LCD touch-screen interface. Microprocessor controls output parameters, pulse width, and repetition rate. Used for soft tissue surgical procedures (incision, excision, ablation, hemostasis, coagulation) and therapeutic applications (pain relief, circulation). Provides precise tissue interaction; benefits include controlled tissue removal and hemostasis. Used in clinical settings across multiple medical specialties.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical testing was needed. Substantial equivalence supported by bench testing and adherence to international standards (ISO 14971, IEC 60601 series, IEC 62304, IEC 62366).
Technological Characteristics
Diode laser energy source; wavelengths 445 nm, 810 nm, 980 nm. Microprocessor-controlled. Fiber-optic delivery system. Touch-screen interface. Class I aiming beam. Complies with IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2, IEC 60601-2-22, IEC 62304, IEC 62366.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring soft tissue incision, excision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis, or coagulation in dentistry, dermatology, gastroenterology, general surgery, genitourinary, gynecology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery. Also indicated for temporary relief of minor muscle/joint pain, stiffness, arthritis pain, muscle spasm, sprains, strains, and muscular back pain, and for temporary increase in local blood circulation and muscle relaxation.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
(1) A carbon dioxide laser for use in general surgery and in dermatology is a laser device intended to cut, destroy, or remove tissue by light energy emitted by carbon dioxide.(2) An argon laser for use in dermatology is a laser device intended to destroy or coagulate tissue by light energy emitted by argon.
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June 22, 2021
Fotona d.o.o. Marko Berdajs Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager Stegne 7 Ljubljana, 1000 Slovenia
Re: K202991
Trade/Device Name: Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4810 Regulation Name: Laser Surgical Instrument For Use In General And Plastic Surgery And In Dermatology Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: GEX Dated: September 30, 2020 Received: September 30, 2020
Dear Marko Berdajs:
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.
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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) 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 mediation-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.
Purva Pandya Assistant Director DHT4A: Division of General Surgery Devices OHT4: Office of Surgical and Infection Control Devices Office of Product Evaluation and Quality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K202991
Device Name XPulse Pro Laser Platform
#### Indications for Use (Describe)
810 nm Diode Laser System:
- · Incision, excision, vaporization, ablation and coagulation of oral soft tissues including the following:
- 。 Gingival troughing for crown impression
- · Gingivectomy
- · Gingivoplasty
- 。 Gingival incision and excision
- 。 Hemostasis and coagulation
- · Excisional and incisional biopsies
- Fibroma removal
- · Frenectomy and frenotomy
- · Oral papillectomies
- · Soft tissue crown lengthening
- 。 Treatment of aphthous ulcers
- · Treatment of herpetic lesions
- · Periodontology:
- · Laser soft tissue curettage.
- · Laser removal of diseased, inflamed and necrosed soft tissue within the periodontal pocket
- Cosmetic Dentistry:
- · Laser-assisted bleaching/whitening of the teeth,
- · Light activation for bleaching materials for teeth whitening
- · Implant recovery
- · Surgical applications requiring the ablation, vaporization, hemostasis, or coagulation of soft tissues in medical specialties including dermatology, dentistry, gastroenterology, general surgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and pulmonology
#### 810 nm Diode Laser Module:
· Incision, excision, vaporization, ablation and coagulation of oral soft tissues including the following:
- 。 Gingival troughing for crown impression
- · Gingivoplasty
- · Soft tissue crown lengthening
- 。 Treatment of aphthous ulcers
- 。 Treatment of herpetic lesions
810 nm Diode Laser System & Module in therapy:
· Temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, minor arthritis pain, or muscle spasm, minor sprains and strains, and minor muscular back pain; the temporary increase in local blood circulation; the temporary relaxation of muscle.
980 nm Diode Laser:
- · Gingival troughing
- · Crown lengthening
- · Gingivoplasty
- · Coagulation
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- Hemostasis of donor site
- Implant recovery
- Implant uncovery
- · Soft tissue curettage
- · Sulcular debridement
- Biopsy
- · Frenectomy
- Operculectomy
- Exposure of unerupted teeth
- Pulpotomy
- Treatment of aphthous ulcers
- · Excision of lesions
- · Light activation of bleaching materials for teeth whitening
· Surgical applications requiring the ablation, vaporization, hemostasis, or coagulation of soft tissues in medical specialties including dermatology, dentistry, gastroenterology, general surgery, genitourinary, gynecology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, and thoracic surgery.
445 nm Diode Laser:
· Incision/excision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis and coagulation of soft tissue
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
X Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
| Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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# 510(k) Summary K202991 SUBMITTER'S INFORMATION
| Submitter: | Fotona d.o.o. | | | |
|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|--|--|--|
| | Stegne 7 | | | |
| | 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia | | | |
| | Phone: +386 1 5009 100 | | | |
| | Fax: +386 1 5009 200 | | | |
| Contact Person: | Marko Berdajs, Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager | | | |
| | Phone: + 386 1 5009 119 | | | |
| | E-mail: marko.berdajs@fotona.com | | | |
| Date: | June 21, 2021 | | | |
# DEVICE INFORMATION
| Device Trade Name: | Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform |
|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Common name: | Medical Laser System |
| Classification name: | GEX-Powered Laser Surgical Instrument, General and Plastic Surgery<br>21 CFR 878.4810, Class II |
| Product Code: | GEX |
# PREDICATE DEVICES
- Fotona SkyPulse Laser Platform (K193656)
- . FOX 1-980, FOX Q-1064, FOX-Q-810 (K073322)
- Wolf445nm (K192272)
- SIROLaser Blue (K180044)
- XD Diode Laser System (K083034)
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# DEVICE DESCRIPTION
The Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform is a multi-application, multi-technology platform that supports the diode laser technology. A diode aiming beam is combined with all therapeutic laser beams. The combined therapeutic and aiming beams are guided through an optical fiber delivery system to an optical handpiece or to the bare fiber distal end.
The Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform consists of a console, a footswitch and attachable laser modules. Output parameters and other system features are controlled from the touch-screen control panel on the console, which provides an interface to the system micro-controller through an LCD touch-screen.
A diode aiming beam is combined with all therapeutic laser beams. The combined therapeutic and aiming beams are guided through an optical fiber delivery system to an optical handpiece or to the bare fiber distal end. The following wavelengths are currently available with the XPulse platform: 445 nm, 810 mm and 980 nm.
Following handpieces are to be used with Fotona Xpulse Pro Laser Platform: R21-SHP, R26 (variants: black, green, blue, silver and red), R24, R30, Genova and MarcCo (variants S, M & L).
### INTENDED USE
### 810 nm Diode Laser System:
- Incision, excision, vaporization, ablation and coagulation of oral soft tissues including the following:
- o Gingival troughing for crown impression
- o Gingivectomy
- Gingivoplasty o
- o Gingival incision and excision
- Hemostasis and coagulation O
- o Excisional and incisional biopsies
- o Fibroma removal
- Frenectomy and frenotomy o
- Oral papillectomies o
- Soft tissue crown lengthening o
- Treatment of aphthous ulcers o
- o Treatment of herpetic lesions
- Periodontology: .
- o Laser soft tissue curettage,
- o Laser removal of diseased, inflamed and necrosed soft tissue within the periodontal pocket
- Cosmetic Dentistry: .
- Laser-assisted bleaching/whitening of the teeth, o
- Light activation for bleaching materials for teeth whitening o
- . Implant recovery
- Surgical applications requiring the ablation, vaporization, excision, incision, hemostasis, or . coagulation of soft tissues in medical specialties including dermatology, dentistry, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and pulmonology
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#### 810 nm Diode Laser Module:
- Incision, excision, vaporization, ablation and coagulation of oral soft tissues including the following:
- Gingival troughing for crown impression o
- Gingivoplasty o
- o Soft tissue crown lengthening
- o Treatment of aphthous ulcers
- Treatment of herpetic lesions o
#### 810 nm Diode Laser System & Module in therapy:
- Temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, minor arthritis pain, or muscle spasm, minor sprains and strains, and minor muscular back pain; the temporary increase in local blood circulation; the temporary relaxation of muscle.
#### 980 nm Diode Laser:
- Gingival troughing .
- . Crown lengthening
- Gingivoplasty •
- Coagulation •
- . Hemostasis of donor site
- Implant recovery
- Implant uncovery
- . Soft tissue curettage
- Sulcular debridement •
- Biopsy
- Frenectomy •
- Operculectomy
- Exposure of unerupted teeth
- . Pulpotomy
- Treatment of aphthous ulcers
- Excision of lesions
- Light activation of bleaching materials for teeth whitening
- Surgical applications requiring the ablation, vaporization, excision, incision, hemostasis, or coagulation of soft tissues in medical specialties including dermatology, dentistry, gastroenterology, general surgery, genitourinary, gynecology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, orthopedics. ophthalmology, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery.
#### 445 nm Diode Laser:
- Incision/excision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis and coagulation of soft tissue
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# SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform has either identical or similar applicable technological and design characteristics (design, chemical composition, energy source, wavelength, active medium, power supply, beam delivery, controls, housing) as the previously cleared Fotona SkyPulse Laser Platform (K193656), FOX 1-980, FOX Q-1064, FOX-Q-810 (K073322), Wolf445nm (K192272), XD Diode Laser System (K083034) and SIROLaser Blue (K180044).
The output characteristics of the proposed device are similar to those of the predicate devices for the proposed intended use. All of the devices utilize class I aiming beams that pose a minimal hazard to the user when the devices are used properly. All systems are microprocessor controlled devices. The microprocessor control regulates normal operation, permits parameter selection and avoids hazard incidence.
A comparison of the technical specifications of the XPulse Laser platform with the previously cleared devices is provided in tabels below:
| | XD Diode Laser System<br>(K083034) | Fotona SkyPulse Laser<br>Platform<br>(K193656) | Fotona XPulse Pro Laser<br>Platform<br>(this submission) |
|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Energy source | Diode | Diode | Diode |
| Wavelength | $810 \pm 10$ nm | 808 nm | 810 nm |
| Power | Up to 7 W | 0.1-33 W | Up to 8 W (system)<br>Up to 1.5 W (module) |
| Pulse width | 0.025 - 25 ms; CW | 10 ms - 10 s; CW | 20 $\mu$ s to 30 s, CW |
| Repetition rate | CW or 20 Hz - 10 kHz | CW or up to 100 Hz | CW, 0.1 Hz to 200 Hz |
| Delivery system | Contact and non-contact<br>handpieces connected to the<br>system via fiber | Contact and non-contact<br>handpieces connected to the<br>system via fiber | Contact and non-contact<br>handpieces connected to the<br>system via fiber |
| User interface | Button control | Touch screen control | Touch screen control |
Table 1: Comparison table of the technical specifications of Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform with the previously cleared devices for the wavelength of 810 nm
Table 2: Comparison table of the technical specifications of Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform with the previously cleared devices for the wavelength of 980 nm.
| | Fotona SkyPulse Laser Platform<br>(K193656) | Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform<br>(this submission) | |
|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| Energy source | Diode | Diode | |
| Wavelength | 980 nm | 980 nm | |
| Aiming beam | Laser diode 635 nm/650 nm (red) ; < 1 mW | Laser diode 650 nm or 532 nm ; < 1 mW | |
| Power range | Up to 35 W | Up to 12 W | |
| Pulse width | 10 ms – 10 s; CW | 100 us to 60 s. CW | |
| Repetition rate | CW or up to 100 Hz | CW, 0.1 Hz to 200 Hz | |
| Delivery system | Contact and non-contact handpieces connected<br>to the system via fiber | Contact and non-contact handpieces connected<br>to the system via fiber | |
| User interface | Touch screen control | Touch screen control | |
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Table 3: Comparison table of the technical specifications of Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform with the previously cleared device for the wavelength of 445 nm.
| | Primary Predicate Device | Reference Predicate device | Subject Device |
|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Wolf 445nm<br>(K192272) | SIROLaser Blue<br>(K180044) | Fotona XPulse Pro Laser<br>Platform<br>(This submission) |
| Indication | The Wolf 455 nm is intended for<br>use in incision, excision,<br>vaporization, ablation, hemostasis<br>and coagulation of soft tissue | SIROLaser Blue is intended for<br>inta and extra oral surgery<br>including incision, excision,<br>hemostasis, coagulation &<br>vaporization of soft tissue | Incision/excision, vaporization,<br>ablation, hemostasis and<br>coagulation of soft tissue |
| Wavelength | 445 nm | 445 nm | 445 nm |
| Power | 0.5-10 W | 0.2 - 3 W | Up to 4 W |
| Repetition rate | < 4 Watt: 0.01 Hz to 500 Hz and<br>CW<br>> 4 Watt: 0.02 Hz to 6.6 Hz and<br>CW | 1 Hz to 10 kHz | CW, 0.1 Hz to 200 Hz |
| Delivery system | Optical fibers 300 um, 400 um and<br>600 um with or without handpieces | Delivery devices, fibers 200 mm,<br>320 mm | 300 um, 400 um or 600 um bare<br>fiber with or without handpiece<br>R21 and R21-SHP |
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# TESTING
Clinical testing: No clinical testing was needed.
Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform is designed, tested and will be manufactured in accordance with both mandatory and voluntary standards:
ISO 14971:2007 Medical devices - Application of risk management to medical devices
IEC 60601-1:2005 + A1:2012 Medical electrical equipment - Part 1: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance
IEC 60601-1-2:2014 Medical electrical equipment - Part 1-2: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance -Collateral standard: Electromagnetic disturbances - Requirements and tests.
IEC 62304:2006 + A1:2015 Medical device software - Software life-cycle processes.
IEC 60601-1-6:2010 + A1:2013 Medical electrical equipment - Part 1-6: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance -Collateral standard: Usability
IEC 62366:2007 + A1:2014 Medical devices - Application of usability engineering to medical devices.
IEC 60601-2-22:2007 + A1:2012 Medical electrical equipment - Part 2-22: Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of surgical, cosmetic, therapeutic and diagnostic laser equipment.
Laboratory testing was conducted to support that the proposed Xpulse Pro Laser Platform meets all design specifications and that it is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
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# STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE
The XPulse Pro Laser Platform shares the same indications for use, similar design and functional features with predicate devices, and therefore Fotona believes that its XPulse Pro Laser Platform is substantially equivalent to the Fotona SkyPulse Laser Platform (K193656), Fox Q-810, Q-980 and Q-1064(K073322),Wolf 445nm (K192272), XD Diode Laser System (K083034) and SIROLaser Blue (K180044).
Based on its technical characteristics, performance test data, and its indications for use, the Fotona XPulse Pro Laser Platform is found to be substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
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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.
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.