The Skin Dose Monitor is designed to measure skin dose during X-Ray diagnostic and interventional procedures.
Device Story
Skin Dose Monitor (SDM) measures patient skin dose during X-ray diagnostic/interventional procedures. System comprises model 104-101 instrument, couch mounting bracket, QA test box, and 104-120 limited re-use sensor. Sensor uses scintillating crystal to convert ionizing radiation into visible light; radio-translucent optical fiber transmits light to instrument. Instrument converts light to electrical current, scales/integrates signal, and displays dose in Grays or Rads on LCD. Battery-powered; couch-mounted. Provides real-time dose and rate-indicating LED to help clinicians minimize skin exposure by adjusting beam direction or fluoroscopy settings. Benefits include reduced risk of radiation-induced skin burns or cancers. Used in clinical settings by medical staff; optical fiber provides electrical isolation from patient.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Comparisons made against industry-standard ion chamber and diode dose measuring systems to confirm precision, stability, energy/dose rate response, and ambient temperature stability. Clinical assessment restricted to safety/effectiveness of adhesive fixing disc; sensor tested on volunteers for adhesion, ease of removal, and skin irritation, confirming adequate performance.
Technological Characteristics
Scintillating crystal sensor; radio-translucent optical fiber signal transmission; battery-powered instrument; LCD display; couch-mounted form factor; gas sterilization for sensors; electrical isolation via optical fiber.
Indications for Use
Indicated for monitoring beam entry skin dose during radiological interventional and special procedures, or whenever patient skin dose monitoring is required, including fluoroscopic guided surgery or general radiological procedures. Contraindicated if radiation energy/dose rate fall outside device specifications or if the 1 sq. mm sensor artifact is unacceptable.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An image-intensified fluoroscopic x-ray system is a device intended to visualize anatomical structures by converting a pattern of x-radiation into a visible image through electronic amplification. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and display equipment, patient and equipment supports, component parts, and accessories.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). An anthrogram tray or radiology dental tray intended for use with an image-intensified fluoroscopic x-ray system only is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 892.9. In addition, when intended as an accessory to the device described in paragraph (a) of this section, the fluoroscopic compression device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 892.9.
Predicate Devices
In Vivo Dosimeter (Sun Nuclear Corp.)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}
SEP 5 1996
PAGE 11 - 1
# McMAHON
## MEDICAL INCORPORATED
510(k) Summary
K961105
Applicant:
McMahon Medical, Inc.
9823 Pacific Heights Blvd.
Suite V
San Diego,
CA 92121
Telephone: (619) 450-0507
FAX: (619) 450-1066
Contact person:
Mr. M. McMahon, President
Product Name:
Trade Name. Skin Dose Monitor, may be abbreviated to SDM.
Common Name. Patient Dosimeter.
Classification Name. (To be entered by Dr. Ralph Shuping at FDA)
Legally marked device to which equivalence is being claimed:
In Vivo Dosimeter
Manufactured by:
Sun Nuclear Corp.
425-A Pineda Court
Melbourne,
Florida 32940-7508
9823 Pacific Heights Blvd., Suite V, San Diego, CA 92121 Tel: (619)450-0507 FAX: (619)450-1066
{1}
PAGE 11 - 2
## Description of the Skin Dose Monitor
The Skin Dose Monitor consists of the model 104-101 Instrument complete with couch mounting bracket and QA Test Box. The 104-120 limited re-use sensor is also part of the system.
The sensor consists of a scintillating crystal which partially converts absorbed ionizing radiation into visible light. A length of radio translucent optical fiber transports the emitted light to the 104-101 instrument. The light is converted to an electrical current within the instrument and following scaling and integrating, is displayed on an LCD display in Grays or Rads. The instrument is battery powered and the displayed reading is retained when power is switched off.
## Intended use of the Skin Dose Monitor
The Skin Dose Monitor is designed to measure skin dose during X-Ray diagnostic and interventional procedures.
{2}
PAGE 11 - 3
Comparison of technical features with those of the predicate device.
The differences between the Skin Dose Monitor (SDM) and the In Vivo Dosimeter (IVD) are due to the former being used during X-Ray diagnosis and the latter product being used during Radiation Therapy. Both have a skin mounted sensor, in the case of the SDM this is a crystal where the IVD uses a diode. Both are optimized for the radiation energy being measured. In the case of SDM the manufacturer provides a means of fixation of the sensor to the patient's skin where the IVD manufacturer leaves this matter to user innovation.
Coupling to the processing and display instrument is by optical fiber for the Skin Dose Monitor and by cable for the IVD. The optical fiber was selected for its radio translucent qualities but provides an incidental advantage of total electrical isolation of the patient from the main instrument.
The SDM, which is designed for couch mounting, is small, compact and robust. It is powered by batteries and has the minimum of intrusive user controls. The IVD which is intended for mounting remote from the patient includes a number of software based functions to aid data logging, etc., and is mains powered raising added safety issues.
None Clinical Performance assessment.
Extensive measurements have been carried out to ensure the SDM neither generates Electromagnetic Radiation, or is affected by levels of electromagnetic radiation found in the typical radiological examination room. Comparisons have been made with industry standard Ion chamber and diode dose measuring systems to confirm the skin dose monitor precision and stability are sufficient for its intended use. These include energy and dose rate response, and long term stability with expected changes in ambient temperature. Although as is the case with the IVD precision of 1% could be achieved with careful local physics calibration 10% is considered acceptable for skin dose monitoring and attempts to achieve further improvements at the cost of user convenience are not seen as justified.
Clinical Performance Assessment.
This has been restricted to confirming the effectiveness and safety of the adhesive fixing disc.
The sensor was fixed for prolonged periods to a number of volunteers. It was inspected for adhesion prior to removal, ease of removal was noted along with any skin discoloration. These tests confirmed those carried out by the material manufacturer, in that the sensor was adequately held in place for a number of hours, could be removed without undue discomfort and showed no signs of causing skin irritation.
{3}
PAGE 11 - 4
Conclusions drawn from clinical and non-clinical tests.
The tests carried out were designed to confirm that differences between the Skin Dose Monitor and the predicate device, The In Vivo Dosimeter, would not compromise safety or effectiveness.
The main differences are explained by the intended use being for diagnostic rather than therapy dose monitoring. They were shown to enhance the effectiveness for the intended application and provide added user convenience.
The SDM design was also shown to have significant safety advantages.
{4}
HUMAN SERVICES, INC.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993
Mr. Martin McMahon
President
McMahon Medical Incorporated
9823 Pacific Heights Blvd., Suite V
SAN DIEGO CA 92121
Re: K961105
Trade/Device Name: Skin Dose Monitor
Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.1650
Regulation Name: Image-intensified fluoroscopic x-ray system
Regulatory Class: II
Product Code: OWB and JAA
Dated: June 27, 1996
Received: June 28, 1996
Dear Mr. McMahon:
This letter corrects our substantially equivalent letter of September 5, 1996.
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.
If your device is classified (see above) into class II (Special Controls), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 800 to 895. 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 Parts 801 and 809); medical device reporting (reporting of
{5}
Page 2
medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); and good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820). This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Parts 801 and 809), please contact the Office of *In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety* at (301) 796-5450. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm for the CDRH’s Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely Yours,

Janine M. Morris
Acting Director
Division of Radiological Devices
Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device
Evaluation and Safety
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{6}
j10(k) Number (if known): K961105
Device Name: Skin Dose Monitor
## Indications For Use:
Although intended primarily for use during Radiological Interventional and Special Procedures, the Skin Dose Monitor can be used whenever there is an interest in knowing patient skin dose.
The primary purpose of the product is to monitor beam entry skin dose within the radiation beam, where there may be a risk of skin burns or cancers due to extremely high doses.
In these situations the beam direction is fixed for a major part of the procedure and the sensor siting is obvious.
If the Skin Dose Monitor is to be used for other applications such as dose monitoring of a pregnant woman during general radiological procedures or monitoring doses during fluoroscopic guided surgery, the sensor site may be less obvious. Under these circumstances the sensor might be mounted on the X-Ray collimator face.
The real time display of dose may be used to indicate the need to take action to avoid excessive dose to one area of skin by changing the beam direction. The rate indicating LED provides a means to take action which will keep dosage per minute during fluoroscopy at the minimum level needed to ensure acceptable images.
The Skin Dose Monitor is also an effective tool for use during staff training or when benchmark protocols are being established for new procedures.
Contra indications for use are when the radiation energy or doserate being used fall outside the Skin Dose Monitor's specification, or where the small artefact is the image (1 sq. mm), due to the sensor, is unacceptable.
Attention is drawn to the user for the need to gas sterilize sensors between applications in accordance with local infection control practice.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
David G. Seyman
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT, and Radiological Devices
S10(k) Number K961105
Prescription Use ☑
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use ☐
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
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.