K971717 · Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. · JAK · Sep 3, 1997 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K971717
Device Name
FLY THROUGH
Applicant
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
Product Code
JAK · Radiology
Decision Date
Sep 3, 1997
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.1750
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Software as a Medical Device
Indications for Use
The Fly Through application is intended to provide physicians with a training tool, and means to help evaluate from CT or MR datasets the feasibility of conducting actual endoscopic procedures. The application is also intended to assist diagnosis from Multi-Planar-Reconstructions (MPRs): the Fly Through tool can help the user to position and visualize the 3-dimensional location of the MPR within the segmented dataset.
Device Story
Software package for medical workstations; inputs CT or MR image datasets; performs 3D segmentation and reconstruction of anatomic structures; provides interactive endoscopic-style navigation through body cavities; generates 3D surface shading and tetrahedral models; displays MPRs in relation to 3D models. Used by physicians in clinical settings for surgical planning, training, and diagnostic assistance. Enables visualization of areas inaccessible to physical endoscopes; assists in positioning MPRs within segmented datasets; aids clinical decision-making regarding endoscopic procedure feasibility.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Bench testing only.
Technological Characteristics
Software-based 3D reconstruction and navigation tool. Requires workstation with 24-bit true color graphics, real-time polygon rendering, and real-time texture mapping. Features include segmentation module, MPR, 3D surface shading, and tetrahedral modeling. Operates on existing medical viewing/post-processing workstations.
Indications for Use
Indicated for physicians to perform 3D presentation of segmented anatomic models (trachea, bone, vessels, colon, lung, spine); interactive navigation through 3D models of body cavities; viewing inner surfaces of organ models; training for endoscopic procedures; surgical planning; feasibility studies for endoscopic procedures; and 3D positioning/orientation for Multi-Planar-Reconstructions (MPRs).
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A computed tomography x-ray system is a diagnostic x-ray system intended to produce cross-sectional images of the body by computer reconstruction of x-ray transmission data from the same axial plane taken at different angles. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and display equipment, patient and equipment supports, component parts, and accessories.
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# SIEMENS
# ATTACHMENT 11
# K971717
### 510(k) Summary
# Siemens Fly Through Software Package
### May 8, 1997
This summary of 510(k) safety and effectiveness information is being submitted in accordance with the requirements of SMDA 1990 and 21 CFR 807.92.
#### General Information. I.
### Establishment
| Address: | Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.<br>186 Wood Avenue South<br>Iselin, NJ 08830 |
|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact Person: | Kathleen M. Rutherford<br>Manager, Regulatory Submissions | |
|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|--|
| (908) 321-4779 | phone | |
| (908) 321-4841 | fax | |
### Device Name
.
.
- Fly Through . Trade Name:
- PACS software Common Name: .
- Classification Name: Picture Archiving and Communication . System (PACS)
- Class II Classification:
- None established under Section 514 Performance Standards: of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
#### Information Supporting Substantial Equivalence Determination. II.
### · Device Description:
The Siemens Fly Through is a software package that provides 3D, MPR of anatomic structures, and interactive endoscopic views of organs with cavities. By navigating within the 3D imaging data, the user can tour the patient anatomy and make adjustments to provide the best view.
Fly Through can be installed onto medical viewing and post-processing workstations that meet minimum system requirements such as patient database, filming, and networking, 24 bits true color graphics display, realtime polygon rendering graphics, and real-time texture mapping graphics.
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# SIEMENS
# · Intended Use:
The Fly Through application is intended to provide physicians with a training tool, and means to help evaluate from CT or MR datasets the feasibility of conducting actual endoscopic procedures. The application is also intended to assist diagnosis from Multi-Planar-Reconstructions (MPRs): the Fly Through tool can help the user to position and visualize the 3-dimensional location of the MPR within the segmented dataset.
# • Technological Characteristics as compared to the Predicate Device:
The Fly Through has the same technological characteristics as GE's Navigator. They both provide the user with 3D and MPR of anatomic structures. They both provide the user with a navigation tool that can be used to view the anatomy in different viewpoints. Siemens Fly Through also provides the MPR is relation to the 3D model thus making it easier for the user to position and visualize the 3-dimensional location of the MPR within the segmented dataset.
The Fly Through has the same technological characteristics as the Prominence Workstation. FT is installed as an option on the Prominence. They share the same segmentation module, patient data, MPR, user interface, filming, and storage. FT has the added ability to show 3D surface shading and tetrahedral models.
# • Substantial Equivalence:
Siemens Fly Through is substantially equivalent to the following devices:
- 1. Advantage Windows 3D with Navigator GE
- 2. Prominence Workstation (Silhouette) ISG Technologies
Kathleen Rutherford
Kathleen Rutherford Manager, Regulatory Submissions Imaging Systems Group, Siemens Medical Systems
5/8/97
Date
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Image /page/2/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circle with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES · USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract image of an eagle with its wings spread.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
SEP - 3 1997
Kathleen Rutherford Manager, Regulatory Submissions Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. 186 Wood Ave. South Iselin, NJ 08830
Re: K971717
> Fly Through (3D CT/MR Reconstruction Software) Dated: August 7, 1997 Received: August 8, 1997 Regulatory class: II 21 CFR 892.1750/Procode: 90 JAK
Dear Ms. Rutherford:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to 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). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of 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 either class II (Special Controls) or class III (Premarket Approval), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirement, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic QS inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation vou might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 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 Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vito diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4613. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
hTliau Yu
Lillian Yin, Ph.D. Director, Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, Ear, Nose and Throat, and Radiological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
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# ATTACHMENT 1
### Indications For Use
510(k) Number (if known): _ K9717/7 Device Name:
### Indications For Use:
From user specified sets of CT or MR images, Fly Through can be used for
- 3D presentation of segmented anatomic models (e.g., tracheas, bones, . vessels, colon, etc.);
- navigating interactively through 3D segmented models that represent . body cavities (e.g., vessels, colon, spine, lung, etc.);
- for viewing the inner surface of organ models (vessels, colon, etc.). Fly ● Through offers advantages over real endoscopy. For example, Fly Through can be performed within models of organs or blood vessels inaccessible to a real endoscope;
- a training tool for surgeons to practice endoscopic procedures; .
- surgical planning; .
- feasibility study of an actual endoscopic procedure; and .
- a 3D positioning and orientation tool for Multiplanar reconstruction, thus . assisting diagnosis from Multi-Planar-Reconstructions (MPRs): the Fly Through tool can help the user to position and visualize the 3-dimensional location of the MPR within the segmented dataset.
( please do no write below this line- continue on another page if needed )
Concurrence of the CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
David A. Segeum
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT, and Radiological Devi 510(k) Number
OR Over-The-Counter Use_ Prescription Use X (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
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.