K980914 · Emory University · KPS · Jun 4, 1998 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K980914
Device Name
EMORY CARDIAC TOOL BOX
Applicant
Emory University
Product Code
KPS · Radiology
Decision Date
Jun 4, 1998
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.1200
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Software as a Medical Device
Indications for Use
The intended use of this program was to provide the physician with a program which would allow him to display wall motion and determine measurements of ejection fraction and ventricular volumes from his patients gated SPECT myocardial perfusion study. This program serves merely as a display and processing program to aid in the diagnostic interpretation of a patients' study. It was not meant to replace or eliminate the standard visual analysis of the gated SPECT study. The physician should integrate all of the patients' clinical and diagnostic information, i.e. patients' history, stress and/or rest EKG, quality control images, visual interpretation of the gated tomographic images, and quantitative results, prior to making his final interpretation. In diagnostic imaging, this comprehensive processing technique is not perfect, and will be associated with some false positive and false negative results. The expected accuracy of the program can be found in the multicenter trial results listed in the article by Vansant et al (See Item H, Testing & Validation) and the physician should be aware of the accuracy when integrating the quantitative results for his final interpretation. Therefore, this program has no direct adverse effect on health since the results represent only a part of the information which the physician will utilize for his final interpretation. The final responsibility for interpretation of the study lies with the physician.
Device Story
Emory Cardiac Tool Box (CEqual, EGS) is a software program for nuclear medicine computer systems; processes gated SPECT myocardial perfusion studies. Inputs: gated SPECT images. Processing: automated quantification of left-ventricular function (ejection fraction, volumes, mass, TID) and wall motion display. Output: quantitative metrics and visual displays for physician review. Used in clinical settings by physicians to aid diagnostic interpretation. Physician integrates output with patient history, EKG, and visual image analysis to make final clinical decisions. Benefits: provides standardized quantitative data to support diagnostic assessment of myocardial perfusion and ventricular function.
Clinical Evidence
Effectiveness established via phantom and computer simulations, in-house validation (217 patients), and a multicenter trial (80 patients). Evaluated left ventricular functional parameter calculations. No specific sensitivity/specificity metrics provided in summary.
Technological Characteristics
Software-based processing program; executes in IDL (Interactive Data Language) operating system environment; compatible with nuclear medicine computer systems supporting IDL. Performs automated quantification and display of gated SPECT data.
Indications for Use
Indicated for quantification of perfusion (CEqual) and display of wall motion and quantification of left-ventricular function parameters (ejection fraction, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, myocardial mass, transient ischemic dilatation) from gated Tc99m SPECT myocardial perfusion studies.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An emission computed tomography system is a device intended to detect the location and distribution of gamma ray- and positron-emitting radionuclides in the body and produce cross-sectional images through computer reconstruction of the data. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and display equipment, patient and equipment supports, radionuclide anatomical markers, component parts, and accessories.
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K980914
JUN 4 1998
## ITEM I
# 510(k) SUMMARY
## Safety and Effectiveness
## 1. Medical Device Establishment:
Emory University Voice: (404) 712-7422 FAX: (404) 712-7961 Contact person: Ernest Garcia, Ph.D. Date Summary Prepared: March 9, 1998
### 2. Medical Device:
Emory Cardiac Tool Box™ (CEqual®, EGS™) - Display and Processing program for gated SPECT myocardial perfusion studies executing on nuclear medicine computer systems.
## 3. Medical Device Equivalence:
SPECTEF Protocol developed by GE Medical Systems, Ref. 510(k) #: K954874.
### 4. Device Description:
The Emory Cardiac Tool Box™ (CEqual®, EGS™) is used to display gated wall motion and for quantifying parameters of left-ventricular from gated SPECT myocardial perfusion studies. These parameters are: ejection fraction, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, myocardial mass and transient ischemic dilatation (TID). This program was developed to run in the IDL operating system environment and can be executed on any nuclear medicine computer systems which supports IDL. The program processes the studies automatically, however, user verification of output is required and manual processing capability is provided.
# 5. Intended Use and Potential Adverse Effect on Health:
The intended use of this program was to provide the physician with a program which would allow him to display wall motion and determine measurements of ejection fraction and ventricular volumes from his patients
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gated SPECT myocardial perfusion study. This program serves merely as a display and processing program to aid in the diagnostic interpretation of a It was not meant to replace or eliminate the standard visual patients' study. analysis of the gated SPECT study. The physician should integrate all of the patients' clinical and diagnostic information, i.e. patients' history, stress and/or rest EKG, quality control images, visual interpretation of the gated tomographic images, and quantitative results, prior to making his final This comprehensive processing technique (as with all interpretation. In diagnostic imaging) is not perfect, and will be associated with some false positive and false negative results. The expected accuracy of the program can be found in the multicenter trial results listed in the article by Vansant et al (See Item H, Testing & Validation) and the physician should be aware of the accuracy when integrating the quantitative results for his final interpretation. Therefore, this program has no direct adverse effect on health since the results represent only a part of the information which the physician will The final responsibility for interpretation utilize for his final interpretation. of the study lies with the physician.
### 6. Marketing History:
several medical device gated SPECT programs There been have the past which perform similar functions to those marketed in the Emory Cardiac Tool Box™ (CEqual®, EGS™). These performed by programs are all used for the purpose of displaying wall motion and deriving functional parameters for the diagnostic interpretation by a physician. The Emory Cardiac Tool Box™ (CEqual®, EGS™) provides a program which executes in the IDL operating system environment and we believe is substantially equivalent to the SPECTEF Protocol developed by GE Medical Systems K954874. To our knowledge there have been no safety problems with the SPECTEF Protocol program which has been in the marketplace for over two years.
### 7. Conclusions:
The safety of this program has been determined through the various stages of software development which included the initial design, coding, debugging, testing, and validation. The effectiveness of the program has been established in phantom and computer simulations studies, in-house trial validations which included an evaluation of left ventricular functional parameter calculations in 217 patients, and in a multicenter trial validation consisting of 80 patients (See Item H, Testing & We contend that the method employed for the Validation). development and the final in-house and multicenter trial validation results of this medical display software program, Emory Cardiac Tool
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Box™ (CEqual®, EGS™), have proven its safety and effectiveness. In our opinion the Emory Cardiac Tool Box™ (CEqual®, EGS™) is substantially equivalent to the GE Medical Systems SPECTEF Protocol which has been cleared for marketing. The Emory Cardiac Tool Box™ (CEqual®, EGS™) is intended for the same purpose and raises no new issues of safety or effectiveness.
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Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
JUN 1 1998
Ernest V. Garcia, Ph.D. Emory University School of Medicine Emory Center For Positron Emission Tomography Emory University Hospital 1364 Clifton Rd., N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30322
Dear Dr. Garcia:
K980914 Re:
Emory Cardiac Tool Box Dated: March 9, 1998 Received: March 11, 1998 Regulatory class: II 21 CFR 892.1200/Procode: 90 KPS
We have reviewed your Section 510%) 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 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act). 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 problibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class III (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 equivaliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (OS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic OS 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. This response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product 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 vitro 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/odri/dsmaldsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Kiliai Yin
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
Enclosure
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### 510 (k) NUMBER (IF KNOWN): _ K980914
DEVICE NAME: Emory Cardiac Tool Box™ (CEqual ®, EGS TM)
#### INDICATIONS FOR USE:
The Emory Cardiac Tool Box™ (CEqual®,EGS™) software program should be used for the quantification of perfusion (CEqual®) and for the display of wall motion and quantification of left-ventricular function parameters from gated TC99m SPECT myocardial perfusion studies (EGSTM).
## (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE (IF NEEDED.)
OR
(Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
Over-The-Counter-Use (Optional Format 1-2-96)
Jamil A. Severson
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT and Radiological Devi 510(k) Number _
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.