K982384 · Harley Street Software , Ltd. · DSH · Jan 27, 1999 · Cardiovascular
Device Facts
Record ID
K982384
Device Name
MERCATOR
Applicant
Harley Street Software , Ltd.
Product Code
DSH · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
Jan 27, 1999
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.2800
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Software as a Medical Device
Indications for Use
Mercator is intended to be used as a data management tool for physicians and cardiac clinics to store, retrieve, communicate and report ECG and ECG data acquired from a variety of ECG sources including Holter and Event Recorder devices. Users will be able to purchase specific modules for managing other patient cardiac related data such as pacemaker and rehabilitation data that fit their patients' needs. The ECG module may be licensed to other software developers as an ECG viewer for their products. Mercator is intended for use in clinics, hospitals, physician's offices, or anywhere a medical doctor deems appropriate. Mercator does not offer diagnosis or medical alarms.
Device Story
Mercator is a software-based data management system for cardiology records; operates on IBM-compatible PCs running Windows 95/NT. Inputs include ECG data from external sources (Holter, event recorders) via serial cable or IrDA port, and manual entry of patient demographics, doctor notes, and pacemaker/ICD data. Software functions as a relational database; supports multi-tasking, data storage, retrieval, and report generation. Used in clinics, hospitals, and physician offices by healthcare professionals. Does not provide automated diagnosis or medical alarms; requires human clinical judgment for interpretation. Benefits include centralized patient record management and streamlined communication of cardiac data.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Software modules underwent unit, integration, and system-level testing using manual and automated suites. ECG module tested for safety and effectiveness per ANSI/AAMI EC38-1994 standards for ambulatory electrocardiographs. No clinical data presented.
Technological Characteristics
Software-based database management system; runs on IBM-compatible PC hardware (Windows 95/NT). Connectivity via serial cable or IrDA port for data acquisition; supports modem-based remote data downloads. Relational database architecture. No specific materials or sterilization required as it is a software product.
Indications for Use
Indicated for use by physicians and cardiac clinics to manage cardiac data, including ECGs, Holter, event recorder, pacemaker, and rehabilitation data for patients requiring cardiac monitoring. Intended for clinical settings under the direction of a medical doctor.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A medical magnetic tape recorder is a device used to record and play back signals from, for example, physiological amplifiers, signal conditioners, or computers.
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K982384
## Mercator 510(k) Summary
#### Submitter:
Harley Street Software 771 Vanalman Avenue Victoria, BC Canada V8Z 3B8 Tel: (250) 744-1822 Fax: (250) 744-1866
Contact Person: Adrian Somers Date Prepared: May 29, 1998 Device Common Name: Electrocardiograph Device Trade/Proprietary Name: Mercator Classification Panel: Cardiovascular
#### Possible Device Classification Names:
870.2340 Electrocardiograph 870.2450 Medical Cathode-Ray Tube Display 870.1425 Programmable Diagnostic Computer
#### Predicate Devices:
Cardiomagic Concerto 2000 (K964036) Synergy (K964784) Paceart CPTS-86/12 (K915632)
#### Device Description
Mercator is a software product designed for the Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows NT operating systems running on an IBM compatible platform. Mercator consists of a user interface that enables health care professionals to input, store, and output data from a relational database.
The product consists of a set of modules that can be "plugged in" to customize the application to individual users' needs.
Mercator is capable of multi-tasking and supports the linking and embedding of related information objects in the ECG. The software supports many aspects of a patient's cardiology record including: arrhythmia diagnosis, pathological diagnosis, ECGs, ECG information, doctor notes, pacemaker/ICD data and associated reports. Mercator also supports appointment scheduling and stores information on physicians, facilities, allied health care professionals, and insurance providers.
Mercator is not a life-supporting or life-sustaining system. It is intended that competent human intervention be involved before any impact on health occurs. Clinical judgment and experience are used to check and interpret the data.
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#### Intended Use of Device
Mercator is intended to be used as a data management tool for physicians and cardiac clinics to store, retrieve, communicate and report ECG and ECG data acquired from a variety of ECG sources including single and multi-lead ECG devices. Users will be able to purchase specific modules for managing other patient cardiac related data such as pacemaker and rehabilitation data that fit their patients' needs. Mercator is intended for use in clinics, hospitals, physician's offices, or anywhere a medical doctor deems appropriate. Mercator does not offer diagnosis or medical alarms.
### Summary of Technological Characteristics Comparison with Predicate Devices
Both Mercator and its predicates are software databases that allow professionals to receive, store, and display electrocardiographs (ECG) recorded from patients by external monitoring devices such as event recorders. All are run on the industry standard IBM compatible platform using industry standard off-the-shelf Microsoft databases. All allow for editing and printing of patient reports that include ECG information and patient demographics. All features of Mercator are present in one or more of the predicates, except the ability to communicate with the ECG recording/transmitting device through an Infra-red data acquisition serial channel (IrDA port), and the ability of the software to automatically answer and receive remote ECG data downloads via modem. IrDA poses the same questions of effectiveness and efficacy as a serial cable, but serves to isolate the patient from any source of electrical shock potential from the PC/computer. Auto-answer has no adverse effect on effectiveness or safety and is aimed solely at satisfying user preferences.
#### Performance Testing and Conclusions
All software modules were tested at multiple levels including the unit level, post integration, and system level. All modules are tested thoroughly for proper functionality by trained staff using proven techniques. Testing included a combination of manual and automated test suites.
In addition to the above non-clinical testing, the ECG module was tested against the applicable sections of the ANSI/AAMI EC38 - 1994 Standard for Ambulatory Electrocardiographs concerned with effectiveness and safety.
Testing results indicated that the product is safe and reliable. All test plans were passed in accordance with the Mercator Product Release Test Plan.
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Image /page/2/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Harley Street Software. The logo consists of a black square with the letters "HSI" stacked on top of each other in white. Below the square is the text "HarleyStreet Software" in a serif font, with the registered trademark symbol next to the word "Software".
# Truthful and Accurate Statement
[As required by 21 CFR 807.87(j)]
I certify that, in my capacity as Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Coordinator of Harley Street Software Ltd., I believe to the best of my knowledge that all data and information submitted in the premarket notification are truthful and accurate and that no material fact has been omitted.
Bune Webster
(Signature)
(Signature)
Bruce Webster
(Typed Name)
July 7/98
(Dated)
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Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized caduceus symbol, which features a staff with a serpent entwined around it, overlaid with three human figures. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular fashion around the symbol.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
JAN 27 1999
Mr. Craig Person CardioComm Solutions, Inc. 771 Vanalman Avenue Victoria, BC Canada V8Z 3B8
Re: K982384 Mercator ECG Database Software Requlatory Class: II (two) Product Code: DSH October 30, 1998 Dated: November 3, 1998 Received:
Dear Mr. Person:
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 leqally 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). 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 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 Requlations, Title 21, Parts 800 A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance to 895. with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, 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
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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) 594-4648. 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, ² Misbranding by reference to premarket notification² (21CFR 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/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Thomas J. Callahan
Thomas J. Callahan, Ph.D. Director Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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Page 1 of 2
510(k) Number (if known): K982384
Device Name: Mercator
Indications For Use:
Mercator is intended to be used as a data management tool for physicians and cardiac clinics to store, retrieve, communicate and report ECG and ECG data acquired from a variety of ECG sources including Holter and Event Recorder devices. Users will be able to purchase specific modules for managing other patient cardiac related data such as pacemaker and rehabilitation data that fit their patients' needs. The ECG module may be licensed to other software developers as an ECG viewer for their products. Mercator is intended for use in clinics, hospitals, physician's offices, or anywhere a medical doctor deems appropriate. Mercator does not offer diagnosis or medical alarms.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Valla Hill
Respiratory,
Number KA982384
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Prescription Use X
(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.