K983789 · Careside, Inc. · CJY · Dec 17, 1998 · Clinical Chemistry
Device Facts
Record ID
K983789
Device Name
CARESIDE CALCIUM, ORIGINAL
Applicant
Careside, Inc.
Product Code
CJY · Clinical Chemistry
Decision Date
Dec 17, 1998
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 862.1145
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
The CARESIDE™ Calcium cartridge is intended for in vitro diagnostic use in conjunction with the CARESIDE Analyzer™ to quantitatively measure calcium concentration in heparinized whole blood, heparin plasma, or serum.
Device Story
CARESIDE™ Calcium is a single-use disposable cartridge used with the CARESIDE Analyzer™ for quantitative calcium measurement in heparinized whole blood, heparin plasma, or serum. The cartridge contains a multi-layer reagent film. The user deposits the specimen into the cartridge, closes the lid, and inserts it into the analyzer. The analyzer scans the barcode, heats the cartridge to 37°C, and spins it to distribute the sample. Plasma/serum is dispensed onto the reagent film; a dye complex (chlorophosphonazo III) forms in the presence of calcium. A photodiode measures light reflectance at 615 nm. The analyzer uses reflectance measurements and a lot-specific standard curve to calculate calcium concentration. Results are used by laboratory professionals to assess parathyroid function, vitamin D status, calcium metabolism, and diagnose conditions like Addison's disease or malignancies. The device provides rapid, automated analysis, reducing the need for manual pipetting and reagent pre-warming compared to traditional methods.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing and method comparison study. Accuracy: mean recovery 98%. Precision: total CV 7.8% at 6.5 mg/dL. Method comparison against a 2-cresolphthalein complexone colorimetric reference method yielded r=0.95. Linearity was within acceptable limits. Interference testing showed no significant impact from ascorbic acid (10 mg/dL), bilirubin (10 mg/dL), hemoglobin (250 mg/dL), magnesium (2.5 mmol/L), or triglycerides (600 mg/dL).
Technological Characteristics
Dry film reagent cartridge containing chlorophosphonazo (III). Sensing principle: reflectance photometry at 615 nm. Energy source: CARESIDE Analyzer (37°C heating, centrifugal sample distribution). Dimensions: single-use cartridge. Connectivity: barcode-based lot-specific calibration. Software: automated processing of reflectance data against standard curves.
Indications for Use
Indicated for in vitro diagnostic use to quantitatively measure total calcium from heparinized whole blood, heparin plasma, or serum specimens to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with parathyroid disease, bone diseases, chronic renal disease, and tetany. Intended for professional laboratory use; not for point-of-care or physician office laboratory use.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A calcium test system is a device intended to measure the total calcium level in serum. Calcium measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of parathyroid disease, a variety of bone diseases, chronic renal disease and tetany (intermittent muscular contractions or spasms).
Predicate Devices
Vitros Ca DT Slides for Johnson and Johnson's Vitros DTSC II (K912844/A)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
CARESIDE, Inc.
Page 13
CARESIDE™ Calcium (K983789) Premarket Notification Addendum December 11, 1998
K983789
# Attachment 3: Revised 510(k) Summ
## 510(K) SUMMARY: CARESIDE™ CALCIUM SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS 1
#### I. Applicant Information
- A. Applicant Name
- B. Applicant/Manufacturer Address
- C. Telephone Number
- Contact Person D.
- FAX Number E.
- e-Mail Address E.
- Date 510(k) Summary prepared G.
#### Device Information II.
- Device Name (Trade) A.
- B. Device Name (Classification)
- C Device Classification
D. Special controls and performance standards
#### 111. Substantial Equivalence Claim
#### General equivalency claim A.
The ability to monitor analyte-specific blochemical reactions in dry film and other formats is widely recognized and has gained widespread acceptance for use in chemistry assays.
Calcium in vitro diagnostic products, in both dry film and other formats, are already on the U.S. market, including calcium products that utilize and dye reactions.
#### B. Specific equivalency claim
This CARESIDE™ Calcium test is substantially equivalent in principle, intended use, and clinical performance to the currently marketed Vitros slides for the quantitative measurement of calcium on the Vitros DTSC II.
Name of Predicate Device:
Predicate Device 510K number: Product Code:
Johnson and Johnson's (formerly Eastman Kodak, Inc.) Vitros Ca DT Slides for Johnson and Johnson's Vitros DTSC II (formerly Eastman Kodak's DTSC II).
K912844/A 75CJY
CARESIDE, Inc. 6100 Bristol Parkway
Culver City, CA 90230 310-338-6767 Kenneth B. Asarch, Pharm.D., Ph.D. 310-338-6789 AsarchK@CARESIDE.com December 11, 1998
- CARESIDE™ Calcium
Calcium test system Clinical chemistry panel Calcium test system Regulation Number: 21 CFR 862.1145 Regulatory Class II Classification Number: 75CJY None applicable
{1}------------------------------------------------
CARESIDE, Inc. Page 14
#### IV. Device Description
CARESIDE™ Calcium cartridges are used with the CARESIDE Analyzer™ to measure calcium concentration in heparinized whole blood, heparin plasma or serum specimens. The CARESIDE™ Calcium cartridge, a single use disposable in vitro diagnostic test carridge, delivers a measured volume of serum or plasma to a dry film to initiate the measurement of calcium concentration. The film cartridge (patent pending) contains all reagents necessary to measure calcium concentration.
#### Explanation of Device Function A.
Each CARESTDE™ Calcium cartidge consists of a calcium-specific multi-layer reagent film mounted in a plastic base with a hinged lid. The user introduces the specimen into the cartridge sample deposition well, closes the lid and inserts the cartridge into the CARESIDE Analyzer™.
Once loaded, the CARESIDE Analyzer™ scans the cartridge barcode, brings the cartridge and the contained specimen to 37°C, and spins the cartridge to move the sample from the sample deposition well into the cartridge channels and chambers. 8.5uL of sample remains in the metering passage. Any excess sample flows into an overflow well.
The plasma (or serum, as applicable) is automatically dispensed onto the multi-layer reagent film. The spreading layer distributes the sample evenly on the film, and the sample moves through a reagent layer and a detection layer where a dye complex forms in the presence of calcium. The color intensity of the resulting blue dye, as measured by the amount of reflected light at 615 nanometers directly relates to the calcium concentration of the specimen.
Test Reaction Sequence: Ca + Bound-Ca -> Ca +2 Ca-2 + chlorophosphonazo (III) -> Ca-chlorophosphonazo (III)
As the cartidges spin, a photodiode measures reflectance of light emitted by a wavelength-specific light emitting diode (LED) at a fixed time. The analyzer uses the reflectance measurements and the lot-specific standard curve to calculate calcium concentration.
#### B. Test Summary
Calcium is an element found in fairly fixed proportions in the mineral phase of the human hard tissues (bone, dentine, and enamel) as well as in dynamic exchange with the intracellular and extracellular tissue fluids. Over 95% of the body calcium store is in the skeleton and tecth. Of the blood calcium, 45-50% is ionized, 40-45% is protein-bound and about 10% is chelated with ligands like citrate, lactate, phosphate and bicarbonates".
Intracellularly, calcium (Ca 1) is a prime inorganic messenger for cell function regulation, Extracellular Cat2 at the cell surface controls secretions from several endocrine glands including the parathyroid and pancreas. Calcium also plays a key role in blood coagulation.
The three main regulators of calcium homeostasis are parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and calcitonin. Disorders involving these regulators directly impact calcium levels. Calcium level determination in human body fluids is used to measure parathyroid function, to assess vitamin D status; to evaluate calcium metabolism; to diagnose Addison's disease and to investigate malignancies . Increased calcium levels are seen in cases of hyperparathyroidism and malignancy. Reduced levels are commonly seen in cases of hypoalbuminemia
{2}------------------------------------------------
CARESIDE, Inc. Page 15
CARESIDE™ Calcium (K983789) Premarket Notification Addendum December 11, 1998
#### Intended Use V.
- A. Intended Use
The CARESIDE™ Calcium cartridge is intended for in vitro diagnostic use in conjunction with the CARESIDE Analyzer™ to quantitatively measure calcium concentration in heparinized whole blood, heparin plasma, or serum.
#### B. Indications for Use
For in vitto diagnostic use with the CARESIDE Analyzer™ to quantitatively mensure total calcium from heparinized whole blood, heparin plasma or serum specimens to aid in diagnosis and treatment of patients with parathyroid disease, a variety of bone diseases, chronic renal disease, and tetany. It is intended for professional laboratory use: not for point of care or physician office laboratory use.
#### VI. Technological Characteristics
- Similarities A.
| | CARESIDE™ Calcium | Vitros CA DT Slides |
|------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Intended Use | Primarily to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with parathyroid disease, a variety of bone diseases, chronic renal disease, and tetany (intermittent muscular contractions or spasms). | Same |
| Indications | For in vitro diagnostic use.<br>For professional laboratory:<br>not for point of care or<br>physician office laboratory use. | For in vitro diagnostic use |
| Measurement | Quantitative | Same |
| Method Principle | Dry film based already on the U.S. market, including calcium products that utilize azo dye reactions. | Same |
| Specimen | Not required | Same |
| Materials | Chlorophosphonazo (III) | Arsenazo (III) dye |
| Detector | Reflectance (615) | Reflectance (680 nm) |
| Test time | Approx. 4-minute warm-up<br>(on-board) plus 4 minute test<br>time. | 15 minutes slide warm-up<br>(off-line) plus 5 minutes test<br>time. |
| Reference Method | 2-cresolphthalein complexone<br>colorimetric | Atomic Absorption<br>Spectrophotometry |
| Sample Type | Heparinized whole blood,<br>heparin plasma or serum | Same |
| Specimen volume | 8.5 µl test volume<br>(85 ± 15 µl applied volume) | 10 µl |
| Calibration | Calibration information bar-<br>coded on each cartridge.<br>Calibration information may<br>change with each lot. | Run Vitros DTSC II<br>calibrators whenever a new<br>slide lot is used or when<br>necessary. |
| Quality Control | 2 levels | Same |
| Reporting Units | mg/dL or mmol/L | Same |
| Reaction Temp. | 37 °C | Same |
{3}------------------------------------------------
CARESIDE, Inc. Page 16
CARESIDE™ Calcium (K983789) Premarket Notification Addendum December 11, 1998
- B. Differences
| | CARESIDE™ Calcium | Vitros CA DT Slides |
|------------------------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Specimen pre-treatment | Required | Required |
| Reportable range | 4.2 to 14 mg/dL | 3 to 14 mg/dL |
| Accurate<br>pipetting | Not required | Required |
| Reagent pre-warming | Not required | Required |
Comparative Performance Characteristics C.
| | CARESIDE™ Calcium | Vitros Ca DT Slides |
|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Detection limit | 4.2 mg/dL | 3 mg/dL |
| Reportable range | 4.2 to 14 mg/dL | 3 to 14 mg/dL |
| Accuracy | Mean recovery 98% | Not provided |
| Precision | Total CV at 6.5mg/dL, 7.8% | Total CV at 11.9 mg/dL = 1.6% |
| Method comparison | CARESIDE™ = 0.90 (Reference Method) + 1.09 mg/dL, r = 0.95 | |
| Linearity | Linearity yielded slope and correlation coefficient within acceptable limits. | Not provided |
| Interference | No significant interference observed at tested concentration of interferent:<br>Ascorbic Acid, 10 mg/dL<br>Bilirubin, 10 mg/dL<br>Hemoglobin, 250 mg/dL<br>Magnesium 2.5 mmol/L<br>Triglycerides 600 mg/dL | Not provided |
Conclusion D.
> The nonclinical and clinical data provided demonstrate that the CARESIDE™ Calcium product is as safe, effective, and performs as well as or better than the legally marketed predicate device
{4}------------------------------------------------
### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/4/Picture/2 description: The image is a black and white logo for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The logo is circular with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter of the circle. In the center of the circle is a stylized image of an eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 2098 Gaither Road Rockville MD 20850
DEC 1 7 1998 Kenneth B. Asarch, Pharm. D., Ph.D. Vice President Quality Systems and Regulatory Affairs CARESIDE, Inc. 6100 Bristol Parkway Culver City, California 90230
Re: K983789 CARESIDE™ Calcium for use on the CARESIDE Analyzer™ Trade Name: Regulatory Class: II Product Code: CJY Dated: October 26, 1998 Received: October 27, 1998
Dear Dr. Asarch:
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 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). 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 requlation (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 requlatory 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 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.
{5}------------------------------------------------
### Page 2
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) 594-4588. 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.qov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Steven Sutman
Steven I. Gutman, M.D., M.B.A. Director Division of Clinical . Laboratory Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{6}------------------------------------------------
## VI. INDICATIONS FOR USE
510(k) Number:
K983789
Device Name:
CARESIDE™ Calcium
For in vitro diagnostic use with the CARESIDE Analyzer™ to measure total Indications for use: calcium from heparinized whole blood, heparin plasma or serum specimens to aid in the diagnosis and Catchin from nepartnized whole brood, nepa a variety of bone diseases, chronic renal disease, and tetany. u catinent of pations with paraly of ences, at for point of care or physician office laboratory use.
| (Division Sign-Off) |
|---------------------|
|---------------------|
Divi al Labora vices
| 510(k) Number | K983789 |
|---------------|---------|
|---------------|---------|
## (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
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.