The COULTER® Z2 instrument may be used for in vitro diagnostic use to determine the human erythrocyte concentration (Red Cell Count or RBC), leukocyte concentration (White Cell Count or WBC) and thrombocyte concentration (Platelet Count or Plt). In addition, the COULTER Z2 also provides the mean erythrocyte volume (Mean Cell Volume or MCV) and the mean thrombocyte volume (Mean Platelet Volume or MPV).
Device Story
The COULTER Z2 is a semi-automated, dual-threshold particle counter and sizer for biological and industrial use. It processes blood samples suspended in an aqueous electrolyte solution. The device utilizes the Coulter principle for enumeration and sizing of particles (1 to 120 µm diameter). It employs a hydraulic metering station and surface-mount electronics. The operator interacts via a detachable keyboard to initiate counts and view channelized size distribution data on-screen or via printout. The device performs coincidence correction to adjust for particle concentration. It provides clinicians with quantitative counts and volume metrics (RBC, WBC, PLT, MCV, MPV) to assist in hematological assessment. The system requires manual sample dilution and manual probe cleaning.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Accuracy and imprecision analysis performed on 31 samples. Accuracy metrics (mean difference, SD, % difference, correlation coefficient) reported for RBC, MCV, PLT, and MPV. Imprecision (reproducibility) reported as CV% for RBC (2.06%), PLT (2.95%), MPV (1.48%), and MCV (0.87%).
Indicated for in vitro diagnostic use to determine human RBC, WBC, and platelet concentrations, as well as MCV and MPV, in peripheral blood samples.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An automated cell counter is a fully-automated or semi-automated device used to count red blood cells, white blood cells, or blood platelets using a sample of the patient's peripheral blood (blood circulating in one of the body's extremities, such as the arm). These devices may also measure hemoglobin or hematocrit and may also calculate or measure one or more of the red cell indices (the erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin, or the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). These devices may use either an electronic particle counting method or an optical counting method.
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# Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
COULTER® Z2 Analyzer
### Submitted By: 1.0
Tom English Manager, Premarket Product Regulatory Compliance Coulter Corporation 11800 SW 147 Avenue, MC 31-B06 Miami, FL 33196 Telephone: (305) 380-4331 FAX: (305) 380-3618
### 2.0 Date Submitted:
March 30, 1999
### 3.0 Device Names:
- 3.1 Proprietary Name(s):
COULTER® Z2 Analyzer
- 3.2. Classification Name(s):
Automated cell counter (21 CFR §864.5200)
### Predicate Device(s): 4.0
COULTER® Z1 Analyzer COULTER® STKS Analyzer
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#### 5.0 Description
COULTER Z2 has the same technological characteristics and is substantially equivalent to the COULTER® STKS analyzer that was cleared by 510(k) K885093 cleared on Dec. 28, 1988.
The COULTER Z2 is the same device as the COULTER® Z1, cleared by 510(k) K952308 on October 6, 1995 except for the measurement of two additional parameters, Mean Cell Volume (MCV) and Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) and the ability to provide the operator with on-screen/printed graphs of channelized size distribution data.
The COULTER Z2 is a general purpose dual threshold particle counter and sizer designed to count and size particles, suspended in an aqueous electrolyte solution, within the range of 1 to 120 um equivalent spherical diameter. The instrument is designed for both biological and industrial use.
As with the predicate devices, the COULTER Z2 utilizes the Coulter principle for the enumeration and sizing of blood cells. The same reagent system, composed of an isotonic diluent, lytic reagent to lyse red blood cells for WBC measurement and instrument cleaner, is used on COULTER STKS, Z1, and Z2 instruments.
The COULTER STKS, Z1, and Z2 instruments are capable of determining the human erythrocyte concentration (Red Cell Count or RBC), leukocyte concentration (White Cell Count or WBC) and thrombocyte concentration (Platelet Count or Plt). In addition, like the COULTER STKS, the COULTER Z2 also provides the mean erythrocyte volume (Mean Cell Volume or MCV) and the mean thrombocyte volume (Mean Platelet Volume or MPV).
Both the COULTER Z1 and the Z2 instruments contain a hydraulic metering station built into the electronics main unit, measure a restricted range of particle
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sizes (within the range 1 to 120 µM) and utilize surface-mount technology. Operator-adjustable controls are accessible by means of a keyboard data terminal.
#### 6.0. Intended use:
The COULTER® Z Series Analyzers is a semi-automated device that may be used for in vitro diagnostic use to determine the human erythrocyte concentration (Red Cell Count or RBC), leukocyte concentration (White Cell Count or WBC) and thrombocyte concentration (Platelet Count or Pit). In addition, the COULTER Z2 also provides the mean erythrocyte volume (Mean Cell Volume or MCV) and the mean thrombocyte volume (Mean Platelet Volume or MPV).
This submission provides information concerning the safety and effectiveness principally of the two parameters added to the instrument.
#### 7.0 Comparison to Predicate(s):
The following tables outline the basic similarities and differences between the Z2 and the predicate devices.
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## SIMILARITIES to the PREDICATES
| COULTER® Z2 | COULTER® Z1 | COULTER® STKS |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Utilizes the Coulter principle for enumeration<br>and sizing of blood cells. | Utilizes the Coulter principle for enumeration<br>and sizing of blood cells. | Utilizes the Coulter principle for enumeration<br>and sizing of blood cells. |
| Reagent system includes an isotonic diluent,<br>lytic reagent and instrument cleaner. | Reagent system includes an isotonic diluent,<br>lytic reagent and instrument cleaner. | Reagent system includes an isotonic diluent,<br>lytic reagent and instrument cleaner. |
| Ability to print sample results. | Ability to print sample results. | Ability to print sample results. |
| Uses coincidence correction. The frequency<br>of coincidence is a statistically predictable<br>function of particle concentration and is<br>corrected by the instrument. | Uses coincidence correction. The frequency<br>of coincidence is a statistically predictable<br>function of particle concentration and is<br>corrected by the instrument. | Uses coincidence correction. The frequency<br>of coincidence is a statistically predictable<br>function of particle concentration and is<br>corrected by the instrument. |
| The ability to provide the operator with on-<br>screen/printed graphs of channelized size<br>distribution data. | See DIFFERENCES table | The ability to provide the operator with on-<br>screen/printed graphs of channelized size<br>distribution data. |
| Separate measurement of RBC, WBC and PLT<br>is required. | Separate measurement of RBC, WBC and PLT<br>is required. | See DIFFERENCES table |
| Uses a single aperture each for WBC and<br>RBC counting and sizing. | Uses a single aperture each for WBC and<br>RBC counting and sizing. | See DIFFERENCES table |
| No ability to store data. | No ability to store data. | See DIFFERENCES table |
| Automated Calibration calculation but operator<br>intervention required for Control calculations. | Automated Calibration calculation but operator<br>intervention required for Control calculations. | See DIFFERENCES table |
| Sample probe requires manually cleaning | Sample probe requires manually cleaning | See DIFFERENCES table |
| Uses detachable keypad for operator<br>interface. | Uses detachable keypad for operator<br>interface. | See DIFFERENCES table. |
| System does not measure hemoglobin | System does not measure hemoglobin | See DIFFERENCES table |
| Requires external dilutor to supply the proper<br>volume of diluent for predilute samples. | Requires external dilutor to supply the proper<br>volume of diluent for predilute samples. | See DIFFERENCES table |
| | | |
| COULTER® Z2 | COULTER® Z1 | COULTER® STKS |
| Can be used For In Vitro Diagnostic Use for<br>Red Blood Cell Count (RBC), White Blood Cell<br>Count (RBC), Platelet (Plt), Mean Cell Volume<br>(MCV), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV). | Can be used For In Vitro Diagnostic Use for<br>Red Blood Cell Count (RBC), White Blood Cell<br>Count(WBC), Platelet (Plt),. Does not measure<br>Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Platelet<br>Volume. | Can be used For In Vitro Diagnostic Use for<br>Red Blood Cell Count (RBC), White Blood Cell<br>Count (WBC), Platelet (Plt), Mean Cell Volume<br>(MCV), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV). Other<br>parameters include a five-part leukocyte<br>differential count, hemoglobin, hematocrit,<br>mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin<br>concentration and red cell distribution width.<br>See SIMILARITIES table |
| The ability to provide the operator with on-<br>screen/printed graphs of channelized size<br>distribution data. | No channelizing capability | See SIMILARITIES table |
| Manual dilution of blood samples. | See SIMILARITIES table | Automated dilution of blood samples. |
| Uses a single aperture each for WBC and RBC<br>counting and sizing. | See SIMILARITIES table | Uses three apertures each for WBC and RBC<br>counting and sizing. |
| System does not measure hemoglobin | See SIMILARITIES table | The system uses the lysed WBC dilution to<br>measure Hgb in the WBC bath. A beam of<br>incandescent light passes through the WBC<br>bath and then through a 525-nm optical filter<br>and is measured by a photodiode. |
| No ability to store data. | See SIMILARITIES table | Ability to store data. |
| Requires external dilutor to supply the proper<br>volume of diluent for predilute samples. | See SIMILARITIES table | Ability to dispense the proper volume of diluent<br>for predilute samples. |
| Automated Calibration calculation but operator<br>intervention required for Control calculations. | See SIMILARITIES table | Automated Calibration and Control<br>calculations. |
| Uses detachable keypad for operator interface. | See SIMILARITIES table | Uses Universal Icons for operator interface. |
| Sample probe requires manually cleaning | See SIMILARITIES table | Automated, self-cleaning probe. |
| Separate mesurement of RBC, WBC and PLT<br>is required. | See SIMILARITIES table | Simultaneous measurement of all parameters. |
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.
### DIFFERENCES from the PREDICATES
:
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### 8.0 Summary of Performance Data:
The data in the Premarket Notification on safety and effectiveness supports a finding of substantial equivalence to hematology analyzers already in commercial distribution. Equivalence is demonstrated through compared sample accuracy and imprecision results.
| PARAMETER | UNITS | MEAN | SD | CV% |
|-----------|----------------|-------|-------|------|
| RBC | X 106 cells/µL | 4.77 | .0981 | 2.06 |
| PLT | x 103 cells/µL | 153.8 | 4.54 | 2.95 |
| MPV | fL | 7.99 | 0.12 | 1.48 |
| MCV | fL | 83.14 | 0.73 | 0.87 |
### COULTER Z2 Analyzer Imprecision Analysis by Reproducibility
### COULTER Z2 Analyzer ACCURACY ANALYSIS: COMPARED SAMPLES
| PARAMETER | UNITS | N | POP.<br>MIN | POP.<br>MAX | MEAN<br>DIFF. | SD | MEAN<br>%<br>DIFF | CORR<br>COEFF |
|-----------|-------------------|----|-------------|-------------|---------------|-------|-------------------|---------------|
| RBC | x 106<br>cells/µL | 31 | 3.50 | 6.02 | 0.16 | 0.24 | 3.51 | 0.90 |
| MCV | fL | 31 | 78.00 | 97.46 | 0.54 | 2.7 | 0.65 | 0.82 |
| PLT | x 103<br>cells/µL | 31 | 134 | 483 | 56.23 | 50.09 | 23.13 | 0.82 |
| MPV | FL | 31 | 7.15 | 11.27 | 0.55 | 0.43 | 6.52 | 0.89 |
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Image /page/6/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The logo features a stylized abstract image of an eagle or bird with three curved lines representing its wings or feathers. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 'USA'" is arranged in a circular fashion around the bird image.
MAY 1 1 1999
Food and Drug Administration 2098 Gaither Road Rockville MD 20850
Mr. Thomas J. English Manager, Premarket Product Regulatory Compliance Coulter Corporation 11800 SW 147 Avenue, MC 31-B06 Miami, Florida 33196
Re: K991070 Trade Name: COULTER® Z2 Analyzer Regulatory Class: II Product Code: GKL Dated: March 30, 1999 Received: March 31, 1999
Dear Mr. English:
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 Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance 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 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.
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Page 2
Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA-88), this device may require a CLIA complexity categorization. To determine if it does, you should contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at (770) 488-7655.
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.gov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Steven Dutman
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
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# INTENDED USE STATEMENT
K991070
FO BE ASSIGNED 510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: COULTER® Z2 Analyzer
### Intended Use:
The COULTER® Z2 instrument may be used for in vitro diagnostic use to determine the human erythrocyte concentration (Red Cell Count or RBC), leukocyte concentration (White Cell Count or WBC) and thrombocyte concentration (Platelet Count or Plt). In addition, the COULTER Z2 also provides the mean erythrocyte volume (Mean Cell Volume or MCV) and the mean thrombocyte volume (Mean Platelet Volume or MPV).
## 21 CFR 864.5200 Automated cell counter
An automated cell counter is a fully-automated or semi-automated device used to count red blood cells, white blood cells, or blood platelets using a sample of the patients peripheral blood (blood circulating in one of the body's extremities, such as the arm). These devices may also measure hemoglobin or hematocrit and may also calculate or measure one or more of the red cell indices (the erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin, or the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). These devices may use either an electronic particle counting method or an optical counting method.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Peter E. Malins
Division Sign-Off) Division of Clinical Laboratory De 510(k) Number
**Prescription Use**
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use
(Optional Form 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.