K991823 · Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Inc. · DQA · Aug 25, 1999 · Cardiovascular
Device Facts
Record ID
K991823
Device Name
N-395 PULSE OXIMETER, MODEL N-395
Applicant
Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Inc.
Product Code
DQA · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
Aug 25, 1999
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.2700
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Pediatric
Indications for Use
The intended use of the N-395 Pulse Oximeter is for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of functional oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2) and pulse rate of adult, pediatric and neonate patients. The environments of use are hospitals, hospital-type facilities and intra-hospital transport. The intended use, patient population and environment of use are the same or similar to the predicate devices, the Nellcor Puritan Bennett Model N-3000 Pulse Oximeter and the Ivy Biomedical Systems Model 2000 Pulse Oximeter.
Device Story
N-395 Pulse Oximeter provides continuous, non-invasive monitoring of SpO2 and pulse rate; utilizes compatible Nellcor sensors; inputs include red and infrared light absorption signals from tissue; photodiode detects signal strengths; oximetry algorithm processes data to calculate SpO2, pulse rate, and pulse amplitude; features motion-filtering software to mitigate motion artifacts; includes SatSeconds alarm management to reduce nuisance alarms for minor/short desaturations; output displayed as digital values and 'blip bar' pulse amplitude; includes serial port for real-time data output and nurse call interface; used in hospitals and intra-hospital transport by clinicians; benefits include reliable monitoring during patient motion and reduced alarm fatigue.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing and non-invasive controlled hypoxia studies were conducted. Studies established device accuracy and ensured sensors met published specifications. No clinical trial data on patient outcomes provided.
Technological Characteristics
Measures SpO2 via light absorption (red/infrared LEDs and photodiode). Features motion-filtering software and SatSeconds alarm management. Includes serial (EIA-232/RS-422) and nurse call interfaces. Powered by AC or internal 6V rechargeable lead-acid battery. Flash ROM upgradable. Software-based processing.
Indications for Use
Indicated for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of functional oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2) and pulse rate in neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients in hospitals, hospital-type facilities, and intra-hospital transport. Prescription use only.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An oximeter is a device used to transmit radiation at a known wavelength(s) through blood and to measure the blood oxygen saturation based on the amount of reflected or scattered radiation. It may be used alone or in conjunction with a fiberoptic oximeter catheter.
Predicate Devices
N-3000 Pulse Oximeter, Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc. (K955642)
Model 2000 Pulse Oximeter, Ivy Biomedical Systems, Inc. (K982255)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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AUG 25 1999
991823
### Section 16. 510(k) Summary
Section 16.a Date Summary Prepared
May 26. 1999
Section 16.b Company Information
Establishment:
Official Correspondent:
Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc. 4280 Hacienda Drive Pleasanton, CA 94588
David A. C. Green Site Manager, Requlatory Affairs Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc. 2200 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7208 (760) 603-5978 (direct phone) (760) 603-5907 (fax)
#### Section 16.c Name of Device
Proprietary:
Common/Usual:
N-395 Pulse Oximeter
Pulse Oximeter
Classification:
Oximeter (§870.2700/74DQA)
#### Section 16.d Equivalent Devices
Substantial equivalence to the following legally marketed predicate devices with the same or similar indications for use has been demonstrated by a comparison of product features as described in the labeling and promotional literature for predicate devices and for the N-395, as well as testing to accepted industry standards. In addition, in-vitro and non-invasive controlled hypoxia studies were conducted to establish the N-395's accuracy and to ensure that the sensors meet their currently published accuracy specifications with the N-395. The predicate devices are as follows:
- 1. N-3000 Pulse Oximeter, Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc., K955642
- 2. Model 2000 Pulse Oximeter, Ivy Biomedical Systems, Inc., K982255
#### Section 16.e Device Description
The N-395 Pulse Oximeter is designed for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of functional oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2) and pulse rate by use of one of a range of compatible Nellcor Puritan Bennett oxygen transducers (sensors). The N-395 displays digital values of SpO2 and Pulse Rate. Pulse Amplitude is displayed by means of a "blip bar" presentation. The N-395 can be powered by an internal power supply operating on AC from a standard electrical utility receptacle (manually switchable
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From 100V to 240V) or alternatively by an integral sealed 6V rechargeable lead-acid battery. The N-395 is intended for prescription use with adult, pediatric and neonatal patients in hospitals, hospital-type facilities and intra-hospital transport environments.
Audible and visual alarms for high/low saturation, pulse rate and pulse search are The N-395 also includes adjustable alarm silence duration and other provided. configurable power-on settings. The N-395 provides an audible low battery warning to alert the user of impending loss of power and consequent loss of monitoring capability. The N-395 Pulse Oximeter has visual indicators for pulse search, motion, power mode (i.e. battery or AC) and alarm silence in addition to alarm features.
In addition to the above mentioned device features, the instrument has been designed to satisfy the needs of both the user and the patient. A convenient carrying handle is incorporated into the case. There is also a serial port (EIA-232 and RS-422 interface) that provides ASCII output of real-time data every two seconds. This data can be printed on serial printers. There is also an interface for nurse call systems through the rear connector. The device is also Flash ROM upgradable.
#### Section 16.f Intended Use
The intended use of the N-395 Pulse Oximeter is for continuous, non-invasive monitoring of functional oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2) and pulse rate of adult, pediatric and neonate patients. The environments of use are hospitals, hospital-type facilities and intra-hospital transport. The intended use, patient population and environment of use are the same or similar to the predicate devices, the Nellcor Puritan Bennett Model N-3000 Pulse Oximeter and the Ivy Biomedical Systems Model 2000 Pulse Oximeter.
#### Section 16.g Technological Characteristics
The N-395 Pulse Oximeter measures functional oxygen saturation by calculating the light absorption of tissue, bone and blood in the sampling light beam path during thepulsatile cycle. Red and infrared LED's are utilized as light sources. A photodiode acting as a photodetector senses the signal strengths of the two wavelengths of light. which vary inversely with the amount of light transmitted through the tissue. The N-395 receives this electrical information from the sensor and processes the information by use of an oximetry algorithm to provide real time values of SpO2, Pulse Rate and Pulse Amplitude.
The N-395 uses a similar SpO2 and Pulse Rate software algorithm to process the information from the sensor as the predicate device, N-3000, cleared under K955642.
In addition. The N-395 possesses motion-filtering software that reduces the effects of patient/sensor motion, enabling the N-395 to read through motion artifact to provide valid SpO2 and Pulse Rate readings for many types of motion.
Also included is an alarm management software technique, known as SatSeconds which allows the careqiver to set the N-395 to accept desaturations below a specified threshold without alarming if those desaturations are of short duration or small magnitude.
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## Section 16.h Certification Statement
In accordance with the requirements of 21 CFR 807.87(j), the following certification is provided:
Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc. believes that all data and information submitted in this premarket notification are truthful and accurate and no material fact has been omitted.
David A. C. Cullen.
David A. C. Green Site Manager, Regulatory Affairs for Nellcor Puritan Bennett Inc.
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Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image is a black and white logo for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The logo is circular in shape, with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter of the circle. In the center of the circle is an abstract symbol that resembles an eagle or other bird in flight, with three stylized human profiles facing to the right.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
AUG 25 1999
Mr. David A. C. Green Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Inc. 2200 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7208
Re: K991823 N-395 Pulse Oximeter Requlatory Class: II (two) Product Code: 74 DQA Dated: May 26, 1999 Received: May 27, 1999
Dear Mr. Green:
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 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 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.
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Page 2 - Mr. David A. C. Green
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 requlation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diaqnostic 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, "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,
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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510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: N-395 Pulse Oximeter
#### Indications For Use:
The intended use of the N-395 Pulse Oximeter is the continuous, non-invasive monitoring of functional oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO₂) and pulse rate. For use with neonatal, pediatric and adult patients, in hospitals, hospital-type facilities and intra-hospital transport environments. For prescription use only.
# (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
| | Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) | | |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | <table><tr><td>(Division Sign-Off)</td></tr><tr><td>Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological Devices</td></tr></table> | (Division Sign-Off) | Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological Devices |
| (Division Sign-Off) | | | |
| Division of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Neurological Devices | | | |
| 510(k) Number | K991823 | | |
| Prescription Use<br>(Per 21 CFR 801.109) | OR<br>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.