Retrospective clinical study of patient medical records
A retrospective study of 43 consecutive patients was used to demonstrate that the device performs as well as, and is as safe and effective as, currently marketed hydrocephalus shunts.
Safety and effectiveness compared to currently marketed hydrocephalus shunts
Indications for Use
To drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the management of hydrocephalus.
Device Story
Sophy® Pressure Adjustable Valve System is an implantable hydrocephalus shunt. It provides continuous, controlled intraventricular pressure and CSF drainage to the abdominal cavity or right atrium. The device utilizes a ball-in-cone valve seat design where a synthetic ruby ball is positioned against a spring; pressure is maintained by the spring's force on the ball. The system allows non-invasive, transcutaneous adjustment of operating pressure (8 settings, 50-170 mm H2O) using a programming magnet and compass kit. Radio-opaque dots indicate pressure settings. The device is used by neurosurgeons to manage hydrocephalus; it benefits patients by allowing pressure adjustments without surgical revision. Clinical decision-making is supported by the ability to monitor and adjust pressure in-situ.
Clinical Evidence
Retrospective clinical study of 43 patients (25 pediatric, 18 adults). Follow-up data obtained for 93% of patients at one year and 59% at two years. Results indicate the device performs as well as, and is as safe and effective as, currently marketed hydrocephalus shunts. Bench testing performed per ASTM F647-94, including material/corrosion, pressure-flow, and magnetic/MRI testing. Biocompatibility testing performed per ISO 10993.
Technological Characteristics
Implantable hydrocephalus valve; ball-in-cone mechanism; synthetic ruby ball; stainless steel spring; magnetic rotor for pressure adjustment; radio-opaque markers. Complies with ASTM F647-94. Biocompatible materials per ISO 10993. Non-invasive transcutaneous adjustment via external magnet/compass kit.
Indications for Use
Indicated for the management of hydrocephalus in adult and pediatric patients requiring cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A central nervous system fluid shunt is a device or combination of devices used to divert fluid from the brain or other part of the central nervous system to an internal delivery site or an external receptacle for the purpose of relieving elevated intracranial pressure or fluid volume (e.g., due to hydrocephalus). Components of a central nervous system shunt include catheters, valved catheters, valves, connectors, and other accessory components intended to facilitate use of the shunt or evaluation of a patient with a shunt.
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# SEP.21 2000
#### SMDA Summary of Safety and Effectiveness 10.
K992465
## 510(k) Summary Sophy® Pressure Adjustable Valve System
A. Submittor Information
Sponsor:
Manufacturer:
SOPHYSA SA c/o Interactive Consulting Inc. 70 Walnut Street Wellesley, MA 02481 Tel: (781) 239-8108 Fax:(781) 863-6497
SOPHYSA SA 22 rue Jean Rostand Parc Club Orsay Université 91893 ORSAY Cedex, France Tel: 011-331-69-41-3500
Contact Person: Jean-Christophe Audras, Requlatory Affairs Date Prepared: July 21, 1999
B. Device Identification
Common/Usual Name Proprietary Name: Regulatory Class:
Hydrocephalus Shunt Sophy® Pressure Adjustable Valve System Class II by 21 CFR 882.5550
C. Identification of Predicate Device(s)
The Sophy® SU8 is substantially equivalent to the following previously cleared and currently marketing devices Johnson Hakim Programmable Valve (K974739) and Cordis Standard/Pediatric Valve (K861377).
### D. Device Description
The Sophy® Pressure Adjustable Valve System SU8 is an implantable device designed for the treatment of hydrocephalus in adult and pediatric patients by shunting, thereby providing continuous, controlled intraventricular pressure and CSF drainage from the cerebral ventricles. Intraventricular pressure is maintained at a constant level by the device's ball-in-cone valve seat design, and the valve is pressure-adjustable transcutaneously. Drainage is directed to the abdominal cavity or to the right atrium of the heart. The Sophy® Pressure Adjustable Valve System SU8 technology allows for the non-invasive manual adjustment of the operating pressure via 8 pressure settings, ranging from 50 mm H20 to 170 mm, as follows: 50 = Low, 110 = Medium (intermediate 65,80,95), and 170 = High (intermediate 130, 150).
The principle of the Sophy® Pressure Adiustable Valve System SU8, identical to that of several existing FDA cleared hydrocephalus valves, is based on the pressure change exerted on a synthetic ruby ball by a semi-circular spring at different points of its curvature. This spring is connected to a magnetic rotor whose position can be adjusted non-invasively by using a programming magnet oriented at different angles with selected orientations corresponding to different pressures. Radio-opaque identification dots indicate three main positions of the rotor corresponding to Low, Medium, and High operating pressures. For pressure setting, a specific programming kit is necessary, including a compass, magnet, and pressure selector.
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### E. Device Testing Summary
#### Performance Testing .
Performance testing was conducted per and complies with the applicable sections of ASTM F647-94 Standard Practice for Evaluating and Specifying Implantable Shunt Assemblies for Neurosurgical Applications. Performance testing included the following areas: Material and Corrosion, Diffusion of Samarium and Cobalt into the Valve, Sensitivity to Angular Accelerations and Shocks, Pressure-Flow Studies, Pressure-Adjustment and Rotor Programming, Magnetic and MRI Tests, Testing results demonstrated that the device was suitable for its intended used.
Biocompatibility Testing .
> Biocompatibility tests were performed per the Tripartite Biocompatibility Guidance for Medical Devices and ISO 10993 Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices. Testing results demonstrated that the device materials are biocompatible.
- Clinical Evaluation .
A retrospective clinical study of 43 consecutive patients (25 pediatric, 18 adults) was conducted to support a claim of substantial equivalence. One year follow-up data was obtained in 93% of the patients, and 2 year follow-up was achieved in 59% of the patients. Results indicated that the Sophy ® Pressure-Adjustable Valve System SU8 performs as well as, and is safe and effective as currently marketed hydrocephalus shunts.
### F. Substantial Equivalence
The Sophy ® Pressure-Adiustable Valve System SU8 is substantially equivalent to the Cordis Standard/Pediatric Shunt (K861377) and to the Hakim Programmable Valve (K974739) in terms of intended use, materials, design, function, and operating characteristics. All three devices utilize the same ball-in-cone mechanism to maintain intraventricular pressure. The valve design maintains intraventricular pressure at a constant selected level. Depending on the CSF flow rate and/or viscosity, the ball moves up or down within the control of the callbrated stainless steel spring to maintain the selected pressure. While the pressure regulating mechanism is identical in all 3 devices, the variable pressure adjustment capability is only available with the Hakim Programmable Valve and the Sophy® Pressure-Adiustable Valve System SU8. In the case of the Cordis Standard/Pediatric Valve, pressure selection is available in five fixed pressure ranges. The non-invasive transcutaneous pressure adjustment capability together with the ability to monitor the pressure setting in-situ is available in the Hakim Programmable Valve (K974739) and the Sophy® Pressure-Adjustable Valve System SU8, with near identical performance. The Sophy® Pressure-Adiustable Valve System SU8 is thus determined to be Substantially Equivalent to the Cordis Standard/Pediatric Shunt (K861377) and the Hakim Programmable Shunt (K974739).
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Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized image of three abstract shapes that resemble an eagle or bird in flight.
### Public Health Service
# SEP 21 2000
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Sophysa SA c/o Jean-Luc Boulnois, Ph.D. President Interactive Consulting, Inc. 70 Walnut Street Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481
K992465 Re:
> Trade Name: Sophy® Pressure Adjustable Valve System Regulatory Class: II Product Code: JXG Dated: July 14, 2000 Received: July 17, 2000
Dear Dr. Boulnois:
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 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 requirement, 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 - Jean-Luc Boulnois, Ph.D.
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) 594-4595. 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/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
R. lochner.
A Celia M. Witten, Ph.D., M.D. Director Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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510(k) Number (if known): _ _ K 992 4 65
Device Name: SOPHY® Pressure-Adjustable Valve System
Indications For Use:
To drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the management of hydrocephalus.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Dvina R. Lochner.
(Division Sign-Off) Division of General Restorative Devices 510(k) Number_K 99 2465
Prescription Use
(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.