ARROWG +ARD BLUE PLUS ANTIMICROBIAL MULTI-LUMEN CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER
K993691 · Arrow Intl., Inc. · FOZ · Mar 8, 2000 · General Hospital
Device Facts
Record ID
K993691
Device Name
ARROWG +ARD BLUE PLUS ANTIMICROBIAL MULTI-LUMEN CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER
Applicant
Arrow Intl., Inc.
Product Code
FOZ · General Hospital
Decision Date
Mar 8, 2000
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 880.5200
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The multiple-lumen catheter permits venous access to the central circulation by the way of the femoral, jugular, or subclavian veins. The ARROWg ard Blue Plus™ antimicrobial catheter is intended to help provide protection against catheter-related infections. It is not intended to be used as a treatment for existing infections nor is it indicated for long-term use.
Device Story
Triple-lumen, 7 French polyurethane central venous catheter; features antimicrobial coating of chlorhexidine acetate and silver sulfadiazine on external surface and internal lumens. Used for central venous access via femoral, jugular, or subclavian veins; provides protection against catheter-related infections. Operated by clinicians in clinical settings. Output is venous access for fluid/medication delivery, blood sampling, and pressure monitoring. Benefits patient by reducing risk of catheter-related infections during short-term therapy.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing included in vitro efficacy (zone of inhibition, internal lumen adherence, release rate), tensile testing, fatigue life, stability, and biocompatibility. In vivo testing included a swine safety study, half-life study, and delayed inoculum study. Results demonstrate the device is as safe as and more effective than the predicate.
Technological Characteristics
Polyurethane triple-lumen catheter, 7 French. Antimicrobial agents: chlorhexidine acetate and silver sulfadiazine. Impregnated on external surface and internal lumens (catheter body, extension lines, and hubs).
Indications for Use
Indicated for short-term (<30 day) central venous access in patients requiring multiple peripheral IV access, central venous pressure monitoring, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), administration of incompatible medications, multiple infusions (fluids, medications, chemotherapy), frequent blood sampling, blood transfusions, or infusions that are hypertonic, hyperosmolar, or have divergent pH values.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An intravascular catheter is a device that consists of a slender tube and any necessary connecting fittings and that is inserted into the patient's vascular system for short term use (less than 30 days) to sample blood, monitor blood pressure, or administer fluids intravenously. The device may be constructed of metal, rubber, plastic, or a combination of these materials.
Predicate Devices
ARROWg+ard Blue® Antimicrobial Multi-Lumen Central Venous Catheter
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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K993691
510(k) Premarket Notification ARROWg†ard Blue Plus™ Antimicrobial Central Venous Catheter Page 52 of 70
## Section 13 - 510(k) Summary
### a) Submitter
ARROW International. Inc. 2400 Bernville Road Reading, PA 19605
Contact Person: Thomas D. Nickel Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Direct phone: 610-478-3137 Fax: 610-478-3172 e-mail: tom nickel@arrowintl.com
October 28, 1999 Date summary prepared:
#### b) Device
ARROWg ard Blue Plus™ Multi-Lumen Central Venous Catheter Trade Name:
Antimicrobial Central Venous Catheter and Antimicrobial CVC Common Name:
Classification Name: Class II at 21 CFR 880.5200, Intravascular Catheter
#### c) Legally marketed device to which the device is substantially equivalent
ARROWq*ard Blue® Antimicrobial Multi-Lumen Central Venous Catheter
#### d) Description of the device
The device is a triple-lumen, polyurethane catheter, 7 French in size, with three independent non-communicating lumens, extension lines, Luer hubs and slide clamps. It is identical in appearance and function to the ARROW predicate catheter except for the increased amount of chlorhexidine acetate and silver sulfadiazine on the external surface and the addition of the internal lumen chlorhexidine and chlorhexidine acetate impregnation.
#### e} Intended use of the device
The multiple-lumen catheter permits venous access to the central circulation by the way of the femoral, jugular, or subclavian veins. The ARROWg ard Blue Plus™ antimicrobial catheter is intended to help provide protection against catheter-related infections. It is not intended to be used as a treatment for existing infections nor is it indicated for long-term use.
#### Technological characteristics f)
The device has the same exact technological characteristics as the predicate, with the only differences being the increased concentration of chlorhexidine acetate and silver sulfadiazine to the catheter body outer surface and the impregnation of chlorhexidine and chlorhexidine acetate to the catheter body, extension line, and extension line hubs internal lumens.
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## 510(k) Premarket Notification ARROWg*ard Blue Plus™ Antimicrobial Central Venous Catheter Page 53 of 70
The performance tests included in the submission include:
- In vitro efficacy -- zone of inhibition 1)
- In vitro efficacy internal lumen adherence 2)
- 3) In vitro performance release rate test
- 4) Tensile tests
- a) blue tip to catheter body
- b) catheter body tensile
- c) catheter body to juncture hub
- d) extension line to juncture hub
- e) extension line tensile
- extension line to extension line hub f) f f f f f f f f f f f
- 5) Fatigue life testing
- 6) Stability tests
- 7) Biocompatibility tests
The in vivo performance tests included in the submission include:
- 1) In vivo swine safety study
- 2) In vivo half-life study
- In vivo delayed inoculum study 3)
The results of the laboratory tests demonstrate that the device is as safe as and is more effective than the legally marketed predicate device.
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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 features a stylized eagle with three stripes representing the department's mission to promote health, well-being, and human services. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular pattern around the eagle symbol. The logo is presented in black and white.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
**MAR - 8 2000**
Mr. Thomas D. Nickel Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Arrow International, Incorporated 2400 Bernville Road Reading, Pennsylvania 19605
K993691 Re:
> Trade Name: ARROWg+ard Blue Plus™ Antimicrobial Multi-Lumen Central Venous Catheter Kit Regulatory Class: II Product Code: FOZ Dated: January 3, 2000 Received: January 4, 2000
Dear Mr. Nickel:
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 (the You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the Act). general controls provisions of Act. However, you are responsible to determine that the medical devices you use as components in the kit have either been determined as substantially equivalent under the premarket notification process (Section 510(k) of the act), or were on the market prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Please note: If you purchase your device Device Amendments. components in bulk (i.e., unfinished) and further process (e.g., sterilize) you must submit a new 510(k) before including these components in your kit. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions aqainst 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 additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal
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Page 2 - Mr. Nickel
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 Requlation (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic QS inspections, FDA will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action. may publish further announcements concerning your device in Please note: this response to your the Federal Register. 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.
In addition, we have determined that your device kit contains the following: three swabstick foil pack 10% povidone-iodine and one 5 mL ampule HCL, 1% Lidocaine solution which are subject to regulation as drugs.
Our substantially equivalent determination does not apply to the drug components of your device. We recommend you first contact the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research before marketing your device with the drug components. For information on applicable Agency requirements for marketing these drugs, we suggest you contact:
Director, Division of Druq Labeling Compliance (HFD-310) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Food and Drug Administration 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, Maryland 20857 (301) 594-0101
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 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4692. 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
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Page 3 - Mr. Nickel
regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification"(21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on nour responsibilities under the Act, may be obtained from the your reopeners as Manufacturers Assistance at its toll free bivieror (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597, or at its internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/qsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely,
Timothy A. Ulatowski
Timo thv Director Division of Dental, Infection Control and General Hospital Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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P.O. Box 12888 Reading, PA 19612
Image /page/5/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for Arrow International. The word "ARROW" is in large, bold, sans-serif font. Below it, in a smaller font, is the word "INTERNATIONAL". The logo is in black and white.
2400 Bernville Road Reading, PA 19605
(610) 378-0131 FAX: (610) 374-5360
# Section 14 -- Indications for Use
The ARROWg ard Blue Plus™ antimicrobial catheter is indicated in the short-term (<30 day) The ARROWN are Blue Frice - Blue Frice - and access, including, but not limited to the following:
- multiple peripheral sites for IV access ●
- lack of usable peripheral IV sites ●
- central venous pressure monitoring ●
- total parenternal nutrition (TPN) �
- incompatible medications ●
11 993691
- multiple infusions of fluids, medications, or chemotherapy .
- frequent blood sampling or receiving blood transfusions/blood products .
- infusions that are hypertonic, hyperosmolar, or infusions that have divergent pH values
There are no specific CDC guidelines for maximum indwelling times or catheter exchanges. There are the Spoolite Ober guing or should be exchanged per hospital protocol.
Vick Hilliard for Pat Ciarrocchi
(Division Sign-0 Division of Dental, Infection Control, and General Hospital D . Olk) Number K
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.