K172823 · Smiths Medical Asd, Inc. · BSP · Jun 12, 2018 · Anesthesiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K172823
Device Name
Portex NRFit Epidural Needles
Applicant
Smiths Medical Asd, Inc.
Product Code
BSP · Anesthesiology
Decision Date
Jun 12, 2018
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 868.5150
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic, Pediatric
Indications for Use
The PORTEX® Tuohy and Hustead Needles with NRFit™ connectors are intended to facilitate the placement of an epidural catheter and for the injection or infusion of regional anesthetics or narcotics.
Device Story
Sterile, single-use Tuohy and Hustead needles designed for insertion into the epidural space; used as introducers for epidural catheters or spinal needles; features ISO 80369-6 compliant NRFit™ connectors to prevent misconnections with non-neuraxial equipment; color-coded yellow for neuraxial identification; includes 10 mm depth graduations and removable wings. Used in clinical settings (ICU/OR) by healthcare professionals. Device facilitates regional anesthesia delivery; NRFit™ design reduces risk of medication administration errors.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Performance verified against ISO 80369-6 (connector integrity), ISO 9626 (stiffness/bending/deflection), and PWI-10005073 (penetration force). Biocompatibility evaluated per ISO 10993 series (cytotoxicity, sensitization, irritation, systemic toxicity, hemocompatibility, genotoxicity, leachable substances). Sterility and packaging validated per ISO 11135 and ISO 11607.
Technological Characteristics
Stainless steel cannula; polycarbonate needle hub; polyethylene sheath and removable wing. Features ISO 80369-6 compliant neuraxial connectors. Sterile, ethylene oxide (EO) sterilized, single-use. Gauge range 16-20 (Tuohy) and 18 (Hustead); lengths 50-110 mm. Mechanical sensing/actuation principle.
Indications for Use
Indicated for pediatric and adult patients requiring epidural catheter placement for the injection or infusion of regional anesthetics or narcotics.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An anesthesia conduction needle is a device used to inject local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia.
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Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. Sunita Teekasingh Senior Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist Vascular Access and Infusion Regulatory Affairs Interim Manager 6000 Nathan Lane North Minneapolis, Minnesota 55442
Re: K172823
Trade/Device Name: Portex® NRFit™ Epidural Needles Regulation Number: 21 CFR 868.5150 Regulation Name: Anesthesia Conduction Needle Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: BSP Dated: May 11, 2018 Received: May 14, 2018
Dear Sunita Teekasingh:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and 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) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). 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. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820);
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and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm.
For comprehensive regulatory information about medical devices and radiation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/) and CDRH Learn (http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (http://www.fda.gov/DICE) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely.
# Todd D. Courtney -S
Tina Kiang, Ph.D. for Acting Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Respiratory, Infection Control, and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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Food and Drug Administration
## Indications for Use
Expiration Date: January 31, 2017 See PRA Statement below.
510(k) Number (if known) K172823
Device Name
PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles
Indications for Use (Describe)
The PORTEX® Tuohy and Hustead Needles with NRFif™ connectors are intended to facilitate the placement of an epidural catheter and for the injection or infusion of regional anesthetics or narcotics.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
X Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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#### 1. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| 510(k) | K172823 |
|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Applicant's Name<br>and Address | Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.<br>6000 Nathan Lane North<br>Minneapolis, MN 55442<br>USA |
| Contact Person | Sunita Teekasingh<br>Senior Principal Regulatory Specialist<br>Vascular Access and Infusion Regulatory Affairs Interim Manager<br>Phone: 763-383-3336<br>Fax: 763-383-3679<br>Email: sunny.teekasingh@smiths-medical.com |
| Date | June 8, 2018 |
| Regulation No. | 21 CFR 868.5150 |
| Regulation Name | Anesthesia conduction needles |
| Primary Product<br>Codes | BSP |
| Classification | Class II |
| Trade Name | PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles |
#### 2. REASONFOR SUBMISSION
The purpose of this submission is to make a modification to the currently marketed Smiths Medical PORTEX® Epidural Needles, which are being updated to include an ISO 80369-6 compliant connector for neuraxial applications.
# 3. DEVICE INFORMATION
| | Predicate Device | Subject Device |
|------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Trade Name | PORTEX® Tuohy Epidural Needles | PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles |
| Regulation No. | 21CFR868.5150 | 21CFR868.5150 |
| Regulation Name | Anesthesia conduction needle | Anesthesia conduction needle |
| Regulatory Class | II | II |
| Product Code | BSP | BSP |
| 510(k) | K090261 | K172823 |
#### 4. DEVICE DESCRIPTION
The PORTEX® Tuohy and Hustead Needles with NRFit™ connectors are intended to facilitate the placement of an epidural catheter for the injection or infusion of regional anesthetics or narcotics.
The NRFit ™ connectors conform to ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications -- Part 6: Connectors for neuraxial applications. The connectors are not compatible with standard luer connectors which is intended to reduce the risk of misconnection that may result in the infusion of medications not intended for neuraxial or regional anesthetic use. The PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles are color-coded yellow to indicate medication intended for neuraxial or regional anesthetic delivery.
This Premarket Notification Traditional 510(k) includes various configurations of PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles. A description of the configuration is provided in the table below.
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| Device Type | Description |
|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| PORTEX®<br>NRFit™ Epidural<br>Needles: | The sterile, single use Tuohy and Hustead needles with NRFit™ connector are for<br>insertion into the epidural space for either single shot doses of anesthetic or narcotics<br>or as an introducer for epidural catheters or spinal needles. The Tuohy needles are<br>marked at 10 mm graduations to enable the depth of needle insertion to be determined.<br>The Tuohy needles are supplied with a removable wing which allow the needle to be<br>used as a winged or non-winged needle. The stylet hub is color-coded for ease of<br>identification. The intended target population is pediatrics and adults. |
#### 5. INDICATIONS FOR USE
| Device Category | Indications for Use |
|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| PORTEX® NRFit™™<br>Epidural Needles: | The PORTEX ® Tuohy and Hustead Needles with NRFit™ connectors are intended<br>to facilitate the placement of an epidural catheter for the injection or infusion of<br>regional anesthetics or narcotics. |
#### 6. SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE DISCUSSION
The Smiths Medical PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles have the same technological characteristics as the predicate devices with the exception of the NRFit™ Connectors. The Smiths Medical PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles and predicate devices are both designed for the injection or infusion of regional anesthetics or narcotics. They are both made of the same materials, have the same chemical composition, and have the same design features excluding the NRFit ™ connector design. A comparative analysis is in Table 1.
| Characteristic | Predicate Device<br>K090261 | Subject Device | Discussion |
|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Company | Smiths Medical | Smiths Medical | N/A |
| FDA Product<br>Code & CFR | BSP<br>21 CFR 868.5150 | BSP<br>21 CFR 868.5150 | Same |
| Regulation<br>Name | Anesthesia conduction needle | Anesthesia conduction needle | Same |
| Regulatory Class | II | II | Same |
| Trade Name | PORTEX® Tuohy Epidural<br>Needles | PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural<br>Needles | N/A |
| Common Name | Epidural Anesthesia Needles | Epidural Anesthesia Needles | Same |
| Indications for<br>Use | An Epidural Needle is<br>indicated for the injection of<br>anesthetic agents into the<br>epidural space or to facilitate<br>the placement of an epidural<br>catheter. | The PORTEX® Tuohy and<br>Hustead Needles with<br>NRFit™ connectors are<br>intended to facilitate the<br>placement of an epidural<br>catheter for the injection or<br>infusion of regional<br>anesthetics or narcotics. | Similar. Both are used for<br>the injection of anesthetics<br>and facilitate the placement<br>of an epidural catheter. |
| Hospital<br>Location Use | ICU/OR | Same | N/A |
#### Table 1: PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles
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#### 510(k) Summary K172823; PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural
# al
| | | | bringing technology to life |
|---------------------|-----------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Connector | ISO 594 Luer | ISO 80369-6 NRFitTM | ISO 80369-6 NRFitTM<br>connector intended to<br>reduce risk of<br>misconnections. Both met<br>the requirements of the<br>respective standards and<br>these standards are<br>recognized by FDA. |
| Tip Design | Tuohy | Tuohy, Hustead | Same, with addition of<br>Hustead |
| Packaging | Tyvek pouch | Same | N/A |
| Sterility | Sterile, EO | Same | N/A |
| Use | Single Use Disposable | Same | N/A |
| Needle (Gauge) | 17, 18 | Tuohy: 16-20<br>Hustead: 18 | Similar. These ranges have<br>been expanded to meet<br>clinical requirements for the<br>patient population. The 16-20<br>Guage needles are also being<br>offered by other<br>manufacturers such as Unisis<br>Corporation (K141126). |
| Needle Length (mm) | Tuohy: 90 | Tuohy: 50-110<br>Hustead: 90 | Similar. These ranges have<br>been expanded to meet<br>clinical requirements for the<br>patient population. |
| Cannula Material | Stainless steel | Same | N/A |
| Needle Hub Material | Polycarbonate | Same | N/A |
| Sheath Material | Polyethylene | Same | N/A |
| Removable Wing | Polyethylene | Same | N/A |
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# 7. SUMMARY OF NON-CLINICAL TESTING
The PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles were evaluated via non-clinical performance testing to demonstrate the devices are as safe, as effective, and the subject device is substantially equivalent to the predicate device. All testing met pre-established specifications, and successfully demonstrated that the PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles performed as intended. A summary of the evaluation is provided in Table 2.
| Category | Evaluation | Test Criteria |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Functional<br>Performance | Resistance to<br>overriding | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Resistance to<br>separation from<br>axial load | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Resistance to<br>separation from<br>unscrewing | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Resistance to<br>overriding | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Leakage by Pressure<br>Decay | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Subatmospheric<br>Pressure | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Stress Cracking | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Verifying Non-<br>interconnectable<br>characteristics | ISO 80369-6, Small bore connectors for liquids and gases<br>in healthcare applications - part 6: connectors for neuraxial<br>applications |
| | Stiffness<br>Characteristics | ISO 9626-2016, 5.8- Stiffness (Annex B) |
| | Bending Force | ISO 9626:2016, 5.8- Stiffness (Annex B) |
| | Penetration Force | PWI-10005073-Test Method for Needle Penetration Force<br>for Epidural, Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Block |
| | Deflection Force | ISO 9626:2016, 5.8-Stiffness (Annex B) |
| Packaging | Package integrity,<br>sterile barrier | ISO 11607, Packaging for terminally sterilized medical<br>devices - Part 1: Requirements for materials, sterile barrier<br>systems and packaging systems |
| Sterilization | Sterility | ISO 11135, Sterilization of health care products - Ethylene<br>Oxide - Requirements for development, validation<br>and routine control of a sterilization process for<br>medical devices. |
| | Residuals | ISO 10993-7, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 7: Ethylene oxide sterilization residuals |
| Biocompatibility | Intracutaneous<br>Reactivity | ISO 10993-10, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 10: Tests for irritation and skin sensitization |
| | Systemic Toxicity | ISO 10993-11, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 11: Tests for systemic toxicity |
| | Sensitization | ISO 10993-10, Biological evaluation of medical devices - |
| Hemocompatibility | ISO 10993-4, Biological evaluation of medical devices<br>- Part 4: Selection of tests for interactions with blood | |
| Cytotoxicity | ISO 10993-5, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 5: Tests for in vitro cytotoxicity | |
| Genotoxicity,<br>carcinogenicity and<br>reproductive toxicity | ISO 10993-3, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 3: Tests for genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and<br>reproductive toxicity | |
| Leachable<br>substances | ISO 10993-17, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 17: Establishment of allowable limits for leachable<br>substances. | |
| Chemical<br>characterization of<br>materials | ISO 10993-18, Biological evaluation of medical devices -<br>Part 18: Chemical characterization of materials | |
| Bacterial endotoxins | ANSI/AAMI ST72, Bacterial endotoxins - Test methods,<br>routine monitoring, and alternatives to batch testing | |
| Particulate matter | USP 788, Particulate Matter in Injections | |
Table 2: Summary of Non-Clinical Testing
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#### 510(k) Summary K172823; PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural
# smiths medical
bringing technology to life
# 8. SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE CONCLUSION
The evaluation of the Smiths Medical PORTEX® NRFit™ Epidural Needles device classification, indications for use, and technological characteristics demonstrate substantial equivalence to the predicate devices. Device testing met pre-defined acceptance criteria and did not raise different question of safety or effectiveness.
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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.