The OrthoPulse® device is intended to accelerate orthodontic movement of teeth which may reduce the overall treatment time for the patient. The OrthoPulse® device is intended for use during orthodontic treatment. The device is intended to be used in conjunction with traditional orthodontic treatment with brackets and wires or aligners and helps facilitate minor anterior tooth movement.
Device Story
OrthoPulse 2.0E is an intra-oral, LED-based phototherapy device designed to stimulate alveolar bone metabolic activity, accelerating orthodontic tooth movement. The device features a flexible circuit with high-power LED arrays embedded in a mouthguard-like appliance. It delivers near-infrared (850 nm) light at 50-80 mW/cm² to the alveolar surface. Patients use the device daily for 5 minutes per arch; the device is reversible to treat both upper and lower arches. Operation is controlled by internal firmware, which manages treatment duration and safety features, including temperature monitoring and automatic shut-off. The device is battery-powered and rechargeable via a wireless charging case. It includes a Bluetooth LE module (2.4 GHz) for status indication, active only when docked. The device is intended for use in conjunction with traditional orthodontic appliances to potentially reduce overall treatment time.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data or animal studies were conducted. Substantial equivalence is supported by bench testing, including electrical safety, EMC, software verification/validation, battery performance, and thermal safety testing.
Technological Characteristics
Intra-oral LED phototherapy device; 850 nm near-infrared light; 50-80 mW/cm² output. Materials: same as predicate. Power: internal rechargeable battery. Connectivity: Bluetooth LE (2.4 GHz) for status. Standards: IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-11, IEC 60601-2-57, IEC 60601-1-2. Software: firmware-controlled treatment duration and safety monitoring.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with brackets, wires, or aligners to accelerate tooth movement and reduce treatment time; facilitates minor anterior tooth movement.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An orthodontic plastic bracket is a plastic device intended to be bonded to a tooth to apply pressure to a tooth from a flexible orthodontic wire to alter its position.
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the left is the Department of Health & Human Services logo. To the right of that is the FDA logo, which is a blue square with the letters "FDA" in white. To the right of the blue square is the text "U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION" in blue.
June 9, 2023
Biolux Technology GmbH Daniela Penn QMR, senior RA and CA manager Neubaugasse 31 Absdorf, 3462 Austria
Re: K230905
Trade/Device Name: OrthoPulse 2.0E (OPi2E-100) Regulation Number: 21 CFR 872.5470 Regulation Name: Orthodontic Plastic Bracket Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: PLH Dated: May 9, 2023 Received: May 11, 2023
Dear Daniela Penn:
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. Although this letter refers to your product as a device, please be aware that some cleared products may instead be combination products. The 510(k) Premarket Notification Database located at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm identifies combination product submissions. 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
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801); medical device reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803) for devices or postmarketing safety reporting (21 CFR 4, Subpart B) for combination products (see https://www.fda.gov/combination-products/guidance-regulatory-information/postmarketing-safety-reportingcombination-products); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) for devices or current good manufacturing practices (21 CFR 4. Subpart A) for combination products; 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 https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-safety/medical-device-reportingmdr-how-report-medical-device-problems.
For comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/device-advice-comprehensive-regulatory-assistance) and CDRH Learn (https://www.fda.gov/training-and-continuing-education/cdrh-learn). 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 (https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-advice-comprehensive-regulatoryassistance/contact-us-division-industry-and-consumer-education-dice) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely.
# Bobak Shirmohammadi -S
For Michael E. Adjodha, M.ChE., CQIA Assistant Director DHT1B: Division of Dental and ENT Devices OHT1: Office of Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, Respiratory, ENT and Dental Devices Office of Product Evaluation and Quality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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## Indications for Use
Submission Number (if known)
K230905
Device Name
OrthoPulse 2.0E (OPi2E-100)
### Indications for Use (Describe)
The OrthoPulse® device is intended to accelerate orthodontic movement of teeth which may reduce the overall treatment time for the patient. The OrthoPulse® device is intended for use during orthodontic treatment. The device is intended to be used in conjunction with traditional orthodontic treatment with brackets and wires or aligners and helps facilitate minor anterior tooth movement.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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Image /page/3/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Biolux Technology. The logo consists of a stylized atom symbol in blue and red, followed by the words "BIOLUX" in large, bold, black letters. Below the word "BIOLUX" is the word "TECHNOLOGY" in smaller, black letters. The atom symbol is on the left side of the logo.
## Special 510 (k) for OrthoPulse 2.0 E
## 510(k) Summary K230905
#### I. Submitter
Biolux Technology GmbH Neubaugasse 31 3462 Absdorf Austria
Phone: +49 (06321) 91640-33
Contact Person: Daniela Penn Email: d.penn@bioluxtec.com Date prepared: June 08, 2023
#### II. Device
OrthoPulse 2.0 E. Model OPi2E-100 Name of the device: Classification name: Orthodontic LED Accessory (21 CFR 872.5470) Regulatory Class: II Product Code: PLH
#### III. Predicate Device
| Name of the device: | OrthoPulse, K143120 (Primary predicate) |
|----------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Classification name: | Orthodontic LED Accessory (21 CFR 872.5470) |
| Regulatory Class: | II |
| Product Code: | PLH |
No reference devices were used in this submission
#### IV. Device Description
OrthoPulse is an intra-oral (iO), Light Emitting Diode (LED) based, phototherapy device for the stimulation of metabolic activity of the alveolar bone, and the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. The device uses high-power LED arrays to produce photons at therapeutic wavelengths in the near infrared (nIR) portion of the light spectrum. The OrthoPulse device is an intra-oral appliance that is intended for use during orthodontic treatment in conjunction with traditional orthodontic treatment with brackets and wires or aligners.
The device achieves its effect by delivering light energy to the bone, accelerating the rate of tooth movement. Light-emitting diodes ("LEDs") are embedded into the mouth-guard on a flexible circuit. Light is directed toward the alveolar surface to facilitate light treatment of the anterior arch segment during orthodontic tooth movement. The intra-oral appliance is designed to treat one arch (upper or lower), and is reversible by the patient to treat the other arch.
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OrthoPulse is considered a low level light treatment device and produces light at levels 50-80 mW/cm² for the patient. The device is designed to comply with applicable medical device standards.
OrthoPulse includes light with wavelengths in the 850 nm range (near infrared) and the treatment protocol is based on a daily treatment session of 5 minutes per arch (maxilla or mandible). The treatment time (session duration) is controlled by the software (firmware).
OrthoPulse includes an integrated battery for power. The battery is rechargeable via a wireless charging platform / storage case.
Radio-Frequency Transmitter
OrthoPulse contains a Bluetooth LE transmitter module that operates at 2.4 GHz. This module is active only when the device is not in use, but placed in the charging case and the 'Ready for Bluetooth' indicator is on.
Accessories:
There are currently no accessories to the device. To maintain electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) within limits, the device must be used with the cables and accessories specified by Biolux. The use of accessories or cables other than those specified or supplied may result in increased emissions or decreased immunity of the device.
#### V. INDICATIONS FOR USE
The OrthoPulse® device is intended to accelerate orthodontic movement of teeth which may reduce the overall treatment time for the patient. The OrthoPulse® device is intended for use during orthodontic treatment. The device is intended to be used in conjunction with traditional orthodontic treatment with brackets and wires or aligners and helps facilitate minor anterior tooth movement.
The Indications for Use statement is the same for both predicate and candidate device. The intended patient population is identical for both devices.
#### VI. COMPARISON OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS WITH THE PREDICATE DEVICE
Ortho Pulse 2.0E and its predicate Ortho Pulse 1.0 intentionally share the same technological characteristics. They are made from the same materials. Use/Operation is identical. Both are battery powered (internal, rechargeable).
The OrthoPulse 2.0E device is an intra-oral, light emitting diode (LED) based device, similar to a plastic sport mouthguard, which is intended to accelerate orthodontic movement of teeth and to reduce the overall treatment time for the patient. This phototherapy device is designed to achieve its effect by delivering light energy to the alveolar bone, accelerating the rate of tooth movement. LEDs are embedded into the mouthguard on a flexible circuit. Light is directed toward the alveolar surface to facilitate light treatment of the anterior arch segment during orthodontic tooth movement. The intra-oral device is designed to treat one arch at the time (upper or lower) and is reversible for the treatment of both arches. The device is intended to be used in conjunction with traditional orthodontic appliances such as brackets and wires, or aligners.
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OrthoPulse is considered a low-level light treatment device and produces light of safe levels for the patient in the 50 to 80 mW/cm2 range.
The following differences exist between the subject and predicate devices:
OrthoPulse 2.0E has a slightly larger (longer, extended) mouthpiece flange to serve a bigger patient mouth. The LED array in the expanded section is denser.
The new battery has an increased capacitance, while the output power of the device and the treatment regime remain unchanged.
OrthoPulse 2.0E has a new microcontroller to guarantee continued availability, which is based on availability of electrical components. The new microcontroller has a low-energy Bluetooth radio on board. Subsequently, the firmware in the electronic part had to be transposed to the new hardware. The new firmware has been developed based on the same requirements as the previous one. Hence, there is no difference in safety and performance of the devices.
#### VII. SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE DATA
In general, candidate device OrthoPulse 2.0E has been designed according to the same specifications as the predicate device, OrthoPulse 1.0 (generation 1, gen.1). Therefore, no general concerns should exist over the safety and performance of the device.
No animal studies are needed to evaluate the safety and performance of the device, because technical performance, materials, principles of operation are the same.
No clinical data are needed to evaluate the safety and performance of the device, because technical performance, materials, principles of operation are the same.
Nevertheless, as some electrical components had to be exchanged for the reason of availability, and also the international technical standards have advances since clearance of the predicate device, Biolux has executed the following strategy:
## Biocompatibility testing
No biocompatibility testing was needed to evaluate the safety and performance of the device, because all patient contact material and manufacturing processes for the relevant components (mouthpiece only) are the same.
## Electrical safety
As the relevant standards of the IEC 60601-series have been advanced and there are new components in the PCB-design, and the light emitting arch is slightly longer, containing more LEDs, it was decided to conduct full testing to all standards that the predicate device has been submitted to. The device complies to IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-11 and IEC 60601-2-57 standards.
## Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
As the standard IEC 60601-1-2 has been advanced, there are new components in the PCB-design, and the light emitting arch is slightly longer, containing more LEDs, it was decided to conduct full and complete EMC testing according to the standard IEC 60601-1-2.
## Software verification and validation testing
Software verification and validation testing were conducted and documentation was provided as recommended by FDA's Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff, "Guidance for the Content of
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Premarket Submissions for Software Contained in Medical Devices." The software for this device was considered as a "minor" level of concern since a failure or latent flaw in the software could not result in injury to the patient or operator. The device and the software have been specified and designed such that no condition or failure of the software could force the device to result in dangerous situations.
Software verification and validation included standard techniques such as code revied and regular testing to cover all specified states , device actions and signals (acoustic and visual).
## Specific testing
The candidate device includes some functional and safety features that had not been covered through testing according to the recognized consensus standards. Therefore, Biolux has decided to provide individual testing to demonstrate the changed device continues to comply to these requirements, which had already been present and verified for the predicate device.
## Battery
Since the battery capacitance has been increased, individual testing has been provided to demonstrate the specifications for duration and recharging of the device are still met. Testing demonstrated the device continues to meet its specifications. Testing was conducted with three devices and covered the two extreme conditions: run a fully powered device over the maximum treatment time and recharge a completely empty device up to 100%.
All UUT were able to demonstrate all of the items listed in the procedure and also successfully completed 2 full treatments (4 full sessions). All charge times were less than the specified maximum, and therefore fulfilled the requirement under test .
## Environmental (temperature) testing
The device has several safety features which require operation of the LEDs and charging of the device only within certain temperature limits that might be reached during use, based on the environment in which the device is used. If specified or potentially critical temperatures are reached, the device is automatically stopped, LEDs powered off, until the device has reached an uncritical state again.
All specific features were tested. These included:
- mouthpiece internal temperature and shut off -
- surface temperature of the Therapeutic Component mouthpiece level 1: cooldown mode -
- surface temperature of the Therapeutic Component mouthpiece level 2: shut off and error
- battery charging only within specified temperature range -
- internal temperature of the rigidboard -
- LED array temperature level 1: Alert Threshold cooldown mode -
- -LED array temperature level 2: THERM Threshold – shut off and error
- restart after cooldown mode
Testing has successfully demonstrated that the device is as safe and effective as the predicate under all thermic conditions. No device states or conditions can occur that could be hazardous for the patient or operator.
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## VIII. CONCLUSION
All tests have been conducted successfully. All data received during the test runs showed favorable data and supported the assumption that the device OrthoPulse 2.0E is as safe and effective as the predicate.
The non-clinical data support substantial equivalence of the device with the predicate. The hardware and software verification and validation demonstrate that the OrthoPulse 2.0E device should perform as intended in the specified use conditions. The candidate device is as safe as the predicate device that is currently marketed for the same intended use.
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.