K100193 · Sophono, Inc. · LXB · May 18, 2010 · Ear, Nose, Throat
Device Facts
Record ID
K100193
Device Name
OTOMAG BONE CONDUCTION HEARING SYSTEM
Applicant
Sophono, Inc.
Product Code
LXB · Ear, Nose, Throat
Decision Date
May 18, 2010
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 874.3302
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic, Pediatric
Indications for Use
The Otomag Alpha 1 Sound Processor is intended for use with the Otomag Headband or Otomag Softband (no age limitations) for the following patients and indications: Patients with conductive or mixed hearing losses, who can still benefit from amplification of sound. The pure tone average (PTA) bone conduction (BC) threshold for the indicated ear should be better than 45 dB HL (measured at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kHz). Bilateral fitting is applicable for most patients having a symmetrically conductive or mixed hearing loss. The difference between the left and right sides' BC thresholds should be less than 10dB on average measured at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, or less than 15 dB at individual frequencies. Patients who have a profound sensorineural hearing loss in one ear and normal hearing in the opposite ear, who for some reason will not or cannot use an AC CROS. The pure tone average (PTA) air conduction (AC) threshold of the hearing ear should be better than 20 dB HL (measured at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 kHz). The Otomag Alpha 1 (S) Sound Processor is intended to the Otomag Headband or Softband.
Device Story
Otomag Bone Conduction Hearing System consists of Alpha 1 (S) sound processor and headband/softband accessories. Device operates via bone conduction; sound processor attaches magnetically to headband/softband; headband holds processor against head; vibrations transduced through direct contact with skin and underlying bone. Used by patients with conductive, mixed, or unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Audiologist uses software to program prescriptive formula and adjustments for individual patient hearing loss. Output is amplified sound vibration; benefits patient by bypassing conductive hearing loss or providing sound to hearing ear in unilateral deafness cases.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence supported by non-clinical testing.
Technological Characteristics
Bone conduction hearing system; sound processor attaches magnetically to headband or softband. Operates via bone conduction of sound vibrations. Includes software for audiologist-controlled prescriptive programming. Technical specifications claimed equivalent to predicate devices.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients of any age with conductive or mixed hearing loss (PTA BC threshold better than 45 dB HL) or profound unilateral sensorineural hearing loss with normal hearing in the opposite ear (PTA AC threshold better than 20 dB HL) who cannot use AC CROS. Contraindicated for sudden/rapidly progressing hearing loss, ear pain, sudden/unilateral tinnitus, asymmetrical hearing loss of unknown origin, or vertigo.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A bone-conduction hearing aid is a wearable sound-amplifying device intended to compensate for impaired hearing and that conducts sound to the inner ear through the skull. The non-implantable components of a bone-conduction hearing aid, such as the external sound processor, are subject to the requirements in § 801.422 of this chapter.
Predicate Devices
Oticon Medical Ponto Pro Bone Anchored Sound Processor (K090996)
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image shows handwritten text and printed text. The handwritten text at the top left reads "k100193 page 1 of 2". The printed text below reads "Sophono - 510(k) - The Otomag System - Section 5. 510(k) Summary".
# 5. 510(K) SUMMARY
Applicant Name and Address:
Sophono, Inc. 903 Brooklawn Dr. Boulder, Colorado 80303
MAY 1 8 2010
| Establishment Registration Number: | None at this time |
|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Device Name: | Otomag Bone Conduction Hearing System |
| Classification: | 874.3300 |
| Classification Name: | Bone Conduction Hearing Aid |
| Product Code: | LXB |
Date Prepared: January 20, 2010
510(k) Contact Person and Phone Number:
- Company: Mary Armstrong 555 Zang Street, Suite 100 Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone 303-223-4336 303-832-6700 Fax
# Name and Address of Manufacturing Site:
- Company: Otomag GmbH Alte Dorfstrasse 67 D-32289 Rodinghausen Germany
#### Manufacturing Site Contact Person and Phone Number:
Contact Name: Andreas Sentker
| Phone: | +49 05746/8504 |
|--------|----------------|
| Fax: | +49 05746/8578 |
## Predicate Devices:
The Otomag Bone Conduction Hearing System is claimed to be substantially equivalent in material, design and function to the bone conduction versions of the following legally marketed predicate devices that utilize a headband and / or softband:
- Oticon Medical Ponto Pro Bone Anchored Sound Processor K090996 .
- Cochlear BAS Baha BP100 Sound Processor K090720 .
# General Description:
The Otomag Bone Conduction Hearing System is a family of sound processors and accessories that operate on the principle of bone conduction of sound vibrations.
The Otomag System called the Alpha 1 (S), the Otomag Sound Processor is attached magnetically to a headband or softband. The headband or softband holds the sound processor against the head and vibration is transduced through direct contact with the patient's skin and the bone below.
The Otomag System is designed for use for those patients with conductive hearing loss, those patients who have sensorineural hearing loss up to 45 dB in combination with their conductive loss, and single sided deafness as defined in the indications for use. The prescriptive formula and adjustments available to the audiologist in the software allow for programming the Otomag System for individual patient hearing loss.
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K100193 page 2 of 2
## Sophono - 510(k) - The Otomag System - Section 5. 510(k) Summary
#### Indications for Use:
The Otomag Alpha 1 Sound Processor is intended for use with the Otomag Headband or Otomag Softband (no age limitations) for the following patients and indications:
- Patients with conductive or mixed hearing losses, who can still benefit from amplification . of sound. The pure tone average (PTA) bone conduction (BC) threshold for the indicated ear should be better than 45 dB HL (measured at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kHz).
- Bilateral fitting is applicable for most patients having a symmetrically conductive or mixed . hearing loss. The difference between the left and right sides' BC thresholds should be less than 10dB on average measured at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, or less than 15 dB at individual frequencies.
- Patients who have a profound sensorineural hearing loss in one ear and normal hearing . in the opposite ear, who for some reason will not or cannot use an AC CROS. The pure tone average (PTA) air conduction (AC) threshold of the hearing ear should be better than 20 dB HL (measured at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 kHz).
The Otomag Alpha 1 (S) Sound Processor is intended to the Otomag Headband or Softband.
#### Contraindications:
The Otomag Alpha 1 (S) Sound Processor connected to the Otomag Headband or Softband is contraindicated as follows;
Any factor that would cause a clinician to refer the patient for medical assessment will temporarily, or in some cases permanently, halt the process of hearing aid fitting. These factors include:
- a hearing loss of sudden onset; .
- a rapidly progressing hearing loss; ●
- pain in either ear; �
- . tinnitus of sudden recent onset, or unilateral tinnitus;
- unilateral or markedly asymmetrical hearing loss of unknown origin; .
- vertigo (e.q. dizziness) .
#### Summary of Technical Characteristics
The technical specifications of the Otomag Alpha 1 Sound Processor are substantially equivalent to the technical specifications of the predicate devices discussed in this 510(k).
#### Summary of Non-Clinical Testing
The non-clinical testing presented in this submission demonstrates the Otomag System's performance is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
#### Conclusion
The Otomag System is considered to be substantially equivalent in design, material and function to the bone conduction versions of the previously 510(k) (K090996 & K090720) cleared predicate devices that utilize a headband and / or softband, without raising new issues of safety and / or effectiveness.
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Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Mail Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Sophono, Inc. c/o Mary Armstrong Director of Regulatory Affairs Reglera LLC 555 Zang Street, Suite 100 Lakewood, CO 80228
MAY 1 8 2010
Re: K100193
Trade/Device Name: Otomag Bone Conduction Hearing System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 874.3300 Regulation Name: Hearing Aid Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: LXB Dated: April 12, 2010 Received: April 14, 2010
Dear Ms. Armstrong:
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. Iisting 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 mav 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
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Page 2 -- Mary Armstrong
CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting (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); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please go to http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDRH/CDRHOffices/ucm115809.htm for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR 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 the CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours,
Ruli. Jom, m.
Melvin R. Fuldman, M.D.
Malvina B. Eydelman, M Director Division of Ophthalmic, Neurological, and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
# 510(k) Number: K100193
Device Name: Otomag Bone Conduction Hearing System
#### Indications for Use:
The Otomag Alpha 1 Sound Processor is intended for use with the Otomag Headband or Otomag Softband (no age limitations) for the following patients and indications:
- . Patients with conductive or mixed hearing losses, who can still benefit from amplification of sound. The pure tone average (PTA) bone conduction (BC) threshold for the indicated ear should be better than 45 dB HL (measured at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kHz).
- . Bilateral fitting is applicable for most patients having a symmetrically conductive or mixed hearing loss. The difference between the left and right sides' BC thresholds should be less than 10dB on average measured at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, or less than 15 dB at individual frequencies.
- Patients who have a profound sensorineural hearing loss in one ear and normal hearing in . the opposite ear, who for some reason will not or cannot use an AC CROS. The pure tone average (PTA) air conduction (AC) threshold of the hearing ear should be better than 20 dB HL (measured at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 kHz).
The Otomag Alpha 1 (S) Sound Processor is intended to the Otomag Headband or Softband.
Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
AND/OR
Over-the Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
| Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (O | |
|-----------------------------------------------------|--|
|-----------------------------------------------------|--|
**Prescription Use**
**(Per 21 CFR 801.109)**
(Division Sign-Off), Page
Division of Ophthalmie, Neurological and Ear,
Nose and Throat Devices
10(k) Number K100193
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.