K970681 · Althin Medical AB an Affiliate of Baxter Intl · MSF · Jul 23, 1998 · Gastroenterology, Urology
Device Facts
Record ID
K970681
Device Name
ALTRA NOVA 200 HEMODIALYZER
Applicant
Althin Medical AB an Affiliate of Baxter Intl
Product Code
MSF · Gastroenterology, Urology
Decision Date
Jul 23, 1998
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 876.5860
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Hemodialysis is indicated for patients with acute or chronic renal failure when conservative therapy is judged to be inadequate. The multiple use device can be reused on the same patient.
Device Story
Altra Nova 200 is a high-permeability hemodialyzer (artificial kidney) used in extracorporeal blood circuits. Device consists of two compartments separated by semipermeable hollow fibers. Blood flows through fibers while dialysate circulates in the surrounding compartment; water and toxic waste products transfer across the membrane via diffusion and ultrafiltration. Must be used with a controlled dialysate delivery system featuring an ultrafiltration controller to prevent excessive fluid loss. Operated by clinical staff in a dialysis setting. This submission adds multiple-use labeling to the previously cleared single-use device, validated for reprocessing on the same patient using the Renatron system. Benefits include removal of metabolic waste and excess water in patients with renal failure.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided. Substantial equivalence supported by bench testing of reprocessed devices to ensure safety and performance after multiple uses.
Technological Characteristics
High-permeability hemodialyzer with semipermeable hollow fiber membrane. Identical in construction and materials to the predicate device. Requires external dialysate delivery system with ultrafiltration control. Mechanical device; no software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with acute or chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis when conservative therapy is inadequate. Intended for single or multiple use on the same patient.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A high permeability hemodialysis system is a device intended for use as an artificial kidney system for the treatment of patients with renal failure, fluid overload, or toxemic conditions by performing such therapies as hemodialysis, hemofiltration, hemoconcentration, and hemodiafiltration. Using a hemodialyzer with a semipermeable membrane that is more permeable to water than the semipermeable membrane of the conventional hemodialysis system (§ 876.5820), the high permeability hemodialysis system removes toxins or excess fluid from the patient's blood using the principles of convection (via a high ultrafiltration rate) and/or diffusion (via a concentration gradient in dialysate). During treatment, blood is circulated from the patient through the hemodialyzer's blood compartment, while the dialysate solution flows countercurrent through the dialysate compartment. In this process, toxins and/or fluid are transferred across the membrane from the blood to the dialysate compartment. The hemodialysis delivery machine controls and monitors the parameters related to this processing, including the rate at which blood and dialysate are pumped through the system, and the rate at which fluid is removed from the patient. The high permeability hemodialysis system consists of the following devices:(1) The hemodialyzer consists of a semipermeable membrane with an in vitro ultrafiltration coefficient (K uf ) greater than 8 milliliters per hour per conventional millimeter of mercury, as measured with bovine or expired human blood, and is used with either an automated ultrafiltration controller or anther method of ultrafiltration control to prevent fluid imbalance.(2) The hemodialysis delivery machine is similar to the extracorporeal blood system and dialysate delivery system of the hemodialysis system and accessories (§ 876.5820), with the addition of an ultrafiltration controller and mechanisms that monitor and/or control such parameters as fluid balance, dialysate composition, and patient treatment parameters (e.g., blood pressure, hematocrit, urea, etc.). (3) The high permeability hemodialysis system accessories include, but are not limited to, tubing lines and various treatment related monitors (e.g., dialysate pH, blood pressure, hematocrit, and blood recirculation monitors).
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II. The special controls for this device are FDA's:(1) “Use of International Standard ISO 10993 ‘Biological Evaluation of Medical Device—Part I: Evaluation and Testing,’ ”
(2) “Guidance for the Content of 510(k)s for Conventional and High Permeability Hemodialyzers,”
(3) “Guidance for Industry and CDRH Reviewers on the Content of Premarket Notifications for Hemodialysis Delivery Systems,”
(4) “Guidance for the Content of Premarket Notifications for Water Purification Components and Systems for Hemodialysis,” and
(5) “Guidance for Hemodialyzer Reuse Labeling.”
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K910681
JUL 23 1998
# Altra Nova® 200 Hemodialyzer with Multiple Use Labeling
## 510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
(in accordance with the requirements of SMDA 1990 and 21 CFR 807.92)
The assigned 510(k) number for the Altra Flux 200 Hemodialyzer with multiple use labeling is: K970681.
## Applicant Information:
Date Prepared: March 10, 1997
Name: Althin Medical, Inc.
Address: 14620 N.W. 60th Ave.
Miami Lakes, FL 33014-9308
Contact Person: Mary Lane
Phone Number: (305) 825-5368
Fax Number: (305) 825-5322
## Device Information:
Trade Name: Altra Nova® 200 Hemodialyzer
Common Name: high permeability hemodialyzer or artificial kidney
Classification Name: Dialyzer, High Permeability with or without Sealed Dialysate System (21 CFR 876.5860) Product Code - 78 KDI
## Equivalent Device:
Altra Nova® 200 Hemodialyzer (single use device) cleared for marketing via Premarket Notification 510(k) number K926379/B.
## Device Description:
The Altra Nova® 200 multiple use hemodialyzer is the Altra Nova® 200 single use device with reuse labeling. Like the Altra Nova® 200 single use device, it is used as an artificial kidney in a hemodialysis system to treat patients with acute or chronic renal failure. The blood from a patient flows through the arterial tubing of the extracorporeal blood circuit to the blood compartment of the hemodialyzer, then returns through the venous tubing of the extracorporeal blood system to the patient. The hemodialyzer has semipermeable hollow fibers which divide the device into two compartments. When the blood passes through the hollow fibers, water and toxic waste products from the blood pass through the semipermeable membrane into the dialysate compartment. The dialysate delivery system controls and monitors the dialysate circulating through the dialysate compartment of the hemodialyzer.
A high permeability hemodialyzer has a semipermeable membrane that is more permeable to water than that of the conventional dialyzer. This device must be
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K970681
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used in conjunction with a controlled dialysate delivery system that incorporates an ultrafiltration controller to prevent excessive loss of water from the patient's blood. This highly permeable, semipermeable membrane may also permit greater loss of high molecular weight substances from the blood, compared with the conventional hemodialyzer.
## Intended Use:
Hemodialysis is indicated for patients with acute or chronic renal failure when conservative therapy is judged to be inadequate. The multiple use device can be reused on the same patient.
## Comparison to Predicate Device:
The Altra Nova® 200 Hemodialyzer with multiple use (reuse) labeling is identical to the currently marketed Altra Nova® 200 single use device. The product drawings, material list, chemical structure, production process flow for the membrane or dialyzer, and physical characteristics of the Altra Nova® 200 reusable hemodialyzer is identical to the currently marketed Altra Nova 200 single use hemodialyzer which received marketing clearance via the original 510(k) Premarket Notification K926379/B, dated February 13, 1995.
The only difference between the two products is that the multiple use device has been validated for multiple uses. Reprocessing between uses was performed according to the Renatron® operator’s manual. Testing performed on reprocessed devices demonstrate that the Altra Nova® 200 multiple use hemodialyzer is as safe and effective as the currently marketed Altra Nova® 200 single use hemodialyzer.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
JUL 23 1998
Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Boulevard
Rockville MD 20850
Mr. Gordon Robertson
Director, Regulatory Affairs
Althin Medical, Inc.
14620 N.W. 60th Avenue
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
Re: K970681
Multiple Use Labeling for the Altra Nova® 200 Hemodialyzer
Dated: April 22, 1998
Received: April 24, 1998
Regulatory Class: III
21 CFR 876.5860/Procode: 78 MSF
Dear Mr. Robertson:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (Premarket Approval), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic QS inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4613. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its Internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,

Enclosure
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INDICATIONS FOR USE
510(k) Number is if known:
Device Name:
Altra Nova® 200 Hemodialyzer
Indications for Use:
Altra Nova® 200 Hemodialyzers are intended for acute or chronic Hemodialysis.
Hemodialysis is indicated for patients with acute or chronic renal failure when conservative therapy is judged to be inadequate.
The Altra Nova 200 Hemodialyzer is indicated for single use or multiple use with the same patient.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDREL, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use (per 21 CRF 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use
Robert D. Rathbun
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT, and Radiological Devices
510(k) Number K970681
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.