COMFORTCARE COMPRESSION SUPPORT WITH MAGNETS COMFORTCARE MAGNETIC INSOLES
K013239 · Med Gen, Inc. · FMQ · Nov 20, 2001 · General Hospital
Device Facts
Record ID
K013239
Device Name
COMFORTCARE COMPRESSION SUPPORT WITH MAGNETS COMFORTCARE MAGNETIC INSOLES
Applicant
Med Gen, Inc.
Product Code
FMQ · General Hospital
Decision Date
Nov 20, 2001
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 880.6760
Device Class
Class 1
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
ComfortCare Compression Support with Magnets is designed to provide relief of minor physical discomforts that have their origin in stress and strain of repetitive activities associated with athletic, workplace and at-home activities. Device provides support for unprotected vulnerable areas of the body to assist in the prevention of athletic injuries. ComfortCare Absortek fabric construction provides for absorption and venting of perspiration, minimizing potential for skin irritation. ComfortCare Magnetic Insoles provide foot comfort while layered absorptive fabric vents moisture to keep feet dry, thereby minimizing damp layers that could promote bacterial and fungal growth.
Device Story
ComfortCare products consist of elasticized compression supports and medical insoles embedded with static magnets. Supports are worn on body areas to provide compression and support during athletic or workplace activities; insoles are placed in footwear. The device uses Absortek fabric to absorb and vent perspiration, aiming to reduce skin irritation and prevent bacterial/fungal growth. Magnets are included for therapeutic effect, though the manufacturer emphasizes compression and moisture control in labeling. The device is intended for non-invasive, drug-free relief of minor discomforts. It is used by consumers in home, workplace, or athletic settings. The healthcare provider or user evaluates the device based on its ability to provide physical support and comfort.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. The submission relies on the historical use of magnets, general safety limits (20,000 Gauss), and the established safety/efficacy of the underlying compression and insole technologies. The manufacturer cites the potential for a placebo effect as a non-invasive, drug-free option for minor, self-limiting symptoms.
Technological Characteristics
Elasticized fabric compression supports and medical insoles. Features Absortek fabric for moisture management. Incorporates static magnets. No specific ASTM standards cited. Standalone, non-powered, non-electronic device.
Indications for Use
Indicated for individuals experiencing minor physical discomforts resulting from stress and strain of repetitive athletic, workplace, or at-home activities. Provides support for vulnerable body areas to assist in injury prevention and foot comfort through moisture management.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A protective restraint is a device, including but not limited to a wristlet, anklet, vest, mitt, straight jacket, body/limb holder, or other type of strap, that is intended for medical purposes and that limits the patient's movements to the extent necessary for treatment, examination, or protection of the patient or others.
Reference Devices
Becton Dickinson compression supports
Ace compression supports
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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K013239
Special 510(k): Device Modification Pre-Market Notification
## Section G 510(k) Summary
NOV 2 0 2001
| Submitters Name | Paul S. Mitchell, President |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Corporate Name | Med Gen Inc. |
| Address: 7284 W. Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton, Florida 33433 | Ph. 561-750-1100<br>Fax 561-750-6239 |
| Consulant | Theodore Barash<br>561-750-1100 |
| Date of This Summary Preparation | September 21, 2001 |
| Trade Name: | ComfortCare Compression Support with Magnets<br>ComfortCare Magnetic Insoles |
| Common Name | Elastic Bandage and Medical Insole |
| Class Under Section 513 | ComfortCare Products Not Classified |
Device Description - (a) Elasticized material to support and compress a part of the body. Device Description – (a) Elasticized inaterial to support. (b) Insole provides magnetic Magnets encased in breadlable labric reader comers (a) (ents moisture to keep feet dry.
Intended Use – (a) The compression support line with magnets is designed for the relief of Intended Use = (a) The compression supportune simple accident, encreatic sports-related or
minor discomfort that may have resulted from a simple accident targeted intense workplace activities. Absorption and venting of perspiration keeps targeted intense workplace actrines: "Fiborphile for skin irritation. (b) Magnetic insoles with analomical area ury minimizing posture from soles of feet, thereby minimizing damp layer co absol prive inwe to breeding bacterial and fungal growth.
Technological Character -- Among the leading brands, similarities exist in 9 of 1 1 basic I echnical characteristics between ComfortCare and legally marketed products. General technical characteristics between Obickinson and Ace) differ only to the extent that Suppression support mail keters (10 Decam 200und elastic fabrics respectively, without the they use neoplene compression and weap are . Among dominant marketers with magnets use of magicus. Fuller of dood not afferences exist in their use of neoprene for compression. Such as Homeones and Pinsters, in properties as compared to ComfortCare. In all cases, Support without fabric absorphous profibutes and safety of products in this classification, with or without magnets, are essentially the same as ComfortCare products.
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Special 510(k): Device Modification Pre-Market Notification
## Section G 510(k) Summary (continued)
Summary - In the absence of a classification ruling, Med Gen Inc. has referenced similar compression support products and insoles as comparative bases for substantial equivalence.
- 1) Such type products are in broad common use in the USA and throughout the world.
- 2) ComfortCare's enhancements do not alter the intended use of 'compression support and insole products' as identified in Section 880.5075 and Section 880.6280 respectively.
- 3) The addition of static magnets at present levels of commercial use, do not present any history of adverse effects as reported by the World Health Organization. Numerous studies, support the safety limits of 20,000 Gauss which have been determined not to produce any detrimental effect on health.
- 4) Magnets have been in use for thousands of years and provide testimony to some level of therapeutic effect that impel its continued life span, placebo effect not withstanding.
- 5) Although the existence of placebo effect has been challenged recently, other studies suggest that placebo effect may be a factor in the same physical response induced by ethical drugs for certain conditions. Some reports indicate that placebo may well represent up to 35% of the desired effect in the administration of certain approved ethical drugs. If magnets work at some placebo level, magnets may be a non-invasive drug-free option for minor discomfort, particularly for 9 of 10 symptoms of the selflimiting variety.
- 6) ComfortCare's modifications do not affect the fundamental technology and science behind similar legally marketed devices.
- 7) ComfortCare's packaging makes no structure/function claims, provides no specific indications and minimally uses magnetic references.
- 8) The copy emphasis on each product's packaging of ComfortCare is on 'compression and support' for ComfortCare's fitments and 'perspiration control' for its insole. Magnets have been de-emphasized.
- 9) The standard that any proposed device be substantially equivalent relies on the premise that any change does not effect or alter the fundamental science and safety of legally marketed devices, the risk posed by the medical device and reasonable equivalency in technological characteristics and, not necessarily identical.
- 10) Given the above, Med Gen Inc. respectfully submits that this application qualifies for classification of its products into Section 880.5075 for Elastic Bandages and Section 880.6280 for medical insoles.
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Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows a circular logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo features the department's name in a circular arrangement around an abstract symbol. The symbol appears to be a stylized representation of a human figure or a bird in flight, composed of three curved lines.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
NOV 2 0 2001
Mr. Theodore Barash Consultant Med Gen Incorporated 7284 W. Palmetto Park Road Boca Raton, Florida 33433-3406
Re: K013239
Trade/Device Name: ComfortCare Compression Support with Magnets ComfortCare Magnetic Insole Regulation Number: 880.5075 and 880.6280 Regulation Name: Elastic Bandage and Medical Insole Regulatory Class: I Product Code: FMQ and KYS Dated: September 25, 2001 Received: September 28, 2001
Dear Mr. Barash:
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.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), 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 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
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Page 2 -- Mr. Barash
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); 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.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 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 21 CFR Part 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4618. 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" (21CFR Part 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer 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,
Timothy A. Ulatowski
Timo Director Division of Dental, Infection Control and General Hospital Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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K 013257
NOV 2 0 2001
Page 1 of 1
## 510(k) Number K013239
Device Name: ComfortCare Compression Support with Magnets. ComfortCare Magnetic Insole
## Revision of October 30, 2001
Indications for Use:
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(Division Sign-Off) Division of Dental, Infection Control. and General Hospital Devices 0323 110(k) Number __
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.