The Riptide™ Aspiration System is intended for use in the revascularization of patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial large vessel occlusive disease (within the internal carotid, middle cerebral – M1 and M2 segments, basilar, and vertebral arteries) within 8 hours of symptom onset. Patients who are ineligible for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA) or who fail IV t-PA therapy are candidates for treatment.
Device Story
Single-lumen, variable-stiffness composite catheter; nitinol-reinforced structure with polymer jacket and PTFE liner; platinum-iridium radiopaque markerband for fluoroscopic visualization. Used in neurovascular procedures to revascularize occluded intracranial vessels. Physician navigates catheter through vasculature to site of occlusion; applies aspiration to remove thrombus. Device provides proximal stiffness for pushability and distal flexibility for navigation. Benefits include restoration of blood flow in acute ischemic stroke patients. Used in clinical settings (e.g., interventional suite) by trained physicians.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence supported by non-clinical bench testing (biocompatibility per ISO 10993-1, mechanical performance per ISO 10555-1, vacuum/flow rate, recanalization) and GLP-compliant porcine animal studies comparing safety, efficacy, and usability against the predicate.
Indicated for patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial large vessel occlusive disease (internal carotid, middle cerebral M1/M2, basilar, vertebral arteries) within 8 hours of symptom onset. Candidates include those ineligible for or failing IV t-PA therapy.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A percutaneous catheter is a device that is introduced into a vein or artery through the skin using a dilator and a sheath (introducer) or guide wire.
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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 consists of 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.
July 4, 2018
Micro Therapeutics, Inc. d/b/a ev3 Neurovascular Ryan Kenney Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist 9775 Toledo Wav Irvine, California 92618
Re: K180705
Trade/Device Name: Riptide Aspiration System (React 68 Catheter) Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.1250 Regulation Name: Percutaneous Catheter Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: NRY Dated: June 4, 2018 Received: June 6, 2018
## Dear Ryan Kenney:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820);
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and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm.
For comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/) and CDRH Learn (http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (http://www.fda.gov/DICE) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
# Xiaolin Zheng -S
for Carlos L. Peña, PhD, MS Director Division of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K180705
Device Name Riptide Aspiration System (React 68 Catheter)
#### Indications for Use (Describe)
The Riptide™ Aspiration System is intended for use in the revascularization of patients with acute iscoke secondary to intracranial large vessel occlusive disease (within the internal carotid, middle cerebral - M1 and M2 segments, basilar, and vertebral arteries) within 8 hours of symptom onset. Patients who are ineligible for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA) or who fail IV t-PA therapy are candidates for treatment.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) | |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| <span style="font-size:100%;">☑</span> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) | <span style="font-size:100%;">☐</span> Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C) |
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# 510(k) Summary: K180705
| 510(k) Owner: | Micro Therapeutics, Inc. d/b/a ev3 Neurovascular |
|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | 9775 Toledo Way |
| | Irvine, CA 92618 |
| | Establishment Registration No.: 2029214 |
| Contact Person: | Ryan Kenney |
| | Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist |
| | Telephone: (949) 297-5489 |
| | Email: ryan.j.kenney@medtronic.com |
| Date Summary<br>Prepared: | June 25, 2018 |
| Trade Name of<br>Device: | RiptideTM Aspiration System (React 68 Catheter) |
| Common Name of<br>Device: | Catheter, Thrombus Retriever |
| Review Panel: | Neurology |
| Product Code: | NRY |
| Regulation Number: | 21 CFR 870.1250 |
| Regulation Name: | Percutaneous Catheter |
| Device Classification: | Class II |
| Predicate Device(s): | Penumbra System® ACE 68 Reperfusion Catheter<br>510(k)#: K161064 |
| Reference Device(s): | RiptideTM Aspiration System<br>510(k)#: K172448<br>ArcTM Intracranial Support Catheter<br>510(k)#: K150107 |
## Device Description:
The Riptide™ Aspiration System React™ 68 Catheter is a single lumen, flexible, variable stiffness composite catheter with a nitinol structure that is jacketed with a durable polymer outer layer. A lubricous, polytetrafluoroethylene liner is used to create a structure that has both proximal stiffness and distal flexibility, and an encapsulated radiopaque distal platinum-iridium markerband which is used for visualization under fluoroscopy. The Riptide™ Aspiration System React™ 68 Catheter is introduced into the vasculature through the split y-introducer sheath.
The proximal end of the Riptide™ Aspiration System React™ 68 Catheter is designed with a thermoplastic elastomer strain relief and a clear hub. The Riptide™ Aspiration System React™ 68 Catheter is designed with a hydrophilic coating. The Riptide™ Aspiration System React™ 68 Catheter is navigated to the intended treatment site and positioned proximal to the site of occlusion.
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## Indications for Use:
The Riptide™ Aspiration System is intended for use in the revascularization of patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to intracranial large vessel occlusive disease (within the internal carotid, middle cerebral – M1 and M2 segments, basilar, and vertebral arteries) within 8 hours of symptom onset. Patients who are ineligible for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA) or who fail IV t-PA therapy are candidates for treatment.
| | Penumbra System® ACE 68<br>Reperfusion Catheter | React™ 68 Catheter |
|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Indication for Use (IFU)<br>Statement | The Penumbra System® is<br>intended for use in the<br>revascularization of patients with<br>acute ischemic stroke secondary<br>to intracranial large vessel<br>occlusive disease (within the<br>internal carotid, middle cerebral –<br>M1 and M2 segments, basilar,<br>and vertebral arteries) within 8<br>hours of symptom onset. | The Riptide™ Aspiration System<br>is intended for use in the<br>revascularization of patients with<br>acute ischemic stroke secondary<br>to intracranial large vessel<br>occlusive disease (within the<br>internal carotid, middle cerebral –<br>M1 and M2 segments, basilar,<br>and vertebral arteries) within 8<br>hours of symptom onset. Patients<br>who are ineligible for intravenous<br>tissue plasminogen activator (IV<br>t-PA) or who fail IV t-PA therapy<br>are candidates for treatment. |
| Materials | | |
| Proximal Hub | Grilamid™ | Trogamid® |
| Strain Relief<br>(Hub Sleeve) | Grilamid™ | DynaFlex® |
| Strain Relief | 304 Stainless Steel | N/A |
| Inner Diameter Band | Polyolefin, PET Yellow<br>(Black Ink) | N/A |
| Liner | PTFE | Same |
| Braid Reinforcement | N/A | Nitinol |
| Coil Reinforcement | 304V Stainless Steel<br>Nickel (55%)/Titanium (45%) | Nitinol |
| Proximal Extrusions | Vestamid®<br>Pebax® 72D | Grilamid™<br>Pebax® 45D<br>Pebax® 55D<br>Pebax® 63D<br>Pebax® 72D |
| Distal Extrusions | Pebax® 35D<br>Pebax® 40D<br>Pebax® 55D<br>Pebax® 63D<br>Pellathane® 80A<br>Tecoflex® 80A | Pebax® 25D<br>Pebax® 35D |
| | Penumbra System® ACE 68<br>Reperfusion Catheter | React™ 68 Catheter |
| Extrusion Colorants | Clear/Natural or Purple | Clear/Natural or Green |
| Markerband | Platinum (90%)/<br>Iridium (10%) | Same |
| Coating | SRDX Harmony | Surmodics Serene® |
| Working Length | 132 cm | Same |
| Proximal Inner Diameter<br>(ID) | 0.068" (Min.) | 0.068" (Min.) |
| Proximal Outer Diameter<br>(OD) | 0.084" (Max.) | 0.083" (Max.) |
| Distal Inner Diameter (ID) | 0.068" (Min.) | 0.068" (Min.) |
| Distal Outer Diameter<br>(OD) | 0.084" (Max.) | 0.083" (Max.) |
| Coating Length | 30cm | 40cm |
| Tip Shape | Straight | Same |
| Accessories | | |
| Peelable Sheath | PTFE | Same |
| Rotating Hemostasis Valve | Polycarbonate Silicone O-Ring | N/A |
| Shaping Mandrel | 0.038" OD Stainless Steel | N/A |
| Packaging | | |
| Carton | SBS Paperboard | Same |
| Packaging Card | Polyethylene | Same |
| Packaging Hoop | Polyethylene | Same |
| Packaging Tray | Polyethylene<br>Terephthalate<br>Polystrene | N/A |
| Pouch | Polyester<br>Polyethylene<br>Tyvek® | Nylon<br>Tyvek® |
| Other | | |
| Shelf Life | 8 Months | 3 Months |
| Sterilization | Ethylene Oxide (EO) | Same |
| Use | Single Use, Disposable | Same |
#### Device Comparison:
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Biocompatibility:
Biocompatibility was conducted for the React™ 68 Catheter. The React™ 68 Catheter is categorized as a limited exposure (< 24 hours), external communicating device contacting circulating blood. The following biocompatibility was conducted for the React™ 68 Catheter:
| Test Description | Results | Conclusions |
|-------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Cytotoxicity<br>(Elution Method) | The test article extract showed<br>no evidence of causing cell<br>lysis or toxicity and had a<br>grade of zero (no reactivity). | The React TM 68 Catheter is<br>considered non-cytotoxic. |
| Test Description | Results | Conclusions |
| Sensitization<br>(Guinea Pig Maximization Test) | The test article extract met the<br>requirements of the test since<br>the grade was less than a grade<br>two (mild reactivity). | The ReactTM 68 Catheter does<br>not elicit a sensitization<br>response. |
| Irritation<br>(Intracutaneous Reactivity) | The difference between each<br>test article extract overall<br>mean score and corresponding<br>control extract overall mean<br>score was 0.0 and 0.0 for the<br>sodium chloride and sesame<br>oil test article extracts,<br>respectively. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter is<br>considered a non-irritant. |
| Acute Systemic Toxicity<br>(Systemic Toxicity) | There was no mortality or<br>evidence of systemic toxicity<br>from the extracts injected. All<br>animals were clinically normal<br>throughout the study. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter does<br>not indicate signs of toxicity. |
| Hemocompatibility<br>(Hemolysis) | The hemolytic index for the<br>test article in direct contact<br>with blood was 0.9%, and the<br>hemolytic index for the test<br>article extract was 0.0%. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter is<br>considered non-hemolytic. |
| Hemocompatibility<br>(Complement Activation) | The concentration of SC5b-9<br>in the sponsor provided<br>control sample was not<br>statistically higher than the<br>activated normal human serum<br>control or the negative control.<br><br>The concentration of SC5b-9<br>in the test article sample was<br>not statistically higher than the<br>activated normal human serum<br>control, the negative control or<br>the sponsor provided control. | The control and test article<br>samples are not considered to<br>be potential activators of the<br>complement system. |
| Hemocompatibility<br>(Thrombogenicity) | The thrombogenic potential of<br>the control article was<br>evaluated in comparison to the<br>test article. Both the control<br>and test articles were | The ReactTM 68 Catheter<br>demonstrates minimal<br>thrombus formation. |
| Test Description | Results | Conclusions |
| | determined to have minimal<br>thrombus formation after four<br>(4) hours (±30 minutes)<br>without anticoagulation. | |
| Pyrogenicity<br>(Material Mediated) | Not a single animal showed a<br>temperature rise of 0.5°C or<br>more above its baseline<br>temperature. The total rise of<br>the temperature during three<br>(3) hours was 0.0°C. | The React™ 68 Catheter is<br>considered non-pyrogenic. |
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The React™ 68 Catheter has been evaluated to meet requirements specified in ISO 10993-1.
Performance Data – Bench:
Non-clinical bench testing was conducted to evaluate the performance of the React™ 68 Catheter. The following non-clinical bench testing was conducted for the React™ 68 Catheter:
| Test | Test Method Summary | Results |
|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Microbial | | |
| Ethylene Oxide Residual | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was<br>evaluated per ISO 10993-7. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met<br>the acceptance criteria for<br>ethylene oxide residual. |
| Ethylene Chlorohydrin<br>Residual | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was<br>evaluated per ISO 10993-7. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met<br>the acceptance criteria for<br>ethylene chlorohydrin residual. |
| Bioburden | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was<br>evaluated per ISO 11737-1. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met<br>the acceptance criteria for<br>bioburden. |
| Bacterial Endotoxin | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was<br>evaluated per ANSI/AAMI<br>ST72 and USP <161>. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met<br>the acceptance criteria for<br>bacterial endotoxin. |
| Performance | | |
| Visual Inspection | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was<br>inspected under x2.5<br>magnification. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met<br>the acceptance criteria for<br>visual inspection. |
| Dimensional Measurements | The proximal ID, distal ID,<br>proximal OD, distal OD, usable<br>length, total length, coating<br>length, and distal tip length of<br>the ReactTM 68 Catheter were<br>measured. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met<br>the acceptance criteria for<br>dimensional measurements. |
| Tip Buckling | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was<br>evaluated for the maximum<br>compressive force. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met<br>the acceptance criteria for tip<br>buckling |
| Test | Test Method Summary | Results |
| Kink Resistance | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated for the maximum kink diameter. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met the acceptance criteria for kink resistance. |
| Particulate | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated per USP <788>. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met the acceptance criteria for particulate evaluation. |
| Coating Lubricity | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated for the average friction forces. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met the acceptance criteria for coating lubricity. |
| Tensile Strength | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated per ISO 10555-1. Annex B. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met the acceptance criteria for tensile strength at the hub and shaft. |
| Liquid Leak | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated per ISO 10555-1. Annex C. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met the acceptance criteria for liquid leak. |
| Corrosion Resistance | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated per ISO 10555-1. Annex A. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met the acceptance criteria for corrosion resistance. |
| Hub Aspiration Resistance | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated per ISO 10555-1. Annex D. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met the acceptance criteria for hub air aspiration. |
| Radiopacity | The markerband length and wall thickness of the ReactTM 68 Catheter were measured. In addition, radiopacity was confirmed via fluoroscopy. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met the acceptance criteria for radiopacity. |
| Luer Standards | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated per ISO 594-1 and ISO 80369-7. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter met the acceptance criteria for luer standards. |
| Torque Strength | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated for transmission of proximal torque to the distal tip. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was able to withstand torsional forces that are typical of clinical use. |
| Dynamic Pressure | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated for the amount of pressure it can withstand. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was able to withstand pressures that are typical of clinical use. |
| Coating Integrity | The ReactTM 68 Catheter was evaluated for coating coverage and lubricity. | The ReactTM 68 Catheter remained coated and lubricous. |
| Test | Test Method Summary | Results |
| Recanalization | The Riptide™ Aspiration<br>System React™ 68 Catheter<br>was evaluated for<br>recanalization. | The Riptide™ Aspiration<br>System React™ 68 Catheter<br>met the acceptance criteria for<br>recanalization. |
| Vacuum Pressure | The Riptide™ Aspiration<br>System React™ 68 Catheter<br>was evaluated for vacuum<br>pressure. | The Riptide™ Aspiration<br>System React™ 68 Catheter<br>met the acceptance criteria for<br>vacuum pressure. |
| Suction Flow Rate | The Riptide™ Aspiration<br>System React™ 68 Catheter<br>was evaluated for suction flow<br>rate. | The Riptide™ Aspiration<br>System React™ 68 Catheter<br>met the acceptance criteria for<br>suction flow rate. |
| Usability | The Riptide™ Aspiration<br>System React™ 68 Catheter<br>and the Penumbra System®<br>ACE 68 Reperfusion Catheter<br>were evaluated for<br>maneuverability, flexibility, the<br>ability to engage and apply<br>aspiration, and the ability to<br>safely retrieve clot. | The Riptide™ Aspiration<br>System React™ 68 Catheter<br>met the acceptance criteria for<br>usability. |
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Note: Packaging for the React™ 68 Catheter was leveraged from the Riptide™ Aspiration Tubing.
In addition, the following non-clinical bench testing was conducted to evaluate the performance of the Riptide™ Aspiration System React™ 68 Catheter:
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# Performance Data - Animal:
Non-clinical animal testing was conducted to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and usability of the Riptide™ Aspiration System React™ 68 Catheter in comparison to the Penumbra System® ACE 68 Reperfusion Catheter at acute and chronic time points in a porcine model, both in the presence and absence of simulated clot. Non-clinical animal testing was conducted in accordance with 21 CFR Part 58 for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) for Non-Clinical Laboratory Studies.
## Performance Data - Clinical:
Not Applicable. A determination of substantial equivalence is based upon successful completion of non-clinical bench and animal testing.
#### Conclusion:
The design modifications incorporated do not alter the fundamental scientific technology or intended use.
Non-clinical bench and animal testing supports a determination that the subject Riptide™ Aspiration System React™ 68 Catheter is substantially equivalent to the predicate Penumbra System® ACE 68 Reperfusion Catheter.
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.