BALLERT CRANIAL MOLDING HELMET
Device Facts
| Record ID | K011433 |
|---|---|
| Device Name | BALLERT CRANIAL MOLDING HELMET |
| Applicant | Gema, Inc. |
| Product Code | MVA · Neurology |
| Decision Date | Jun 12, 2001 |
| Decision | SESE |
| Submission Type | Traditional |
| Regulation | 21 CFR 882.5970 |
| Device Class | Class 2 |
| Attributes | Therapeutic, Pediatric |
Indications for Use
The Ballert Cranial Molding Helmet is intended for use by or under the direction of a physician for medical purposes to apply pressure to prominent regions of an infant's cranium in order to improve cranial symmetry and/or shape in infants from 3 to 18 months of age, with moderate to severe nonsynostotic positional plagiocephaly, including infants with plagiocephalic-and brachycephalic-shaped heads.
Device Story
Ballert Cranial Molding Helmet is a custom-fitted orthosis used to treat nonsynostotic positional plagiocephaly in infants. Device applies controlled pressure to prominent cranial regions to guide skull growth toward a more symmetrical shape. Used under physician direction; typically worn by infant. Benefits include correction of cranial deformities. No electronic components, software, or automated processing involved.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; bench testing only.
Technological Characteristics
Custom-molded cranial orthosis. Passive mechanical device. No energy source, software, or connectivity. Materials and construction consistent with standard orthotic practices for cranial molding.
Indications for Use
Indicated for infants 3 to 18 months of age with moderate to severe nonsynostotic positional plagiocephaly, including plagiocephalic and brachycephalic head shapes, to improve cranial symmetry and/or shape.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A cranial orthosis is a device that is intended for medical purposes to apply pressure to prominent regions of an infant's cranium in order to improve cranial symmetry and/or shape in infants from 3 to 18 months of age, with moderate to severe nonsynostotic positional plagiocephaly, including infants with plagiocephalic-, brachycephalic-, and scaphocephalic-shaped heads.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls) (prescription use in accordance with § 801.109 of this chapter, biocompatibility testing, and labeling (contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse events, instructions for physicians and parents)).
In addition to the general controls of the act, the Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty - DOC™ Band is subject to the following special controls in order to provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness: (1) The sale, distribution and use of this device are restricted to prescription use in accordance with 21 CFR 801.109. (2) The labeling must include (a) contraindications for the use of the device on infants with synostosis or with hydrocephalus; (b) warnings indicating the need: (i) to evaluate head circumference measurements and neurological status at intervals appropriate to the infant’s age and rate of head growth, and to describe steps that should be taken in order to reduce the potential for restriction of cranial growth and possible impairment of brain growth and development; (ii) to evaluate the skin at frequent intervals, e.g., every three to four hours, and to describe steps that should be taken if skin irritation or breakdown occurs; (c) precautions indicating the need: (i) to additionally treat torticollis, if the positional plagiocephaly is associated with torticollis; (ii) to evaluate device fit and to describe the steps that should be taken in order to reduce the potential for restriction of cranial growth, possible impairment of brain growth and development and skin irritation and/or breakdown; (iii) to evaluate the structural integrity of the device and to describe the steps that should be taken to reduce the potential for the device to slip out of place and cause asphyxiation or trauma to the eyes or skin; (d) adverse events, i.e., skin irritation and breakdown that have occurred with the use of this device; (e) clinician’s instructions for casting the infant, for fitting the device, and for care and use of the device; and (f) parents’ instructions for care and use of the device. (3) The materials must be assessed for biocompatibility with testing appropriate for long term direct skin contact.