ALEVE Direct Therapy (ALEVE Direct Therapy TENS device)
Applicant
Bayer Healthcare, LLC
Product Code
NUH · Neurology
Decision Date
Dec 22, 2015
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 882.5890
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Temporary relief of pain associated with sore and aching muscles in the lower back due to strain from exercise or normal household and work activities.
Device Story
Battery-powered TENS device for OTC pain relief; applies electrical current to peripheral nerves via skin-contact electrodes. Comprised of TENS unit with integral silicone electrodes, replaceable hydrogel pads, and wireless remote control. User adheres device to lower back; uses remote to adjust stimulation intensity. Device reduces pain perception through electrical stimulation. Operates on fixed 30-minute 42-second cycle. Intended for home use by patients.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Provided verification of output characteristics, waveform data, and software verification/validation (Moderate level of concern). Biocompatibility testing (ISO 10993-1, -5, -10) and electrical safety/EMC testing (IEC 60601 series) performed. Usability supported by right of reference to 15-subject study from predicate K120500.
Technological Characteristics
Battery-powered (2 AAA, 1 Lithium coin). ABS plastic housing. Integral silicone electrodes with carbon rubber conductive area. Hydrogel pads. Dimensions: 7.5" x 3.5" x 0.7". Weight: 4.8 oz. Voltage-regulated output. Software-controlled. Complies with AAMI ANSI ES60601-1:2005/(R)2012, IEC 60601-1-2:2014, IEC 60601-1-11:2010, IEC 60601-2-10:2012, ISO 10993 series.
Indications for Use
Indicated for temporary relief of lower back muscle pain due to strain from exercise or normal household/work activities in adults.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator for pain relief is a device used to apply an electrical current to electrodes on a patient's skin to treat pain.
Predicate Devices
The Pain Pilot™ (a.k.a. Pain Pilot™) / WiTouch® (K120500)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
December 22, 2015
Bayer Healthcare, LLC William Walsh Director, Us Regulatory Affairs 100 Bayer Boulevard Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0915
Re: K152852
Trade/Device Name: Aleve Direct Therapy (Aleve Direct Therapy Tens Device) Regulation Number: 21 CFR 882.5890 Regulation Name: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator For Pain Relief Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: NUH Dated: August 25, 2015 Received: September 29, 2015
Dear Mr. Walsh:
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 (reporting of medical devicerelated 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.
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If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm. 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 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 Industry and Consumer Education at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours,
# William J. Heetderks -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) K152852
Device Name ALEVE Direct Therapy TENS Device
Indications for Use (Describe)
Temporary relief of pain associated with sore and aching muscles in the lower back due to strain from exercise or normal household and work activities.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
|X | Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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### 510(K) SUMMARY
#### SUBMITTER I.
| Company Name: | Bayer HealthCare LLC, Consumer Care<br>100 Bayer Boulevard<br>Whippany, NJ 07981-0915 |
|------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact Person: | William R. Walsh, R.Ph.<br>Phone: (862)-404-6355<br>bill.walsh@bayer.com |
| Date Prepared: | September 29, 2015 |
| II.<br>DEVICE | |
| Trade Name:<br>Common Name: | ALEVE Direct Therapy<br>Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator for pain relief intended<br>for over the counter use (TENS) |
| Classification Name:<br>Device Classification: | Stimulator, Nerve, Transcutaneous, Over-The-Counter<br>21 CFR 882.5890, Class II, NUH |
| III.<br>PREDICATE DEVICE | |
| Predicate Devices: | The Pain Pilot™ (a.k.a. Pain Pilot™) / WiTouch®<br>K120500<br>21 CFR 882.5890, Class II, NUH |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
#### IV. DEVICE DESCRIPTION
The ALEVE Direct Therapy device is a battery powered transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) for applying an electrical current to electrodes on a patient's skin to relieve pain. The device reduces the perception of pain by electrically stimulating peripheral nerves across the skin. The design of the device limits the application for use to the anatomical site of the back.
The device is comprised of a TENS unit with integral electrodes, one pair of replaceable electroconductive hydrogel pads, batteries for the remote and TENS unit, and a remote control. The user can turn the device on/off by pressing a button on the TENS unit. The hydrogel pads are adhesive and gently adhere the TENS unit to the user's skin on the lower back. There is also a remote control for the device, which the user turns on/off, and by which the user adjusts the intensity of stimulation.
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#### V. INDICATIONS FOR USE
The ALEVE Direct Therapy is indicated for temporary relief of pain associated with sore and aching muscles in the lower back due to strain from exercise or normal household and work activities.
### VI. COMPARISON OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS WITH THE PREDICATE DEVICE
This product is nearly identical to the predicate device except for minor differences: trade name, color of the non-conductive area of the integral silicone electrodes (change to ultramarine blue), non-significant modifications to the labeling and label designs, and an updated version of the software due to non-significant revisions made during the marketing of the PainPilot (Neubac) / WiTouch compared to the version cleared in 2012. All device components and accessories, basic unit characteristics, and output specifications are the same as the predicate device.
A comparison of the Basic Unit Characteristics is provided below.
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# Basic Unit Characteristics Comparison
| Characteristic | Bayer HealthCare, LLC<br>ALEVE Direct Therapy<br>Subject of this Submission | Hollywog Pain Pilot<br>(Neubac) / WiTouch<br>K120500 | Comparison |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Power Source(s) | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | IDENTICAL |
| Number, Size, and Type<br>of Batteries | 2 AAA 1.5v DC batteries (TENS device)<br>1 Lithium coin battery 3.0v DC (wireless remote) | 2 AAA 1.5v DC batteries (TENS device)<br>1 Lithium coin battery 3.0v DC (wireless remote) | IDENTICAL |
| Average DC current<br>through electrodes when<br>device is on but no pulses<br>are being applied (µΑ) | 0 | 0 | IDENTICAL |
| Number of Output<br>Modes | 1 | 1* | IDENTICAL |
| Number of Output<br>Channels | 1 | 1 | IDENTICAL |
| Regulated Current or<br>Regulated Voltage? | Voltage | Voltage | IDENTICAL |
| Software/Firmware/<br>Microprocessor Control? | Yes | Yes | IDENTICAL |
| Automatic Overload<br>Trip? | No | No | IDENTICAL |
| Automatic No-Load<br>Trip? | No | No | IDENTICAL |
| Automatic Shut Off? | Yes | Yes | IDENTICAL |
| User Override Control? | Yes | Yes | IDENTICAL |
| Indicator Display | On/Off Status? Yes<br>Low Battery? Yes<br>Voltage/Current Level? No | On/Off Status? Yes<br>Low Battery? Yes<br>Voltage/Current Level? No | IDENTICAL |
| Timer Range | Nonadjustable<br>30 minutes 42 seconds | Nonadjustable<br>30 minutes 42 seconds | IDENTICAL |
| Compliance with | ISO 14971:2007 | ISO 14971:2007 | Substantially Equivalent |
| Characteristic | Bayer HealthCare, LLC<br>ALEVE Direct Therapy<br>Subject of this Submission | Hollywog Pain Pilot<br>(Neubac) / WiTouch<br>K120500 | Comparison |
| Voluntary Standards | AAMI ANSI ES60601-<br>1:2005/(R)2012 And A1:2012 IEC 60601-1-2 Edition 2014-02 IEC 60601-1-11 Edition 1.0<br>2010-04 IEC 60601-2-10 Edition 1.0<br>2012-06 AAMI/ANSI/ISO 10993-<br>1:2009/(R) 2013 AAMI/ANSI/ISO 10993-5:2009<br>(R)2014 AAMI/ANSI/ISO 10993-10:2010 | IEC 60601-1: 1995 IEC 60601-1-2: 2001 IEC 60601-1-4:2000 IEC 60601-2-10: 2001 ISO 10993-1:2009 ISO 10993-5:2009 ISO 10993-10:2010 | Current device complies with<br>updated versions of standards. |
| Compliance with 21 CFR<br>898 | N/A, device does not contain<br>electrode lead wires or patient cables. | N/A, device does not contain<br>electrode lead wires or patient<br>cables. | IDENTICAL |
| Weight (lbs., oz.) | 4.8 oz.<br>w/ batteries included | 4.8 oz.<br>w/ batteries included | IDENTICAL |
| Dimensions (in.) [W x H<br>x D] | 7.5 (w) x 3.5 (h) x 0.7 in (d) | 7.5 (w) x 3.5 (h) x 0.7 in (d) | IDENTICAL |
| Patient Contacting<br>Materials including<br>Housing Materials and<br>Construction | Hydrogel (Gel pads)<br>ABS plastic enclosure (Housing)<br>Integral silicone electrodes with<br>conductive (carbon rubber) area and<br>non-conductive area with ultramarine<br>blue colorant (CAS # 57455-37-5) | Hydrogel (Gel pads)<br>ABS plastic enclosure (Housing)<br>Conductive (carbon) silicone<br>electrodes<br>Non-conductive area of the<br>integral silicone electrodes, of<br>green color | Substantially Equivalent. The<br>safety of this colorant has<br>been demonstrated (Section<br>12, Biocompatibility). A<br>difference in colorant does<br>not affect the performance<br>characteristics of the device,<br>and the difference does not<br>raise new questions of safety<br>or effectiveness. |
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### VII. PERFORMANCE DATA
Conformance with the following voluntary, FDA-recognized standards is provided in this 510(k) submission:
- . Recognition Number 5-40: ISO 14971 Second Edition 2007-03-01, Medical devices application of risk management to medical devices.
- . Recognition Number 19-4: AAMI/ANSI ES60601-1:2005/(R)2012 and A1:2012, C1:2009/(R)2012 and A2:2010/(R)2012 (consolidated text) Medical electrical equipment part 1: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance.
- . Recognition Number 19-8: IEC 60601-1-2 Edition 4.0 2014-02. Medical electrical equipment - part 1-2: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance - collateral standard: Electromagnetic disturbances - requirements and tests.
- Recognition Number 19-14: IEC 60601-1-11 Edition 1.0 2010-04, Medical electrical ● equipment - part 1-11: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance collateral standard: Requirements for medical electrical equipment and medical electrical systems used in the home healthcare environment.
- Recognition Number 17-11: IEC 60601-2-10 Edition 2.0 2012-06, Medical electrical equipment - part 2-10: Particular requirements for the basic safety and essential performance of nerve and muscle stimulators.
- Recognition Number 2-156: AAMI/ANSVISO 10993-1:2009/(R) 2013, Biological evaluation . of medical devices - part 1: Evaluation and testing within a risk management process.
- Recognition Number 2-153, AAMI/ANSI/ISO 10993-5:2009/(R) 2014, Biological evaluation . of medical devices - part 5: Tests for in vitro cytotoxicity.
- Recognition Number 2-173, AAMI/ANSI/ISO 10993-10:2010, Biological evaluation of ● medical devices - part 10: Tests for irritation and skin sensitization.
# Performance Testing
Data in support of the device waveform, and verification of output characteristics, was provided in this submission.
# Software Verification and Validation Testing
Software verification and validation testing was conducted, and documentation in accordance with a Moderate level concern device was provided as recommended by FDA's Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff, "Guidance for the Content of Premarket Submissions for Software Contained in Medical Devices."
# Usability
A 15 subject usability study was conducted by Hollywog and reported to the FDA during the review of predicate K120500, based on feedback provided from the FDA during Pre-IDE submission correspondence. The submitter has a right of reference to this study, as the devices
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and labeling are sufficiently similar, in support of the usability of the ALEVE Direct Therapy device.
### VIII. CONCLUSIONS
The electrical safety, EMC, biocompatibility, software verification and validation, basic unit characteristics, and output specifications information provided in the 510(k) submission is sufficient to demonstrate substantial equivalence to the predicate device. As the ALEVE Direct Therapy TENS device is nearly identical to the predicate device, with identical indications for use and essentially identical technological characteristics, the ALEVE Direct Therapy TENS device is substantially equivalent to the predicate device.
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.