K160621 · GE Healthcare · LNH · Mar 29, 2016 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K160621
Device Name
SIGNAPioneer
Applicant
GE Healthcare
Product Code
LNH · Radiology
Decision Date
Mar 29, 2016
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 892.1000
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
The SIGNA Pioneer is a whole body magnetic resonance scanner designed to support high resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio, and short scan times. It is indicated for use as a diagnostic imaging device to produce axial, sagittal, coronal, and oblique images, spectroscopic images, parametric maps, and/or spectra, dynamic images of the structures and/or functions of the entire body, including, but not limited to, head, neck, TMJ, spine, breast, heart, abdomen, pelvis, joints, prostate, blood vessels, and musculoskeletal regions of the body. Depending on the region of interest being imaged, contrast agents may be used. The images produced by the SIGNA Pioneer reflect the spatial distribution or molecular environment of nuclei exhibiting magnetic resonance. These images and/or spectra when interpreted by a trained physician yield information that may assist in diagnosis.
Device Story
SIGNA Pioneer is a 3.0T superconducting MRI scanner with 70cm bore; utilizes time-varying magnetic fields (gradients) and RF transmissions to capture spatial distribution/molecular environment of nuclei. Features multi-drive RF transmit for head/body imaging. Operated by trained professionals in clinical settings. System supports up to 97 RF channels (with new 65-channel configuration option). Outputs include axial, sagittal, coronal, oblique images, spectroscopic images, parametric maps, and spectra. Physician interprets output to assist in diagnosis. Enhancements include updated software for Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) control. Device conforms to NEMA DICOM standards.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical studies required. Bench testing and design validation activities, including scanning of human subjects at GE Healthcare facilities, were conducted to ensure the modified device meets user requirements.
Technological Characteristics
3.0T superconducting magnet; 70cm bore; 65 or 97 RF receive channels; multi-drive RF transmit. Complies with IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2, IEC 60601-2-33, ISO 10993-1, NEMA MS standards, and NEMA PS3 (DICOM). Software-controlled SAR management.
Indications for Use
Indicated for use as a diagnostic imaging device for whole-body MRI (head, neck, TMJ, spine, breast, heart, abdomen, pelvis, joints, prostate, blood vessels, musculoskeletal) in patients requiring axial, sagittal, coronal, oblique images, spectroscopic images, parametric maps, or spectra.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A magnetic resonance diagnostic device is intended for general diagnostic use to present images which reflect the spatial distribution and/or magnetic resonance spectra which reflect frequency and distribution of nuclei exhibiting nuclear magnetic resonance. Other physical parameters derived from the images and/or spectra may also be produced. The device includes hydrogen-1 (proton) imaging, sodium-23 imaging, hydrogen-1 spectroscopy, phosphorus-31 spectroscopy, and chemical shift imaging (preserving simultaneous frequency and spatial information).
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). A magnetic resonance imaging disposable kit intended for use with a magnetic resonance diagnostic device only is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 892.9.
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Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The logo consists of the department's name arranged in a circular fashion around a symbol. The symbol is a stylized representation of human profiles facing to the right, with three distinct head shapes stacked on top of each other.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
March 29, 2016
GE Healthcare % Mr. Glen Sabin Regulatory Affairs Director 3200 N. Grandview Blvd. WAUKESHA WI 53188
Re: K160621
Trade/Device Name: SIGNA Pioneer Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.1000 Regulation Name: Magnetic resonance diagnostic device Regulatory Class: II Product Code: LNH Dated: March 3, 2016 Received: March 4, 2016
Dear Mr. Sabin:
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 device-related 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/Resourcesfor You/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 vours
Michael D.'Hara
For
Robert Ochs, Ph.D. Director Division of Radiological Health Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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## Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known)
k160621
Device Name SIGNA Pioneer
#### Indications for Use (Describe)
The SIGNA Pioneer is a whole body magnetic resonance scanner designed to support high resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio, and short scan times.
It is indicated for use as a diagnostic imaging device to produce axial, sagittal, coronal, and oblique images, spectroscopic images, parametric maps, and/or spectra, dynamic images of the structures and/or functions of the entire body, including, but not limited to, head, neck, TMJ, spine, breast, heart, abdomen, pelvis, joints, prostate, blood vessels, and musculoskeletal regions of the body.
Depending on the region of interest being imaged, contrast agents may be used.
The images produced by the SIGNA Pioneer reflect the spatial distribution or molecular environment of nuclei exhibiting magnetic resonance. These images and/or spectra when interpreted by a trained physician yield information that may assist in diagnosis.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) | |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| <span style="font-size:10pt">☒</span> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) | <span style="font-size:10pt">☐</span> Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C) |
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Section 5: 510(k) Summary
SIGNA Pioneer
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# 510(k) Summary
In accordance with 21 CFR 807.92 the following summary of information is provided:
| Date: | March 25, 2016 |
|----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Submitter: | GE Healthcare, (GE Healthcare Japan Corporation)<br>7-127, Asahigaoka 4-chome, Hino-shi,<br>Tokyo 191-8503 JAPAN |
| Primary Contact Person: | Glen Sabin<br>Regulatory Affairs Director<br>GE Healthcare, (GE Medical Systems, LLC)<br>Phone: 262-521-6848 |
| Secondary Contact<br>Person: | Steve Kachelmeyer<br>Senior Regulatory Affairs Director<br>GE Healthcare, (GE Medical Systems, LLC)<br>Phone: 262-548-2432 |
| Device Trade Name: | SIGNA Pioneer |
| Common/Usual Name: | Magnetic Resonance Diagnostic Device |
| Classification Names: | Magnetic Resonance Diagnostic Device per 21 CFR 892.1000 |
| Product Code: | LNH |
| Predicate Device: | SIGNA Pioneer (K143345) |
| Device Description: | The SIGNA Pioneer features a 3.0T superconducting magnet<br>with a 70cm bore size<br><br>The RF receiver is equipped with up to 97 RF channels.<br><br>The system uses a combination of time-varying magnetic<br>fields (gradients) and RF transmissions to obtain information<br>regarding the density and position of nuclei exhibiting<br>magnetic resonance.<br><br>The system can image in the sagittal, coronal, axial, oblique,<br>and double oblique planes, using various pulse sequences and<br>reconstruction algorithms.<br><br>The SIGNA Pioneer uses multi-drive RF transmit for imaging<br>of the head and body regions.<br><br>The SIGNA Pioneer is designed to conform to NEMA<br>DICOM standards. |
| Intended Use: | The SIGNA Pioneer is a whole body magnetic resonance<br>scanner designed to support high resolution, high signal-to-<br>noise ratio, and short scan times.<br><br>It is indicated for use as a diagnostic imaging device to<br>produce axial, sagittal, coronal, and oblique images,<br>spectroscopic images, parametric maps, and/or spectra,<br>dynamic images of the structures and/or functions of the entire<br>body, including, but not limited to, head, neck, TMJ, spine,<br>breast, heart, abdomen, pelvis, joints, prostate, blood vessels,<br>and musculoskeletal regions of the body.<br><br>Depending on the region of interest being imaged, contrast<br>agents may be used.<br><br>The images produced by the SIGNA Pioneer reflect the spatial<br>distribution or molecular environment of nuclei exhibiting<br>magnetic resonance. These images and/or spectra when<br>interpreted by a trained physician yield information that may<br>assist in diagnosis. |
| Technology: | The SIGNA Pioneer employs the same fundamental scientific<br>technology as its predicate device.<br><br>The SIGNA Pioneer system has been modified by the<br>introduction of a new 65 receive channel configuration, in<br>addition to the previously cleared 97 channel configuration.<br><br>The modified SIGNA Pioneer system also includes<br>enhancements to the software that controls Specific<br>Absorption Rate (SAR). |
| Determination of<br>Substantial Equivalence: | Summary of Non-Clinical Tests: |
| | Like the predicate device, the SIGNA Pioneer complies with<br>the following voluntary standards:<br>IEC 60601-1 IEC 60601-1-2 IEC 60601-2-33 ISO 10993-1 |
| | In addition, the SIGNA Pioneer complies with the applicable<br>NEMA MS standards for MRI and NEMA PS3 standard for<br>DICOM, as does the predicate device. |
| | The following quality assurance measures were applied to the<br>development of the system, as they were for the predicate: Risk Analysis Requirements Reviews Design Reviews Testing on unit level (Module verification) Integration testing (System verification) Performance testing (Verification) Safety testing (Verification) Simulated use testing (Validation) |
| | Summary of Clinical Tests: |
| | The subject of this premarket submission, SIGNA Pioneer, did<br>not require clinical studies to support substantial equivalence. |
| | Scanning of human subjects on the SIGNA Pioneer system has<br>been conducted at GE Healthcare facilities as part of design<br>validation activities in order to ensure that the modified device<br>meets user requirements. |
| Conclusion: | The Indications for Use of the SIGNA Pioneer are identical to<br>the predicate device. The modifications to the SIGNA Pioneer<br>system do not change the fundamental scientific technology of<br>the device. The results of design controls activities<br>demonstrate that the SIGNA Pioneer is substantially<br>equivalent to the predicate with regards to safety and efficacy.<br>GE Healthcare considers the SIGNA Pioneer to be as safe, as<br>effective, and performance is substantially equivalent to the<br>predicate device. |
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# GE Healthcare 510(k) Premarket Notification Submission
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.