K984159 · Medrad, Inc. · MOS · Jan 12, 1999 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K984159
Device Name
MEDRAD QUADRATURE CTL ARRAY COIL
Applicant
Medrad, Inc.
Product Code
MOS · Radiology
Decision Date
Jan 12, 1999
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.1000
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
The Medrad Quad CTL Array Coil is a receive only coil intended to be used MRI I he Mediad Quad CTC Anay Coll is a receive and lumbar regions of the spinc anatomy. The Medrad Quad CTI. Array Coil is intended for use only under the supervision of a The Median Quate Of Prefined of Diagnostic Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Device Story
Receive-only quadrature phased array coil; designed for MR imaging of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Input: hydrogen nuclei signals during MRI scan. Operation: coil captures RF signals; interfaces with GE Signa and Contour MRI systems via Bendix connector. Output: raw signal data processed by MRI system into 2D/3D images. Used in clinical radiology settings; operated by MRI technicians/radiologists. Facilitates complete spine imaging without patient repositioning; improves diagnostic workflow efficiency.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing included SNR studies, NEMA-standard image uniformity evaluation, and assessment of static magnetic field/RF field distortion. No significant artifacts observed. Clinical effectiveness demonstrated via submission of clinical images; performance deemed similar to predicate devices based on SNR and image quality results.
Technological Characteristics
Receive-only quadrature phased array coil. Housing: Polyurethane 30% glass-filled (UL 94.5V). Comfort pad: Unifoam S82N (UL 94 HF-1) with Nylon cover (CPAI-84). Interface: Bendix connector. Compatible with GE Signa/Contour MRI systems. No external tuning/matching required. Passive device; no internal energy source.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring MR imaging of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine regions. Intended for use under the supervision of a physician trained in diagnostic MRI.
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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K 98 4159
JAN 1 2 1999
# 510(k) SUMMARY MEDRAD 0.5T, 1.0T QUAD CTL COILS
| OFFICIAL CONTACT: | Jim Ferguson, Jr.<br>Sr. Regulatory Affairs Associate<br>Medrad. Inc.<br>One Medrad Drive<br>Indianola, PA 15051<br>(412) 767-2400 Ext. 3326 |
|----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| CLASSIFICATION NAME: | Magnetic Resonance Diagnostic Accessory<br>[21 CFR 892.1000} |
| COMMON/USUAL NAME: | MR Imaging Surface Coil |
| PROPRIETARY NAME: | Medrad Quadrature CTL Array Coil |
| PREDICATE DEVICES: | Hitachi Quad C-Spine<br>General Electric (GE) Quad T/L with Positioner<br>Coil<br>Medrad Phased Array Shoulder Coil |
# DEVICE DESCRIPTION:
The Medrad Quad CTL Array Coil is a receive only coil designed to enhance the MR Imaging of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine anatomy.
## INTENDED USE:
The Medrad Quadrature CTL Coil is a receive only coil intended to be used with the General Electric Superconducting MRI Scanners. This coil is intended to facilitate complete MR imaging of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine without need of patient repositioning of the device.
| Anatomical Region: | cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the<br>spine anatomy. |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| Nuclei Excited: | Hydrogen |
| Diagnostic Uses: | 2D and 3D Imaging |
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#### Proposed Medrad Quad CTL Coil Technical Comparison To Predicate Devices:
The following table compares claims made in regard to the Hitachi Quad C-Spine Coil and the Medrad Quad CTL Coil.
| Hitachi Quad C-Spine<br>Coil (K954952) | GE Quad T/L w/<br>Positioner Coil<br>(K902663) | Medrad PA<br>Shoulder Coil<br>(K960901) | Medrad Quad CTL Coil |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Receive-only Quadrature<br>coil | Receive-only<br>Quadrature coil | Receive-only,<br>Phased Array Coil | Receive-only, Phased<br>Array Quadrature coil. |
| Region of interest includes<br>the area superior to the top<br>of the sella turcica and<br>inferior to the third thoracic<br>vertebrae. Included is the<br>brachial plexus region,<br>nerve roots and CSF. | Region of interest<br>includes the thoracic<br>and lumbar regions of<br>the spine. | N/A | Region of interest includes<br>the cervical, thoracic, and<br>lumbar regions of the<br>spine. |
| The Quad C-Spine Coil is<br>compatible with the MRH-<br>1500 and Stratis system<br>pulse sequences and<br>imaging options. | The quad T/L w/<br>Positioner coil is<br>compatible with all<br>Signa and Contour<br>System pulse<br>sequences and<br>appropriate imaging<br>options. | The PA Shoulder coil<br>is compatible with all<br>Signa System pulse<br>sequences and<br>appropriate imaging<br>options. | The quad CTL coil is<br>compatible with all Signa<br>and Contour System pulse<br>sequences and<br>appropriate imaging<br>options. |
| No external tuning, or<br>matching, is necessary<br>since the coil is matched to<br>the recommended anatomy<br>of interest. | No external tuning, or<br>matching, is necessary<br>since the coil is<br>matched to the<br>recommended anatomy<br>of interest. | No external tuning,<br>or matching, is<br>necessary since the<br>coil is matched to the<br>recommended<br>anatomy of interest. | No external tuning, or<br>matching, is necessary<br>since the coil is matched<br>to the recommended<br>anatomy of interest. |
| The coil plugs into the<br>system via three BNC<br>connectors | The coil plugs into a<br>common slip connector. | The coil uses a<br>Bendix connector for<br>the MRI Scanner<br>interface. | The coil uses a Bendix<br>connector for the MRI<br>Scanner interface. |
### Proposed Medrad Quad CTL Coil Technical Comparison to Predicate Devices (Cont.):
| Patient contacting materials comparison information | | |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Hitachi Quad C-Spine Coil | GE Quad T/L w/ Positioner Coil<br>Medrad PA Shoulder Coil | Medrad Quad CTL Coil |
| The housing material is made<br>from Royalite ABS, Fire Rated<br>UL94V-0 | The housing material is made from<br>Royalite ABS, Fire Rated UL94V-0 | The housing material is made<br>from Polyurethane 30% Glass<br>Filled, Fire Rated UL 94.5V |
| Comfort pad material is made<br>of Unifoam S82N, Fire Rated<br>UL 94 HF-1 with a PVC Film<br>vinyl film fire rated cover. | Comfort pad material is made of<br>Recticel Foam (6 lb. density, Fire Rated<br>UL 94V HF1 with a PVC Film vinyl or<br>Nylon fire rated cover. | Comfort pad material is made<br>of Unifoam S82N, Fire Rated<br>UL 94 HF-1 with a Nylon cover,<br>Fire Rated CPAI-84. |
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# PERFORMANCE TEST DATA:
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO (SNR) - A Signal to Noise Ratio(SNR) study was conducted to generate a Signal -To-Noise ratio of the proposed Medrad 1.0T QUADRATURE CTL ARRAY Coil. Due to the different platforms of the predicated devices, a direct comparison between the proposed device and the predicate devices could not be completed.
IMAGE UNIFORMITY - The Medrad Quad CTL Array Coil was evaluated using NEMA Standards to characterize the non-uniformity of the proposed coil. Contours of the images obtained with the coil were constructed for the axial image, sagittal image.
GEOMETRIC DISTORTION: None. Static magnetic field distortion results from the use of magnetic materials in the construction of a surface coil. This device contains slightly magnetic materials or components. However, such components have been positioned within the surface coil so that no observable distortion of the static magnetic field is present.
TRANSMIT RF FIELD [B1] DISTORTION - Analysis of the electrical design of the coil and its blocking network demonstrates that no significant currents are induced. No artifacts of any type were observed during imaging.
RESOLUTION, SLICE THICKNESS, AND CONTRAST - These performance parameters are not affected by the use of a surface coil and were not separately tested in the performance evaluation of the proposed Medrad Quad CTL Array Coil.
CLINICAL EVALUATION - Clinical images for the proposed 1.0T Quad CTL Array Coil have been provided with this submission to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of the Quad CTL Array coils. Based on these results, and the SNR results for the proposed 1.0T Quad CTL Array Coils, Medrad concludes that the 0.5T and 1.0T Quad CTL Array Coils will produce similar clinical image results.
CONCLUSION - Extensive safety, verification, durability and clinical testing was conducted on the predicate GE and/or Hitachi devices. (K954952, K902663 and K960901) The proposed device is deemed by Medrad to be substantially equivalent.
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Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
JAN 1 2 1999
Jim Ferguson, Jr. Sr. Regulatory Affairs Associate Medrad, Inc. One Medrad Drive Indianola, PA 15051
Re:
K984159
Medrad Quadrature CTL Array Coil Dated: November 18, 1998 Received: November 19, 1998 Regulatory class: II 21 CFR 892.1000/Procode: 90 MOS
Dear Mr. Ferguson:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we 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). 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 III (Premarket Approval), 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 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic QS inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in requlatory action. In addition. FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 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 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4613. 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"(21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers 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,
Capt. Daniel G. Schultz, M.D. Acting Director, Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, Ear, Nose and Throat, and Radiological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
Image /page/3/Picture/15 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract image of a stylized eagle or bird-like figure.
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# 510 (k) NUMBER (IF KNOWN): K 98 4159
Medrad Quad CTL Array Coil DEVICE NAME:
INDICATIONS FOR USE:
The Medrad Quad CTL Array Coil is a receive only coil intended to be used MRI I he Mediad Quad CTC Anay Coll is a receive and lumbar regions of the spinc anatomy.
The Medrad Quad CTI. Array Coil is intended for use only under the supervision of a The Median Quate Of Prefined of Diagnostic Magnetic Resonance Innaging.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED.)
| | Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) |
|--|--------------------------------------------------------|
|--|--------------------------------------------------------|
Prescription Use __________ OR Over-The Counter-Use __________
(Per 21 CFR 801.109) (Optional Format 1-2-96)
| | (Division Sign-Off) |
|---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT, and Radiological Devices |
| 510(k) Number | K984159 |
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.