K032456 · Prowess, Inc. · MUJ · Oct 16, 2003 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K032456
Device Name
PROWESS
Applicant
Prowess, Inc.
Product Code
MUJ · Radiology
Decision Date
Oct 16, 2003
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.5050
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Software as a Medical Device
Indications for Use
Prowess 3D™ Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning System, including the IMRT option Panther™, is used to plan photon and electron radiation therapy treatments using linear accelerators and Cobalt-60 beams. The optional software module with the trade name Pather™ provides treatment planning for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments using external photon beams.
Device Story
Prowess Panther is an inverse planning software module for the Prowess 3D Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning System. It processes patient CT-simulator images to generate IMRT treatment plans. The system utilizes Direct Aperture Optimization (DAO) to iteratively adjust deliverable parameters (field shapes and weights) in a single step, accounting for physical limitations of linear accelerators and multileaf collimators. It employs a convolution superposition algorithm for final dose calculation. Operated by trained medical physicists or dosimetrists in clinical settings, the software runs on Windows-based workstations. Output includes treatment plan parameters transferred via DICOM-RT to delivery control systems (Record and Verify or linear accelerator controllers). The device simplifies IMRT planning, improves delivery reliability, and assists clinicians in achieving target dose uniformity while limiting dose to critical organs.
Clinical Evidence
Clinical testing conducted at the University of Maryland Medical System using real patient cases. Testing involved commissioning machine data, dose calculation algorithm verification, CT-image transfer, treatment plan development, and delivery to a phantom. Results showed measured point doses agreed with calculated values within 3% (surpassing the 5% ASTRO guideline). High dose gradient regions showed distance-to-agreement less than 2mm.
Technological Characteristics
Software-based radiation therapy treatment planning system. Operates on Windows 2000 or later on Intel Pentium-based workstations. Uses convolution superposition algorithm for dose calculation and simulated annealing for optimization. Employs Direct Aperture Optimization (DAO). Connectivity via DICOM-RT for plan transfer. Standalone software module.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring external photon beam intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment planning, as well as photon and electron radiation therapy planning using linear accelerators and Cobalt-60 beams.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A medical charged-particle radiation therapy system is a device that produces by acceleration high energy charged particles (e.g., electrons and protons) intended for use in radiation therapy. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and display equipment, patient and equipment supports, treatment planning computer programs, component parts, and accessories.
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OCT 1 6 2003
## Ko 32 456 510(K) SUMMARY
| 1. | Submitter: | Prowess, Inc.<br>1370 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 20<br>Chico, CA. 95973 |
|----|----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Contact Person: | W. James Bishop<br>Regulatory /QA Manager<br>Prowess, Inc.<br>1370 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 20<br>Chico, CA. 95973<br>PHONE: (530) 898-0660<br>FAX: (530) 898-0669 |
| 2. | Device Manufacturer: | Prowess, Inc.<br>1370 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 20<br>Chico, CA. 95973 |
| 3. | Device Trade Name: | Prowess Panther |
| 4. | Classification Name: | Accelerator, Linear, Medical<br>(21 CFR § 892.5050), Class II |
| 5. | Reg. No.: | 2939248 |
| 6. | Common Name: | Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning System |
| 7. | Predicate Devices: | Varian Eclipse, Helios option K021268 |
Nomos CORVUS Inverse Planning System K940663 ADAC P3IMRT IMRT option K002237
#### 8. Device Description
PROWESS PANTHER is an inverse planning option to the Prowess radiation therapy planning software for supporting intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) (K980379). The Prowess 3D system is composed of a Workstation with an Intel Pentium* processors (or later versions) running Windows 2000 operation system (or later versions) and proprietary software that allows the trained users to generate radiation therapy treatment plans.
The Prowess IMRT software contains 3 components:
- 1) Objective and constraint specification --- The first step of the inverse planning process is to allow the user to specify the treatment objectives,
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# KU32 451
which include the dose and dose uniformity to the target or targets, the dose and volume limits to different critical organs, and the relative importance of achieving these objectives.
- 2) Optimization --- This is a process by which the system iteratively adjust the deliverable parameters including the field shapes and their weights to derive a treatment plan that best achieves the treatment objectives. A proven and most widely used optimization algorithm, simulated annealing, was used. As with P3IMRT™ system by ADAC (K002237), IMRT uses the convolution superposition algorithm as the final dose calculation engine.
- 3) DICOM Transfer --- This involves transfer the plan parameters via DICOM-RT to a delivery control system (a Record and Verify system or the linear accelerator controller itself) for delivery.
#### 9. Intended Use
..............................................................................................................................................................................
Prowess Panther is an optional software module to the Prowess 3D™ Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning System. It is intended to provide treatment planning for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments using external photon beams.
#### 10. Summary of Comparisons to Predicate Devices
There are many inverse planning systems for IMRT on the market. These predicate devices include the NOMOS CORVUS™ Inverse Treatment Planning System (K940663), Varian Eclipse, Helios Option (K021268) and the P1MRT ™ system by ADAC (K002237). Prowess IMRT adds inverse planning capabilities to the existing Prowess 3D planning system (K980379). The entire system with the IMRT option incorporates no technical characteristics not currently contained in the predicate devices. It has the same intended use and the same optimization algorithm as the NOMOS CORVUS™ Inverse Treatment Planning System (K940663). As with P31MRT™ system by ADAC (K002237), Prowess Panther uses the convolution superposition algorithm as the dose calculation enqine.
What distinquishes Prowess Panther from the predicate systems is described in detail under Section IV: Substantial Equivalence Comparisons. Our view, which is supported in the literature, is that aperture-based inverse planning such as the Direct Aperture Optimization (DAO) developed at the University of Maryland simplifies the planning and delivery process and makes IMRT less labor intensive and more reliable. Instead of a two-step process that first optimizes beam intensities and then convert the intensity distributions into deliverable parameters. DAO directly optimizes the deliverable parameters in one step. Since physical limitations of the linear accelerator and the multileaf collimator are
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considered in the optimization process, the actual delivered treatment more closelv reflects the treatment plan.
#### 11. Summary of Non-clinical Tests
A Hazard Analysis was completed for Prowess Panther. Methods for preventing such hazards were detailed (Section VII). Verification and validation of the software was conducted in house according to the Verification and Validation (V&V) Protocol. The V&V Protocol, and test results are included in Section VIII of this submission. Functional testing was conducted both in-house and by medical physicists/dosimetrists at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. These tests have demonstrated that the Panther option to the Prowess 3D treatment planning system has met its specifications, demonstrated substantially equivalent performance to the predicate devices, and is safe and effective for its intended use.
#### Summary of Clinical Tests 12.
Although clinical testing is not required to demonstrate substantial equivalence in safety and effectiveness. we elect to conduct testing at the University of Maryland Medical System using real patient cases. We feel that, no matter how carefully a product is tested in the factory. such testing cannot replace testing in the field. Clinical testing included commissioning machine data in the Prowess system, testing the dose calculation algorithm, transferring the patient images from a CT-Simulator, developing a treatment plan as described in the user manual, transferring the treatment plan to a linear accelerator and finally. delivering the plan to a phantom. The measured point doses showed agreement with calculated values within 3% for all the cases tested. This value surpasses the 5% specified in the quideline published by the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO). The dose distributions captured by films showed that for high dose gradient regions, the distance to agreement is less than 2mm.
#### 13. Labeling
### TAB 6
The CD media labeling is provided in Section X and User's Manual are provided in Section VI of this submission. The entire user's manual in digital format is also included in the software media and can be viewed as part of the on-line help.
Commercial and marketing materials are also included in Section III.
Product labels comply with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11 as applicable.
#### 14. Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Information
Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Information is included in Section VI as a free standing document. Only the contents of Section VI may be released by the
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## Ko32456
FDA in satisfaction of Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Information requests as provided by SMDA 1990.
#### 15. Conclusions
Prowess 3D's inverse planning option, Prowess Panther, is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices. It has the same intended use and similar technical characteristics. It generates equivalent quality of treatment plans as compared with the predicate devices as demonstrated in our field tests, and its use does not raise any new, or different issues of safety or effectiveness when compared with the predicates. As demonstrated in the comparison with predicate devices, the use of direct aperture optimization simplifies the planning and delivery of IMRT without sacrificing plan quality.
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Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services. The logo is a circular seal with the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract symbol that resembles an eagle or a bird in flight. The symbol is composed of three curved lines that suggest the wings and body of the bird.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
OCT 1 6 2003
Mr. W. James Bishop Regulatory/QA Manager Prowess Inc. 1370 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 20 CHICO CA 95973
Re: K032456
Trade/Device Name: Prowess Panther Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.5050 Regulation Name: Medical charged-particle radiation therapy system Regulatory Class: II Product Code: 90 MUJ Dated: July 17, 2003
Received: August 16, 2003
Dear Mr. Bishop:
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.
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); 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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This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 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), please contact the Office of Compliance at one of the following numbers, based on the regulation number at the top of the letter:
| 8xx. 1xxx | (301) 594-4591 |
|----------------------------------|----------------|
| 876.2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx | (301) 594-4616 |
| 884.2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx | (301) 594-4616 |
| 892.2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx | (301) 594-4654 |
| Other | (301) 594-4692 |
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" (21CFR Part 807.97) you may obtain. Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer 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,
Nancy C. Brogdon
Nancy C. Brogdon Director, Division of Reproductive, Abdominal and Radiological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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## Tab 3
## Indications For Use
510(k) Number (if known): Pending K032456
Device Name: Prowess Panther
### Indications for Use:
Prowess 3D™ Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning System, including the IMRT option Panther™, is used to plan photon and electron radiation therapy treatments using linear accelerators and Cobalt-60 beams. The optional software module with the trade name Pather™ provides treatment planning for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments using external photon beams.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
*Prescription Use* ✓
Nancy C Broydon
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal,
and Radiological Devices
510(k) Number K032456
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.