K081015 · Biolitec, Inc. · GEX · Jul 8, 2008 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K081015
Device Name
CERALAS D 980NM DIODE LASER, MODELS D15 AND D25
Applicant
Biolitec, Inc.
Product Code
GEX · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Jul 8, 2008
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4810
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Ceralas D 980 is intended for delivery of laser light to soft tissue in the contact or noncontact mode during surgical procedures, including via endoscopes, introducers, or catheters. The Ceralas D 980 is generally indicated for incision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis, or coagulation of soft tissue in ear, nose and throat and oral surgery (otolaryngology), dental procedures, arthroscopy, gastroenterology, general surgery, dermatology, plastic surgery, podiatry, urology, gynecology, neurosurgery (peripheral nervous system), pulmonary surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery, and ophthalmology. This Ceralas D 980 is specifically indicated for laser assisted lipolysis.
Device Story
Diode laser system (980nm) delivers laser light to soft tissue via contact or noncontact modes; utilizes endoscopes, introducers, or catheters. Operated by physicians in clinical/surgical settings for incision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis, or coagulation. Output is controlled laser energy; allows precise tissue interaction; facilitates surgical procedures across various medical specialties; enables minimally invasive techniques like laser-assisted lipolysis.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data submitted; bench testing only.
Technological Characteristics
980nm diode laser system; models D15 and D25. Operates in contact or noncontact modes. Intended for soft tissue surgical applications.
Indications for Use
Indicated for soft tissue surgical procedures including incision, excision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis, or coagulation across multiple specialties: ENT, oral surgery, dental, arthroscopy, gastroenterology, general/plastic/podiatric surgery, urology, gynecology, neurosurgery, pulmonary, cardiothoracic, and ophthalmology. Specifically indicated for laser-assisted lipolysis.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
(1) A carbon dioxide laser for use in general surgery and in dermatology is a laser device intended to cut, destroy, or remove tissue by light energy emitted by carbon dioxide.(2) An argon laser for use in dermatology is a laser device intended to destroy or coagulate tissue by light energy emitted by argon.
Quanta System Diode Medical Laser Family (K072034)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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KOS(015 Pgi 1 46
## 510(k) SUMMARY
# IJUL - 8 2008
## Biolitec Inc.'s Ceralas Diode 980nm Laser System (Models D15, D25)
## Submitter's Name, Address, Telephone Number, Contact Person and Date Prepared
Hogan & Hartson, LLP 555 13th Street, NW Washington, DC 20004
(202) 637-5794 Phone: Facsimile: (202) 637-5910
Contact Person: Jonathan S. Kahan
April 09, 2008 Date Prepared:
#### Name of Device and Name/Address of Sponsor
Ceralas D 980nm Diode Laser (Models D15, D25)
Biolitec, Inc. 515 Shaker Road East Longmeadow, MA 01028
#### Common or Usual Name
Diode Laser
# Classification Name
878.4810 - Laser, Surgical Diode Lascr System
#### Product Code
GEX
#### Predicate Devices
Biolitec's Ceralas D 980nm Diode Laser (Models D15, D25) (K072779) Quanta System Diode Medical Laser Family (K072034)
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Koriols
# Intended Use / Indications for Use:
Indications for Use:
The Ceralas D 980 is intended for delivery of laser light to soft tissue in the contact or noncontact mode during surgical procedures, including via endoscopes, introducers, or catheters. The Ceralas D 980 is generally indicated for incision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis, or coagulation of soft tissue in ear, nose and throat and oral surgery (otolaryngology), dental procedures, arthroscopy, gastroenterology, general surgery, dermatology, plastic surgery, podiatry, urology, gynecology, neurosurgery (peripheral nervous system), pulmonary surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery, and ophthalmology. This Ceralas D 980 is specifically indicated for laser assisted lipolysis.
Specific Indications for Use:
Ear, Nose and Throat, and Oral Surgery:
Hemostasis, incision, excision, ablation, coagulation, and vaporization of tissue from the ear, nose, throat and adjacent areas including soft tissue in the oral cavity. Examples include:
- Removal of benign lesions from the car, nose and throat
- Excision and vaporization of vocal cord nodules and polyps .
- Incision and excision of carcinoma in situ .
- Ablation and vaporization of hyperkeratosis .
- Excision of carcinoma of the larynx .
- Laryngeal papillomectomy .
- Excision and vaporization of herpes simplex I and II ◆
- . Neck dissection
- . Tonsillectomy
- Thyroidectomy .
- Vocal cord polypectomy .
- Hemiglossectomy ♥
- Tracheal stenosis ●
- Oral cavity lesions .
Dental Applications:
Intraoral and extraoral soft tissue (including marginal and interdental gingiva and epithelial lining of free gingiva). Examples include:
- Frenectomy .
- Frenotomy .
- . Biopsy
- Operculectomy .
- . Implant recovery
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K081015
pg 3 of 6
- Gingivectomy .
- Gingivoplasty ●
- Gingival troughing .
- Crown lengthening .
- . Hemostasis of donor site
- . Removal of granulation tissue
- . Laser assisted flap surgery
- Debridement of diseased epithelial lining
- . Incisions and draining of abscesses
- . Tissue retraction for impressions
- Papillectomy .
- . Vestibuloplasty
- . Excision of lesions
- . Exposure of unerupted/partially erupted teeth
- . Leukoplakia
- Removal of hyperplastic tissues .
- Treatment of aphthous ulcers .
- Sulcular debridement (removal of diseased or inflamed soft tissue in the periodontal . pocket)
- . Pulpotomy
- Pulpotomy as an adjunct to root canal therapy .
- Light activation of bleaching materials for teeth whitening .
#### Arthroscopy:
Hemostasis, incision, excision, coagulation, vaporization of joint tissues during arthroscopic surgery. Examples include:
- . Menisectomy
- Synovectomy .
- Chondromalacia .
#### Gastroenterology:
Hemostasis, incision, excision, ablation, coagulation and vaporization of tissue in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts and also with endoscopic procedures. Examples include:
- . Hemostasis of upper and lower GI bleeding
- Excision and vaporization of colorectal carcinoma .
- . Excision of polyps
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xlois
pg 4 of 6
# General Surgery, Dermatology, Plastic Surgery and Podiatry:
Excision, ablation, vaporization and photocoagulation of skin lesions, hemostasis, incision, excision, vaporization, ablation and debulking of soft tissue, abdominal, rectal, skin, fat or muscle tissue and dermabrasion. Examples include:
- Matrixectomy .
- Excision of neuromas .
- Excision of periungual and subungual warts ●
- Excision of plantar warts ◆
- Excision of keloids ●
- Liver resection .
- Excision of cutaneous lesions .
- Hemorrhoidectomy .
- . Appendectomy
- Debridement of decubitus ulcers .
- Hepatobiliary tumors .
- Mastectomy .
- . Dermabrasion
- Vaporization and hemostasis of capillary hemangioma .
- Excision, vaporization and hemostasis of abdominal tumors .
- Excision, vaporization and hemostasis of rectal pathology .
- . Pilonidal cystectomy
- Herniorapphy .
- . Adhesiolysis
- Parathyroidectomy .
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy ◆
- Thyroidectomy .
- Resection of organs .
- Debridement of wounds .
- Phototcoagulation of teleangectasia of the legs and face .
- Photocoagulation of vascular lesions of the face and extremities .
#### Urology:
Excision, vaporization, incision, coagulation, ablation and hemostasis of urological tissues. Examples include:
- Vaporization of urethral tumors .
- Release of urethral stricture .
- Removal of bladder neck obstruction ♥
- Excision and vaporization of condyloma .
- Lesions of external genitalia t
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Koglois
pg 5 of 6
## Gynecology:
Ablation, excision, incision, coagulation, hemostasis and vaporization of gynecological tissue. Examples include:
- Endometrial ablation .
- Excision or vaporization of condylomata acuminata .
- . Vaporization of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
- . Cervical conization
- . Menorrhagia
## Neurosurgery:
Vaporization, coagulation, excision, incision, ablation and hemostasis of soft tissue. Example includes:
Hemostasis in conjunction with menigiomas
## Pulmonary Surgery:
Hemostasis, vaporization, coagulation, incision, excision and ablation of soft tissue in the pulmonary system. Examples include:
- Tracheobronchial malignancy or stricture .
- . Benign and malignant pulmonary obstruction
- . Endoscopic pulmonary applications
Cardiothoracic Surgery:
Incision, excision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis, and coagulation of soft tissue, including cardiac tissues.
Laser Assisted Lipolysis
Ophthalmology:
The ablation, vaporization, excision, incision, and coagulation of soft tissue in ophthalmology. Examples include:
- Open Dacryocystorhinostomy .
- Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy .
- Blepharoplasty .
- Oculoplastics .
- Tumor excision and biopsy .
- Eyelid reconstruction �
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K081615 pg 6 of
#### Technological Characteristics
The Ceralas D has the same technological characteristics as the cleared Ceralas and substantially similar technological characteristics as compared to the Quanta System Diode Medical Laser Family.
#### Performance Data
No performance data is being submitted.
## Substantial Equivalence
The Ceralas D is as safe and effective as Biolitec's cleared Ceralas D 980nm Diode Laser (K072779) and the Quanta System Diode Medical Laser Family (K072034). The Ceralas D has the same intended uses and similar indications, technological characteristics, and principles of operation as the identified predicate devices, so there are no new issues of safety or effectiveness. Thus, the Ceralas D is substantially equivalent to the identified predicate devices.
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Image /page/6/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized eagle with its wings spread, and the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES · USA" arranged in a circular fashion around the eagle. The logo is black and white.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
# JUL - 8 2008
Biolitec, Inc. % Hogan & Hartson, LLP Mr. Jonathan S. Kahan 555 Thirteenth Street, Northwest Washington, District of Columbia 20004
Re: K081015
Trade/Device Name: Ceralas D 980nm Diode Laser System (Models D15, D25) Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4810 Regulation Name: Laser surgical instrument for use in general and plastic surgery and in dermatology Regulatory Class: II Product Code: GEX Dated: April 9, 2008 Received: April 9, 2008
Dear Mr. Kahan:
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 such 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
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Page 2 - Mr. Jonathan S. Kahan
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.
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 Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance at (240) 276-0115. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding postmarket surveillance, please contact CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometric's (OSB's) Division of Postmarket Surveillance at (240) 276-3474. For questions regarding the reporting of device adverse events (Medical Device Reporting (MDR)), please contact the Division of Surveillance Systems at (240) 276-3464. You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (240) 276-3150 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely yours,
Mark M. Mulkerson
Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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K081015
pg 1 of 5
#### Indications for Use Statement
510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: Ceralas D 980nm Diode Laser System (Models D15, D25)
Indications for Use:
The Ceralas D 980 is intended for delivery of laser light to soft tissue in the contact or noncontact mode during surgical procedures, including via endoscopes, introducers, or catheters. The Ceralas D 980 is generally indicated for incision, excision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis, or coagulation of soft tissue in ear, nose and throat and oral surgery (otolaryngology), dental procedures, arthroscopy, gastroenterology, general surgery, dermatology, plastic surgery, podiatry, urology, gynecology, neurosurgery (peripheral nervous system), pulmonary surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery, and ophthalmology. This Ceralas D 980 is specifically indicated for laser assisted lipolysis.
Specific Indications for Use:
Ear, Nose and Throat, and Oral Surgery:
Hemostasis, incision, excision, ablation, coagulation, and vaporization of tissue from the ear, nose, throat and adjacent areas including soft tissue in the oral cavity. Examples include:
- Removal of benign lesions from the ear, nose and throat .
- Excision and vaporization of vocal cord nodules and polyps .
- Incision and excision of carcinoma in situ .
- Ablation and vaporization of hyperkeratosis .
- Excision of carcinoma of the larynx .
- ◆ Laryngeal papillomectomy
- Excision and vaporization of herpes simplex I and II
- . Neck dissection
- . Tonsillectomy
- Thyroidectomy
- . Vocal cord polypectomy
- Hemiglossectomy
- Tracheal stenosis
- Oral cavity lesions
Aulber Breen
Division of Gene and Neurological Device:
510(k) Number K081015
। ୧
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K081015
pg 2 of 5
## Dental Applications:
Intraoral and extraoral soft tissue (including marginal and interdental gingiva and epithelial lining of free gingiva). Examples include:
- Frenectomy .
- Frenotomy .
- Biopsy .
- Operculectomy .
- Implant recovery .
- Gingivectomy .
- Gingivoplasty .
- Gingival troughing .
- . Crown lengthening
- Hemostasis of donor site .
- Removal of granulation tissue .
- Laser assisted flap surgery .
- Debridement of diseased epithelial lining .
- Incisions and draining of abscesses .
- Tissue retraction for impressions .
- Papillectomy .
- Vestibuloplasty .
- . Excision of lesions
- Exposure of unerupted/partially erupted teeth .
- Leukoplakia .
- Removal of hyperplastic tissues .
- Treatment of aphthous ulcers .
- Sulcular debridement (removal of diseased or inflamed soft tissue in the periodontal . pocket)
- Pulpotomy .
- Pulpotomy as an adjunct to root canal therapy .
- Light activation of bleaching materials for teeth whitening .
Arthroscopy:
Hemostasis, incision, excision, coagulation, vaporization and ablation of joint tissues during arthroscopic surgery. Examples include:
- Menisectomy .
- Synovectomy ●
- Chondromalacia .
Carla Sue Ott
ivision of General, Restorative, and Neurological Devices
**510(k) Number** K081015
17
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K08/015
Pg 3 of 5
#### Gastroenterology:
Hemostasis, incision, excision, ablation, coagulation and vaporization of tissue in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts and also with endoscopic procedures. Examples include:
- Hemostasis of upper and lower GI bleeding .
- Excision and vaporization of colorectal carcinoma .
- . Excision of polyps
General Surgery, Dermatology, Plastic Surgery and Podiatry:
Excision, ablation, vaporization and photocoagulation of skin lesions, hemostasis, incision, excision, vaporization, ablation and debulking of soft tissue, abdominal, rectal, skin, fat or muscle tissue and dermabrasion. Examples include:
- Matrixectomy ◆
- Excision of neuromas �
- Excision of periungual and subungual warts �
- Excision of plantar warts .
- Excision of keloids .
- Liver resection .
- Excision of cutaneous lesions .
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Appendectomy
- Debridement of decubitus ulcers
- Hepatobiliary tumors
- Mastectomy
- Dermabrasion
- Vaporization and hemostasis of capillary hemangioma
- Excision, vaporization and hemostasis of abdominal tumors
- Excision, vaporization and hemostasis of rectal pathology
- Pilonidal cystectomy
- Herniorapphy
- Adhesiolysis
- Parathyroidectomy
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- Thyroidectomy
- Resection of organs
- Debridement of wounds
- Phototcoagulation of teleangectasia of the legs and face
- Photocoagulation of vascular lesions of the face and extremities
18
extremiities
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General, Restorative, and Neurological Devices
**510(k) Number** 2081015
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#### Urology:
Excision, vaporization, incision, coagulation, ablation and hemostasis of urological tissues. Examples include:
- Vaporization of urethral tumors ●
- . Release of urethral stricture
- Removal of bladder neck obstruction .
- Excision and vaporization of condyloma .
- Lesions of external genitalia .
## Gynecology:
Ablation, excision, incision, coagulation, hemostasis and vaporization of gynecological tissue. Examples include:
- Endometrial ablation .
- Excision or vaporization of condylomata acuminata .
- Vaporization of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia .
- Cervical conization .
- Menorrhagia .
#### Neurosurgery:
Vaporization, coagulation, excision, incision, ablation and hemostasis of soft tissue. Example includes:
Hemostasis in conjunction with menigiomas
Pulmonary Surgery:
Hemostasis, vaporization, coagulation, incision, excision and ablation of soft tissue in the pulmonary system. Examples include:
- Tracheobronchial malignancy or stricture .
- Benign and malignant pulmonary obstruction .
- Endoscopic pulmonary applications .
Cardiothoracic Surgery:
Incision, excision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis, and coagulation of soft tissue, including cardiac tissues.
19
Laser Assisted Lipolysis
Aarlene Buchan
Division of General, Restorative. and Neurological Devices
\\DC - 061213/000001 - 2707069 v3
510(k) Number_k081015
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K081015
pg 5 of 5
Ophthalmology:
The ablation, vaporization, excision, incision, and coagulation of soft tissue in ophthalmology. Examples include:
- Open Dacryocystorhinostomy .
- Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy .
- Blepharoplasty .
- Oculoplastics .
- Tumor excision and biopsy .
- Eyelid reconstruction ●
Prescription Use X (Part 21 C.F.R. 801 Subpart D)
AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 C.F.R. 807 Subpart C)
# (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE -- CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Barbara Buent
Division of General, Restorative, and Neurological Devices
**510(k) Number** k081015
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.