K142376 · Cynosure, Inc. · GEX · Sep 24, 2014 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K142376
Device Name
Palomar Icon Aesthetic System
Applicant
Cynosure, Inc.
Product Code
GEX · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Sep 24, 2014
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4810
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The 2940 Ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in surgical applications requiring the excision, incision, vaporization, and coagulation of soft tissue. Soft tissue includes skin, cutaneous tissue, striated and smooth tissue, muscle, cartilage meniscus, calculi or fragments, mucous membrane, lymph vessels and nodes, organs, and glands in the following indications: skin resurfacing, treatment of wrinkles, epidermal nevi, telangiectasia, spider veins, actinic chelitis, keloids, verrucae, skin tags, anal tags, keratoses, scar revision (including acne scars), debulking benign tumors, debulking cysts and superficial skin lesions. The 2940 Fractional Ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in dermatological procedures requiring coagulation, resurfacing, and ablation of soft tissue. Procedures include skin resurfacing and treatment of wrinkles, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, pigmented lesions, and vascular dyschromia. The 1540 Fractional Non-ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in the coagulation of soft tissue, skin resurfacing procedures as well as treatment of melasma, striae, acne scars and surgical scars. The 1440 Fractional Non-ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in dermatological procedures requiring coagulation of soft tissue and skin resurfacing procedures. The 1540 Fractional Non-ablative Laser and 2940 Fractional Abaltive Laser Handpiece combined treatment is intended for dermatological procedures requiring coagulation, resurfacing, and ablation of soft tissue. Procedures include skin resurfacing and treatment of wrides, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, dyschromia and pigmend lesions. The 1440 Fractional Non-ablative Laser Handpiece and 2940 Fractional Ablative Laser Handpiece combined treatment is intended for dermatological procedures requiring coagulation, resurfacing, and ablation of soft tissue. Procedures include skin resurfacing and treatment of wrinkles, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularties, dyschromia and pigmented lesions. The MaxIR Handpiece is intended for photocoagulation of soft tissue in dermatologic applications. In addition, it is intended to provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, the temporary relief of minor joint pain associated with arthritis, the temporary increase in local circulation where applied, and the relaxation of may also help muscle spasms, minor sprains and strains, and minor muscular back pain. The 1064 Laser Handpiece is intended for the removal of unwanted hair for skin types I-VI, and to effect stable long-term permanent hair reduction; treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, senile lentigines (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), pigmented seratosis; tattoos (significant reduction in the intensity of black and/or blue-black tattoos); pigmented lesions to reduce lesion size, for patients with lesions that would potentially benefit from aggressive treatment, and for patients with lesions that have not responded to other laser/light treatment of vascular lesions such as but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, telangiectasias, rosacea, venus lake, facial and leg veins; reduction of red pigmentation in hypertrophic and keloid scars where vascularity is an integral part of the scar; coagulation and hemostasis of soft tissue; treatment of wrinkles and pseudofolliculitis barbae (FFB). The Max series Intense Pulsed Light Handpieces are intended for the treatment of inflammatory acne (acne vulgaris) and for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions, including warts, scars and striae, removal of unwanted hair from skin types I-VI, and to effect stable long-term, or permanent, hair reduction; treatment of benign pigmented lesions, including port wine stains, hemangiomas, aniomas, telangiectasias, rosacea, facial and leg veins. The Skintel Reader is intended as an objective measurement tool for examining skin melanin content for determining and setting a test spot starting fluence.
Device Story
Palomar Icon Aesthetic System delivers broadband incoherent or laser light to target sites via interchangeable handpieces. System comprises stacking modules: power supply, control electronics, chiller, heat exchanger, base module, remote interlock, emergency-off, footswitch, and front panel monitor. Operated by clinicians in clinical settings. Handpieces provide specific wavelengths or IPL ranges for dermatological/surgical applications. Skintel Reader provides objective melanin measurement to determine starting fluence. Output is light energy for tissue ablation, coagulation, or heating. Benefits include skin resurfacing, hair reduction, lesion treatment, and pain relief. Device uses footswitch for activation.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Autoclave sterilization validation performed on 10x10 and 6x6 Focal Guide Assemblies. Testing confirmed no growth of G. stearothermophilus after 3 half-cycle rounds, meeting SAL ≤10^-6. Functional testing verified sterilization process does not impact device performance.
Technological Characteristics
System includes power supply, control electronics, chiller, heat exchanger, and interchangeable handpieces. Laser types include Er:YAG (2940 nm). Delivery via microlens array (fractional) or flatbeam. Connectivity includes remote interlock. Sterilization: Autoclave (steam) for Focal Guide Assemblies. Software: Control electronics for energy delivery.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring soft tissue surgical/dermatological procedures including skin resurfacing, wrinkle treatment, scar revision, hair removal (skin types I-VI), vascular/pigmented lesion treatment, and temporary relief of minor muscle/joint pain. Contraindications not explicitly listed.
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.
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Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
September 24, 2014
Cynosure Incorporated Ms. Allyson Connor Regulatory Affairs Specialist 5 Carlisle Road Westford, Massachusetts 01886
Re: K142376
Trade/Device Name: Palomar Icon Aesthetic System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4810 Regulation Name: Laser surgical instrument for use in general and plastic surgery and in dermatology Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: ONG, GEX Dated: August 25, 2014 Received: August 26, 2014
Dear Ms. Connor:
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
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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.
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" (21CFR 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.
for
Sincerely yours,
# David Krause -S
- Binita S. Ashar, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S. Director Division of Surgical Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K142376
Device Name Palomar Icon Aesthetic System
### Indications for Use (Describe)
Indications for Use (Describe)
The 2940 Ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in surgical applications requiring the excision, incision, vaporization, and coagulation of soft tissue. Soft tissue includes skin, cutaneous tissue, striated and smooth tissue, muscle, cartilage meniscus, calculi or fragments, mucous membrane, lymph vessels and nodes, organs, and glands in the following indications: skin resurfacing, treatment of wrinkles, epidermal nevi, telangiectasia, spider veins, actinic chelitis, keloids, verrucae, skin tags, anal tags, keratoses, scar revision (including acne scars), debulking benign tumors, debulking cysts and superficial skin lesions.
The 2940 Fractional Ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in dermatological procedures requiring coagulation, resurfacing, and ablation of soft tissue. Procedures include skin resurfacing and treatment of wrinkles, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, pigmented lesions, and vascular dyschromia.
The 1540 Fractional Non-ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in the coagulation of soft tissue, skin resurfacing procedures as well as treatment of melasma, striae, acne scars and surgical scars.
The 1440 Fractional Non-ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in dermatological procedures requiring coagulation of soft tissue and skin resurfacing procedures.
The 1540 Fractional Non-ablative Laser and 2940 Fractional Abaltive Laser Handpiece combined treatment is intended for dermatological procedures requiring coagulation, resurfacing, and ablation of soft tissue. Procedures include skin resurfacing and treatment of wrides, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, dyschromia and pigmend lesions.
The 1440 Fractional Non-ablative Laser Handpiece and 2940 Fractional Ablative Laser Handpiece combined treatment is intended for dermatological procedures requiring coagulation, resurfacing, and ablation of soft tissue. Procedures include skin resurfacing and treatment of wrinkles, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularties, dyschromia and pigmented lesions.
The MaxIR Handpiece is intended for photocoagulation of soft tissue in dermatologic applications. In addition, it is intended to provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, the temporary relief of minor joint pain associated with arthritis, the temporary increase in local circulation where applied, and the relaxation of may also help muscle spasms, minor sprains and strains, and minor muscular back pain.
The 1064 Laser Handpiece is intended for the removal of unwanted hair for skin types I-VI, and to effect stable long-term permanent hair reduction; treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, senile lentigines (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), pigmented seratosis; tattoos (significant reduction in the intensity of black and/or blue-black tattoos); pigmented lesions to reduce lesion size, for patients with lesions that would potentially benefit from aggressive treatment, and for patients with lesions that have not responded to other laser/light treatment of vascular lesions such as but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, telangiectasias, rosacea, venus lake, facial and leg veins; reduction of red pigmentation in hypertrophic and keloid scars where vascularity is an integral part of the scar; coagulation and hemostasis of soft tissue; treatment of wrinkles and pseudofolliculitis barbae (FFB).
The Max series Intense Pulsed Light Handpieces are intended for the treatment of inflammatory acne (acne vulgaris) and FORM FDA 3881 (1/14) Page 2 of 2
for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions, including warts, scars and striae, removal of unwanted hair from skin types I-VI, and to effect stable long-term, or permanent, hair reduction; treatment of benign pigmented lesions, including port wine stains, hemangiomas, aniomas, telangiectasias, rosacea, facial and leg veins. The Skintel Reader is intended as an objective measurement tool for examining skin melanin content for determining and setting a test spot starting fluence.
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Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
2 Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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# 510(k) Summary:
A summary of 510(k) safety and effectiveness information in accordance with the requirements of 21 C.F.R. 807.92.
| 807.92(a)(1) - Submitter Information | |
|--------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Name | Cynosure Inc. |
| Address | 5 Carlisle Road<br>Westford, MA 01886 |
| Name of contact person | Allyson Connor |
| Telephone | 978-367-8736 |
| Fax number | 978-256-6556 |
| Email | aconnor@cynosure.com |
| Establishment Registration Number | 1222993 |
| Date prepared | 8/25/14 |
| 807.92(a)(2) - Name of device | |
| Trade or proprietary name | Palomar Icon® Aesthetic System |
| Common or usual name | Light and Laser System |
| Classification name | Instrument, Surgical, Powered, laser |
| Classification panel | General and Plastic Surgery |
| Regulation | 878.4810 |
| Product Code(s) | GEX, ONG |
# 807.92(a)(3) - Legally marketed device(s) to which equivalence is claimed
Palomar Icon® Aesthetic System, K110907
# 807.92(a)(4) - Device description
The Palomar Icon® Aesthetic System including attachable treatment handpieces is designed to deliver pulses of broadband incoherent or laser light to a predetermined target site. The Palomar Icon® Aesthetic System consists of three stacking modules that contain an internal power supply, control electronics, Chiller Module, Heat Exchanger Module, Base Module, remote interlock, emergency-off button, footswitch, power control, and front panel monitor with indicators. They system includes multiple treatment hadnpieces attached to the Base Module. Each Handpiece provides laser energy at a specific wavelength or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) at a specific range.
## 807.92(a)(5) Intended use of the device
# Indications for use
The 2940 Ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in surgical applications
requiring the excision, incision, ablation, vaporization, and coagulation of soft tissue includes skin, cutaneous tissue, subcutaneous tissue, striated and smooth
tissue, muscle, cartilage meniscus, calculi or fragments, mucous membrane, lymph vessels and nodes, organs, and glands in the following indications: skin resurfacing, treatment of wrinkles, epidermal nevi, telangiectasia, spider veins, actinic chelitis, keloids, verrucae, skin tags, keratoses, scar revision (including acne scars), debulking benign tumors, debulking cysts and superficial skin lesions.
The 2940 Fractional Ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in dermatological procedures requiring coagulation, resurfacing, and ablation of soft tissue. Procedures include skin resurfacing and treatment of wrinkles, rhytides, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, pigmented lesions, and vascular dyschromia.
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The 1540 Fractional Non-ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in the coagulation of soft tissue. skin resurfacing procedures as well as treatment of melasma, striae, acne scars and surgical scars.
The 1440 Fractional Non-ablative Laser Handpiece is intended for use in dermatological procedures requiring coagulation of soft tissue and skin resurfacing procedures.
The 1540 Fractional Non-ablative Laser and 2940 Fractional Abaltive Laser Handpiece combined treatment is intended for dermatological procedures requiring coagulation, resurfacing, and ablation of soft tissue. Procedures include skin resurfacing and treatment of wrinkles, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularities, dyschromia and pigmented lesions.
The 1440 Fractional Non-ablative Laser Handpiece and 2940 Fractional Ablative Laser Handpiece combined treatment is intended for dermatological procedures requiring coagulation, resurfacing, and ablation of soft tissue. Procedures include skin resurfacing and treatment of wrinkles, furrows, fine lines, textural irregularties, dyschromia and pigmented lesions.
The MaxIR Handpiece is intended for photocoagulation of soft tissue in dermatologic applications. In addition, it is intended to provide topical heating for the purpose of elevating tissue temperature for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, the temporary relief of minor joint pain associated with arthritis, the temporary increase in local circulation where applied, and the relaxation of muscles. In addition, it may also help muscle spasms, minor sprains and strains, and minor muscular back pain.
The 1064 Laser Handpiece is intended for the removal of unwanted hair for skin types I-VI, and to effect stable long-term permanent hair reduction; treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, senile lentigines (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), pigmented seborrheic keratosis; tattoos (significant reduction in the intensity of black and/or blue-black tattoos); pigmented lesions to reduce lesion size, for patients with lesions that would potentially benefit from aggressive treatment, and for patients with lesions that have not responded to other laser/light treatment of vascular lesions such as but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, telangiectasias, rosacea, venous lake, facial and leg veins;
reduction of red pigmentation in hypertrophic and keloid scars where vascularity is an integral part of the scar, coagulation and hemostasis of soft tissue; treatment of wrinkles and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).
The Max series Intense Pulsed Light Handpieces are intended for the treatment of inflammatory acne (acne vulgaris) and for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions, including warts, scars and striae, removal of unwanted hair from skin types I-VI, and to effect stable long-term, or permanent, hair reduction: treatment of benign pigmented lesions, including port wine stains, hemangiomas, aniomas, telangectasias, rosacca, facial and leg veins.
The Skintel Reader is intended as an objective measurement tool for examining skin melanin content for determining and setting a test spot staring fluence.
| | 2940 Fractional Ablative Laser Handpiece<br>(K110907) | 2940 Fraction Ablative Laser Handpiece<br>(Modified) |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| Parameter | Description | Description |
| Laser Type | Erbium: YAG (Er:YAG) | Erbium: YAG (Er:YAG) |
| Wavelength | 2940 nm | 2940 nm |
## 807.92(a)(6) Summary of the technological characteristics of the device compared to the predicate
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| Fluence<br>(J/cm2) | Optic | Energy<br>(mJ/mB) | Microbeam<br>Density | Pitch (distance<br>between<br>microcolumns) | Optic | Energy<br>(mJ/mB) | Microbeam Density | Pitch (distance<br>between<br>microcolumns) |
|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| | Silver<br>(Groove<br>тм Optic) | 2-5.5<br>mJ/0.1mm | N/A | 1350 μm<br>(grooves) | Silver<br>(Groove<br>тм Optic) | 2-5.5<br>mJ/0.1mm | N/A | 1350 μm<br>(grooves) |
| | Blue 450<br>Fractional<br>Optic | 3-9 mJ | 469<br>mB/cm² | 450 μm | Blue 450<br>Fractional<br>Optic | 3-9 mJ | 469<br>mB/cm² | 450 μm |
| | Green<br>1200<br>Fractional | 8-24 mJ | 178<br>mB/cm² | 750 μm | Green<br>1200<br>Fractional | 8-24 mJ | 178<br>mB/cm² | 750 μm |
| | Red 140<br>Fractional | 3-9 mJ | 169<br>mB/cm² | 750 μm | Red 140<br>Fractional | 3-9 mJ | 169<br>mB/cm² | 750 μm |
| | Purple<br>Flatbeam | 25 J/cm² –<br>70 J/cm² | N/A | N/A | Purple<br>Flatbeam | 25 J/cm² –<br>70 J/cm² | N/A | N/A |
| Spot Size<br>(mm) and<br>Treatment<br>Zone | 6 x 6 mm and 10 x 10 mm, depending on the Optic Flatbeam:<br>2 mm | | | | 6 x 6 mm and 10 x 10 mm, depending on the Optic<br>Flatbeam: 2 mm | | | |
| Pulse Width<br>(ms) | .25, 3, 5 ms | | | | .25, 3, 5 ms | | | |
| Delivery<br>System | Microbeams of light transmitted via a microlens array in the<br>interchangeable Optic. | | | | Microbeams of light transmitted via a microlens array in<br>the interchangeable Optic. | | | |
| Actuator | Foot pedal | | | | | | | |
### 807.92(b)(1-2) Nonclinical tests submitted
Test
Sterilization Validation
## 807.92(b)(3) Conclusions drawn from non-clinical data
An Autoclave Sterilization Validation of the 10 x 10 and 6 x 6 Focal Guide Assemblies was conducted using Steam Sterilization Validation Procedure. The Focal Guides were originally factory-sterilized by gamma sterilization and the intent is to provide the device to the customer non-sterile, with instructions for on-site autoclave sterilization. The test articles, negative controls, and environmental controls all exhibited no growth G. stearothermophilus after being subjected to 3 half cycle rounds of the gravity cycle settings described in ETR-191, Autoclave Sterilization Validation of 2940 Handpiece Focal Guides, meeting an SAL of ≤10°. The test articles also passed validation of the specified dry time (15 minutes, minimum), as no residual moisture was detected after being subjected to the full gravity cycle settings. Functional testing shows that the sterilization does not affect the function of the device.
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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.