This device is intended for use by health care professionals trained in the field of echocardiography or medical ultrasound. It is to be used when there is a need to convert ultrasound images to a digital video format for subsequent review and archiving. This device is also intended for use in transferring ultrasound images over digital networks and/or digital communication lines.
Device Story
fyreLINK is a telecardiology and image management system for cardiology ultrasound. It captures analog video from ultrasound machines via a hardware video converter, transforming it into real-time streaming digital video. Data is compressed using MPEG2 or lossless run-length encoding (RLE) and stored on local hard drives or CD-R. The system includes an image acquisition unit (IAU), review stations, and networking capabilities. Operated by sonographers and physicians in clinical settings, the IAU allows for manual time-marking of cardiac cycles (systole) for stress echo applications. It replaces existing VCRs, supports electronic reporting, and enables remote access via WAN/telecommunication links. By digitizing and archiving full-motion video with stereo sound, it facilitates efficient review and clinical decision-making for cardiac exams.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Performance equivalence established through comparison of technical specifications, including real-time 30 fps video acquisition and playback capabilities.
Technological Characteristics
Hardware: Windows 2000-based IAU (laptop or desktop). Video conversion: Analog to digital hardware converter. Compression: MPEG2 (full-motion, stereo sound) and lossless run-length encoding (RLE). Storage: Internal hard disk, CD-R. Connectivity: Network-ready (WAN, T1, ISDN, modem). Form factor: VCR replacement. Software: Proprietary MPACS software for acquisition, review, and electronic reporting.
Indications for Use
Indicated for use by trained healthcare professionals in echocardiography or medical ultrasound to convert, review, archive, and transfer ultrasound video/images over digital networks.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A medical image management and processing system is a device that provides one or more capabilities relating to the review and digital processing of medical images for the purposes of interpretation by a trained practitioner of disease detection, diagnosis, or patient management. The software components may provide advanced or complex image processing functions for image manipulation, enhancement, or quantification that are intended for use in the interpretation and analysis of medical images. Advanced image manipulation functions may include image segmentation, multimodality image registration, or 3D visualization. Complex quantitative functions may include semi-automated measurements or time-series measurements.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls; voluntary standards—Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Std., Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) Std., Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) Test Pattern).
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for MPACS, which is a company that specializes in integration. The logo is black and white and features a stylized version of the company name. Below the company name is the tagline "THE POWER OF INTEGRATION". The logo is simple and modern, and it conveys the company's focus on integration.
K 030242
MAR 1 0 2003
7601 Ganser Way Madison, WI 53719 (608) 827-7111
## 510(K) SUMMARY (As Required by 21 CFR 807.92(c))
#### A. Submitter's Name and Address
MPACS, LLC 7601 Ganser Way Madison, WI 53719
Phone: (608) 827-7111 (608) 827-0162 Fax:
#### B. Contact Person
Greg Sopotnick Phone: (608) 827-7111 (608) 827-0162 Fax:
- C. Date of Submission: January 21, 2003
- D. Device Name
- D.1. Device Trade or Proprietary name: fyreLINK™
D.2. Device Common or Usual Name: Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS)
D.3. Classifications: Image Processing System
D.4. Product Code: LLZ
D.5. Class: Unclassified (Accessory to a Class II ultrasound parent device)
### D.6. Classification Panel: Radiology
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## E. Equivalent Devices
The equivalent legally marketed devices are the echoLINK system (510(k) Number K980060) manufactured by MPACS and the EnConcert system (510(k) Number K954668) manufactured by Philips Medical Systems for routine echocardiography and the TomTec (510(k) Number K950279) manufactured by TomTec Imaging Systems, Inc. for stress echocardiography.
# F. Device Description
fvreLINK (formerly echoLINK) now provides the cardiology ultrasound market a realtime solution for dealing with EC data, a telecardiology system, a complete image management system, and stress echo acquisition with LV function, M-mode, and Doppler measurements. There are four major components that make up the fyreLINK product line; an image acquisition unit, a review station, a DVD library system, and the networking configuration. The telecardiology system uses the same components except for the DVD library system. Appendix D shows several examples of how these components can be arranged to provide customer solutions.
The fyreLINK image acquisition unit (IAU) is the key component of the fyreLINK device. It uses a hardware video converter to convert analog video coming from the ultrasound machine to streaming digital video in real time. This streaming digital video can then be compressed using MPEG 2 or a lossless compression technique (run-length encoding), and stored on the local hard drive as an MPEG2 or an AVI file. The IAU can store up to 1000 minutes of digital video data on its internal hard disk if MPEG2 compression is used, or 30 minutes if lossless compression is used... The data is available for immediate review on the IAU, or can be exported to another application or another workstation or archive. The IAU employs user-defined protocols for view indexing. Each acquired view is an individual file. The IAU allows the user to place time markers within a view to identify the start of systole (the contraction phase of the heart). This intra-view marking is necessary for stress echo applications. The IAU is built on a Windows 2000 platform, and is network-ready for transferring patient data to a local or central archive system and/or to a physician's review station. The IAU's compact size allows it to be a direct replacement for the ultrasound machine's existing VCR. The IAU platform can consist of either a laptop or desktop type computer. The device has an electronic report generator that will allow the sonographer and physician to enter exam information as part of a paperless reporting system. The IAU, when configured as part of a WAN environment, can be a part of a remote access telecardiology system. The IAU is controlled by MPACS proprietary software.
fyreLINK offers two review station solutions. Acquired images can be reviewed at the IAU, or the image files can be exported for use with another application. THE REVIEW FUNCTION OF FYRELINK SOFTWARE LABELS ALL RECALLED IMAGES WITH THE TYPE OF COMPRESSION USED AND THE COMPRESSION RATIO.
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fyreLINK used in a network environment can integrate with a mass archive solution already in place. As an alternative, the IAU includes a CD-R recorder built in, to permit immediate local archival of ultrasound studies. CD-R recorders can also be added to customer review stations.
MPACS will supply network solutions for integrating the fyreLINK components. In a network configuration, the image acquisition unit moves patient studies directly to a server. The review station is able to review both on-line and near-line studies. Network solutions will also include telecommunication links such as T1, ISDN, and modem connections for telecardiology.
## G. Intended Use
This device is intended for use by health care professionals trained in the field of echocardiography or medical ultrasound. It is to be used when there is a need to convert ultrasound images to a digital video format for subsequent review and archiving. This device is also intended for use in transferring ultrasound images over digital networks and/or digital communication lines.
## H. Substantial Equivalency Comparison
There are some technological differences between the fyreLINK device and the equivalent devices, however these differences do not affect the safety or effectiveness of this device. These differences are discussed below.
With respect to routine echocardiography and image management, fyreLINK is substantially equivalent to the echoLINK product. In fact, fyreLINK is essentially the echoLINK product with the additional option of run-length encoding (RLE) lossless compression used in creating AVI files. fyreLINK still produces the same MPEG2 files that echoLINK does and can export still images in a BMP format. The EnConcert system uses lossless RLE compression and can export AVI files. EnConcert also exports still images in BMP format.
With respect to stress echo applications, fyreLINK is substantially equivalent to the TomTec"90 product except for the type of video compression used. fyreLINK's image acquisition unit records streaming video (continuous video segments for a duration determined by the user) as oppose to image clips for a duration set by the acquisition unit. The TomTect 99, employs the use of image clips compressed by JPEG technology. JPEG typically uses compression ratios up to 20 to 1. Therefore, in order to limit the storage requirements, the TomTec" limits acquisition times to a few seconds or less per view of the heart. This technique of limiting acquisition times is called "Clinical Compression". Additionally, JPEG does not allow for the digitizing of audio, which is an important component that needs to be recorded during Doppler examinations. The MPEG2 compression technique is an international standard for full-motion video compression and is covered under the equivalent MPACS echoLINK device (K964803). This technology
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used by fyreLINK provides 44:1 compression and records full stereo sound. There is no need for clinical compression with the fyreLINK device and image acquisitions can be the same duration as previously used with VCR tape storage.
One additional minor technology difference between fyreLINK and the TomTec 90 is how the devices mark a particular portion of a view for display. In most stress echo protocols, only the contraction phase (systole) of the cardiac cycle is of interest. In the TomTec"90, this limit duration view is acquired by triggering acquisition off the R-wave portion of the ECG and collecting a fixed number of frames. It is critical that the sonographer selects the correct number of post-triggered frames in order to properly capture the systolic event. The number of frames selected will depend on the patient's heart rate. You need more frames when the heart is at rest than when the heart is at peak stress. Selecting an inappropriate number of frames, post R-wave, is a potential source of error. To eliminate this potential source of error, fyreLINK's image acquisition unit allows the sonographer to collect multiple cardiac cycles and then while reviewing the images place markers within the view to precisely mark the beginning and end of systole. This eliminates the trial and error approach of triggering on the R-wave and increases the effectiveness of this device.
fyreLINK's performance is the same as the equivalent marketed devices. All four devices are required to acquire or digitize full-motion (30 frames per second) analog video in real time. Likewise all four devices can playback the stored digital video in realtime.
### I. Conclusions
fyreLINK, echoLINK, Philips EnConcert, and the TomTect 99 are all used in the same way to digitally acquire, store and review ultrasound exams.
There are some technological differences between fyreLINK and the equivalent devices, however these differences do not affect the safety or effectiveness of this device.
Based on the intended use and the comparisons between the fyreLINK device and the legally marketed devices, there are all the indications that the fyreLINK device is substantially equivalent to the echoLINK. Philips EnConcert, and the TomTec"99 devices.
(End of 510(k) Summary)
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Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the seal of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The seal features a stylized caduceus, a symbol often associated with medicine and healthcare, with three lines forming the snake and staff. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular pattern around the caduceus.
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
MAR 1 0 2003
Mr. Greg Sopotnick Ouality Assurance Manager MPACS 7601 Granser Way MADISON WI 53719
Re: K030242 Trade/Device Name: fyreLINK Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.2050 Regulation Name: Picture archiving and communications system Regulatory Class: II Product Code: 90 LZZ Dated: January 21, 2003
Received: January 23, 2003
Dear Mr. Sopotnick:
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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Page 1 of 1
510(k) Number (if known): K030242
fyreLINK Device Name:
Indications for Use:
This device is intended for use by health care professionals trained in the field of echocardiography or medical ultrasound. It is to be used when there is a need to convert ultrasound video to a digital video format for subsequent review and archiving. This device is also intended for use in transferring ultrasound images over digital networks and/or digital communication lines.
# (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE OF NEEDED)
## Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
(Posted July 1, 1998)
*Prescription Use*
Nancy C Hogdon
(Optional Format 3-10-98)
(Division Sigh-Off)
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal,
and Radiological Devices
510(k) Number K03024
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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.