RAPID Strand™ consists of absorbable seeding spacers and Model 6711 OncoSeed™ seeds, embedded within Polyglactin 910 Synthetic Absorbable Braided Carrier and is intended for medical purposes to be placed into a body cavity or tissue as a source of nuclear radiation for therapy.
Device Story
RAPID Strand™ is a brachytherapy device consisting of I-125 radioactive seeds (Model 6711 OncoSeed™) and absorbable seeding spacers arranged at fixed intervals within a Polyglactin 910 braided carrier. The device is stiffened and sterilized via Ethylene Oxide. It is delivered in a stainless steel shielding tube that attenuates >99% of I-125 photons. Physicians determine the required dose and seed count based on patient-specific prescriptions; the customized strand contains a variable number of seeds and spacers. The device is implanted into body cavities or tissue to provide localized nuclear radiation therapy for tumors. It serves as a permanent implant to deliver radiation directly to the tumor site, potentially sparing surrounding healthy tissue compared to external radiation sources.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Evidence consists of comparative analysis of device materials and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm chemical composition and structural integrity of the modified RAPID Strand™ compared to the predicate device.
Technological Characteristics
Device consists of I-125 seeds (welded titanium capsule, silver rod) and absorbable spacers (90% Glycolide, 10% L-lactide, D&C Violet No. 2). Carrier is Polyglactin 910 (90% Glycolide, 10% L-lactide, coated with Polyglactin 370 and calcium stearate). Sterilization via Ethylene Oxide. Delivered in stainless steel shielding tube.
Indications for Use
Indicated for permanent interstitial implantation of localized tumors with low to moderate radiosensitivity. Used as primary treatment (e.g., prostate cancer, unresectable tumors) or for residual disease post-excision. May be used concurrently or following external beam radiation or chemotherapy.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A radionuclide brachytherapy source is a device that consists of a radionuclide which may be enclosed in a sealed container made of gold, titanium, stainless steel, or platinum and intended for medical purposes to be placed onto a body surface or into a body cavity or tissue as a source of nuclear radiation for therapy.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). A prostate seeding kit intended for use with a radionuclide brachytherapy source only is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 892.9.
{0}------------------------------------------------
# APR 1 0 2003
## 510(k) SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
Kp3p594
The following 510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness is prepared and provided in accordance with the requirements of 21 CFR 807.92 as amended under the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 (SMDA).
## Submitter's Information
| Company Name: | Medi-Physics, Inc DBA Amersham Health |
|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| Address: | 101 Carnegie Center<br>Princeton, NJ 08540-6231 |
| Contact Name: | Subhash Patel<br>Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs |
| Telephone Number: | (609) 514-6846 |
| Summary Prepared Date: | February 19, 2003 |
| Subject Device Information | |
| Trade Name: | RAPID Strand™ |
| Model: | 7000 |
| Common Name: | Radionuclide Brachytherapy Source | |
|-----------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------|
| Class: | II | |
| Classification: | 21 CFR 892.5730 | Product Code: 90-IWI |
Legally marketed devices to which equivalence is claimed. Predicate Devices
| 1. | Trade Name: | RAPID Strand™ | Model: 7000 |
|----|---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
| | Common Name: | Radionuclide Brachytherapy Source | |
| | Class: | II | |
| | Classification: | 21 CFR 892.5730 | Product Code: 90-IWI |
| | Cleared 510(k) No.: | K940632 | |
| | Submitted by: | Medi-Physics, Inc., Arlington Heights, IL | |
| 2. | Trade Name: | OncoSeed™ | Model: 6711 |
| | Common Name: | Radionuclide Brachytherapy Source | |
| | Class: | II | |
| | Classification: | 21 CFR 892.5730 | Product Code: 90-KXK |
| | Cleared 510(k) No.: | K914281 | |
| | Submitted by: | Medi-Physics, Inc., Arlington Heights, IL | |
| 3. | Trade Name: | Coated VICRYL (Polyglactin 910) Synthetic Absorbable Sutur | |
| | Common Name: | Absorbable Poly (glycolide/L-lactide) surgical suture | |
| | Class: | II | |
| | Classification: | 21 CFR 892.4493 | Product Code: GAM |
| | Cleared 510(k) No.: | K022269 (September 13, 2002) | |
| | Submitted by: | Ethicon. Inc.. Somerville. NJ | |
{1}------------------------------------------------
Ky3\$\phi\$594
CP Medical, Portland, OR
Trade Name: Common Name:
4.
Class: Classification: Cleared 510(k) No .: Submitted by:
Absorbable Seeding Spacers Accessory to applicator and accessory to radionuclide Brachytherapy Sources II 21 CFR 892.5730 Product Code: 90 KXK K013964 (January 24, 2002)
Description of Device
RAPID Strand™ consists of 11 absorbable seeding spacers and 10 Model 6711 OncoSeed™ seeds (welded titanium capsule containing I-125 adsorbed onto a silver rod) spaced at a fixed distance within absorbable braided carrier. The absorbable braided carrier containing OncoSeeds and absorbable seeding spacer is stiffened and then sterilized by Ethylene Oxide. The seeds are housed in a plastic spacing jig within a stainless steel shielding tube which attenuates >99% of the I-125 photons. RAPID Strand™ is STERILE when shipped.
The Customized RAPID Strand allows the variable seed spacing to reflect individual patient prescriptions as specified by the treating physician. This Customized RAPID Strand will have less than ten (10) OncoSeed™ seeds and a variable number of Absorbable Seeding Spacers. The treating physician will determine the required dose and total number of active seeds for each Customized RAPID Strand. Since it will contain less than 10 Brachytherapy seeds, it does not raise any issues of safety. Please refer to Seed Spacing Diagram in Section-E
#### Intended Use
RAPID Strand™ consists of absorbable seeding spacers and Model 6711 OncoSeed™ seeds, embedded within Polyglactin 910 Synthetic Absorbable Braided Carrier and is intended for medical purposes to be placed into a body cavity or tissue as a source of nuclear radiation for therapy.
#### Indications for Use
RAPID Strand ™ is indicated for permanent interstitial implantation of selected localized turnors which are low to moderate radiosensitivity. They may be used either as primary treatment (such as prostate cancer or unresectable turnors) or for treatment of residual disease after excision of the primary tumor.
RAPID Strand™ may be indicated for use concurrent with or at the completion of other treatment modalities, such as external beam radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
When compared with the Intended Use and Indications for Use of the predicate model 7000 RAPID Strand™, the Intended Use and Indications for Use of the subject model 7000 RAPID Strand™ have not changed.
{2}------------------------------------------------
y30594
#### Technological Characteristics
The following modifications have been incorporated in the subject device - Model 7000 RAPID StrandTM when compared to predicate device:
| Modified<br>Characteristics | 7000 RAPID Strand<br>(Subject Device) | 7000 RAPID Strand<br>(Predicate Device)<br>Cleared in 510(k)# K940632 |
|----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Absorbable Seeding Spacers | | |
| Regulatory Status | Cleared in 510(k)# K013964 | Not applicable |
| Number of Spacers | 11 (Eleven) | None |
| Base Material | 90% Glycolide + 10% L-lactide | None |
| Color | D&C Violet No.2<br>(21 CFR 74.3602) | None |
| Coated VICRYL (Polyglactin 910) Braided Carrier Material | | |
| Regulatory Status | Cleared in 510(k) # K022269 | Cleared in 510(k) # K940632 |
| Base Material | Ethicon JB947 - Coated VICRYL<br>(Polyglactin 910) Synthetic<br>Absorbable Suture | Ethicon J617 - Coated VICRYL<br>(Polyglactin 910) Synthetic<br>Absorbable Suture |
| Formulation | Polyglactin 910<br>[90% Glycolide + 10% L-lactide<br>coated with Polyglactin 370 and<br>calcium stearate] | Polyglactin 910<br>[90% Glycolide + 10% L-lactide<br>coated with Polyglactin 370 and<br>calcium stearate] |
| Appearance | Undyed (Natural) | Coated Vicryl Violet (D&C Violet<br>#2) |
| Sterilization | Sterile (EtO sterilization<br>performed on finished device) | Sterile (EtO sterilization<br>performed on finished device) |
All other technological characteristics of the subject 7000 RAPID Strand™ remain unchanged compared to the predicate RAPID Strand™ that was cleared in the 510(k) # K940632.
#### Nonclinical Test Data
The copies of the following Nonclinical Test Data reports have been provided in the Section-G of this submission.
- Report of Analysis: Infrared Spectroscopy FTIR Spectra of the predicate RAPID Strand 1. (finished device) by Northview Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, IL
- Report of Analysis: Infrared Spectroscopy FTIR Spectra of the subject RAPID Strand 1.5 2. (finished device) by Northview Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, IL
### Conclusion:
Upon reviewing the safety and effectiveness information provided in this submission and comparing the intended use, indications for use, method of use and other technological characteristics, it can be concluded that the subject RAPID Strand™ is substantially equivalent to the predicate RAPID Strand™, which was cleared under 510(k)# K940632.
{3}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo is circular and contains the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES • USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized image of three human profiles facing right, with flowing lines beneath them, resembling a wave or fabric.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
## APR 1 0 2003
Mr. Subhash Patel Associate Director Regulatory Affairs Amersham Health 101 Carnegie Center PRINCETON NJ 08540
Re: K030594
Trade/Device Name: I-125 RAPID Strand Model 7000 Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.5730 Regulation Name: Radionuclide brachytherapy source Regulatory Class: II Product Code: 90 KXK Dated: March 25, 2003 Received: March 27, 2003
Dear Mr. Patel:
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.
{4}------------------------------------------------
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
{5}------------------------------------------------
## EXHIBIT-2
## Indications for Use Form
Page 1 of 1
| <strong>Labels</strong> | <strong>Values</strong> |
|---------------------------|-------------------------|
| 510(k) Number (if known): | K\$\phi\$5\$\rho\$59i4 |
Device Name:
Model: 7000 RAPID Strand™
## Indications For Use:
RAPID Strand ™ is indicated for permanent interstitial implantation of selected localized tumors which are low to moderate radiosensitivity. They may be used either as primary treatment (such as prostate cancer or unresectable tumors) or for treatment of residual disease after excision of the primary tumor.
RAPID Strand™ may be indicated for use concurrent with or at the completion of other treatment modalities, such as external beam radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
#### PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE – CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED
Concurrence of CDRH2 Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
OR
David H. Legum
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal,
and Radiological Devices
510(k) Number K030594
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
Over-The-Counter Use _
Predicate graph will load when search results are available.
Embedding visualization will load when search results are available.
PDF viewer will load when search results are available.
Loading panels...
Select an item from Submissions
Click any panel, subpart, regulation, product code, or device to see details here.
Section Matches
Results will appear here.
Product Code Matches
Results will appear here.
Special Control Matches
Results will appear here.
Loading collections...
Loading
My Alerts
You will receive email notifications based on the filters and frequency you set for each alert.
Sort by:
Create Alert
Search Filters
Agent Token
Create a read-only bearer token for Claude, ChatGPT, or other agents that can call HTTP APIs.
Copy this now. It will not be shown again.
Connected apps
Apps you authorized through browser sign-in. Disconnecting revokes their access immediately.
Learn the FDA Browser
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.