K051278 · Rg Ent., Inc. · DWJ · Jun 29, 2006 · Cardiovascular
Device Facts
Record ID
K051278
Device Name
GERATHERM SOS-VACUTHERM (THERMAMED SMARTCARE)
Applicant
Rg Ent., Inc.
Product Code
DWJ · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
Jun 29, 2006
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.5900
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm is a temperature-controlled electric whole body warming system intended for use in preventing or treating the effects of incidental hypothermia in adults while at the rescue scene or during transport by air or ground to a medical facility
Device Story
Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm is a combination thermal regulation system and stretcher; designed for pre-hospital and transport use (ambulance, helicopter, fixed-wing). System comprises an electrically warmed panel (resistive carbon fiber cloth) and an integrated vacuum mattress. Control module monitors temperature via dual thermistors; provides user-selectable heating (37°C or 42°C). Powered by auxiliary battery, 12V DC automotive, or 24-28V DC aircraft power. Provides low-level distributed heat via conduction to prevent/treat hypothermia in trauma/critical care patients. Healthcare providers (EMS, rescue personnel) operate the device; visual/audible alarms indicate status/faults. Benefits include reduced hypothermia-related shock and subjective pain perception.
Clinical Evidence
Clinical evaluation performed at Mayo Clinic (Kober et al., 2001) compared resistive carbon fiber heating to passive warming in trauma patients. Results demonstrated that patients treated with the resistive heating system experienced significantly lower degrees of hypothermia compared to passive warming techniques. Additional verification of operation under non-laboratory conditions was conducted by various international rescue organizations (e.g., SAMU 38, ADAC, REGA).
Indicated for adults experiencing or at risk of incidental hypothermia at rescue scenes or during transport by air or ground to medical facilities.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A thermal regulating system is an external system consisting of a device that is placed in contact with the patient and a temperature controller for the device. The system is used to regulate patient temperature.
{0}------------------------------------------------
K051278
Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows a logo for RG Medical Diagnostics. The logo features the letters "RG" in a large, bold font at the top. Below the letters, there is a graphic that resembles a heartbeat line or a mountain range. Underneath the graphic, the words "medical" and "DIAGNOSTICS" are stacked on top of each other in a smaller font.
## RG Medical Diagnostics
JUN 2 9 2006
## 510(k) Premarket Notification Summary
# Geratherm® SOS-Vacutherm
Common Name - Warming Blanket Classification name - Thermal Regulating System (870.5900) AND Stretcher, Hand Carried (21 CFR, 880.6900) Predicate Device - ChillBuster™ Portable Electric Blanket (Thermogear, Inc. K991684)
The following material presents the 510 (k) Summary for the Geratherm® SOS-Vacutherm
21130 Bridge Street · Southfield, MI 48034 Phone: 888-596-9498 · Fax: 248-750-0187 · Website: www.rgmd.com
Section 5, page 1 of 7
{1}------------------------------------------------
#### Premarket (510K) Summary
#### Submitter Information
RG Enterprises, Inc. (dba) RG Medical Diagnostics 21130 Bridge Street Southfield, MI 48034 888-596-9498 Date Prepared: 04/15/05
#### Device Name:
Proprietary name: Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm (Thermamed "Smartcare") Common name: Hypothermic Therapy System CDRH Product Regulation: Thermal Regulation System (21 CFR, 870.5900)
AND,
Stretcher, Hand Carried (21 CFR, 880.6900) (510(k) exempt)
| Establishment Registration Number: | 1835242 |
|------------------------------------|---------|
|------------------------------------|---------|
Classification: Combination Product, Class II (DWJ) AND Class I (FPP)
#### Predicate Device:
RG Medical Diagnostics, 21130 Bridge Street, Southfield, Michigan, 48034 has designated The Chillbuster Portable Electric Blanket System, Model 8001, (K991684) manufactured by Thermogear, Inc. 18005 Lower Boones Ferry Rd., Togart. OR 977224 as the Predicate Device for the Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm System. manufactured by Geratherm AG, Fahrenheitstrasse 1, D-98716 Geschwenda/Germany.
#### Statement of Substantial Equivalence:
Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm Optimal is substantially equivalent to:
1. ChillBuster™ Portable Electric Blanket (Thermogear, Inc. K991684)
#### Description of Device:
The Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm System is a combination product made of two primary components:
1. An electrically warmed panel. - Class II
2. A integrated vacuum mattress / stretcher - Class I (exempt from 510(k) premarket notification).
21130 Bridge Street • • Southfield, MI 48034 Phone: 888-596-9498 · Fax: 248-750-0187 · Website: www.rgmd.com
Section 5, page 2 of 7
{2}------------------------------------------------
#### Vacutherm description:
1. Warming Panel: The main functional warming panel element is a 54 inches (137.0 cm) by 31.5 inches (80.0 cm). The active warming panel is constructed of electrically resistive carbon fiber woven cloth enclosed between two layers of Dacron® polyester hollow fiber fleece panels. The carbon fiber cloth is stitched to a lower fleece panel. The polyester fleece layers are permanently enclosed in a waterproof polyurethane / polyester cloth laminate cover. The active warming panel has a permanently affixed power cable that is attached to the power control module via color coded quick connect power connections. The active panel is attached to the vacuum mattress with quick attach / disconnects.
2: Insulated Heat Reflective Panel: A reflective panel overlays the active panel from the opposite side of the patient. The passive insulation panel is attached to the vacuum mattress on the opposite side of the active panel with quick attach /disconnects.
3. Control Module: The control module is a molded high impact plastic housing that contains the electronic circuitry. The module regulates the warming panel temperature through a feedback circuit employing two thermistor temperature sensing systems located in the interior of the SOS-Vacutherm warming panel. Operator control is achieved through the use of four buttons located on the face of the module: an on button, off button, a 37° C (98.6°F) select button, and a 42° C (107.6°F) select button. The control module displays both warming panel temperature level and battery power status. Normal functions are monitored both through visual displays and audible signal. The control module power sources are the following; the auxiliary battery, an automotive type 12 Volt power supply outlet, or an aircraft power supply outlet, The control module automatically adjusts output current to either 12 volt DC automotive or 24-28 volt DC aircraft power sources. The control module body may be attached to the warming panel using a form-fitting pocket that is permanently attached to the insulated heat reflective panel.
4. Battery: The Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm system uses a sealed lead-acid gel rechargeable battery of 10-ampere hour capacity.
5. Cabling: The Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm System has a power cable permanently attached to the upper corner. The cable attaches from the warming panel directly to the Control Module. The cable supplying power to the power module has a color-coded quick connect at one end and an auxiliary battery /automotive/aircraft DC power outlet at the other.
Section 5, page 3 of 7
{3}------------------------------------------------
6. AC to DC Charger: The Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm System employs a 12 volt, DC, 2-ampere hour output battery charger to charge the battery or maintain full battery status. The charger may be used with either 120 or 240 Volt, 50 or 60 Hertz, AC input electric current.
#### Intended Use
The Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm system is designed to prevent or reduce the effects of hypothermia and hypothermia related symptoms. It may be used in the transport of trauma victims or critical care patients to a hospital by ambulance, helicopter, or fixed wing aircraft. Using the Geratherm® SOS Vacutherm System lowers susceptibility to shock caused by the cold. In addition, patients experience a subjective reduced perception of pain.
#### Non-Clinical Performance Data
The studies reported in this subsection were conducted by CE-LAB GmbH, iMG gGmbH, TREO Electrooptik GmbH, and TÜV GmbH
- Standards: The Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm has been tested to the following standards:
General Medical Safety:
EMC Specification EN 60601-1-2:2001. NATO Standard DCS01, DCE01. Generic Specification of SPAME ( Special Purpose Aeromedical Equipment) Issue 3, page 16, No. 62 (vibration). IEC 60601-1:1990 + A1:1993 + A2:1995 IEC 60601-2-35:1996 EN 60601-2-35:1996 C 0118 ISO 13485:2003 UL AWM Style 1007 & 1589 UL VW-1 FT
#### Clinical Performance Data
A formal clinical evaluation was performed at the Mayo Clinic comparing passive warming and active warming using Geratherm resistive carbon fiber electrical warming technology.
Alexander Kober, MD; Thomas Scheck, BS; Béla Fülesdi, MD; Frank Lieba, BS; Wolfgang Vlach, BS; Alexander Friedman, MD; & Daniel I. Sessler, MD. "Effectiveness of Resistive Heating Compared With Passive Warming in Treating Hypothermia Associated With Minor Trauma: A Randomized Trial," Mayo Clinic Proc. 2001;76:369-375
21130 Bridge Street · Southfield. MI 48034 Phone: 888-596-9498 • Fax: 248-750-0187 • Website: www.rgmd.com
Section 5, page 4 of 7
{4}------------------------------------------------
Results: Patients who were transported using Geratherm electric / carbon fiber active warming systems experienced significantly lesser degrees of hypothermia than those who were transported using passive warming techniques.
#### Verification of Operation Under Non-Laboratory Conditions
The Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm System was tested according to the Operating Manual.and was found to prevent or reduce hypothermia by the following organizations:
#### CE 0118
SAMU 38 - Helicopter Mountain Rescue Grenoble, France
ADAC Helicopter Helicopter Rescueservice Munich, Germany
Royal Dutch Army, Helicopter Catastrophe Rescueteam Netherlands
REGA - Mountain rescue service REGA - Centre Zürich Airport Zürich, Switzerland
#### Conclusions Drawn from Clinical and Non-Clinical Testing
The Gerathrerm SOS-Vacutherm System performed according to specification and compared favorably to the Predicate Device. No new issues of safety or effectiveness were found to arise in the Geratherm Vacutherm System when compared to the Predicate Device
Section 5, page 5 of 7
{5}------------------------------------------------
| Features | Geratherm® SOS -Vacutherm | ChillBuster™ Model 8001 |
|--------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| Indications for Use | Preventing / counteracting hypothermia | Preventing / counteracting hypothermia |
| Function | Low-level distributed heat to patient | Low-level distributed heat to patient |
| Heat Delivery Mechanism | Conduction | Conduction |
| Heat Source | Resistive carbon fiber cloth in panel | Thermal wire in blanket |
| Electrical Requirements | 12 VDC & 24-28 VDC @ 7 Amp | 12 VDC @ 3.2 Amp |
| Heating Element Power | 120 W (max) | 40 W (approx.) |
| Heat Presented to Patient | 37° C (98.6° F) or, 42° C (107.6° F) | 105° F |
| User Heat Output Control | Regulated 37° C or, Regulated 42° C | Un-calibrated continuous 20W-40W |
| Thermal Temperature Cutoff | 37° C (98.6° F) or, 42° C (107.6° F) | 105° F |
| Alarms | Audible and Visual | none |
| Circuit Protection | Multiple fault sensors, circuit breaker and fused controller | Fused positive battery lead |
| Internal Diagnostics | Continuous automatic self testing | none |
| Safety Agency Approvals | TUV Munich | TUV Rheinland |
| EMC Compatibility Testing | IEC 601-1-2 | IEC 601-1-2 |
| Cross-Contamination Protection | Disposable single use liner | Disposable single use liner |
| Cytotoxicity | L 929-Proliferation; EN 30993-5,-12; OSI 10993-5,- 12; LM SOP 4-06-01 | |
| Controller Diagnostic Display | Panel temperature, battery power level, fault detection, fault identification | |
| Blanket Material | Polyurethane and Dacron® polyester cloth laminate with Dacron® hollow filament fleece interior | Oxford nylon and nylon acrylic |
| Control Unit Construction | Impact resistant polycarbonate | Flame retardant polycarbonate |
| Cleaning | Hand wash all segments | Machine wash and dry |
| System Weight | 19 lbs (8.7 kg) | 8 lbs |
| Disinfection | Suitable for spray or sponge applied water based disinfectants | No information |
#### Comparison of Technological Characteristics ( SOS - Vacutherm vs Predicate device)
21130 Bridge Street ▪ ▪ Southfield, MI 48034
Phone: 888-596-9498 ▪ Fax: 248-750-0187 ▪ ▪ Website: www.rgmd.com
Section 5, page 6 of 7
{6}------------------------------------------------
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
JUN 2 9 2006
R.G. Enterprises, Inc. c/o Mr. Ronald G. Letoutneau President 21130 Bridge Street Southfield, MI 48034
Re: K051278
Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.5900 Regulation Name: Thermal Regulating System Regulatory Class: Class II (Two) Product Code: DWJ Dated: June 21, 2006 . Received: June 23. 2006
Dear Mr. Letoutneau:
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.
{7}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 - Mr. Ronald G. Letoutneau
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 atterrenuirements 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 (2) CFR Parphy, W11); 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.
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 10(t) 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 (240) 276-0120. Also, please note the regulation ventitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). 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 (301) 443-6597 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/industry/support/index.html
Sincerely yours.
Dmna R. buchner
Bram D. Zuckerman, M.D. Director Division of Cardiovascular Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{8}------------------------------------------------
### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known):
K051278
Device Name:
Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm
Indications For Use:
The Geratherm SOS-Vacutherm is a temperature-controlled electric whole body warming system intended for use in preventing or treating the effects of incidental hypothermia in adults while at the rescue scene or during transport by air or ground to a medical facility
Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS L.INE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Duma R. Vachner
Division Sign-Off) Division of Cardiovascular Devices
510(k) Number Kos 12 78
. ... .
Page 1 of ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Section 12, pg. 1 of 1
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.