K101654 · American Dental Partners, Inc. · LLZ · Nov 10, 2010 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K101654
Device Name
IMPROVIS IMAGING SYSTEM
Applicant
American Dental Partners, Inc.
Product Code
LLZ · Radiology
Decision Date
Nov 10, 2010
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.2050
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Software as a Medical Device
Indications for Use
Improvis Imaging is a Windows-based software package that allows dental clinicians to acquire images from standard dental imaging devices and commercially available scanners, digital cameras and intra-oral cameras. It is designed to be used as an imaging database for storage and organization of patient digital images and radiographs. Features include resizing, rotating, embossing and sharpening of images. Intended users of this system are trained professionals, including but not limited to dentists, hygienists and clinical assistants.
Device Story
Improvis Imaging is a client-server software application for dental practices. It interfaces with third-party medical device drivers to acquire images from intraoral cameras, webcams, panoramic x-rays, and scanners. The system stores these images in a centralized Microsoft SQL Server database, allowing access across networked workstations. Clinicians use the software to organize, view, and enhance images (resizing, rotating, embossing, sharpening) for diagnostic purposes, case documentation, and patient education. The software does not control x-ray hardware or generate images directly; it acts as a database and image management tool. It supports annotations, measurements, and image history tracking. By centralizing patient records, it facilitates efficient clinical workflow and diagnostic review by dental professionals.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Substantial equivalence is based on descriptive comparisons of technological characteristics, intended use, and functional capabilities against predicate devices.
Technological Characteristics
Software-based PACS for dental imaging. Operates on Windows-compatible PCs (Windows XP or higher) in a client-server architecture using Microsoft SQL Server 2005+. Connectivity via Ethernet IP. Image processing via Lead Technologies, Inc. toolkit. Supports lossless compression for radiographs and non-lossless for documents. Non-DICOM compliant. User input via keyboard/mouse.
Indications for Use
Indicated for dental clinicians, including dentists, hygienists, and clinical assistants, to acquire, store, and organize digital dental images and radiographs from standard imaging devices, scanners, and cameras.
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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American Dental Partners, Inc. 401 Edgewater place Suite 430 Wakefield, MA 01880
MQW 1: 0 2010
# 510(k) Summary
IMPROVIS® Imaging System
The following information is presented as required by 21 C.F.R. § 807.92:
| Date Prepared: | September 29, 2010 |
|---------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Submitter: | American Dental Partners, Inc.<br>401 Edgewater Pl., Ste. 430<br>Wakefield, MA 01880-6225 |
| Establishment<br>Registration Number: | To be obtained |
| Manufacturing Site: | American Dental Partners, Inc.<br>3000 Bethesda Place, Suite 501<br>Winston-Salem, NC 27103<br>Phone: 336-765-3900 |
| Contact Person: | Timothy Rodenberger<br>General Counsel<br>American Dental Partners, Inc.<br>Tel: 781-213-0255<br>Fax: 781-224-4216<br>Email: TRodenberger@amdpi.com |
| Device Trade Name: | IMPROVIS® Imaging System |
| Common Name: | Dental Imaging Software |
| Device Classification: | Picture Archiving and Communications System |
| Product Code: | LLZ |
| Regulation: | 21 C.F.R. § 892.2050 |
| Device Classification: | Class II |
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#### Predicate Devices:
| Televere Systems | Visix Imaging | K082623 |
|------------------|------------------------|---------|
| Televere Systems | TigerView Professional | K061035 |
#### Device Description
Improvis Imaging is a software package that allows dental clinicians to acquire images from standard dental imaging devices and commercially available scanners, digital cameras and intraoral cameras. It is designed to be used as an imaging database for storage and organization of patient digital images and radiographs. Once acquired, images can be enhanced for viewing by applying image processing functions which include resizing, rotating, embossing and sharpening of images. All images are compressed using lossless compression and stored in a shared relational database.
The Improvis software interacts with the medical device software drivers, not the medical devices themselves. This interaction allows the computer system to acquire images captured via webcams, intraoral video cameras, panoramic x-rays, and other solid state sensors. These images are digitized by the outside vendor supplied medical devices, and then communicated via Improvis to the patient record. Once the images have been received by the system, they are embedded within the patient's dental record and can be accessed from any associated practice location.
Radiographic images are compressed via a lossless system and can be manipulated and enhanced to suit the dental care provider's needs. Non-diagnostic images, such as scanned documents, may be compressed using non-lossless methods which optimize image quality and storage requirements. Original compressed images are stored prior to application of any image processing algorithms.
Image processing by Improvis Imaging utilizes industry standard algorithms that do not result in the alteration of an image's or radiograph's content and will not introduce false data or modification into the acquired image. Improvis Imaging does not control the x-ray taking system and does not generate x-ray images directly from the physical device, but does provide the tools that permit the user to enhance images for diagnostic purposes.
Improvis Imaging is a three tier application consisting of user interface, business objects (which provide communication between the user interface and database tiers), and database. The top two tiers of the program are written in Microsoft Visual Studio .NET C#, while the database components are written in Microsoft T-SQL. Improvis Imaging is a Microsoft Windows Forms (non-browser based) 32 bit application designed to run on Windows-compatible personal computers running the Microsoft Windows XP (or higher) operating system. Imaging processing functions are provided through the integration of a third party software development toolkit from Lead Technologies, Inc.
Improvis Imaging is designed for use in a client-server environment in which the user interface portion of the application runs on an individual user's computer workstation as a Windows
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executable application. The Improvis Imaging shared database is installed on a single or clustered server running Microsoft SQL Server. The workstations and server are connected by a network using Microsoft Windows IP protocols. The application is designed for use in a Microsoft Windows Active Directory domain for authentication and access control, but can also run in non-Active Directory workgroups using internal Improvis access control.
Improvis Imaging is not compliant with DICOM standards.
#### Intended Use
Improvis Imaging is a Windows-based software package that allows dental clinicians to acquire images from standard dental imaging devices and commercially available scanners, digital cameras and intra-oral cameras. It is designed to be used as an imaging database for storage and organization of patient digital images and radiographs. Features include resizing, rotating, embossing and sharpening of images. Intended users of this system are trained professionals, including but not limited to dentists, hygienists and clinical assistants.
#### Narrative Description of Substantial Equivalence:
The Improvis Imaging system is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices identified above. In particular, Improvis Imaging has the same intended use and similar technological features as the predicate devices. Like Visix Imaging and TigerView Professional, Improvis Imaging is a software application that supports the acquisition, viewing and editing of images and data from an imaging source. Images can be acquired from document scanners, intraoral video cameras, web cameras, digital cameras, and radiographic systems. Images are associated with patient records and presented using standard computer workstations and displays. The software is intended for use by dental professionals for diagnostic purposes, case documentation, and patient education. Users can overlay annotations on images, as well as calibrate and measure images. Methods such as brightness and contrast adjustment, sharpening, colorization, and reorientation are provided to allow images to be enhanced for optimal viewing. Images can also be printed and exported.
A comparison of the characteristics of the current device and the predicate devices is set forth in the charts below.
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## Device Comparison
## Table 1. Device Comparison
| Comparison Areas | IMPROVIS Imaging | Visix Imaging | TigerView Professional |
|------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| Intended Use | Acquiring, viewing, editing and<br>storage of dental radiographs<br>and related patient image<br>records | Same | Same |
| Intended Users | Trained dental professional | Same | Same |
| DICOM Compatible | No | Optional | Optional |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows XP or higher<br>32 and 64 bit OS | Microsoft Windows<br>2000 or higher<br>32 bit OS | Microsoft Windows 98<br>or higher<br>32 bit OS |
| Network | Ethernet IP 100 mbps or greater | Same | Same |
| Monitor | 800 x 600 or greater | 1024 x 768 or greater | 800 x 600 or greater |
| User Interaction/Input | Keyboard/Mouse | Same | Same |
| CPU | 2 GHz Pentium or higher | Same | Same |
| RAM | 1 GB or higher | Same | Same |
| Multi-User | Yes | Same | Same |
| Import/Export Images | Yes (BMP, TIFF, JPG) | Yes (TIFF, JPG) | Yes (TIFF, JPG) |
| Acquisition Devices | Sensor<br>Camera<br>Scanner<br>File Import | Same | Same |
| Imaging Interfaces | Microsoft DirectX Version 9.0<br>and higher<br>TWAIN 2.0 and higher | Proprietary<br>DirectX<br>TWAIN | Proprietary<br>DirectX<br>TWAIN |
| Image Organization | Create Series<br>Move Images<br>Create Series Template | Mount Images<br>Move within Mount<br>Create a Mount | Mount Images<br>Move within Mount<br>Create a Mount |
| Image Search Available | Yes | Same | Same |
| Image Storage | Original data unaltered | Original data unaltered | Original data unaltered |
| | Lossless compression of<br>radiographic images | Lossless/lossy<br>compression | Lossless/lossy<br>compression |
| | Full history of enhancements<br>recorded with each image | History of operations | History of operations |
| Database Storage | Microsoft SQL Server database | File System | File System |
| Database Software | Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or<br>higher | File System | File System |
| Comparison Areas | IMPROVIS Imaging | Visix Imaging | TigerView Professional |
| Image Viewing | Zoom In and Out | Zoom In and Out | Zoom In and Out |
| | Full Screen | Full Screen | Full Screen |
| | Scale to 100% | Reset Zoom | Reset Zoom |
| | Rotate 90 or 180 degrees | Rotate 90° or 180° | Rotate 90° or 180° |
| | Flip Left to Right | Flip Left to Right | Flip Left to Right |
| | Flip Top to Bottom | Flip Top to Bottom | Flip Top to Bottom |
| | Rotate 0 Degrees | Reset Orientation | Reset Orientation |
| Image Measurement | Line | Line | Line |
| | Angle | Angle | Angle |
| | Calibrate | Calibrate | Calibrate |
| | Line Color<br>Show/Hide | Line Color<br>Show/Hide | Line Color<br>Show/Hide |
| Image Annotation | Line | Line | Line |
| | Free Line | Freehand | Freehand |
| | Circle | Circle | Circle |
| | Rectangle | Square | Square |
| | Arrows | Arrows | Arrows |
| | Text | Text | Text |
| | Color | Color | Color |
| | Width | Width | Width |
| | Show/Hide | Show/Hide | Show/Hide |
| Image Operations | Magnifier | Magnifying Glass | Magnifying Glass |
| | Print | Print | Print |
| | Negative | Negate | Negate |
| | Colorize | Colorize | Colorize |
| | Emboss | Pseudo 3D | Pseudo 3D |
| | Sharpen | Sharpen Edge | Sharpen Edge |
| | Original Image | Original Image | Original Image |
| | Brightness | Brightness | Brightness |
| | Contrast | Contrast | Contrast |
| | Gamma | Gray Shift (Gamma) | Gray Shift (Gamma) |
| Security | Login, admin, and feature access | Login and admin | Login and admin |
ﺮ ﺍ
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Image /page/5/Picture/0 description: The image shows the seal for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The seal is circular with text around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract image of an eagle.
#### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
American Dental Partners, Inc. % Mr. Timothy Rodenberger General Counsel 401 Edgewater Place, Suite 430 WAKEFIELD MA 01880-6225
NOV 1 0 2010
Re: K101654 Trade/Device Name: Improvis® Imaging System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.2050 Regulation Name: Picture archiving and communications system Regulatory Class: II Product Code: LLZ Dated: September 29, 2010 Received: September 29, 2010
Dear Mr. Rodenberger:
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 class II (Special Controls), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 800 to 895. 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 Parts 801 and 809); medical device reporting (reporting of
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medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); and good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820). 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 Parts 801 and 809), please contact the Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety at (301) 796-5450. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 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 Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely yours,
Dan
David G. Brown, Ph.D. Acting Director Division of Radiological Devices Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): K101654
NOV 1 0 2010
Device Name: Improvis® Imaging System
Indications for Use:
Improvis Imaging is a Windows-based software package that allows dental clinicians to acquire images from standard dental imaging devices and commercially available scanners, digital cameras and intra-oral cameras. It is designed to be used as an imaging database for storage and organization of patient digital images and radiographs. Features include resizing, rotating, embossing and sharpening of images.
Improvis Imaging is written using three programming languages (C++, C#, TSQL) and is designed to work with standard personal computers capable of running Windows 2000 or higher.
Intended users of this system are trained professionals, including but not limited to dentists, hygienists and clinical assistants.
Prescription Use X (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices (OIVD)
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.