K123473 · Lepu Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. · LOX · Aug 13, 2013 · Cardiovascular
Device Facts
Record ID
K123473
Device Name
HOPER PTCA BALLOON CATHETER
Applicant
Lepu Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Product Code
LOX · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
Aug 13, 2013
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.5100
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The balloon dilatation catheter is indicated for balloon dilatation of the stenotic portion of a coronary artery or bypass graft stenosis for the purpose of improving myocardial perfusion. This balloon dilatation catheter is not intended for the expansion or delivery of a stent.
Device Story
Hoper PTCA Balloon Dilatation Catheter is a rapid exchange system for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Device consists of a polymer-coated stainless steel proximal shaft and a highly trackable distal shaft with a semi-compliant balloon. Two radiopaque platinum marker bands facilitate positioning under fluoroscopy. Compatible with 5F guiding catheters and 0.014-inch guide wires. Operated by trained physicians in hospital settings. During procedure, catheter is advanced to the stenotic site; balloon is inflated to dilate the vessel, improving myocardial perfusion. Device does not support distal dye injection or pressure measurement. Benefits include precise control of balloon diameter and length during dilatation. Single-use device.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. In vitro performance testing included dimensional verification, balloon preparation/deployment/retraction, rated burst pressure, fatigue, compliance, inflation/deflation time, bond strength, tip pull strength, flexibility, kink, torque, radiopacity, coating integrity, and particulate evaluation. Biocompatibility testing included cytotoxicity, sensitization, intracutaneous, systemic toxicity, hemolysis, thromboresistance, PTT, pyrogen, and complement activation assays.
Indicated for balloon dilatation of stenotic coronary arteries or bypass grafts to improve myocardial perfusion. Contraindicated in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery, coronary artery spasm without significant stenosis, or inability to receive anticoagulation therapy.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Standard PTCA Catheter: A PTCA catheter is a device that operates on the principle of hydraulic pressurization applied through an inflatable balloon attached to the distal end. A PTCA balloon catheter has a single or double lumen shaft. The catheter features a balloon of appropriate compliance for the clinical application, constructed from a polymer. The balloon is designed to uniformly expand to a specified diameter and length at a specific pressure as labeled, with well characterized rates of inflation and deflation and a defined burst pressure. The device generally features a type of radiographic marker to facilitate fluoroscopic visualization of the balloon during use. A PTCA catheter is intended for balloon dilatation of a hemodynamically significant coronary artery or bypass graft stenosis in patients evidencing coronary ischemia for the purpose of improving myocardial perfusion. A PTCA catheter may also be intended for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction; treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and/or post-deployment stent expansion. Cutting/scoring PTCA Catheter: A cutting/scoring PTCA catheter is a balloon-tipped catheter with cutting/scoring elements attached, which is used in those circumstances where a high pressure balloon resistant lesion is encountered. A cutting/scoring PTCA catheter is intended for the treatment of hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis for the purpose of improving myocardial perfusion. A cutting/scoring PTCA catheter may also be indicated for use in complex type C lesions or for the treatment of in-stent restenosis.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for this device is “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document for Certain Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) Catheters.” See § 870.1(e) for the availability of this guidance document.(b)
*Cutting/scoring PTCA Catheter* —(1)*Identification.* A cutting/scoring PTCA catheter is a balloon-tipped catheter with cutting/scoring elements attached, which is used in those circumstances where a high pressure balloon resistant lesion is encountered. A cutting/scoring PTCA catheter is intended for the treatment of hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis for the purpose of improving myocardial perfusion. A cutting/scoring PTCA catheter may also be indicated for use in complex type C lesions or for the treatment of in-stent restenosis.(2)
*Classification.* Class III (premarket approval). As of May 28, 1976, an approval under section 515 of the act is required before this device may be commercially distributed. See § 870.3.
{0}------------------------------------------------
## Section 5: 510k) Summary
| Applicant | Lepu Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.<br>No. 37 Chaoqian Road<br>Changping District, Beijing 102200<br>P.R. China |
|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Telephone | +86-10-80120641 |
| Contact: | Arthur Goddard<br>216-233-5722<br>asjgoddard@aol.com |
| Date | November 6, 2012 |
| Name | HoperTM PTCA Balloon Dilatation Catheter |
| Common Name: | PTCA Catheter |
| Classification Name: | Catheters, Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty, Percutaneous |
| Classification | 21 CFR 870.5100 |
| Product Code: | LOX |
| Predicate: | EmpiraTM Rx PTCA Dilatation Catheter, Creganna Tactx Medical, Inc.<br>(K110133), FireStar® PTCA Dilatation Catheter, Cordis - Johnson &<br>Johnson, (P880003), and FX miniRAILTM RX PTCA Catheter<br>(P020037). |
| Description: | Hoper Rapid Exchange (LPRX) Balloon Dilatation Catheter is a<br>Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) Rapid<br>Exchange System. The proximal shaft is a polymer coated stainless<br>steel tube. The steel construction is designed to optimize proximal<br>pushability with a smooth transition to a distal shaft specifically<br>designed to be highly trackable. The semi-compliant balloon material<br>allows dilatation with precise control of balloon diameter and length.<br>Two radiopaque platinum marker bands are located within the balloon<br>segment. The catheter is compatible with 5F or larger guiding catheters.<br>The internal lumen of the catheter accepts a standard 0.014 inch PTCA<br>guide wire. The proximal part of the guide wire enters the catheter's tip<br>and advances coaxially out the catheter's proximal port, thereby<br>allowing both coaxial guidance and rapid exchange of catheters with a<br>single standard length guide wire.<br><br>Two marked sections are located on the hypo tube shaft to indicate<br>catheter position relative to the tip of either a brachial or femoral<br>guiding catheter.<br><br>The design of this dilatation catheter does not incorporate a lumen for<br>distal dye injections or distal pressure measurements.<br><br>The product can be used to expand stenotic coronary vessel, and<br>improve myocardial bleeding. This kind of balloon catheter possesses<br>such merits as moderate compliance, high pressure resistance, minor<br>diameter, etc. |
| Specification | |
| Balloon Diameter: | 1.5mm, 1.75mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 2.75mm, 3.0mm, 3.5mm, and 4.0mm |
| Balloon Length: | 9mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, 24mm, 26mm, and 30mm |
| Intended Use | The balloon dilatation catheter is indicated for balloon dilatation of the<br>stenotic portion of a coronary artery or bypass graft stenosis for the<br>purpose of improving myocardial perfusion.<br><br>This balloon dilatation catheter is not intended for the expansion or<br>delivery of a stent. |
| Contraindication: | • Unprotected left main coronary artery.<br>• Coronary artery spasm in the absence of significant stenosis.<br>• In patients who are unable to receive anticoagulation therapy. |
| Warning | • For single patient use only. Do not re-sterilize as this can potentially<br>result in compromised device performance, lead to device failure,<br>increase risk of cross contamination, patient injury, illness and/ or<br>death.<br>• The product is sterile and non-pyrogenic. Do not use the catheter if its<br>package has been opened or damaged.<br>• To reduce the potential for vessel damage, the inflated diameter of the<br>balloon should approximate the diameter of the vessel just proximal<br>and distal to the stenosis.<br>• Do not subject catheter to more than four (4) rotation turns as this can<br>potentially result in the catheter kinking and affect catheter<br>performance.<br>• To prevent possible damage to the balloon, do not remove the balloon<br>protective jacket until ready to insert balloon catheter into the guiding<br>catheter.<br>• Purge the air and liquid in the balloon before operation.<br>• Use only the recommended balloon inflation medium. To prevent the<br>possibility of an air embolus, never use air or any gaseous medium to<br>inflate the balloon.<br>• PTCA in patients who are not acceptable candidates for coronary artery<br>bypass graft surgery requires careful consideration, including possible<br>hemodynamic support during PTCA, as treatment of this patient<br>population carries special risk.<br>• When the catheter is exposed to the vascular system, it should be<br>manipulated while under high-quality fluoroscopic observation.<br>• Do not advance or retract the catheter unless the balloon is fully<br>deflated under vacuum as this can potentially result in damage to the<br>vessel wall.<br>• If resistance is met during manipulation, determine the cause of the<br>resistance before proceeding.<br>• Balloon pressure should not exceed the rated burst pressure indicated<br>on the package label for each balloon model. The rated burst pressure<br>is based on the results of in vitro testing. Use of a manual pressure<br>monitoring device is recommended to prevent over pressurization.<br>• After surgery, the balloon should be deflated before removing out from |
| Warning continued | • PTCA should only be performed at hospitals where emergency<br>coronary artery bypass graft surgery can be quickly performed in the<br>event of a potentially injurious or life-threatening complication.<br>• The product should be used only by physicians who have taken the<br>training of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. |
| Caution: | • Federal (USA) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a<br>physician.<br>• Read the Instructions for Use to understand the using method and<br>performance of the product detailed before use, and ensure the<br>effectiveness and safety.<br>• Use the catheter prior to the “Use By” date (Expiration Date) specified<br>on the package.<br>• Prior to angioplasty, the catheter should be examined to verify<br>functionality and ensure that its size and shape are suitable for the<br>procedure for which it is to be used.<br>• The hydrophilic coating needs to be pre-wet to “activate” the coating<br>for enhanced lubricity prior to use.<br>• During the procedure, appropriate anticoagulant and coronary<br>vasodilator therapy must be provided to the patient as needed. After<br>the procedure, anticoagulant therapy should be continued for a period<br>of time as determined by the physician.<br>• When using two guide wires, care should be taken when introducing,<br>torqueing and removing one or both guide wires to avoid entanglement.<br>It is recommended that one guide wire be completely withdrawn from<br>the patient before removing any additional equipment.<br>• Treat all disposable devices according to the local requirements for<br>medical device waste disposal. |
| Adverse Effects: | Potential complications and adverse effects due to the use of this product<br>include, but are not limited to, the following:<br>• Death<br>• Acute myocardial infraction<br>• Total occlusion of the coronary artery or bypass graft coronary<br>vessel dissection, perforation, rupture or injury<br>• Restenosis of the dilated vessel<br>• Hemorrhage or hematoma<br>• Unstable angina<br>• Arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation<br>• Drug reactions, allergic reaction to contrast medium<br>• Hypo/hypertension<br>• Infection<br>• Coronary artery spasm<br>• Arteriovenous fistula<br>• Embolism<br>• Stroke<br>• Cardiovascular accident<br>• Transient ischemic attack<br>• Myocardial ischemia<br>• Pseudo aneurysm (at site of catheter insertion) |
| Adverse Effects continue: | • Cardiac tamponade / pericardial effusion Renal failure<br>• Coronary aneurysm<br>• Vessel trauma requiring surgical repair or intervention<br>• Cardiogenic shock<br>• Coronary artery bypass graft surgery |
| Substantial<br>Equivalency<br>Information | Comparisons of the Hoper Balloon Dilatation Catheter and predicate<br>devices demonstrated that the technological characteristics such as<br>product performance, design, and intended use are substantially<br>equivalent to the currently marketed predicate devices. |
| Performance<br>Testing | The following <i>in vitro</i> performance tests were performed:<br>• Dimensional verification<br>• Balloon preparation, deployment,<br>and retraction<br>• Balloon rated burst pressure<br>• Balloon fatigue<br>• Balloon compliance (diameter vs. pressure)<br>• Balloon inflation and deflation<br>time<br>• Catheter bond strength<br>• Tip pull strength<br>• Flexibility and kink<br>• Torque strength<br>• Radiopacity<br>• Coating integrity<br>• Particulate evaluation |
| | The following Biocompatibility tests were performed:<br>• Cytotoxicity Study - ISO Elution Method<br>• ISO Guinea Pig Maximum<br>Sensitization Test<br>• ISO Intracutaneous Study<br>• ISO Systemic Toxicity Study<br>• ASTM Hemolysis Study<br>• <i>In vivo</i> Thromboresistance Study<br>in the Dog, Jugular Vein<br>• ASTM Partial Thromboplastin Time<br>• USP Pyrogen Study - Material<br>Mediated<br>• C3a Complement Activation Assay<br>• SC5b-9 Complement Activation<br>Assay<br>• Radiopacity<br>• Coating integrity<br>• Particulate evaluation<br>The test results met all acceptance criterions, were similar to predicate<br>devices, and ensured that the HoperTM PTCA Balloon Dilatation Catheter<br>design and construction are suitable for its intended use as recommended |
| | by the Class II Special Controls Guidance Document for Certain<br>Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) Catheters<br>(FDA, September 8, 2010). |
| Conclusion | The information supports a determination of substantial equivalence<br>between the HoperTM PTCA Balloon Dilatation Catheter and the<br>predicate devices described above |
{1}------------------------------------------------
## Section 5: 510k) Summary, continue
{2}------------------------------------------------
## Section 5: 510k) Summary, continue
{3}------------------------------------------------
## Section 5: 510k) Summary, continue
{4}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized human figure with outstretched arms, representing care and protection. The figure is surrounded by a circular border with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" in capital letters.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
August 13. 2013
Lepu Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd % Arthur Goddard FDA Regulatory and Quality Systems Consultant 1531 Felton Road South Euclid, OH 44121-2722
Re: K123473
> Trade/Device Name: Hoper™ PTCA Balloon Dilatation Catheter Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.5100 Regulation Name: Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Catheter Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: LOX Dated: June 17, 2013 Received: June 20, 2013
Dear Mr. Goddard:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food. Drug. and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA), You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set
{5}------------------------------------------------
forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable; the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please contact the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its tollfree number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (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/MedicalDevices/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely vours
Sincerely yours,
MDA
M L Hilleman
Bram D. Zuckerman, M.D. Director Division of Cardiovascular Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{6}------------------------------------------------
| Section 4: Indication for Use Summary | |
|---------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| 510(k) Number (if known): | K123473 |
| Device Name: | Hoper <sup>TM</sup> PTCA Balloon Dilatation Catheter |
| Indications For Use: | |
The balloon dilatation catheter is indicated for balloon dilatation of the stenotic portion of a coronary artery or bypass graft stenosis for the purpose of improving myocardial perfusion.
This balloon dilatation catheter is not intended for the expansion or delivery of a stent.
Prescription Use _ X (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter-Use _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
M.A. Lillehemann
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Cardiovascular Devices
510(k) Number_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.