BD VERITOR SYSTEM FOR THE RAPID DETECTION OF FLU A+B
K132256 · Becton, Dickinson and Company · PSZ · Aug 7, 2013 · Microbiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K132256
Device Name
BD VERITOR SYSTEM FOR THE RAPID DETECTION OF FLU A+B
Applicant
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Product Code
PSZ · Microbiology
Decision Date
Aug 7, 2013
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 866.3328
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
The BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of Flu A+B is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the direct and qualitative detection of influenza A and B viral nucleoprotein antigens from nasopharyngeal wash, aspirate and swab in transport media samples from symptomatic patients. The BD Veritor System for Rapid Detection of Flu A+B is a differentiated test, such that influenza A viral antigens can be distinguished from influenza B viral antigens from a single processed sample using a single device. The test is to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of influenza A and B viral infections. A negative test is presumptive and it is recommended that these results be confirmed by viral culture or an FDA-cleared influenza A and B molecular assay. Negative test results do not preclude influenza viral infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions. The test is not intended to detect influenza C antigens. Performance characteristics for influenza A and B nasopharyngeal (NP) washes/aspirates were established during January through March of 2011 when influenza viruses A/2009 H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Victoria lineage, and B/Yamagata lineage were the predominant influenza viruses in circulation according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the CDC entitled “Update: Influenza Activity—United States, 2010-2011 Season, and Composition of the 2011-2012 Influenza Vaccine.” Performance characteristics may vary against other emerging influenza viruses. Performance characteristics for influenza A and B NP swabs in transport media were established during January through April of 2012 when influenza viruses A/2009 H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Victoria lineage, and B/Yamagata lineage were the predominant influenza viruses in circulation according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the CDC entitled “Update: Influenza Activity—United States, 2011-2012 Season, and Composition of the 2012-2013 Influenza Vaccine.” Performance characteristics may vary against other emerging influenza viruses. If infection with a novel influenza virus is suspected based on current clinical and epidemiological screening criteria recommended by public health authorities, specimens should be collected with appropriate infection control precautions for novel virulent influenza viruses and sent to the state or local health department for testing. Virus culture should not be attempted in these cases unless a BSL 3+ facility is available to receive and culture specimens.
Device Story
Rapid chromatographic immunoassay for qualitative detection of influenza A and B viral nucleoprotein antigens. Input: nasopharyngeal wash, aspirate, or swab in transport media. Process: specimen mixed with mucolytic reagent; applied to test device; antigens bind to colloidal-gold conjugated antibodies; complex migrates to reaction area. Reader device uses proprietary algorithm to subtract nonspecific signal from negative control line; compares resultant signal to pre-selected cutoff. Output: positive/negative result for Flu A and Flu B. Used in clinical settings; aids diagnosis; negative results require confirmation by culture or molecular assay.
Clinical Evidence
No new clinical data presented. The submission relies on previously established performance characteristics for NP washes/aspirates (2011) and NP swabs (2012) during predominant influenza circulation periods.
Technological Characteristics
Immunochromatographic assay. Opto-electronic reader for automated interpretation of test/control line intensity. Qualitative output. Total assay time approximately 10 minutes. Includes procedural and internal controls.
Indications for Use
Indicated for symptomatic patients requiring rapid qualitative detection of influenza A and B viral nucleoprotein antigens from nasopharyngeal wash, aspirate, or swab in transport media. Not intended for influenza C detection.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An influenza virus antigen detection test system is a device intended for the qualitative detection of influenza viral antigens directly from clinical specimens in patients with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection. The test aids in the diagnosis of influenza infection and provides epidemiological information on influenza. Due to the propensity of the virus to mutate, new strains emerge over time which may potentially affect the performance of these devices. Because influenza is highly contagious and may lead to an acute respiratory tract infection causing severe illness and even death, the accuracy of these devices has serious public health implications.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special controls for this device are:(1) The device's sensitivity and specificity performance characteristics or positive percent agreement and negative percent agreement, for each specimen type claimed in the intended use of the device, must meet one of the following two minimum clinical performance criteria:
(i) For devices evaluated as compared to an FDA-cleared nucleic acid based-test or other currently appropriate and FDA accepted comparator method other than correctly performed viral culture method:
(A) The positive percent agreement estimate for the device when testing for influenza A and influenza B must be at the point estimate of at least 80 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 70 percent.
(B) The negative percent agreement estimate for the device when testing for influenza A and influenza B must be at the point estimate of at least 95 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 90 percent.
(ii) For devices evaluated as compared to correctly performed viral culture method as the comparator method:
(A) The sensitivity estimate for the device when testing for influenza A must be at the point estimate of at least 90 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 80 percent. The sensitivity estimate for the device when testing for influenza B must be at the point estimate of at least 80 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 70 percent.
(B) The specificity estimate for the device when testing for influenza A and influenza B must be at the point estimate of at least 95 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 90 percent.
(2) When performing testing to demonstrate the device meets the requirements in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a currently appropriate and FDA accepted comparator method must be used to establish assay performance in clinical studies.
(3) Annual analytical reactivity testing of the device must be performed with contemporary influenza strains. This annual analytical reactivity testing must meet the following criteria:
(i) The appropriate strains to be tested will be identified by FDA in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and sourced from CDC or an FDA-designated source. If the annual strains are not available from CDC, FDA will identify an alternative source for obtaining the requisite strains.
(ii) The testing must be conducted according to a standardized protocol considered and determined by FDA to be acceptable and appropriate.
(iii) By July 31 of each calendar year, the results of the last 3 years of annual analytical reactivity testing must be included as part of the device's labeling. If a device has not been on the market long enough for 3 years of annual analytical reactivity testing to have been conducted since the device received marketing authorization from FDA, then the results of every annual analytical reactivity testing since the device received marketing authorization from FDA must be included. The results must be presented as part of the device's labeling in a tabular format, which includes the detailed information for each virus tested as described in the certificate of authentication, either by:
(A) Placing the results directly in the device's § 809.10(b) of this chapter compliant labeling that physically accompanies the device in a separate section of the labeling where the analytical reactivity testing data can be found; or
(B) In the device's label or in other labeling that physically accompanies the device, prominently providing a hyperlink to the manufacturer's public Web site where the analytical reactivity testing data can be found. The manufacturer's home page, as well as the primary part of the manufacturer's Web site that discusses the device, must provide a prominently placed hyperlink to the Web page containing this information and must allow unrestricted viewing access.
(4) If one of the actions listed at section 564(b)(1)(A)-(D) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act occurs with respect to an influenza viral strain, or if the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines, under section 319(a) of the Public Health Service Act, that a disease or disorder presents a public health emergency, or that a public health emergency otherwise exists, with respect to an influenza viral strain:
(i) Within 30 days from the date that FDA notifies manufacturers that characterized viral samples are available for test evaluation, the manufacturer must have testing performed on the device with those viral samples in accordance with a standardized protocol considered and determined by FDA to be acceptable and appropriate. The procedure and location of testing may depend on the nature of the emerging virus.
(ii) Within 60 days from the date that FDA notifies manufacturers that characterized viral samples are available for test evaluation and continuing until 3 years from that date, the results of the influenza emergency analytical reactivity testing, including the detailed information for the virus tested as described in the certificate of authentication, must be included as part of the device's labeling in a tabular format, either by:
(A) Placing the results directly in the device's § 809.10(b) of this chapter compliant labeling that physically accompanies the device in a separate section of the labeling where analytical reactivity testing data can be found, but separate from the annual analytical reactivity testing results; or
(B) In a section of the device's label or in other labeling that physically accompanies the device, prominently providing a hyperlink to the manufacturer's public Web site where the analytical reactivity testing data can be found. The manufacturer's home page, as well as the primary part of the manufacturer's Web site that discusses the device, must provide a prominently placed hyperlink to the Web page containing this information and must allow unrestricted viewing access.
Predicate Devices
BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of Flu A+B POC (120049 and k121797)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}
SPECIAL 510(k)
Device Modification Decision Summary
To: BD Diagnostics RE: K132256
This 510(k) submission contains information/data on modifications made to the SUBMITTER'S own Class II device requiring 510(k). The following items are present and acceptable
1. The name and 510(k) number of the SUBMITTER'S previously cleared device:
Trade Name: BD Veritor™ System Flu A+B assay Clinical kit
510(k) number: K120049, K121797
2. Submitter's statement that the INDICATION/INTENDED USE of the modified device as described in its labeling HAS NOT CHANGED along with the proposed labeling which includes instructions for use, package labeling.
3. A description of the device MODIFICATION(S). The modification presented in this 510(k) is the inclusion of the H7N9 influenza A virus strain below, to the analytical sensitivity information. The submitter tested the ability of the BD Veritor System Flu A+B test to detect the H7N9 influenza A virus. The virus used (A/Anhui/1/2013) was inactivated viral material in clarified allontoic fluid from chicken eggs obtained from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Control of Influenza, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Analytical sensitivity testing was done at 10 fold dilutions from the stock received from CDC and was tested in triplicate using the BD Veritor System Flu A+B test to establish the approximate level for the LOD:
- 7.94 x 10⁸ CEID₅₀/mL
- 7.94 x 10⁷ CEID₅₀/mL
- 7.94 x 10⁶ CEID₅₀/mL
- 3.97 x 10⁶ CEID₅₀/mL
- 1.99 x 10⁶ CEID₅₀/mL
- 7.94 x 10⁵ CEID₅₀/mL
- 7.94 x 10⁴ CEID₅₀/mL
(CEID₅₀/mL = 50% Chicken Egg Infectious Dose)
A final dilution was prepared and tested in replicates of 60:
- 5.42 x 10⁶ CEID₅₀/mL
The limit of detection of the BD Veritor System Flu A+B test with A/Anhui/1/2013 H7N9 was 5.42 x 10⁶ CEID₅₀/mL with a positivity of 98.3% (59/60).
The BD Veritor System Flu A+B Clinical kit package insert has been updated to include the additional analytical sensitivity information.
4. The FUNDAMENTAL SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGY of the modified device has not changed.
{1}
5. Comparison Information (similarities and differences) to applicant's legally marketed predicate device including, labeling, intended use, and physical characteristics:
Similarities
| Device Characteristics | Predicate Device: BD Veritor System Flu A+B assay (K120049, K121797) | New Device: BD Veritor System Flu A+B assay Clinical kit (K132256) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Intended Use | The BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of Flu A+B is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the direct and qualitative detection of influenza A and B viral nucleoprotein antigens from nasopharyngeal wash, aspirate and swab in transport media samples from symptomatic patients. The BD Veritor System for Rapid Detection of Flu A+B is a differentiated test, such that influenza A viral antigens can be distinguished from influenza B viral antigens from a single processed sample using a single device. The test is to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of influenza A and B viral infections. A negative test is presumptive and it is recommended that these results be confirmed by viral culture or an FDA-cleared influenza A and B molecular assay. Negative test results do not preclude influenza viral infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions. The test is not intended to detect influenza C antigens. Performance characteristics for influenza A and B nasopharyngeal (NP) washes/aspirates were established during January through March of 2011 when influenza viruses A/2009 H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Victoria lineage, and B/Yamagata lineage were the predominant influenza viruses in circulation according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the CDC entitled “Update: Influenza Activity—United States, 2010-2011 Season, and Composition of the 2011-2012 Influenza Vaccine.” Performance characteristics may vary against other emerging | The BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of Flu A+B is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the direct and qualitative detection of influenza A and B viral nucleoprotein antigens from nasopharyngeal wash, aspirate and swab in transport media samples from symptomatic patients. The BD Veritor System for Rapid Detection of Flu A+B is a differentiated test, such that influenza A viral antigens can be distinguished from influenza B viral antigens from a single processed sample using a single device. The test is to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of influenza A and B viral infections. A negative test is presumptive and it is recommended that these results be confirmed by viral culture or an FDA-cleared influenza A and B molecular assay. Negative test results do not preclude influenza viral infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions. The test is not intended to detect influenza C antigens. Performance characteristics for influenza A and B nasopharyngeal (NP) washes/aspirates were established during January through March of 2011 when influenza viruses A/2009 H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Victoria lineage, and B/Yamagata lineage were the predominant influenza viruses in circulation according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the CDC entitled “Update: Influenza Activity—United States, 2010-2011 Season, and Composition of the 2011-2012 Influenza Vaccine.” Performance characteristics may vary against other emerging |
{2}
3
| | influenza viruses.
Performance characteristics for influenza A and B NP swabs in transport media were established during January through April of 2012 when influenza viruses A/2009 H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Victoria lineage, and B/Yamagata lineage were the predominant influenza viruses in circulation according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the CDC entitled “Update: Influenza Activity—United States, 2011-2012 Season, and Composition of the 2012-2013 Influenza Vaccine.” Performance characteristics may vary against other emerging influenza viruses.
If infection with a novel influenza virus is suspected based on current clinical and epidemiological screening criteria recommended by public health authorities, specimens should be collected with appropriate infection control precautions for novel virulent influenza viruses and sent to the state or local health department for testing. Virus culture should not be attempted in these cases unless a BSL 3+ facility is available to receive and culture specimens. | influenza viruses.
Performance characteristics for influenza A and B NP swabs in transport media were established during January through April of 2012 when influenza viruses A/2009 H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Victoria lineage, and B/Yamagata lineage were the predominant influenza viruses in circulation according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the CDC entitled “Update: Influenza Activity—United States, 2011-2012 Season, and Composition of the 2012-2013 Influenza Vaccine.” Performance characteristics may vary against other emerging influenza viruses.
If infection with a novel influenza virus is suspected based on current clinical and epidemiological screening criteria recommended by public health authorities, specimens should be collected with appropriate infection control precautions for novel virulent influenza viruses and sent to the state or local health department for testing. Virus culture should not be attempted in these cases unless a BSL 3+ facility is available to receive and culture specimens. |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Specimen Types | Liquid nasopharyngeal wash, aspirate and swab in transport media | Liquid nasopharyngeal wash, aspirate and swab in transport media |
| Assay Technology | Immunochromotographic | Immunochromotographic |
| Detection Format | An opto-electronic reader determines the line intensity at each of the spatially-defined test and control line positions, interprets the results using the scoring algorithm, and reports a positive, negative, or invalid result on the LCD screen based on pre-set thresholds. | An opto-electronic reader determines the line intensity at each of the spatially-defined test and control line positions, interprets the results using the scoring algorithm, and reports a positive, negative, or invalid result on the LCD screen based on pre-set thresholds. |
| Qualitative | Yes | Yes |
| Total Assay Time | Approximately 10 minutes | Approximately 10 minutes |
| Control format | • Kit Flu A+/B- dry swab procedural control
• Kit Flu B+/A- dry swab procedural control
• Internal positive control | • Kit Flu A+/B- dry swab procedural control
• Kit Flu B+/A- dry swab procedural control
• Internal positive control |
{3}
4
| | • Internal negative control | • Internal negative control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Detection of Flu A and B viruses | Differentiated influenza A and influenza B | Differentiated influenza A and influenza B |
## Differences
The package insert has been updated to include detection of the following H7N9 virus in the analytical sensitivity information section and strain reactivity tables:
A/Anhui/1/2013 H7N9
Disclaimer: "Although this test has been shown to detect the novel avian influenza A(H7N9) cultured virus, the performance characteristics of this device with clinical specimens that are positive for the novel avian influenza A(H7N9) virus have not been established. The BD Veritor System Flu A+B test can distinguish between influenza A and B viruses, but it cannot differentiate influenza A subtypes."
## 6. Design Control Activities Summary:
Analytical Sensitivity Testing was conducted as described in section 7, "Summary of Studies".
### Declaration of Conformity to Design Control
A "Declaration of Conformity" statement was submitted for the manufacturing facility and validation activities and signed by the Director, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Systems. The statements indicate that;
1. The verification activities, as required by the risk analysis, for the modification were performed by the designated individual(s) and the results demonstrated that the predetermined acceptance criteria were met.
2. The manufacturing facility, BD Rapid Diagnostics Co Ltd, is in conformance with the design control requirements as specified in 21 CFR 820. 30 and the records are available for review.
In conclusion, based on both the results of the analytical sensitivity testing and the risk management report, the modified labeling is truthful and accurate. The changes do not affect the performance of the test and it is therefore substantially equivalent to the current cleared test.
## 7. A Truthful and Accurate Statement, a 510(k) Summary, and the Indications for Use Enclosure.
The labeling for this modified subject device has been reviewed to verify that the indication/intended use for the device is unaffected by the modification. In addition, the submitter's description of the particular modification and the comparative information between the modified and unmodified devices demonstrate that the fundamental scientific technology has not changed. On this basis, I recommend the device be determined substantially equivalent to the previously cleared device.
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.
