Retrospective clinical datasets were used to compare the binning and measurement performance of the new Deviceless 4D (D4D) feature against the predicate Advantage 4D (A4D) system to demonstrate substantial equivalence.
Clinical patients (implied from internal database)
Advantage 4D (A4D) predicate device
Binning and measurement performance equivalence
Indications for Use
The Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 Computed Tomography Systems are intended to produce cross-sectional images of the body by computer reconstruction of x-ray transmission data taken at different angles and planes, including Axial, Cine, Helical (Volumetric), and Gated (Respiratory and Cardiac) acquisitions for all ages. These images may be obtained either with or without contrast. This device may include signal analysis and display equipment, patient and equipment supports, components and accessories. This device may include data and image processing to produce images in a variety of trans-axial and reformatted planes. Further the images can be post processed to produce additional imaging planes or analysis results. The GE Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 Computed Tomography Systems are indicated for head, whole body, and vascular X-ray Computed Tomography applications in patients of all ages. The device output is a valuable medical tool for the diagnosis of disease, trauma, or abnormality and for planning, guiding, and monitoring therapy. The system is capable of assisting with minimally invasive procedures such as biopsy and ablation of tumors and pathology. The system allows imaging of Bariatrics patients, up to and including the morbidly obese population (BMI > 40). The system can acquire CT anatomical images that are clinically useful in the simulation and planning of radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. If the Deviceless 4D option is included on the system, the system can be used to efficiently provide and display CT images of all phases of a breathing cycle for the evaluation of respiration-induced motion of the chest for use with therapy planning and simulation. The software calculates the breathing period to determine the Cine acquisition duration and the cine time between images which is automatically imported to the 4D cine acquisition. The software then uses information derived from the imaging for the binning process.
Device Story
CT system (gantry, table, console, computer) acquires X-ray transmission data for cross-sectional imaging. Deviceless 4D (D4D) software option enables 4D imaging without external respiratory monitors. D4D uses 'SmartBreath' scout scan to determine breathing cycle; automatically sets Cine scan parameters; uses internal anatomic features from Cine scans for image binning; temporally registers features to breathing cycle. Used in clinical/RT settings by trained operators. Output: CT images (axial, cine, helical, gated) used by clinicians for diagnosis, therapy planning, and guidance. Benefits: efficient 4D imaging, reduced motion artifacts, improved RT planning.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Bench testing only. Evaluated using commercially available breathing phantom with anatomical features to compare SmartBreath periodicity capture against external gating devices. Clinical datasets from internal database used to compare D4D binning/measurement against Advantage 4D predicate. Statistical analysis (scatter plots, Bland-Altman, correlation) demonstrated equivalent performance.
Technological Characteristics
16-slice CT system; gantry, table, console, computer, PDU. Compliant with UL60601-1, IEC 60601-1, NEMA XR-25, 21CFR Subchapter J. Software-based image reconstruction and D4D binning. Connectivity via standard interfaces. Sterilization not applicable (imaging system).
Indications for Use
Indicated for head, whole body, and vascular CT applications in patients of all ages, including bariatric/morbidly obese patients (BMI > 40). Used for diagnosis of disease, trauma, or abnormality; planning, guiding, and monitoring therapy; minimally invasive procedures (biopsy, ablation); and radiation therapy simulation/planning. Deviceless 4D option indicated for evaluating respiration-induced chest motion.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A computed tomography x-ray system is a diagnostic x-ray system intended to produce cross-sectional images of the body by computer reconstruction of x-ray transmission data from the same axial plane taken at different angles. This generic type of device may include signal analysis and display equipment, patient and equipment supports, component parts, and accessories.
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K132410
page 1 of 6
JAN 1 7 2014
Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows the General Electric (GE) logo. The logo consists of the letters 'G' and 'E' intertwined within a circular border. The logo is black and white.
GE Medical Systems, LLC
510(k) Premarket Notification Submission for Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D Option
510(k) Summary
In accordance with 21 CFR 807.92 the following summary of information is provided:
| Date: | August 1st, 2013 |
|------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Submitter: | GE Healthcare GE Healthcare (GE Medical Systems,<br>LLC)<br>3000 N. Grandview Blvd., W-1140 Waukesha, WI 53188 |
| Primary Contact Person: | Xing Wang<br>Regulatory Affairs Leader<br>GE Healthcare(GE Hangwei Medical systems, Co, Itd<br>Phone Number: (86)-10-58068888-70554<br>Email: xing1.wang@ge.com |
| Secondary Contact<br>Person: | John Jaeckle<br>Chief Regulatory Affairs Strategist<br>GE Healthcare (GE Medical Systems, LLC)<br>Tel: 262-424-9547<br>Fax: 262-364-2506<br>e-mail: John Jaeckle@med.ge.com<br>Helen Peng<br>Regulatory Affairs Manager, MI&CT.<br>GE Healthcare (GE Medical Systems, LLC)<br>Tel: 262-548-5091<br>Fax: 262-364-2506<br>e-mail: hong.peng@med.ge.com |
| Product Identification: | Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 |
| Device Trade Name: | Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 |
| Common/Usual Name: | Discovery CT590 RT<br>Optima CT580<br>Optima CT580 W<br>Optima CT580 RT |
| Classification<br>Names: | Computed Tomography X-ray System 21CFR892.1750 |
| Product Code: | JAK |
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Image /page/1/Picture/0 description: The image shows the General Electric (GE) logo. The logo consists of the letters "G" and "E" intertwined within a circular border. The letters are stylized and connected in a way that forms a unique and recognizable symbol.
510(k) Premarket Notification for Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D Option
| Predicated<br>Device(s): | GE Discovery CT 590RT/ Optima CT580 (K093581) |
|--------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | GE Advantage 4D(K032915) |
| Manufacturer(s): | GE Hangwei Medical Systems Co., Ltd<br>No. 1 North Yong Chang North Street<br>Beijing Economy & Technology Development Zone<br>Beijing, 100176, China |
| | GE Medical Systems, LLC (GE Healthcare)<br>3000 N. Grandview Blvd.<br>Waukesha, WI 53188 |
### Marketed Devices:
The Discovery CT590 RT and Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D option is of comparable type and substantially equivalent to GE Healthcare's currently marketed Computed Tomography X-ray Systems Discovery CT590 RT/ Optima CT580 (K093581) and 4D post-processing device Advantage 4D (K032915). The commercial names currently used in the US market are any of the following configuration names: Discovery CT590 RT and Optima CT580, Optima CT580 RT, or Optima CT580 W and will remain unchanged.
# Device Description:
### Deviceless 4D Option (D4D)
Deviceless 4D is a software option used for capturing the respiratory cycle and binning the image such that the target motion may be obtained for treatment planning. Deviceless 4D has the same intended use and clinical output of Advantaae 4D (A4D,K032915) which was included in the cleared Discovery CT590 RT/ Optima CT580 (K093581) CT system. Deviceless 4D is an alternative and efficient solution for 4D imaging and virtual simulation without the need for an external respiratory monitoring device.
Deviceless 4D first uses a "scout-like" scan type called "SmartBreath" to determine the stable breathing cycle period that is then automatically implemented into the scan parameters for the Cine scans.
D4D incorporates a design that uses internal anatomic features of the respiratory cycle obtained during the Cine scans for image binning. These features are temporally registered to the actual breathing cycle.
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Image /page/2/Picture/0 description: The image shows the General Electric (GE) logo. The logo consists of the letters 'G' and 'E' intertwined within a circular border. The logo is black and white.
510(k) Premarket Notification Submission for Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D Option
### Discovery CT590 RT and Optima CT580 series:
The Discovery CT590 RT and Optima CT580 series of systems are composed of a gantry, patient table, operator console, computer, and power distribution unit (PDU), and interconnecting cables. The systems include image acquisition hardware, image acquisition, reconstruction software, associated accessories, and connections/interfaces to accessories.
The current systems are an evolutionary modification to the Discovery CT590 RT and Optima CT580 (K093581) by adding software features, quality fixes, IEC Ed. 3 compliance, and modifications in hardware for RoHS compliance and technology obsolesces.
The "16-slice", system generates cross-sectional images of the body by computer reconstruction transmission data taken at different angles and planes, including Axial. Cine, Helical (Volumetric) and gated acquisition modes. It has a maximum total collimation coverage of 20mm in the z direction.
The Discovery CT 590 RT and Optima CT 580 series of systems are designed to be a head and whole body CT systems incorporating the same basic fundamental operating principles and similar indications for use. Materials and construction are equivalent to our existing marketed products, which are compliant with UL60601 -1, IEC 60601-1 and associated collateral and particular standards, NEMA XR-25, and 21CFR Subchapter J. The accompanying documents also contain the information in support of IEC61223-3-5 and IEC61223-2-6 for acceptance and constancy testing.
The system was developed under design controls process including risk management, software life cycle management, and design output testing per GE's quality management system.
### Intended Use:
The system is intended to be used for head and whole body computed tomography.
### Indication for Use:
The Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 Computed Tomography Systems are intended to produce cross-sectional images of the body by computer reconstruction of x-ray transmission data taken at different angles and planes, including Axial, Cine, Helical (Volumetric), and Gated (Respiratory and Cardiac) acquisitions for all ages. These images may be obtained either with or without contrast. This device may include signal analysis and display equipment, patient and equipment supports, components and accessories.
This device may include data and image processing to produce images in a variety of
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Image /page/3/Picture/0 description: The image shows the General Electric (GE) logo. The logo consists of the letters 'G' and 'E' intertwined within a circular border. The letters and the border are in black, contrasting with the white background.
510(k) Premarket Notification Submission for Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D Option
trans-axial and reformatted planes. Further the images can be post processed to produce additional imaging planes or analysis results.
The GE Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 Computed Tomography Systems are indicated for head, whole body, and vascular X-ray Computed Tomography applications in patients of all ages.
The device output is a valuable medical tool for the diagnosis of disease, trauma, or abnormality and for planning, guiding, and monitoring therapy.
The system is capable of assisting with minimally invasive procedures such as biopsy and ablation of turnors and pathology. The system allows imaging of Bariatrics patients, up to and including the morbidly obese population (BMI > 40).
The system can acquire CT anatomical images that are clinically useful in the simulation and planning of radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer.
If the Devicelss 4D option is included on the system, the system can be used to efficiently provide and display CT images of all phases of a breathing cycle for the evaluation of respiration-induced motion of the chèst for use with therapy planning and simulation.
The software calculates the breathing period to determine the Cine acquisition duration and the cine time between images which is automatically imported to the 4D cine acquisition. The software then uses information derived from the imaging for the binning process.
# Technology:
The Discovery CT Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D options employs the same fundamental scientific technology as that of its predicate devices and other image processing applications. The only modification for this submission is for the Deviceless 4D feature which is described above in the "Device Description" section of the summary. The Discovery CT590 RT / Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D option is built on the cleared Discovery CT590 RT / Optima CT580 (K093581) hardware and software platform. The vast majority the software features and functions are common between the two products. The D4D option has the same intended use as its predicated device Advantage 4D (K032915) and employs the same fundamental process of using data from transient motions of the chest to sort the Cine images into phases to reduce the effects of respiratory motion.
# Adverse Effects on Health:
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Image /page/4/Picture/0 description: The image shows the General Electric (GE) logo. The logo consists of the letters 'G' and 'E' intertwined in a stylized, circular design. The logo is black and white and has a vintage look.
510(k) Premarket Notification Submission for Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D Option
Potential electrical, mechanical, and radiation hazards are identified in risk management including hazard analysis and controlled by:
- System verification and validation to ensure performance to specifications, Federal . Regulations, and user requirements.
- . Adherence and certification to industry and international standards. (UL/CSA and IEC60601-1 Ed.3 and associated collateral and particular standards for CT).
- . Compliance to applicable CDRH 21CFR subchapter J requirements.
- Compliance to NEMA XR-25 ●
The device is designed and manufactured under the Quality System Regulations of 21 CFR820.
# Determination of Substantial Equivalence:
The Discovery CT590 RT and Optima CT580 including the Deviceless 4D option was developed under GE's quality system and design controls. Testing for functionality and product claims were performed to ensure that functional requirements have been met, and that core functions execute as expected. Safety and Effectiveness has been established through bench testing which included image comparisons between A4D and D4D, as well as adherence to design controls and conformance to standards.
External clinical evaluation was not needed to establish safety and effectiveness, all changes were able to be fully evaluated on the bench, and the testing did not reveal any new questions of safety or effectiveness. GE believes the totality of all of the combined changes is considered substantially equivalent to the unmodified device cleared in K093581 and K032915.
The substantial equivalence was also based on software documentation for a "moderate" level of concern device.
# Summary of Additional Testing
System and Subsystem Verification have been successfully executed under GE's quality system, which demonstrated the Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 met design requirements. Engineering testing also included testing to substantiate the updated product claims and acceptance testing performed in accordance with IEC 61223-3-5. Bench testing of and image review of the D4D feature provided additional data that this feature works both as intended and to provide the requisite data to substantiate performance claims, safety and efficacy, and ultimately substantial equivalence.
The testing performed included testing using a commercially available breathing phantom with anatomical features to demonstrate the equivalence of the SmartBreath technique in capturing the breathing periodicity as compared to that of a respiratory gating device. Additionally clinical datasets from GE's internal development data base were used to compare the binning and measurement of D4D to the predicate feature
5-6
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K132410
Page 6 of 6
Image /page/5/Picture/1 description: The image shows the General Electric (GE) logo. The logo consists of the letters 'G' and 'E' intertwined within a circular border. The letters and the border are black, creating a strong contrast against the white background.
510(k) Premarket Notification Submission for Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D Option
A4D and demonstrate substantial equivalence. Statistical analysis tools such as the Scatter plot, the Bland-Altman plot and correlation analysis were used to analyze the bench test data which showed the D4D feature performs equivalently to its predicate device Advantage 4D.
# Conclusion
The proposed Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D Option is an evolutionary modification to the cleared Discovery CT590 RT and Optima CT580 CT systems (K093581). It does not result in any new potential safety risks and performs as well as devices currently on the market. The Discovery CT590 RT and Optima CT580 series of systems complies the same or updated standards as well as 21CFR 1020.30 and 1020.33 regulation. GE Healthcare believes the Discovery CT590 RT and Optima CT580 with Deviceless 4D series of CT systems is as safe and effective, and performs in a substantially equivalent manner to the predicate devices, Discovery CT590 RT / Optima CT580 (K093581) and Advantage 4D (K032915).
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# DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/6/Picture/1 description: The image is a circular logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo features the department's symbol, which is a stylized representation of a human figure embracing another, in the center. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES USA" is arranged around the upper half of the circle.
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002 .
January 17, 2014
GE Medical Systems, LLC dba GE Healthcare % Ms. Helen Peng Regulatory Affairs Manager, MI&CT 3000 N Grandview Blvd. WAUKESHA WI 53188
Re: K132410
Device Name: Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 CT System with Deviceless 4D Option Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.1750 Regulation Name: Computed tomography x-ray system Regulatory Class: II Product Code: JAK Dated: December 16, 2013 Received: December 17, 2013
Dear Ms. Peng:
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 of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); 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.
{7}------------------------------------------------
Page 2- Ms. Helen Peng
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/ResourcesforYou/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/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours,
Smh7)
for
Janine M. Morris Director, Division of Radiological Health Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K132410
Device Name
Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580
#### Indications for Use (Describe)
The Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 Computed Tomography Systems are intended to produce cross-sectional images of the body by computer reconstruction of x-ray transmission data taken at different angles and planes, including Axial, Cine, Helical (Volumetric), and Gated (Respiratory and Cardiac) acquisitions for all ages. These images may be obtained either with or with or with or with or with or with or with or with contrast. This device may include signal display equipment supports. comports. components and accessories. This device may include data and images in a variety of trans-axial and reformated planes. Further the images can be post processed to produce additional imaging planes or analy sis results.
The GE Discovery CT590 RT/Optima CT580 Computed Tomography Systems are indicated for head, whole hody, and vascular Xray Computed Tomography applications in patients of all ages.
The device output is a valuable medical tool for the diagnosis of disease. trauma, or abnormality and for planning, guiding, and monitoring therapy.
The system is capable of assisting with minimally invasive procedures such as biopsy and ablation of tumors and pathology. The system allows imaging of Bariatics patients. up to and including the morbidly obese population (BMI > 40).
The system can acquire CT anatomical images that are clinically useful in the simulation and planning of radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer.
If the Deviceless 4D option is included on the system can be used to efficiently provide and display CT images of all phases of a breathing cycle for the evaluation of the chest for use with therapy planning and simulation.
The software calculates the breathing the Cine acquisition duration and the cine time between images which is automatically imported to the 4D cine acquisition. The software then uses information derived from the images for the binning process.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
X Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON A SEPARATE PAGE IF NEEDED.
### FOR FDA USE ONLY
Concurrence of Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) (Signature)
Smh.7)
FORM FDA 3881 (9/13)
Form Approved: OMB No. 0910-0120 Expiration Date: December 31, 2013 See PRA Statement on last page.
{9}------------------------------------------------
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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
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.
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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.