The BB14-72 has two intended uses: 1. To isolate pressure transducers from blood contact when measurements of blood pressure in extracorporeal circuits. The pressure signal can be used to control pump speed for routine bypass procedures. 2. As an inline blood reservoir to provide compliance in the extracorporeal circuits.
Device Story
The Better-Bladder™ (BB14-72) is an in-line venous reservoir consisting of a processed perfusion tubing segment forming a thin-walled balloon, sealed within a rigid housing. Used in extracorporeal circuits (e.g., cardiopulmonary bypass, ECMO); it functions as a pressure transducer protector by isolating blood from sensors while transmitting pressure signals for pump speed control. It also provides circuit compliance. Operated by perfusionists or clinicians in clinical settings. The device transforms fluid pressure into a transmitted signal via the balloon wall; this signal informs pump speed adjustments to mitigate negative pressure spikes during venous line obstructions. Benefits include improved safety through reduced negative pressure and increased response time for pump controllers.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Performance was evaluated in a mock extracorporeal circuit comparing the BB14-72 against the predicate (BB14) and standard 1/4" perfusion tubing. Primary endpoints included negative pressure spikes and time to steady-state pressure during sudden venous line obstruction at flow rates of 500 mL/min and 1,500 mL/min. Results showed the BB14-72 exhibited lower negative pressure spikes and longer time to reach steady-state pressure compared to the predicate, indicating superior compliance and enhanced safety for pump controller response.
Technological Characteristics
Balloon/tube material: PVC; Housing material: PETG. Design: Balloon section within perfusion tubing. Energy source: None. Maximum flow: 1.5 LPM. Connectivity: Standalone mechanical component. Sterilization: Same as predicate.
Indications for Use
Indicated for use in extracorporeal circuits during short and long-term procedures to isolate pressure transducers from blood contact and provide circuit compliance. The pressure signal may be used to control pump speed.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A cardiopulmonary bypass blood reservoir is a device used in conjunction with short-term extracorporeal circulation devices to hold a reserve supply of blood in the bypass circulation.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls), except that a reservoir that contains a defoamer or filter is classified into the same class as the defoamer or filter. The device, when it is a cardiopulmonary bypass blood reservoir that does not contain defoamers or blood filters, is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 870.9.
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CTI 510(k) Notification for The Better-Bladder™ BB14-72.
002 Special 510K Summary
K140321
Image /page/0/Picture/3 description: The image shows a logo with a rounded square border. Inside the border, there are two stylized letters, 'C' and 'I', arranged side by side. The 'C' is larger and open at the top, while the 'I' is smaller and fits within the open space of the 'C'. The logo appears to be a simple, minimalist design.
# Circulatory Technology Inc.
worth Street, Oyster Bay, NY 11771 el. (516)-624-2424. Fax (516)-624-2414
APR 1 7 2014
## Special 510(k) Summary for the Unitary Pediatric Better-Bladder™ (BB14-72) Preparation Date: 2/5/14
#### 510(k) Owner/Contact Person Information:
Yehuda Tamari Circulatory Technology, Inc. 21 Singworth St. Oyster Bay, NY 11771 ytamari@cirtec.com
#### Device Information:
Trade Name: Unitary Pediatric Better-Bladder™ Common Name: in-line venous reservoir Product Class: DTN (Reservoir, blood, cardiopulmonary bypass)
#### Description of the Device:
The Better-Bladder™ (BB) is a length of standard perfusion tubing, a portion of which has been processed to form a sausage shaped balloon with a thin wall that is then sealed within a clear, rigid housing. This device can be used as an inline blood reservoir during extracorporeal circulation. It can also be used to monitor the blood pressure noninvasively: because the pressure of blood flowing inside the tubing is transmitted across the thin wall to the housing chamber, this pressure can be monitored via a pressure monitoring line to a pressure sensor. The BB thereby serves as a pressure transducer protector, isolating the blood from the pressure sensor and allowing noninvasive pressure measurements, which in turn can be used as input signals to control the pump speed.
#### Equivalent Device:
Trade Name: Better-Bladder™ 510(k) number: K981284 and K964337
#### Indication for Use:
The better-bladder is a device that isolates pressure transducers from blood contact when measurements of blood pressure in extracorporeal circuits are made during short and long term procedures. The pressure signal can be used to control pump speed. It is also used as an inline reservoir to provide compliance in the circuit during short and long term procedures.
#### Intended Use:
The BB14-72 has two intended uses:
1. To isolate pressure transducers from blood contact when measurements of blood pressure in extracorporeal circuits. The pressure signal can be used to control pump speed for routine bypass procedures.
2. As an inline blood reservoir to provide compliance in the extracorporeal circuits.
These intended uses are identical to the predicate device, the Better-Bladder™ (BB14, BBB38, and BBB38-72). The predicate devices include extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) procedures as an intended use.
{1}------------------------------------------------
CTI 510(k) Notification for The Better-Bladder™ BB14-72.
#### Technological Characteristics
The BB14-72 has the same technical characteristics as the predicate device, the Better-Bladder™ (BB14, BBB38, and BBB38-72). See the following table:
| Characteristic | BB14-72 | Predicate Device |
|----------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Design | Balloon section in a length<br>of perfusion tubing | Balloon section in a length<br>of perfusion tubing |
| Material | Balloon/tube: PVC<br>Housing: PETG | Balloon/tube: PVC<br>Housing: PETG |
| Energy source | None | None |
| Maximum flow | 1.5 LPM | 1.5 LPM |
#### Performance Data
The BB14-72 was tested against the predicate device (BB14) and a length of ¼" standard perfusion tubing to compare the negative pressure spike due to a sudden obstruction of the venous line. This occurs when the pump is attempting to pump more than that available from the patient. The tests were conducted in a mock extracorporeal circuit, see Fig. 1. The pressure was measured at the P1 -Cannula Output Pressure point in Fig. 1. The flow in the circuit was either 500 mL/min or 1,500 mL/min. The venous line was clamped at the Clamp Point in Fig. 1, and the record pressure spikes are summarized in Fig 2.
Image /page/1/Figure/7 description: The image is a diagram of a mock extracorporeal circuit. The circuit includes a "Patient" (Bag), a venous cannula, a clamp point, and a 1/4" ID tube. The circuit also includes an oxygenator, a centrifugal pump, and pressure sensors labeled P1 and P2. There are also components labeled BB14 and BB14-72.
{2}------------------------------------------------
CTI 510(k) Notification for The Better-Bladder™ BB14-72.
002 Special 510K Summary
From this performance data, we can conclude that the BB14-72 offers more compliance than the predicate device. The negative pressure spike for the BB14-72 was lower than that for the predicate device, and the time it took for the pressure to reach a steady state was longer with the BB14-72 than the predicate device. The lower pressure spike corresponds to a lower pressure that would be exerted a the venous cannula, and the longer time to reach steady state pressure allows more time for a pump flow controller to respond to the obstruction in the venous line. Thus, the safety of the BB14-72 is substantially equivalent to, and performs as safely and effectively or safer and more effectively as the predicate device.
Image /page/2/Figure/3 description: The image is a graph titled "Figure 2b. The negative pressure spike due to a sudden obstruction of the venous line (1,500 mL/min flow)". The graph shows pressure in mmHg on the y-axis and time in seconds on the x-axis. There are three lines on the graph, representing BB14-72, BB14, and 1/4" Tube, with a flow of 1.5 LPM. The pressure drops rapidly for all three lines, with the 1/4" Tube experiencing the most significant drop to around -240 mmHg.
Figure 2a. The negative pressure spike due to a sudden obstruction of the venous line (500 mL/min flow).
Image /page/2/Figure/5 description: The image is a graph that shows pressure in mmHg on the y-axis and time in seconds on the x-axis. There are three lines on the graph, representing BB14-72, BB14, and 1/4" ID Tube. The flow rate is 0.5 LPM. The pressure decreases over time for all three lines, eventually leveling out around -120 mmHg.
#### Conclusion
The BB14-72 is substantially equivalent to the predicate device in design, Intended Use, Technological Characteristics, and Performance Characteristics. The materials of the BB14-72 are identical to those of the predicate device, as well as the manufacturer and sterilizer. The method of manufacture is also the same for both the BB14-72 and the predicate device. The BB14-72 protects against large negative pressure spikes as well or better than the predicate device, and it provides more time for a pump flow controller to respond than the predicate device, indicating that the BB14-72 is substantially equivalent to the predicate device.
{3}------------------------------------------------
## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
# Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hamoshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
### April 17, 2014
Circulatory Technology, Inc. Yehuda Tamari President 21 Singworth St. Oyster Bay, New York 11771
Re: K140321
> Trade/Device Name: Initary better bladder-pediatric Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.4400 Regulation Name: Better-Bladder Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: DTN, Dated: February 5, 2014 Received: February 18, 2014
Dear Yehuda Tamari,
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 the or and 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
{4}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 - Yehuda Tamari
Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting (reporting of medical devicerelated 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.
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/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours,
# Bram D. Zuckerman -S
Bram D. Zuckerman, M.D. Director Division of Cardiovascular Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{5}------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K140321
Device Name
The Better-Bladder (BB14-72)
#### Indications for Use (Describe)
The Better-Bladder™ is a device that isolates from blood contact when measurements of blood pressure in extracorporeal circuits are made during term procedures. The pressure signal can be used to control pump speed. It is also used as an inline reservoir to provide compliance in the circuit during short and long term procedures.
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)
# Bram D. Zuckerman -S 2014.04.17 13:37:36 -04'00'
Form Approved: OMB No. 0910-0120 Expiration Date: January 31, 2017 See PRA Statement on last page.
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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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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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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.
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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.
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Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
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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.
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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.