K151104 · Spineart · GAD · Jan 6, 2016 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K151104
Device Name
OTELO LL
Applicant
Spineart
Product Code
GAD · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Jan 6, 2016
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4800
Device Class
Class 1
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The OTELO LL Retractor is intended to provide the surgeon access to the spine by dissection and traction of soft and bony tissue
Device Story
OTELO LL is a tubular-based manual surgical retractor system used in spinal surgery. It consists of a retractor base, dilators, blades (right, left, posterior), shim pins, light source, and flex arm attachment. Surgeon operates device to dilate overlying tissues and maintain access to the spine. System allows distraction or articulation of blades to retract tissue; includes self-locking mechanism. Used in conjunction with microscopes, cameras, or light sources. Output is physical retraction of tissue, providing surgeon with visualization of the surgical field and access to the disc/spine. Benefits include improved surgical access and visualization for minimally invasive spinal procedures.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data. Testing included biocompatibility (ISO 10993: cytotoxicity, intracutaneous, acute systemic toxicity, sensitization), cleaning validation (ISO 17664, AAMI TIR 30), steam sterilization validation, and mechanical performance verification (opening ranges, blade integrity, locking mechanism functionality).
Indicated for surgeons requiring access to the spine via dissection and traction of soft and bony tissue during spinal procedures.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A manual surgical instrument for general use is a nonpowered, hand-held, or hand manipulated device, either reusable or disposable, intended to be used in various general surgical procedures. The device includes the applicator, clip applier, biopsy brush, manual dermabrasion brush, scrub brush, cannula, ligature carrier, chisel, clamp, contractor, curette, cutter, dissector, elevator, skin graft expander, file, forceps, gouge, instrument guide, needle guide, hammer, hemostat, amputation hook, ligature passing and knot-tying instrument, knife, mallet, disposable or reusable aspiration and injection needle, disposable or reusable suturing needle, osteotome, pliers, rasp, retainer, retractor, saw, scalpel blade, scalpel handle, one-piece scalpel, snare, spatula, stapler, disposable or reusable stripper, stylet, suturing apparatus for the stomach and intestine, measuring tape, and calipers. A surgical instrument that has specialized uses in a specific medical specialty is classified in separate regulations in parts 868 through 892 of this chapter.
{0}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract symbol resembling a stylized eagle or bird in flight, composed of three human profiles facing to the right.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
January 6, 2016
Spineart Mr. Franck Pennesi International Center Cointrin 20 Route de Pre-bois - CP 1813 1215 GENEVA 15 Switzerland
Re: K151104
Trade/Device Name: OTELO LL Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4800 Regulation Name: Retractor Regulatory Class: Class I Product Code: GAD Dated: December 2, 2015 Received: December 4, 2015
Dear Mr. Pennesi:
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
{1}------------------------------------------------
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 Industry and Consumer Education 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. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR 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 Industry and Consumer Education 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,
# William J. Heetderks -S
for Carlos L. Peña. PhD, MS Director Division of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{2}------------------------------------------------
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K151104
Device Name OTELO LL Retractor
#### Indications for Use (Describe)
The OTELO LL Retractor is intended to provide the surgeon access to the spine by dissection and traction of soft and bony tissue
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
| Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) |
|----------------------------------------------|
| Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C) |
### CONTINUE ON A SEPARATE PAGE IF NEEDED.
This section applies only to requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
#### *DO NOT SEND YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE PRA STAFF EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW.*
The burden time for this collection of information is estimated to average 79 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain the data needed and complete and review the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
> Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Office of Chief Information Officer Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Staff PRAStaff@fda.hhs.gov
"An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB number."
{3}------------------------------------------------
# 510(k) SUMMARY
| 510k | TRADITIONAL |
|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Basis for submission | New devices |
| Submitted by | SPINEART<br>International Center Cointrin<br>20 route de pré-bois<br>CP1813<br>1215 GENEVA 15<br>SWITZERLAND |
| Contacts | Franck PENNESI Director of Industry & Quality<br>Phone : +41 22 570 1246 Fax : +41 22 799 4026<br>Mail : fpennesi@spineart.com<br>Regulatory contact : Dr Isabelle DRUBAIX (Idée Consulting) idrubaix@nordnet.fr |
| Date Prepared | January 5, 2016 |
| Common Name | Retractor |
| Trade Name | OTELO® LL |
| Classification Name | Retractor |
| Regulation description | Manual surgical instrument for general use. |
| Class | I |
| Product Code | GAD |
| CFR section | 878.4800 |
| Device panel | General & Plastic Surgery |
| Legally marketed predicate devices | Primary predicate: Quadrant Retractor System (K043602) manufactured by<br>Medtronic Sofamor Danek |
| Design features | OTELO LL retractor by SPINEART | MAST QUADRANT Retractor system<br>by Medtronic |
|------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 510(k) # | Present submission | K043602 |
| Product code | GAD | GAD |
| Pictures | Image: OTELO LL retractor | Image: MAST QUADRANT Retractor system |
| 21 CFR | 878.4800 | 878.4800 |
| Common name | Retractor, Manuel Surgical Instrument | Retractor, Manuel Surgical Instrument |
| Design features | OTELO LL retractor by SPINEART | MAST QUADRANT Retractor system<br>by Medtronic |
| Indications for use | The OTELO®LL Retractor is intended to provide<br>the surgeon access to the spine by dissection<br>and traction of soft and bony tissue. | The MAST QUADRANT™ Retractor System is<br>intended to provide surgeons with<br>instruments such as dilators, retractors,<br>light sources and pedicle access needles<br>used to perform a variety of spinal fixation<br>procedures utilizing a minimally invasive<br>approach. The MAST QUADRANT™<br>Retractor System is indicated for<br>visualization of the surgical field in any area<br>of the body cut open during a surgical<br>procedure. When used in the cervical,<br>thoracic, or lumbar spine either from an<br>anterior or posterior direction, for example,<br>the MAST QUADRANT™ Retractors and<br>accessories are intended to aid the<br>surgeon's visualization of the surgical area<br>and allow him/her to perform any type of<br>surgical spinal procedure such as herniated<br>disc repair, visualization of the<br>circumferential decompression of the nerve<br>roots, aiding in the search and removal of<br>nucleus material, spinal fusion, or insertion<br>of spinal implants. |
| Description | The OTELO®LL Retractor System is a tubular-<br>based retraction system, designed to provide<br>surgeons with the freedom to retract tissue<br>through any combination of distracting or<br>articulating the blades. The OTELO®LL<br>Retractor System includes instruments used to<br>access the spine by dilating the overlying<br>tissues, as well serving as a retracting device to<br>maintain the access. The system can be used in<br>conjunction with microscopes, light sources,<br>cameras, or other visualization aids. | The MAST QUADRANT™ Retractor System is<br>a tubular-based retraction system, designed<br>to provide surgeons with the freedom to<br>retract tissue through any combination of<br>distracting or articulating the blades. The<br>MAST QUADRANT™ System includes<br>instruments used to access the spine by<br>dilating the overlying tissues, as well serving<br>as a retracting device to maintain the<br>access. The system can be used in<br>conjunction with microscopes, light sources,<br>cameras, or other visualization aids. |
| Material | Stainless Steel, PEEK and PEEK Carbon. | Stainless Steel |
| Design features | Self-locking mechanism and minimal invasive<br>use | Self-locking mechanism and minimal<br>invasive use |
| Operating<br>principle | Gives surgeons an easy access and good<br>visualization of the disc to be treated. | Gives surgeons an easy access and good<br>visualization of the disc to be treated. |
| Technological<br>characteristics | The retractor system is composed of one<br>retractor base associated to different<br>instruments such as dilators tube, blades,<br>wires, retractor, shim pins, light source and<br>flex arm attachment. Range of blades is<br>composed of 10 right, 10 left and 10 posterior<br>blades which varies from 90 to 180 mm length.<br>If needed, a fourth blade distraction system<br>can be adapted in order to increase surgeon's<br>access visibility. This complementary system is<br>composed of 2 wide and 2 narrow<br>supplemental blades which varies from 5 to 10<br>mm width. | The retractor system is composed of one<br>retractor base associated to different<br>instruments such as dilators tube, blades,<br>wires, retractor, light source and flex arm<br>attachment. Range of blades is composed of<br>5 right and 5 left blades which varies from<br>40 to 80 mm length. If needed, a<br>complementary medial /lateral distraction<br>system can be adapted in order to increase<br>surgeon's access visibility. This<br>complementary system is composed of 3<br>wide and 3 narrow supplemental blades<br>which varies from 50 to 90 mm length |
| Design features | OTELO LL retractor by SPINEART | MAST QUADRANT Retractor system<br>by Medtronic |
| Ranges of the<br>retractor opening<br>distance | Antero-posterior opening range: 21 mm to 46<br>mm<br>Cranial-caudal opening range: 21 mm to 100<br>mm | Cranial-caudal opening range: 30 mm to 52<br>mm |
| Ranges of blade<br>angle | Cranial-Caudal inclination angle range:<br>0° to +15° | / |
| Packaging | Instruments are individually packaged in<br>polyethylene sealed pouch with label and IFU<br>included.<br>When packaged as an Instrument set, the set<br>is packaged in polyethylene sealed pouch with<br>label and IFU included. | Same for non sterile instruments. |
| Shelf life | Not applicable. Devices are provided non<br>sterile. | / |
| Sterilization | Steam sterilization | Steam sterilization |
| Biocompatibility | Meets ISO 10993 | Meets ISO 10993 |
{4}------------------------------------------------
{5}------------------------------------------------
# Pre-clinical verification and validation tests results:
| Test | Results | Conclusions |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ISO MTS Cytotoxicity.<br>Report n° 199740 | Percentage viability of test article: 86.4% | No cytotoxic potential |
| ISO Intracutaneous Study in Rabbits -<br>Two Extracts.<br>Report n° 199741 | The 0.9% NaCl extract of the test article did not<br>induce any erythema or edema reactions after<br>injection by intracutaneous route in<br>the rabbit.<br>The sesame oil extract of the test article did not<br>induce more erythema and edema reactions than<br>the vehicle alone after injection by<br>intracutaneous route in the rabbit. | No erythema or edema<br>reactions |
| ISO Acute Systemic Toxicity Study in<br>Mice - Two Extracts.<br>Report n° 199743 | No body weight loss greater than 10% occurred,<br>no abnormal behaviour was noted and body<br>weight gains were thereafter observed until the<br>end of the study.<br>All animals appeared clinically normal at the<br>beginning and throughout the study. | No evidence of significant<br>systemic toxicity or<br>mortality |
| ISO Guinea Pig Maximization<br>Sensitization Test - Two Extracts.<br>Report n° 199742 | 0.9% NaCl extract: sensitization grade 0<br>Sesame oil extract: sensitization grade 0<br>All animals appeared clinically normal throughout<br>the study. | The test article was not<br>considered a sensitizer in<br>the guinea pig<br>maximization model |
| Validation of the Manual Cleaning<br>Process According to the ISO 17664<br>standard and the AAMI TIR 30 Technical<br>Report.<br>Report n° 199900 | No soil was observed.<br>No protein (<6.4 µg/cm²) was detected.<br>No hemoglobin (<2.2 µg/cm²) was detected. | The manual cleaning<br>process is validated. |
| Validation of the Automated Cleaning<br>Process According to the ISO 17664<br>standard and the AAMI TIR 30 Technical<br>Report.<br>Report n° 200220 | No soil was observed.<br>No protein (<6.4 µg/cm²) was detected.<br>No hemoglobin (<2.2 µg/cm²) was detected. | The automated cleaning<br>process is validated. |
| Steam sterilization Study for the<br>SPINEART OTELO Retractor Set.<br>Report n° 154535-002 rev 1 | Sterilization Parameters ( 132° 2') provide a SAL<br>not less than 10⁻⁶.<br>No moisture was observed after dry time of 30'. | Steam sterilization<br>parameters 132°C, 4'and<br>dry time 30' are validated |
{6}------------------------------------------------
| Mechanical performances - Verification<br>Test report n°VRR67-01-00 | Minimal opening of 100 mm is obtained.<br>No breakage of the blades.<br>No disassembly of the blades and the retractor.<br>No disassembly of the arms of the retractor.<br>No breakage or damage of the teeth of the rack.<br>No breakage or damage of the thread feature of<br>the knobs.<br>Minimal opening of 46 mm is obtained.<br>No breakage or damage of the thread feature of<br>the knobs.<br>No rotation or malfunction of the 4th blade<br>assembly.<br>No disassembly of the shim pin from the shim<br>tool.<br>No disassembly of the shim pin from the blade. | Mechanical characteristics<br>are conform to the needs. |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| Functionality performances - Validation<br>Test report n°VLR67-08-00 | The light system worked well.<br>Radiolucency is a clear advantage of the system.<br>The arm, the base arm and the attachment<br>worked well. It has been commented that the<br>arm attachment should be connected to the arm<br>before attaching to the retractor body.<br>The multi-function double hex driver was well<br>appreciated for the posterior blade manipulation.<br>The ratcheting mechanism and the toe-ing of the<br>blades worked well.<br>The 4th blade attachment is well designed.<br>Posterior Shim and Shim pin worked correctly | Functionality is conform to<br>the needs. |
## Discussion:
Differences of technical characteristics between subject device and predicate device:
The main differences between the two systems are limited to:
- A the material used for blades (CF/PEEK for OTELO versus stainless steel for predicate device),
- A the length of the range of blades (90 to 150 mm for OTELO versus 40 to 80 mm for predicate device),
- A the complementary distraction system that can be used to increase surgeon 's visibility access,
- > the cranial-caudal opening range (21 mm to 100 mm for OTELO versus 30 to 52 for predicate device).
## Safety and effectiveness:
Material: Based on pre-clinical biocompatibility verification tests (reports n°199740, 199742 and 199743), it has been demonstrated that CF/PEEK material is conforming to ISO 10993-1 for contact inferior to 24 hours.
Length of blade: longer blades (90 to 180 mm) have been designed in order to provide a lateral access to the spine. Based on pre-clinical mechanical verification tests (report n°VRR67-01-00) and pre-clinical validation test (report n° VLR67-08-00), it has been demonstrated that mechanical characteristics for OTELO is conforming to the needs and indications for use.
Complementary distraction system: Based on pre-clinical mechanical verification tests (report n°VRR67-01-00) and pre-clinical validation test (report n° VLR67-08-00), it has been demonstrated
{7}------------------------------------------------
that mechanical characteristics of the complementary system for OTELO is conforming to the needs and indications for use.
Cranial-caudal opening: Based on pre-clinical mechanical verification tests (report n°VRR67-01-00) and pre-clinical validation test (report n° VLR67-08-00), it has been demonstrated that mechanical characteristics for OTELO is conforming to the needs and indications for use.
### Conclusion:
The significant differences between the OTELO retractor system and the other mentioned marketed system which would adversely affect the safety and performances of the product have been tested in order to demonstrate OTELO capabilities.
The Spineart OTELO retractor system is substantially equivalent in design, function, mechanical performances and intended use, to the existing previously cleared spinal devices, MAST QUADRANT Retractor System by Medtronic Sofamor Danek (K043602).
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.