K173636 · Varian Medical Systems, Inc. · LLZ · Feb 15, 2018 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K173636
Device Name
Velocity
Applicant
Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
Product Code
LLZ · Radiology
Decision Date
Feb 15, 2018
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.2050
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Software as a Medical Device
Indications for Use
Velocity is a software package that provides the physicians a means for comparison of medical data including imaging data that is DICOM compliant. It allows the display, annotation, volume operation, volume rendering, registration, and fusion of medical images as an aid during use by diagnostic radiology, oncology, radiation therapy planning and other medical specialties. Velocity is not intended for mammography.
Device Story
Velocity is a standalone medical imaging software application for oncology and radiotherapy workflows. It ingests DICOM-compliant imaging data (PET, SPECT, CT, MR, RT Dose) from various modalities and time points. The software provides tools for image display, manual/automatic registration (rigid and deformable), fusion, and segmentation (atlas-based). It calculates pixel intensity differences, Standardized Uptake Values (SUV), and biological effective dose (BED) scaling. It supports Y-90 microsphere dosimetry by converting SPECT to dose. Used by clinicians (radiologists, oncologists, therapists) on off-the-shelf computers to facilitate treatment planning and plan review. Outputs include annotated images, registered volumes, and dose reports, which are imported/exported to PACS or radiation treatment planning systems. The device aids clinical decision-making by enabling longitudinal comparison and adaptive radiotherapy planning, potentially improving treatment accuracy.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data included. Safety and effectiveness supported by non-clinical software verification and validation testing conducted in accordance with FDA guidance for major level of concern software.
Technological Characteristics
Standalone software application; runs on Windows 7/10 or macOS. Supports DICOM import/export. Features include rigid/deformable image registration, atlas-based segmentation, volume rendering, and Y-90 dosimetry. Connectivity via network/PACS integration. Software is classified as major level of concern.
Indications for Use
Indicated for physicians requiring comparison of DICOM-compliant medical imaging data. Used in diagnostic radiology, oncology, and radiation therapy planning for display, annotation, volume rendering, registration, and fusion of images. Not indicated for mammography.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A medical image management and processing system is a device that provides one or more capabilities relating to the review and digital processing of medical images for the purposes of interpretation by a trained practitioner of disease detection, diagnosis, or patient management. The software components may provide advanced or complex image processing functions for image manipulation, enhancement, or quantification that are intended for use in the interpretation and analysis of medical images. Advanced image manipulation functions may include image segmentation, multimodality image registration, or 3D visualization. Complex quantitative functions may include semi-automated measurements or time-series measurements.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls; voluntary standards—Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Std., Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) Std., Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) Test Pattern).
{0}------------------------------------------------
February 15, 2018
Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image contains the logo of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The logo consists of two parts: the Department of Health & Human Services logo on the left and the FDA logo on the right. The FDA logo includes the letters "FDA" in a blue square, followed by the words "U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION" in blue text.
Varian Medical Systems, Inc. % Mr. Peter J. Coronado Director, Global Regulatory Affairs 3100 Hansen Way PALO ALTO CA 94304
Re: K173636
Trade/Device Name: Velocity Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.2050 Regulation Name: Picture archiving and communications system Regulatory Class: II Product Code: LLZ Dated: November 22, 2017 Received: November 24, 2017
Dear Mr. Coronado:
We have reviewed vour 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.
{1}------------------------------------------------
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.
For comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice
(https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/) and CDRH Learn (http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (http://www.fda.gov/DICE) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
Michael D. O'Hara For
Robert Ochs, Ph.D. Director Division of Radiological Health Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{2}------------------------------------------------
## Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known)
## K173636
Device Name Velocity
#### Indications for Use (Describe)
Velocity is a software package that provides the physicians a means for comparison of medical data including imaging data that is DICOM compliant. It allows the display, annotation, volume rendering, registration, and fusion of medical images as an aid during use by diagnostic radiology, radiation therapy planning and other medical specialties. Velocity is not intended for mammography.
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)
## 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}------------------------------------------------
# Premarket Notification [510(k)] Summary
## Velocity 4.0
The following information is provided following the format of 21 CFR 807.92(c).
| Submitter's Name: | Varian |
|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | 3100 Hansen Way E-110 |
| | Palo Alto, CA 94304 |
| | |
| | Contact Name: Peter J. Coronado |
| | Phone: 650.424.6320 |
| | Fax: 650.646.9200 |
| | |
| | Date: February 6, 2018 |
| Proprietary Name: | Velocity |
| Classification Name: | Image Processing System, Radiology |
| | 21 CFR 892.2050, Class II |
| | Product Code: LLZ |
| | |
| Common/Usual Name: | Picture Archiving and Communication System (Medical Imaging Software) |
| Predicate Devices: | Primary predicate: Velocity AI – K081076 |
| | Secondary predicate: MIM Y90 Dosimetry - K172218 |
| Device Description: | Velocity is a software application providing relevant tools for Radiotherapy |
| | professionals to use while creating treatment plans. |
| | The Velocity device is a Picture Archiving and Communication System (medical imaging<br>software). Velocity provides medical image processing designed to facilitate the |
| | oncology or other clinical specialty work flow by allowing the comparison of medical |
| | imaging data from different modalities, points in time, and / or scanning protocols. The |
| | product provides users with the means to display, co-register and analyze medical |
| | images from multiple modalities including PET, SPECT, CT, RT Dose and MR; draw |
| | Regions of Interest (ROI), calculate and report relative differences in pixel intensities, |
| | Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) or other values within those regions; and import / |
| | export results to/from commercially available radiation treatment planning systems<br>and PACS devices. Co-registration includes deformable registration technology that can |
| | be applied to DICOM data including diagnostic and planning image volumes, |
| | structures, dose, and automatic anatomical atlas-based segmentation tools. |
| | |
| | Velocity is used as a stand-alone application on recommended Off-The-Shelf (OTS) |
| | computers supplied by the company or by the end-user. |
| Intended Use Statement | Velocity is a software package that provides the physicians a means for comparison of |
| | medical data including imaging data that is DICOM compliant. |
| | It allows the display, annotation, volume operation, volume rendering, registration, |
| | and fusion of medical images as an aid during use by diagnostic radiology, oncology, |
| | radiation therapy planning and other medical specialties. Velocity is not intended for |
| | mammography. |
| Indications for Use | Velocity is a software package that provides the physicians a means for comparison of |
| Statement | medical data including imaging data that is DICOM compliant. |
| | It allows the display, annotation, volume operation, volume rendering, registration, |
| | and fusion of medical images as an aid during use by diagnostic radiology, oncology, |
| | radiation therapy planning and other medical specialties. Velocity is not intended for |
| | mammography. |
{4}------------------------------------------------
## Technological Characteristics:
| VELOCITY 4.0 - DEVICE COMPARISON TABLE | | |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| FEATURE AND/OR SPECIFICATION OF<br>NEW/MODIFIED DEVICE | VELOCITYAIS v2.0<br>K081076 | VELOCITY 4.0 |
| Indications for Use/Intended Use | VelocityAIS (VelocityAl) is a stand-<br>alone software product that<br>provides the physician a means<br>for comparison of medical imaging<br>data from multiple DICOM<br>conformant imaging modality<br>sources. It allows the display,<br>annotating, volume rendering,<br>registration and fusing of medical<br>images as an aid during use by<br>diagnostic radiology, oncology,<br>radiation therapy planning and<br>other medical specialties.<br>VelocityAIS (VelocityAI) is not<br>intended for mammography<br>diagnosis. | Velocity is a software package that<br>provides the physicians a means<br>for comparison of medical data<br>including imaging data that is<br>DICOM compliant.<br>It allows the display, annotation,<br>volume operation, volume<br>rendering, registration, and fusion<br>of medical images as an aid during<br>use by diagnostic radiology,<br>oncology, radiation therapy<br>planning and other medical<br>specialties.<br>Velocity is not intended for<br>mammography diagnosis. |
| General Usage/ Performance Features | | |
| Image Study Importation | Yes<br>DICOM, PET/SPECT/CT/MRI<br>Dose | Yes<br>DICOM, PET/SPECT/CT/MRI<br>Dose<br>Query/Retrieve automation added<br>in 4.0 |
| Image Structure Import, Save & Export<br>to Treatment Planning Systems | Yes | Yes |
| Volume rendering | Yes | Yes<br>4D Cine Volume support in 4.0.0 |
| Advanced Visualization and Navigation<br>Features | Yes | Yes<br>multi-volume view support in 4.0 |
| Volume Operations | No | Yes |
| Diagnostic Image registration | Yes | Yes |
| Image Fusion | Yes | Yes |
| Anatomical and Functional Images | Anatomical and Functional Images | |
| ROI & Contouring | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Contouring Tools | Yes | Yes |
| Image Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Plan Review of imported plans or<br>created dose composites | No | Yes |
| Oncology workflow automation | No | Yes |
| Image/ROI Export to DICOM RT | Yes | Yes |
| Secure login and data storage | Yes | Yes |
| Operating System Platform | Microsoft Windows XP 32 bit<br>only/Windows 7, Vista | Microsoft Windows 7 & 10 (64 bit<br>only)/ Windows Server 2008R2<br>(Citrix), 2012R2, 2016 |
| | MAC OSX 10.6 | MAC OS 10.12 Sierra, macOS 10.13<br>High Sierra |
| Multimodality DICOM Import | | |
| Import and display DICOM CT, MR, DS,<br>PET, RTS, RTP | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Visualization & Navigation | | |
| General image viewer with view layout<br>selection and toolbars | Yes | Yes |
| Volume Operations | | |
| User scaling of image volumes | No | Yes |
| Biological Effective Dose (BED) Scaling | No | Yes |
| Y-90 Microsphere Dosimetry - | No | Yes |
| conversion of SPECT to DS | | |
| Automated Image-based Registration | | |
| Manual registration editing | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Rigid Registration | Yes | Yes |
| Deformable Registration | Yes | Yes |
| Inverse deformable registration | No | Yes |
| Structure Guided deformable | No | Yes |
| Segmentation (Manual Contouring Tools and Atlas Segmentation) | | |
| Manual Contouring tools | Yes | Yes |
| Atlas Auto-Segmentation | Yes | Yes |
| Image analysis with volumetric graphs | | |
| Histograms and Voxel Assessment<br>graphs | Yes | Yes |
| DVH statistics display | Yes | Yes |
| Plan Review | | |
| Storage and display of DICOM RT Plans | No | Yes |
| Lesion volume tracking by associating<br>structure with name tag | No | Yes |
| Navigator Semi-Automated Workflows | | |
| Semi-automatic workflows to assist<br>with common clinical image<br>registration & analysis tasks | No | Yes |
| Adaptive Navigators to assist in offline<br>dose review: includes workflows to<br>create adaptive CT based on CBCT<br>registration, copy plan to adaptive CT,<br>and compare dose. | No | Yes |
| Security | | |
| Logging of database activity | No | Yes |
{5}------------------------------------------------
{6}------------------------------------------------
{7}------------------------------------------------
MIM Y90 Dosimetry (K172218) was determined to be a predicate for the RapidSphere SPECT Microsphere Dosimetry feature. Both features:
- are intended for post-treatment absorbed dose calculation and evaluation
- are compatible with Y90 PET and SPECT image types
- and use the Local deposition model for dose calculation.
## Performance Data:
## Software Verification and Validation Testing
Software verification and validation was conducted and documentation was provided as recommended by FDA's Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff, "Guidance for the Content of Premarket Submissions for Software Contained in Medical Devices." The software for this device was considered as a "major" level of concern.
Clinical Tests No clinical tests have been included in this pre-market submission.
## Conclusions
The non-clinical data support the safety of the device and the software verification and validation demonstrate that the Velocity device performs as intended. Varian therefore considers Velocity 4.0 to be safe and effective and to perform at least as well as the predicate 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.