K190505 · Canon Medical Systems Corporation · JAK · Jun 5, 2019 · Radiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K190505
Device Name
Low Dose Lung Screening Option
Applicant
Canon Medical Systems Corporation
Product Code
JAK · Radiology
Decision Date
Jun 5, 2019
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 892.1750
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Real-World Evidence
Real-World Evidence
Submission
Device
Sponsor
RWD Sources
RWE Use Summary
Key Tags
K190505 · Jun 5, 2019
Low Dose Lung Screening Option
Canon Medical Systems Corporation
National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) clinical study data; ACR accreditation database; IMV research market data; Post-market adverse event reports
The sponsor uses the NLST clinical trial results to support the clinical validity of the lung cancer screening indication. They also use market research and accreditation data to demonstrate the safety and established clinical use of their existing CT scanner base in routine practice.
NLST; Lung Cancer Screening; Post-market surveillance; Clinical literature
Clinical Evidence
Study Design
Population
Comparator
Key Endpoints
National Lung Screening Trial (NLST); Prospective randomized controlled trial
High-risk individuals for lung cancer
Chest radiography
Lung cancer mortality
Post-market clinical practice analysis; Retrospective analysis of accreditation and safety data
Canon/Toshiba CT scanners in clinical use; Sample Size: Approximately 680+ scanners; Number of Sites: 4,000+ (ACR accredited sites)
Not applicable for this study
Adverse event reporting
Indications for Use
The Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Option for Canon/Toshiba CT systems is indicated for using low dose CT for lung cancer screening. The screening must be conducted with the established program criteria and protocols that have been approved and published by a governmental body, a professional medical society and/or Canon. Information from professional societies related to lung cancer screening can be found, but is not limited to: American College of Radiology® (ACR)-resources and technical specification; accreditation American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) - Lung Cancer Screening Protocols; radiation management.
Device Story
Device is a software/protocol option for existing Canon/Toshiba CT scanners; enables low-dose CT (LDCT) imaging for lung cancer screening. Input: X-ray projection data acquired during CT scan. Transformation: System utilizes established CT reconstruction protocols optimized for low-dose acquisition; no functional or design changes made to hardware. Output: Thoracic CT images for clinical review. Used in clinical settings by radiologists/technicians. Output assists clinicians in identifying lung nodules or abnormalities per established screening criteria. Benefits: Enables standardized, low-radiation lung cancer screening consistent with National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) protocols.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Evaluated image quality metrics (MTF, slice thickness, CNR, uniformity, noise power spectrum) across representative scanners from three platform families (Aquilion 16/32/64/RXL, PRIME/PRIME SP, ONE/ViSION/Genesis, and Lightning). Performance compared to Aquilion RXL predicate. Clinical literature, including the National Lung Screening Trial (N Engl J Med 2011; 365:395-409), cited to support safety and effectiveness of LDCT screening protocols.
Technological Characteristics
CT systems utilizing X-ray radiation; hardware remains unchanged. Compliance with IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-2-44, NEMA XR-25, XR-26, XR-29, and 21 CFR 1020. Connectivity via DICOM. Software includes protocols for low-dose acquisition. Construction follows ISO 13485 and 21 CFR 820.
Indications for Use
Indicated for lung cancer screening using low-dose CT in patients, following established protocols from governmental bodies or professional medical societies.
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.
{0}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains the logo of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the left is the Department of Health & Human Services logo. To the right of that is the FDA logo, which is a blue square with the letters "FDA" in white. To the right of the blue square is the text "U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION" in blue.
Canon Medical Systems Corporation % Mr. Paul Biggins Senior Director Regulatory Affairs Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc. 2441 Michelle Drive TUSTIN CA 92780
Re: K190505
Trade/Device Name: Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Option Regulation Number: 21 CFR 892.1750 Regulation Name: Computed tomography x-ray system Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: JAK Dated: May 17, 2019 Received: May 20, 2019
Dear Mr. Biggins:
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. Although this letter refers to your product as a device, please be aware that some cleared products may instead be combination products. The 510(k) Premarket Notification Database located at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm identifies combination product submissions. 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) for
June 5, 2019
{1}------------------------------------------------
devices or postmarketing safety reporting (21 CFR 4, Subpart B) for combination products (see https://www.fda.gov/combination-products/guidance-regulatory-information/postmarketing-safety-reportingcombination-products); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) for devices or current good manufacturing practices (21 CFR 4, Subpart A) for combination products; and, if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
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 https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-safety/medical-device-reportingmdr-how-report-medical-device-problems.
For comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/device-advice-comprehensive-regulatory-assistance) and CDRH Learn (https://www.fda.gov/training-and-continuing-education/cdrh-learn). 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 (https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-advice-comprehensive-regulatoryassistance/contact-us-division-industry-and-consumer-education-dice) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely.
For
Thalia T. Mills, Ph.D. Director Division of Radiological Health OHT7: Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health Office of Product Evaluation and Quality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{2}------------------------------------------------
## Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known)
#### K190505
Device Name Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Option
#### Indications for Use (Describe)
The Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Option for Canon/Toshiba CT systems is indicated for using low dose CT for lung cancer screening. The screening must be conducted with the established program criteria and protocols that have been approved and published by a governmental body, a professional medical society and/or Canon.
Information from professional societies related to lung cancer screening can be found, but is not limited to: American College of Radiology® (ACR)-resources and technical specification; accreditation American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) - Lung Cancer Screening Protocols; radiation management.
| 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}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/3/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc. The word "Canon" is in red, and the rest of the text is in black. The text is aligned to the left and is in a sans-serif font. The logo is simple and professional.
#### 510(k) SUMMARY
# Made For life
## K190505
## 1. SUBMITTER'S NAME:
Canon Medical Systems Corporation 1385 Shimoishigami Otawara, Japan 324-8550
## 2. OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENT: Naofumi Watanabe
- 3. ESTABLISHMENT REGISTRATION: 9614698
## 4. CONTACT PERSON:
Paul Biggins Senior Director Regulatory Affairs/U.S. Agent Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc. 2441 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780 714-669-7808
## 5. DATE PREPARED:
May 31, 2019
## 6. TRADE NAME(S): Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Option
## 7. COMMON NAME:
System, X-ray, Computed Tomography
## 8. DEVICE CLASSIFICATION:
Class II (per 21 CFR 892.1750)
## 9. PRODUCT CODE / DESCRIPTION:
JAK - System, Computed Tomography
## 10. PERFORMANCE STANDARD:
This device conforms to applicable Performance Standards for Ionizing Radiation Emitting Products [21 CFR, Subchapter J, Part 1020]
## 11. PREDICATE DEVICE:
| Product | Marketed by | 510(k) Number | Clearance Date |
|--------------|------------------------------------|---------------|----------------|
| Aquilion RXL | Toshiba America<br>Medical Systems | K121553 | July 26, 2012 |
{4}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/4/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc. The word "Canon" is in red, and the rest of the text is in black. The text is left-aligned and the font is sans-serif. The logo is simple and professional.
**Made For life**
## 12. REASON FOR SUBMISSION:
Modification of a cleared device
## 13. DEVICE DESCRIPTION:
The low dose lung cancer screening option is an indication being added to the following existing, previously FDA-cleared scanners:
| 510(K) NUMBER | PRODUCT Family – Aquilion TSX-101 |
|---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| K033418 | AQUILION MULTISLICE CT SCANNERS (TSX-101A/A AND TSX-101A/C) |
| K051833 | AQUILION 64 SP CT SCANNER; AQUILION 32 SP CT SCANNER (TSX-101A/H, TSX-101A/I |
| K080211 | AQUILION 32/64 SP CT SYSTEM (TSX-101A/H, TSX-101A/I) |
| K112989 | AQUILION CXL (TSX-101A/Q) |
| K121553 | AQUILION RXL (TSX-101A/R) |
| 510(K) NUMBER | PRODUCT Family – Lightning TSX-035/TSX-036 |
| K151833 | Aquilion Lightning (TSX-035A/2 V7.0) |
| K153263 | Aquilion Lightning (TSX-035A/4 and /5 V7.0) |
| K170019 | Aquilion Lightning (TSX-036A/1 V8.4) |
| 510(K) NUMBER | PRODUCT Family – Aquilion ONE TSX-301/TSX-305 |
| K063189 | AQUILION ONE CT SYSTEM (TSX-301A) |
| K072606 | AQUILION ONE CT SYSTEM (TSX-301A/2) |
| K083282 | AQUILION ONE CT SYSTEM (TSX-301B) |
| K093891 | AQUILION ONE VERSION 4.6 W/DUAL ENERGY (TSX-301A/2) |
| K113466 | AQUILION ONE (TSX-301A) |
| K120546 | AQUILION ONE PREMIUM (TSX-301B) |
| K122109 | AQUILION ONE VISION V4.90 (TSX-301C) |
| K132222 | AQUILION ONE VISION V6.0 (TSX-301C) |
| K133497 | AQUILION ONE VISION (TSX-301C) |
| K142465 | Aquilion ONE Vision v7.0 (TSX-301C) |
| K160587 | Aquilion ONE GENESIS V7.3 (TSX-305A/3) |
| K161009 | Aquilion ONE Vision with FIRST 2.0 V7.4 (TSX-301C) |
| K170177 | Aquilion ONE GENESIS V8.3 with FIRST 2.1 (TSX-305A/3) |
| 510(K) NUMBER | PRODUCT Family – Prime TSX302/TSX-303 |
| K110066 | AQUILION PRIME (TSX-302A) |
| K120710 | AQUILION PRIME (TSX-302A) |
| K130645 | AQUILION PRIME V5.00 (TSX-303A) |
| K141741 | AQUILION PRIME V6.00 (TSX-303A) |
| K172188 | Aquilion Prime SP v8.4 (TSX-303B/1) |
{5}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/5/Picture/0 description: The image contains the logo for Canon Medical Systems USA, INC. The word "Canon" is in red, and the rest of the text is in black. The text is left-aligned and appears to be a company logo or branding element.
**Made For life**
No functional, performance, feature, or design changes are being made to the devices that will be indicated for low dose lung cancer screening. The devices already include low dose lung screening protocols, intended for use in the review of thoracic CT images within the established inclusion criteria of programs/protocols that have been approved and published by either a governmental body or professional medical society: Please refer to clinical literature that includes the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (N Engl J Med 2011; 365:395-409) and subsequent literature, for further information.
#### 14. INDICATIONS FOR USE:
The Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Option for Canon/Toshiba CT systems is indicated for using low dose CT for lung cancer screening must be conducted with the established program criteria and protocols that have been approved and published by a governmental body, a professional medical society and/or Canon.
Information from professional societies related to lung cancer screening can be found, but is not limited to:
American College of Radiology® (ACR) – resources and technical specification; accreditation
American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) – Lung Cancer Screening Protocols; radiation management.
*Please refer to clinical literature, including the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (N Engl J Med 2011; 365:395-409) and subsequent literature, for further information.
#### 15. SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE:
Following FDA recommendations during the October 8, 2014 meeting with MITA, Toshiba followed the November 1998 General vs. Specific Guidance document to help establish that the indication for the Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Option does not constitute a new intended use for the device, and that the Option could therefore be further evaluated for substantial equivalence, as per the flowchart found in the July 28, 2014 "Evaluating Substantial Equivalence in Premarket Notifications" guidance document.
The NLST made use of the Aquilion 16 scanner. However, because the Aquilion 16 is out of production, and also because FDA has been moving toward restricting predicate devices to devices cleared within the previous ten years, after consulting FDA Canon Medical selected the Aquilion RXL as the predicate device. The Aquilion RXL is the successor 16-row to the Aquilion 16, and therefore offers a higher, more modern standard of image quality to compare against.
Canon Medical grouped our CT systems into three different platforms/families based on their technological characteristics: The Aquilion 16/32/64/RXL, PRIME/PRIME SP, ONE/ViSION/Genesis, and Lightning platforms. We have provided bench data from a representative scanner in each family. The NLST data were acquired on scanners from the Aquilion 16/64/RXL family. We therefore selected the RXL as the predicate.
{6}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/6/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc. The word "Canon" is written in a bold, red font. Below the logo, the text "CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS USA, INC." is written in a smaller, black font. The logo is simple and professional.
**Made For life**
For one device in each of the families, Canon Medical provided bench testing data to demonstrate performance that was substantially equivalent to the NLST predicate.
To demonstrate substantial equivalence of the new LDCT LCS option to the predicate device, Canon Medical is providing bench testing data. The bench testing measured traditional image quality metrics on standard phantoms, and compared to the image quality results from the predicate scanner, which is a contemporary member of the family of Toshiba scanners used in the NLST, with similar technological characteristics as, and performance equivalent to the NLST scanner.
To demonstrate substantial equivalence of other CT systems to the predicate device, Canon Medical compared objective image quality bench testing for each subject device to that of the predicate device.
Canon Medical has identified the following bench tests as relevant to assessing a CT scanner's low-dose lung-cancer screening performance:
| Image Quality Metric | Relevance to low-dose lung cancer screening |
|---------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Modulation Transfer Function<br>(MTF) | Quantifies the in-plane spatial resolution performance of the system. |
| Axial Slice Thickness | Quantifies the longitudinal resolution performance of the system. |
| Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR) | Quantifies the signal strength relative to the standard deviation of noise. |
| CT number uniformity | Quantifies the stability of the Hounsfield Unit for water across the FOV. |
| Noise Performance (Noise<br>Power Spectrum) | Quantifies the noise properties of the system. |
To demonstrate substantial equivalence of other CT systems to the predicate device, Canon Medical compared objective image quality bench testing for each subject device to that of the predicate device.
## 16. SAFETY:
The device is designed and manufactured under the Quality System Regulations as outlined in 21 CFR § 820 and ISO 13485 Standards. This device is in conformance with the applicable parts of the IEC60601-1, IEC60601-1-1, IEC60601-1-2, IEC60601-1-3, IEC60601-1-4, IEC60601-1-6, IEC60601-2-28, IEC60601-2-32, IEC60601-2-44, IEC60825-1, IEC62304, IEC62366, NEMA PS 3.1-3.18, NEMA XR-25 NEMA XR-26 and NEMA XR-29. Additionally, this device complies with all applicable requirements of the radiation safety performance standards, as outlined in 21 CFR §1010 and §1020.
{7}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/7/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Canon Medical Systems USA, INC. The word "Canon" is in red, and the rest of the text is in black. The text is aligned to the left.
**Made For life**
## 17. TESTING
Canon Medical grouped our CT systems into three different platforms/families based on their technological characteristics: The Aquilion 16/32/64/RXL, PRIME/PRIME SP, ONE/ViSION/Genesis, and Lightning. We have provided bench data from a representative scanner in each family. The NLST data were acquired on scanners from the Aquilion 16/64/RXL family. We therefore selected the RXL as the predicate.
For one device in each of the families, Canon Medical provided bench testing data to demonstrate performance that was substantially equivalent to the NLST predicate. We have additionally provided clinical literature to demonstrate that newer technologies, such as iterative reconstruction, have not negatively affected the devices' safety and effectiveness.
#### 18. CONCLUSION
Canon Medical has demonstrated, via the criteria in the "General vs. Specific Intended Use" guidance document, that the lung cancer screening indication does not change the intended use of the device. Because the subject and predicate devices are all FDA-cleared for general CT imaging, of which lung cancer screening is a specific application, the different technological characteristics do not raise different questions of safety and effectiveness than the predicate device used in the NLST. To supplement the NLST data, Canon Medical has identified bench data relating to device performance for low-dose lung screening, and provided data demonstrating substantial equivalence. Canon Medical has also identified clinical studies using newer devices than the NLST that demonstrate that the new technological characteristics of post-NLST devices have not negatively impacted their safety and effectiveness.
Canon would also respectfully present to FDA that the ACR currently has over 4,000 sites/CT systems that are accredited with respect to the ACR guidelines. Based upon the latest IMV research that the installed base of CT scanners for Canon/Toshiba is approximately 17%. Extrapolation of the ACR database would then infer that over 680 Canon/Toshiba CT scanners are currently accredited for lung screening and there have been no reports of adverse events related to this clinical practice.
CT systems that include the lung cancer screening option remain in compliance with the applicable US and international safety and performance standards such as United States Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Subchapter J – Radiological Health, NEMA, DICOM, and IEC standards.
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.