K191658 · B.Braun Medical, Inc. · FPA · Mar 19, 2020 · General Hospital
Device Facts
Record ID
K191658
Device Name
IV Sets not made with PVC
Applicant
B.Braun Medical, Inc.
Product Code
FPA · General Hospital
Decision Date
Mar 19, 2020
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 880.5440
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The IV Administration Sets not made with PVC are intravenous administration sets intended for delivery of fluids from a container into a patient's vascular system. The IV Extension Sets not made with PVC may be used for direct injection, intermittent infusion, continuous infusion or aspiration of fluids, medications, blood and blood products.
Device Story
Gravity-fed, single-use, disposable IV administration and extension sets; used to deliver fluids, medications, blood, and blood products from a container to a patient's vascular system. Components include insertion spikes, drip chambers, clamps, needleless luer access devices, check valves, tubing, filters, and stopcocks. Tubing is constructed from polyurethane (PUR) instead of PVC. Operated by clinicians in clinical settings. Output is the controlled delivery or aspiration of fluids. Benefits include PVC-free fluid path for patients sensitive to PVC materials.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data. Performance testing included visual inspection, spike function, flow rate, filter performance, clamp function, joint/leakage testing (occlusion, positive/negative pressure, tensile), particulate contamination (USP 788, ISO 8536-4), microbial ingress, and biocompatibility (ISO 10993-1).
Technological Characteristics
Materials: PUR, LDPE, HDPE, PC, PP, PS, PE, MABS, SBC/SBS, PTFE, Acrylic, Nylon, Borosilicate glass fiber, Polyamide, Polyethersulphone, Polyarylsulphone, Polyvinylpyrrolidone, Synthetic Polyisoprene, Cyrolite, Parylene-N, Silicone rubber. Standards: ISO 8536-4, ISO 8536-14, ISO 10993-1, ISO 11135, ISO 80369-7, ASTM F2096. Gravity-fed, single-use, disposable. Sterilization: Ethylene Oxide (SAL 10^-6).
Indications for Use
Indicated for any patient population requiring intravenous delivery of fluids, medications, blood, or blood products via gravity infusion, direct injection, intermittent infusion, continuous infusion, or aspiration.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An intravascular administration set is a device used to administer fluids from a container to a patient's vascular system through a needle or catheter inserted into a vein. The device may include the needle or catheter, tubing, a flow regulator, a drip chamber, an infusion line filter, an I.V. set stopcock, fluid delivery tubing, connectors between parts of the set, a side tube with a cap to serve as an injection site, and a hollow spike to penetrate and connect the tubing to an I.V. bag or other infusion fluid container.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for pharmacy compounding systems within this classification is the FDA guidance document entitled “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Pharmacy Compounding Systems; Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Reviewers.” Pharmacy compounding systems classified within the intravascular administration set are exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of this part and subject to the limitations in § 880.9.
{0}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains the logo of the U.S. Food & 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.
March 19, 2020
B. Braun Medical Inc. Angela Caravella Sr. Regulatory Affairs Specialist 901 Marcon Boulevard Allentown, Pennsylvania 18109
Re: K191658
Trade/Device Name: IV Sets not made with PVC Regulation Number: 21 CFR 880.5440 Regulation Name: Intravascular Administration Set Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: FPA Dated: February 14, 2020 Received: February 18, 2020
Dear Angela Caravella:
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
{1}------------------------------------------------
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 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 (OS) 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,
Tina Kiang, Ph.D. Director DHT3C: Division of Drug Delivery and General Hospital Devices. and Human Factors OHT3: Office of Gastrorenal, ObGyn, General Hospital and Urology Devices Office of Product Evaluation and Quality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{2}------------------------------------------------
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K191658
Device Name IV Sets not made with PVC
Indications for Use (Describe)
The IV Administration Sets not made with PVC are intravenous administration sets intended for delivery of fluids from a container into a patient's vascular system.
The IV Extension Sets not made with PVC may be used for direct injection, intermittent infusion, continuous infusion or aspiration of fluids, medications, blood and blood products.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) | |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| <label><input checked="" type="checkbox"/> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)</label> | <label><input type="checkbox"/> Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)</label> |
#### 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}------------------------------------------------
B. Braun Medical Inc. 510(k) Premarket Notification IV Sets not made with PVC
### 5. 510(k) SUMMARY
| 510(k) Number: | K191658 |
|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Date: | March 17, 2020 |
| SUBMITTER: | B. Braun Medical Inc.<br>901 Marcon Boulevard<br>Allentown, PA 18109-9341<br>610-266-0500 |
| | Contact: Angela J. Caravella<br>Sr. Regulatory Affairs Specialist |
| | Phone: (610) 596-2966 |
| | Fax: (610) 266-4962 |
| | E-mail: angela.caravella@bbraunusa.com |
| DEVICE NAME: | IV Sets not made with PVC |
| COMMON NAME: | Intravascular Administration Set |
| CLASSIFICATION: | Set, Administration, Intravascular, 21 CFR 880.5440, Class II,<br>Product Code FPA |
| PREDICATE DEVICES: | K170595, IV Administration Sets, B. Braun Medical Inc.<br>K153293, Extension Set, B. Braun Medical Inc. |
## DEVICE DESCRIPTION:
The IV Sets not made with PVC are gravity, single use, disposable, IV administration sets and extension sets. IV administration sets are used to deliver fluids from a container into a patient's vascular system. The IV extension sets are used for direct injection, intermittent infusion, continuous infusion or aspiration.
These sets may be comprised of various components, which are broadly used throughout industry including insertion spikes, drip chambers, clamps, needleless luer access devices, check valves, tubing, filters, stopcocks and luer connections (connector, adaptor).
The proposed sets have not been made with polyvinylchloride (PVC). The tubing in these sets is made of polyurethane (PUR).
{4}------------------------------------------------
### INDICATIONS FOR USE
The IV Administration Sets not made with PVC are intravenous administration sets intended for delivery of fluids from a container into a patient's vascular system.
The IV Extension Sets not made with PVC may be used for direct injection, intermittent infusion, continuous infusion or aspiration of fluids, medications, blood and blood products.
#### SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE:
The IV Sets not made with PVC are substantially equivalent to the B. Braun Medical Inc. IV Administration Sets (K170595) and the B. Braun Medical Inc. Extension Sets (K153293) predicate devices.
The predicate devices used for comparison to the IV Sets not made with PVC were utilized to demonstrate the substantial equivalence in indications for use, intended use, and design between the proposed device and the predicate devices.
The proposed IV Sets not made with PVC include IV Administration Sets and IV Extension Sets. The indications for use for the proposed IV Sets includes the indications for use from the predicate devices; IV Administration Sets and Extension Sets. The only exception is the predicate Extension Set indication for power injection compatibility. The proposed IV Sets not made with PVC are not indicated for power injection. This reduction in indications for use does not introduce a new intended use.
The intended use of the proposed IV Administration Sets not made with PVC is identical to the predicate IV Administration Sets: Delivery of fluids from a container into a patient's vascular system. The intended use of the proposed Extension Sets not made with PVC is identical to the predicate Extension Sets: Direct injection, intermittent infusion, continuous infusion or aspiration.
#### Comparison of Technological Characteristics with the Predicate Devices
The IV Sets not made with PVC possess similar technological characteristics to the predicate devices B. Braun Medical Inc. IV Administration Sets cleared under K170595 and B. Braun Medical Inc. Extension Sets cleared under K153293.
The two main differences between the proposed and predicate devices is in componentry: the proposed device tubing material utilizes polyurethane (PUR) within its formulation instead of polyvinylchloride (PVC) and some of the proposed devices contain an additional in-line AirStop filter. These technological differences between the proposed and predicate devices do not raise new issues of safety and effectiveness. Non-clinical testing was performed to demonstrate the differences
{5}------------------------------------------------
did not raise new questions.
A table summarizing the comparison between the IV Sets not made with PVC to the predicate devices is provided below:
| Substantial Equivalence - Comparison of Proposed Device with Predicate Devices | | | |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Proposed Device<br>IV Sets not made with<br>PVC | Predicate Device<br>(K170595) IV<br>Administration Sets | Predicate Device<br>(K153293) Extension Sets |
| Intended Use | The IV Administration Sets<br>not made with PVC are<br>intravenous administration<br>sets intended for delivery<br>of fluids from a container<br>into a patient's vascular<br>system.<br>The IV Extension Sets not<br>made with PVC are<br>intended for direct<br>injection, intermittent<br>infusion, continuous<br>infusion or aspiration. | Delivery of fluids<br>from a container into a<br>patient's vascular<br>system. | Intended for direct<br>injection, intermittent<br>infusion, continuous<br>infusion or aspiration. |
| Indications for<br>Use | The IV Administration Sets<br>not made with PVC are<br>intravenous administration<br>sets intended for delivery<br>of fluids from a container<br>into a patient's vascular<br>system.<br>The IV Extension Sets not<br>made with PVC may be<br>used for direct injection,<br>intermittent infusion,<br>continuous infusion or<br>aspiration of fluids,<br>medications, blood and<br>blood products. | The IV<br>Administration Sets<br>are intravenous<br>administration sets<br>intended for delivery<br>of fluids from a<br>container into a<br>patient's vascular<br>system.<br>These devices<br>may be used for any<br>patient population<br>with consideration<br>given to adequacy of<br>vascular anatomy and<br>appropriateness for<br>the solution being<br>infused and duration | B. Braun Extension Sets<br>may be used for direct<br>injection, intermittent<br>infusion, continuous<br>infusion or aspiration of<br>fluids, medications, blood<br>and blood products. Select<br>sets may be used with<br>power injector procedures<br>to a maximum pressure of<br>400 psi and a maximum<br>flow rate of 15 mL per<br>second. B. Braun's<br>optional stabilization<br>component on an<br>extension set provides<br>stability to an<br>intravascular catheter by<br>supporting the patient<br>connector. |
| Substantial Equivalence - Comparison of Proposed Device with Predicate Devices | | | |
| | Proposed Device<br>IV Sets not made with<br>PVC | Predicate Device<br>(K170595) IV<br>Administration Sets | Predicate Device<br>(K153293) Extension Sets |
| | | therapy. | B. Braun Extension Sets<br>may be used for any<br>patient population. |
| Mode of Fluid<br>Delivery | Gravity | Gravity | Gravity or Power<br>Injection |
| Set Components | Sets configured with<br>various industry<br>standard components<br>including:<br>insertion spike<br>drip chamber<br>PUR tubing<br>luer connections<br>(connector/adaptor)<br>needleless luer access<br>device<br>stopcocks<br>clamps<br>check valve<br>in line filters | Sets configured with<br>various industry<br>standard components<br>including:<br>insertion spike<br>drip chamber<br>PVC tubing<br>luer connections<br>(connector/adaptor)<br>manifold<br>needleless luer access<br>device<br>stopcocks<br>clamps<br>check valve | PVC tubing<br>Luer<br>Slide clamp<br>Stabilization Component<br>Spin-lock connector<br>(patient connector/male<br>luer adapter) |
| Materials | PUR, LDPE, HDPE, PC, PP,<br>PS, PE, MABS, SBC/SBS,<br>PTFE, Acrylic, Nylon,<br>Borosilicate glass fiber paper,<br>High impact polystyrene,<br>Polyamide,<br>Polyethersulphone,<br>Polyarylsulphone,<br>Polyvinylpyrrolidone,<br>Synthetic Polyisoprene,<br>Cyrolite, Parylene-N, Silicone<br>rubber, Liquid Silicone<br>rubber, Polydimethylsiloxane,<br>Cyclohexanone, Methyl Ethyl<br>Ketone (MEK), Methylene<br>Chloride (MC),<br>Tetrahydrofuran (THF) | PVC, LDPE, HDPE,<br>PC, PP, ABS, Stainless<br>steel, MABS, Acetal,<br>Acrylic, Nylon, High<br>impact polystyrene,<br>Polyamide, Santoprene,<br>Synthetic Polyisoprene,<br>Cyrolite, Parylene-N.<br>Silicone rubber, Liquid<br>silicone rubber,<br>Polydimethylsiloxane,<br>Cyclohexanone,<br>Methylene Chloride<br>(MC), Tetrahydrofuran<br>(THF) | PVC, LDPE, HDPE, PC,<br>PP, ABS, Methylene<br>Chloride (MC),<br>Tetrahydrofuran (THF) |
| Summary of<br>non-clinical | ● Visual Inspection<br>● IV Spike function | ● Luer Compliance<br>● Priming Test / Air | ● Stabilization<br>● Component |
| Substantial Equivalence - Comparison of Proposed Device with Predicate Devices | | | |
| | Proposed Device<br>IV Sets not made with<br>PVC | Predicate Device<br>(K170595) IV<br>Administration Sets | Predicate Device<br>(K153293) Extension Sets |
| tests for<br>determination<br>of substantial<br>equivalence | • Closure-piercing device<br>dimensions<br>• Priming/Air<br>Visualization<br>• Air-inlet device<br>function<br>• Flow Rate<br>• Filter performance<br>• Clamp (roller and slide)<br>function<br>• Drip Chamber Drop<br>former function<br>• Joint/leakage<br>(occlusion, positive<br>pressure, negative<br>pressure, static tensile,<br>dynamic tensile)<br>• Particulate<br>Contamination (USP<br>788 and ISO 8536-4)<br>• Microbial Ingress<br>(leveraged from<br>K140311) | • Visualization<br>• Flow rate and<br>occlusion<br>• Positive pressure<br>test<br>• Dynamic Tensile<br>test<br>• Static Tensile test | • Performance<br>• Visual<br>• Catheter Angle<br>• Flow Rate- No<br>Catheter<br>• Flow Rate - With<br>Catheter<br>• Tape Removal<br>• Occlusion<br>• Negative Pressure<br>• Positive Pressure<br>• Clamp and Positive<br>Pressure<br>• Tensile Strength<br>• Power Injection<br>• Mechanical<br>• Hemolysis -<br>Aspiration and<br>Injection<br>• Luer Connection<br>• Gauging<br>• Liquid and Air<br>Leakage<br>• Separation Force<br>• Stress Cracking<br>• Collar Retention<br>• Joint Qualification<br>• Particulate<br>Contamination |
| Patient Contact<br>category /<br>duration | Externally Communicating,<br>Blood Path Indirect<br>prolonged exposure | Externally<br>Communicating,<br>Blood Path Indirect<br>prolonged exposure | Externally<br>Communicating, Blood<br>Path Indirect prolonged<br>exposure |
| Biocompatibility | Conforms to ISO 10993-1 | Conforms to ISO<br>10993-1 | Conforms to ISO 10993-1 |
| Sterilization | Ethylene Oxide, SAL 10-6 | Ethylene Oxide, SAL<br>10-6 | Ethylene Oxide, SAL 10-6 |
{6}------------------------------------------------
{7}------------------------------------------------
{8}------------------------------------------------
### Non Clinical Performance Testing
Non-clinical performance testing was completed with the proposed IV Sets not made with PVC to demonstrate that the sets perform as intended. The test results demonstrated that the proposed device considered the following standards:
ISO 8536-4: "Infusion equipment for medical use - Part 4: Infusion sets for single use, gravity feed"
ISO 8536-14: "Infusion Equipment For Medical Use – Part 14: Clamps and flow regulator for transfusion and infusion equipment without fluid contact"
ISO 10993-1: "Biological evaluation of medical devices - Part 1: Evaluation and testing within a risk management process"
- Cytotoxicity Sensitization Irritation Systemic Toxicity Hemocompatibility Genotoxicity Material Mediated Pyrogenicity SubChronic Toxicity
ISO 11135, "Sterilization of health care products – Ethylene oxide – Requirements for development, validation and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices"
ISO 80369-7, "Small-bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications- Part 7: Connectors for intravascular or hypodermic applications"
ASTM F2096, "Standard Test Method for Detecting Gross Leaks in Medical Packaging by Internal Pressurization (Bubble Test)"
In addition, the following functional and performance tests were successfully completed to demonstrate that the IV Administration Sets perform as intended.
- · Particulate Contamination (USP 788 and ISO 8536-4)
- · Microbial Ingress (leveraged from K140311)
- Bacterial Endotoxin Testing .
{9}------------------------------------------------
Results of the testing demonstrate that the proposed device can be used according to its intended use. No clinical testing was performed as this device does not require clinical studies to demonstrate substantial equivalence with the predicate device.
### CONCLUSION:
Results of testing and content within this traditional 510(k) submission demonstrates that the proposed IV Sets not made with PVC are substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
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.