K212152 · Merit Medical Systems · DYB · Jan 7, 2022 · Cardiovascular
Device Facts
Record ID
K212152
Device Name
Prelude IDeal 9F Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer
Applicant
Merit Medical Systems
Product Code
DYB · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
Jan 7, 2022
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.1340
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
The 9F Prelude IDeal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer is intended to provide access and facilitate the percutaneous introduction of various devices into veins and/or arteries while maintaining hemostasis for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Device Story
The 9F Prelude IDeal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer is a vascular access device used by clinicians in clinical settings to facilitate the introduction of catheters and instruments into the vasculature. The device consists of a sheath with a hydrophilic coating and stainless steel braid, a vessel dilator, a hemostasis valve, and a sidearm with a 3-way stopcock. The clinician flushes the device with heparinized solution, inserts the dilator into the sheath, and advances the assembly over a guidewire (up to 0.038 inches) into the patient's vein or artery. Once positioned, the guidewire and dilator are removed, allowing for the insertion of diagnostic or therapeutic instruments through the hemostasis valve, which maintains blood containment. The device provides a stable conduit for interventional procedures, benefiting the patient by enabling minimally invasive access to the peripheral vascular system.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Performance verified through mechanical testing (tensile, leak, kink, insertion/removal forces), biocompatibility (ISO 10993 series), sterilization validation (ISO 11135), and shelf-life/aging studies.
Technological Characteristics
Sheath tubing with hydrophilic coating and stainless steel braid; Tecothane sidearm; copolymer polypropylene dilator. Dimensions: 9F diameter, 11cm or 23cm lengths. Compatible with 0.038" guidewires. Sterilization: Ethylene Oxide (ISO 11135). Standards: ISO 10555-1/3, ISO 11070, ASTM F640-12, ASTM F1877-16.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring percutaneous vascular access for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures; intended for use in peripheral veins or arteries; contraindicated for radial artery access due to device size.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A catheter introducer is a sheath used to facilitate placing a catheter through the skin into a vein or artery.
{0}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains two logos. On the left is the Department of Health & Human Services logo. On the right is the FDA logo, which includes the letters "FDA" in a blue square, followed by the words "U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION" in blue text.
January 7, 2022
Merit Medical Systems David Thomas Principal Regulatory Affairs Specialist 1600 West Merit Parkway South Jordan, Utah 84095
Re: K212152
Trade/Device Name: Prelude IDeal 9F Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.1340 Regulation Name: Catheter Introducer Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: DYB Dated: December 3, 2021 Received: December 6, 2021
Dear David Thomas:
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
{1}------------------------------------------------
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 (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,
Misti Malone Assistant Director DHT2C: Division of Coronary and Peripheral Intervention Devices OHT2: Office of Cardiovascular Devices Office of Product Evaluation and Ouality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{2}------------------------------------------------
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K212152
Device Name
Prelude IDeal 9F Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer
Indications for Use (Describe)
The 9F Prelude IDeal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer is intended to provide access and facilitate the percutaneous introduction of various devices into veins and/or arteries while maintaining hemostasis for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) | <div> <span> <input type="checkbox"/> </span> <span> <input type="checkbox"/> </span> </div> |
|-------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|-------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|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}------------------------------------------------
# 510(k) Summary
# K212152
# 9F Prelude IDeal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer
| General<br>Provisions | Submitter Name:<br>Address:<br>Telephone Number:<br>Fax Number:<br>Contact Person:<br>Date of Preparation:<br>Registration Number: | Merit Medical Systems, Inc.<br>1600 West Merit Parkway<br>South Jordan, UT 84095<br>(801) 316-4956<br>(801) 208-3365<br>David Thomas<br>December 3, 2021<br>1721504 |
|-----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Subject<br>Device | Trade Name:<br>Common/Usual Name:<br>Classification Name:<br>Regulatory Class:<br>Product Code:<br>21 CFR §:<br>Review Panel: | 9F Prelude IDeal™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer<br>Sheath Introducer<br>Catheter Introducer<br>II<br>DYB<br>870.1340<br>Cardiovascular |
| Predicate<br>Device | Trade Name:<br>Classification Name:<br>Premarket Notification:<br>Manufacturer: | 9F Prelude IDeal™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer<br>Catheter Introducer<br>K173750<br>Merit Medical Systems, Inc. |
| Reference<br>Device | Tradename:<br>Classification Name:<br>Premarket Notification:<br>Manufacturer: | Flexor Check-Flo Introducers<br>Sheath Introducer<br>K142829<br>Cook Incorporated |
Class II Classification 21 CFR § 870.1340 FDA Product Code: DYB, DRE Review Panel: Cardiovascular
{4}------------------------------------------------
#### The 9F Prelude IDeal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer is intended to Indications provide access and facilitate the percutaneous introduction of various for Use devices into veins and/or arteries while maintaining hemostasis for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
# A. Device Description
The 9F Prelude IDeal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer consists of a sheath introducer with compatible vessel dilator that snaps securely into the sheath introducer hub. The sheath hub contains an integral hemostasis valve. A rotating suture ring is affixed to the sheath hub. The sheath tubing is coated with a hydrophilic coating and incorporates a stainless steel braid. A sidearm is affixed to the sheath hub and has a 3-way stopcock at its proximal end.
The 9F Prelude Ideal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer is available in 11cm and 23cm lengths, (French size 9F) and is designed to accept 0.038" diameter guide wires.
The 9F Prelude Ideal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer is marketed with the following components: quide wire, metal access needle, quide wire insertion device.
{5}------------------------------------------------
# B. Operation and Compatibility
After removal from the sterile pouch packaging using aseptic techniques, the device is placed into the vasculature. Prior to use, the introducer sheath and dilator are flushed with heparinized solution. The dilator is then inserted completely into the introducer sheath and locked into place through the snap fit connection at the housing of the hemostasis valve. The dilator-sheath-combination is then passed as one unit over a guide wire with a maximum size of up to 0.038 inches. Once the introducer sheath is fully placed in the patient, the guide wire and dilator are removed and compatible catheters and instruments can be inserted through the introducer sheath.
## C. Device Models
The 9F Prelude IDeal™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer consists of two (2) models of different effective lengths (11cm and 23cm).
# D. Comparison of Technological Characteristics with the Predicate Devices
The technological characteristics of the subject 9F Prelude Ideal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer are substantially equivalent to those of the predicate 4F through 7F Prelude Ideal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer. The subject device has the same basic design as the predicate device in that it consists of sheath tubing, hub, sidearm and stopcock and is provided with a vessel dilator. The difference between the subject and the predicate devices is the diameter of the sheath and dilator, the larger hemostasis valve and the colorants used on the strain relief, sheath cap, dilator hub and stopcock handle. There have also been changes to the currently marketed Prelude IDeal product lines that have also been included with this new 9F size that include 1) the sidearm tubing which changed the tubing material from Carbothane to Tecothane, 2) the removal of the compression sleeve, and 3) the change in dilator material from a homopolymer polypropylene to a copolymer polypropylene.
The indications for use for the 9F Prelude IDeal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer is the same as the predicate Prelude IDeal Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer with the exemption of the following:
The indications for the 9F Prelude IDeal does not include a statement "including but not limited to the radial artery" since this larger size catheter is considered too large for safe use in the radial artery. The indication is the same as other Prelude Sheath introducers that include up to an 8F size such as the Prelude Sheath Introducer cleared under K070159 that are also not used for radial access.
The indications also does not include the statement "The access needle with inner metal needle and outer plastic cannula is used to gain access to the vein or artery for placement of guidewires" since this type of access needle is not included with the 9F size.
These changes are not critical to the intended surgical use of the product which can still be safely and effectively used for access to other peripheral veins or arteries.
{6}------------------------------------------------
# E. Performance Tests
Nonclinical performance data demonstrates that the 9F Prelude IDeal™ 9F Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer consists is substantially equivalent to the predicate. The following performance data from the non-clinical tests were provided to support the substantial equivalence determination:
- Manual testing, including tests required under relevant international standards, . coating adhesion and particulate testing, transportation integrity testing, performed to verify the validate the design.
- . Biocompatibility Risk Assessment (BRA) and biocompatibility device testing to demonstrate compatibility.
- . Sterilization information to confirm sterility of the device upon exposure to the selected sterilization cycle.
- . Accelerated aging testing to confirm product performance at end of shelf life.
{7}------------------------------------------------
The list of tests performed to support determination of substantial equivalence is provided in the table below.
| No, | Verification/Validation Test | Applicable Standard(s) |
|-----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1 | Insertion Force/Tip Insertion<br>Peel Back | Internal Requirement |
| 2 | Peak Tensile Force Shaft/Hub,<br>Sidearm & Tip | ISO 10555-1:2013<br>ISO 10555-3:2013<br>ISO 11070:2014 |
| | Cap Tensile | Internal Requirement |
| 3 | Visual (Extraneous/Surface<br>Defects) | ISO 11070:2014 |
| | Sheath Tip Ball Gauge Drag | Internal Requirement |
| 4 | Sheath Stiffness | Internal Requirement |
| 5 | Sheath Kink | Internal Requirement |
| | Sidewall Compression | Internal Requirement |
| 6 | Radiopacity marker band & tip | ISO 11070:2014, ASTM F640-12<br>ISO 10555-1:2013 |
| 7 | Hydrophilic coating durability &<br>coverage/coating length | Internal Requirement |
| 8 | Hydrophilic Coating Lubricity | Internal Requirement |
| 9 | Coating integrity test (particulate<br>evaluation) | ASTM F1877-16<br>Class II Special Controls Guidance for<br>Certain Percutaneous Transluminal<br>Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) Catheters |
| 10 | Corrosion resistance | ISO 11070:2014 |
| 11 | Sheath assembly leak | ISO 11070:2014 |
| 15 | Dilator-to-Hub Tensile | ISO 10555-1:2013 |
| 16 | Tip Bend Test | Internal Requirement |
| 17 | Dilator Stiffness & Hub Snap<br>Force | No Standard-Tested through Validation |
| 18 | Dilator Insertion/Removal from<br>Sheath | No Standard - Testing through Validation |
| 19 | Dimensional tests for OD & ID of<br>sheath & dilator | ISO 11070:2014 |
| | Stiffness of introducer through<br>tortuous path/ guidewire &<br>catheter compatibility, | Tested through validation |
| 20 | Dilator Ink Adhesion | Internal Requirement |
| 22 | Sheath Effective Length | ISO 10555-1:2013 |
| | Suture Ring Tensile/Rotation | ISO 11070:2014 |
| | Dilator Drag through Sheath Valve<br>& Tip | Internal Requirement |
| | Torque, Sheath Bend Radius, | No specification requirement |
| 24 | Hemostasis Valve<br>Leakage/dislodgement | ISO 11070:2014 |
| 25 | EO Sterilization Validation | ISO 11135:2014 |
| | | ISO 10993-7:2008 |
| | | AAMI TIR28:2016 |
| 26 | Package Integrity Testing | ISO 11607-1:2019 |
| | | ISO 11607-2:2019 |
| | | ASTM D4169-16 |
| 27 | Biocompatibility Testing | ISO 10993-1:2009 |
| | Cytotoxicity Testing | ISO 10993-4: 2017 |
| | Sensitization | ISO 10993-5:2009 |
| | Irritation | ISO 10993-6:2009 |
| | Acute Systemic Toxicity | ISO 10993-7:2008 |
| | Pyrogenicity | ISO 10993-10:2010 |
| | Hemocompatibility | ISO 10993-11:2017 |
| | | ISO 10993-12:2012 |
| | | |
| | | |
| | ASTM Hemolysis Study – Direct Contact and Extract Method: Phosphate Buffered Saline Extraction | |
| | Complement Activation (SC5b-9 only) Assay | |
| | Thrombogenicity Study – In-vitro Blood Loop Assay, Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) | |
| | Heparinized Blood Platelet and Leukocyte Count Assay | |
| 28 | Chemical | ASTM F1877-16 |
| | Characterization - | |
| | Particulate Analysis | |
{8}------------------------------------------------
{9}------------------------------------------------
K212152- Page 7 of 8
{10}------------------------------------------------
### F. Conclusions
The results of the testing demonstrated that the subject 9F Prelude IDeal™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer met the predetermined acceptance criteria applicable to the performance of the device.
Based on the indications for use, design, safety and performance testing, the subject 9F Prelude IDeal™ 9F Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer raises no new questions of safety and effectiveness compared to the predicate device and is substantially equivalent to the predicate device, Prelude IDeal™ Hydrophilic Sheath Introducer manufactured by Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (K171750).
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.