The Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type) is intended for use with pen injector devices for the subcutaneous injection of insulin. The Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type) is sterile, single-use safety needle intended for use with pen injector devices for the injection of insulin.
Device Story
Single-use, sterile insulin pen needles; available in Ordinary and Safety types. Ordinary type consists of stainless steel needle, polypropylene hub, and sheaths. Safety type includes additional spring-operated shield mechanism to prevent accidental needlesticks. Used with various pen injectors (e.g., Autopen, Novopen, Humapen) for subcutaneous insulin delivery. Operated manually by patients or clinicians in home or hospital settings. Safety mechanism activates via trigger shield. Output is delivery of insulin; safety feature reduces risk of sharps injury. Benefits include reliable insulin administration and protection against needlestick injuries.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical study included. Bench testing only. Performance verified via ISO 7864, ISO 9626, ISO 11608-2, and ISO 23908. Biocompatibility testing per ISO 10993-1 (cytotoxicity, sensitization, irritation, systemic toxicity, pyrogenicity, hemocompatibility). Simulated clinical use study performed on 600 samples for safety mechanism validation.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: SUS304 stainless steel needle, polypropylene hub/sheaths, UV glue, MDX4-4159 lubricant. Safety type includes stainless steel spring. Dimensions: 29G-33G; lengths 4mm-12mm. Sterilization: Irradiation (E-beam, SAL 10^-6). Connectivity: None (mechanical). Standards: ISO 7864, ISO 9626, ISO 11608-2, ISO 23908, ASTM F88, ASTM F1929, ASTM F1980.
Indications for Use
Indicated for subcutaneous insulin injection using pen injector devices. Suitable for use in hospital or home environments by patients or clinicians.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A hypodermic single lumen needle is a device intended to inject fluids into, or withdraw fluids from, parts of the body below the surface of the skin. The device consists of a metal tube that is sharpened at one end and at the other end joined to a female connector (hub) designed to mate with a male connector (nozzle) of a piston syringe or an intravascular administration set.
{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 FDA logo is the text "U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION" in blue.
Tianjin Huahong Technology Co., Ltd. Yuan Ying Quality Manager A01, Plant B, No. 278, Hangkong Road, Tianjin Pilot Free Trade Zone(Air Port Industrial Park) Tianiin. 300308 China
Re: K221176
Trade/Device Name: Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type, Safety Type) Regulation Number: 21 CFR 880.5570 Regulation Name: Hypodermic Single Lumen Needle Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: FMI Dated: June 16, 2022 Received: June 16, 2022
# Dear Yuan Ying:
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,
For CAPT Alan M. Stevens Assistant 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
Form Approved: OMB No. 0910-0120 Expiration Date: 06/30/2023 See PRA Statement below.
Submission Number (if known)
K221176
Device Name
Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type, Safety Type)
Indications for Use (Describe)
The Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type) is intended for use with pen injector devices for the subcutaneous injection of insulin.
The Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type) is sterile, single-use safety needle intended for use with pen iniector devices for the injection of insulin.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
[X] 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 - K221176
## l Submitter
Tianjin Huahong Technology Co., Ltd.
A01, Plant B, No.278, Hangkong Road, Tianjin Pilot Free Trade Zone (Air Port Industrial Park), 300308 Tianjin, China
Establishment Registration Number: 3009498536
Contact person: Ms. Ying Yuan Quality Manager Tel.: +86-18622179097 E-mail: ying.yuan@hh-technology.com
Preparation date: July 1, 2022
### II Proposed Device
| Trade Name of Device: | Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type, Safety Type) |
|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| Classification name: | Hypodermic, Single Lumen |
| Regulation Number: | 21 CFR 880.5570 |
| Regulatory Class: | Class II |
| Product code: | FMI |
| Review Panel | General Hospital |
# III Predicate Devices
| 510(k) Number: | K181069 |
|-----------------|-----------------------------------------|
| Trade name: | Disposable Insulin Pen Needle |
| Classification: | Class II |
| Product Code: | FMI |
| Manufacturer | Zhejiang Kindly Medical Devices Co. Ltd |
| 510(k) Number: | K170988 |
| Trade name: | DropSafe Safety Pen Needle |
| Classification: | Class II |
| Product Code: | FMI |
| Manufacturer | HTL-Strefa S.A. |
{4}------------------------------------------------
#### IV Device description
The proposed devices, Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type) and Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type) are single use device, which is designed for used with a pen injector for the subcutaneous injection of insulin. For the safety type, it is designed with a sharp injury prevention feature to minimize the risk from accidental needles sticks. The proposed device is available in 29G, 30G, 31G, 32G and 33G five different specifications with the needle length available in 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 10mm and 12mm for Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type) and 4mm, 5mm, and 8mm for Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type). The product is for single use and provided sterile (Irradiation). The shelf-life of the product is five-years.
#### V Indication for use
The Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type) is intended for use with pen injector devices for the subcutaneous injection of insulin.
The Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type) is sterile, single-use safety needle intended for use with pen injector devices for the injection of insulin.
| Table 1 General Comparison for Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type) | | |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ITEM | Proposed Device<br>K202319 | Predicate Device 1<br>K181069 |
| Proprietary/ trade name | Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type) | Disposable Insulin Pen Needle |
| Regulation No. | 880.5570 | 880.5570 |
| Product Code | FMI | FMI |
| Class | II | II |
| Intended Use | The Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type) is intended for use with pen injector devices for the subcutaneous injection of insulin. | The Disposable Insulin Pen Needle is intended for use with pen injector devices for the subcutaneous injection of insulin. |
| Environment of use | In hospital or in the home environment. | In hospital or in the home environment. |
| Type-of-use | Disposable | Disposable |
| Configuration and materials of construction for all components | Needle Tube Stainless Steel | Needle Tube Stainless Steel |
| | Needle Hub Polypropylene | Hub Polypropylene |
| | Outer Sheath Polypropylene | Cup Polyethylene |
| | Inner Sheath Polypropylene | Inner Sheath Polypropylene |
| | Sealed Paper<br>Paper | Sealed Paper<br>Paper |
#### VI Comparison of technological characteristics with the predicate devices
{5}------------------------------------------------
| Operation Mode | For Manual Use Only | For Manual Use Only |
|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Method<br>of<br>attachment to pen<br>injector | Through threaded connection | Through threaded connection |
| Table 2 Safety and Performance Comparison for Insulin Pen Needle (Ordinary Type) | |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| | Proposed Device | Predicate |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| ITEM | K202319 | Device 1<br>K181069 |
| Needle Gauge | 29G, 30G, 31G, 32G, 33G | 28G, 29G, 30G,<br>31G, 32G, 33G |
| Needle Length | 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm | 4mm, 6mm,<br>8mm, 12mm |
| Patient-contact materials | | |
| Needle Tube | Stainless Steel (SUS304) | Stainless Steel |
| Lubricant | MDX4-4159 | Unknown |
| adhesive | UV glue | Unknown |
| Bond between hub and<br>needle tube | Clause 4.4 of ISO 11608-2:2012;<br>Clause 4.12 of ISO 7864:2016 | Clause 4.4 of ISO 11608-2:2012;<br>Clause 4.12 of ISO 7864:2016 |
| Design specification of the<br>inner sheath (dimensions,<br>color, materials and<br>strength) | 14.3*5.8*5.8mm;<br>Transparent color; Polypropylene;<br>Tensile stress at yield>20MPa; Flexural<br>modulus: >800MPa; Charpy Notched<br>Impact Strength (23°C ) >2.8kJ/m². | Unknown |
| Design specification of the<br>outer sheath (dimensions,<br>color, materials and<br>strength) | 30.3*13.4*13.4mm;<br>Transparent color; Polypropylene;<br>Tensile stress at yield>20MPa; Flexural<br>modulus: >800MPa; Charpy Notched<br>Impact Strength (23°C ) >2.8kJ/m². | Unknown |
| Needle tip configuration | Conform with ISO 7864 standards | Conform with<br>ISO 7864<br>standards |
| Cytotoxicity | No Cytoxicity | No Cytoxicity |
| Intracutaneous reactivity | No Irritation to Skin | No Irritation to Skin |
| Skin Sensitization | No skin sensitization | No skin sensitization |
| Acute Systemic Toxicity | No Systemic Toxicity | No Systemic Toxicity |
| Pyrogen | No pyrogen | No pyrogen |
{6}------------------------------------------------
| Hemolysis | No hemolysis | |
|----------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Subacute Systemic Toxicity | No Subacute Systemic Toxicity | Unknown |
| Method | Irradiation Sterilized | EO Sterilized |
| SAL | 10-6 | 10-6 |
| Endotoxin Limit | 20 EU per device | 20 EU per device |
| Shelf life | 5 years | Unknown |
| Label/ Labeling | Complied with 21 CFR part 801 | Complied with 21 CFR part 801 |
Table 3 General Comparison for Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type)
| ITEM | Proposed Device | Predicate Device 2 |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | K202319 | K170988 |
| Regulation No. | 880.5570 | 880.5570 |
| Product Code | FMI | FMI |
| Class | II | II |
| Intended Use | The Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type) is sterile, single-use safety needle intended for use with pen injector devices for the injection of insulin. | The DropSafe Safety Pen Needles are sterile, single-use safety needles intended for use with pen injector devices for the injection of drugs. |
| Environment of use | In hospital or in the home environment. | In hospital or in the home environment. |
| Proprietary/ trade name | Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type) | DropSafe Safety Pen Needles |
| Type-of-use | Disposable | Disposable |
| Configuration and materials of construction for all components | Needle Tube Stainless Steel (SUS304) | Cannula Medical grade stainless steel |
| | Needle Hub Polypropylene | Hub Plastic resin |
| | Outer Sheath Polypropylene | Primary container Plastic resin |
| | Inner Sheath Polypropylene | Slider Unknown |
| | Sealed Paper Paper | Seal Unknown |
| | Spring Stainless Steel (SUS304) | Spring- operated Stainless steel wire |
| | Upper Cover Polypropylene | Needle shield Plastic resin |
{7}------------------------------------------------
| Operation Mode | | For Manual Use Only | For Manual Use Only |
|--------------------------------------------|--|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Method of<br>attachment to pen<br>injector | | Threaded connection method. | Threaded connection method. |
| Safety Feature | | Prevent from needlestick | Prevent from needlestick |
| Method of<br>activation | | Trigger shield | Trigger shield |
| ITEM | Proposed Device<br>K202319 | Predicate Device 2<br>K170988 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| Needle Gauge | 29G, 30G, 31G, 32G, 33G | 31G |
| Needle Length | 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm | 6mm and 8mm |
| Patient-contact material | | |
| Needle Tube | Stainless Steel (SUS304) | Medical grade stainless steel |
| Lubricant | MDX4-4159 | Unknown |
| adhesive | UV glue | Unknown |
| Bond between hub and<br>needle tube | Drawing force≥22N (29G) ;<br>Drawing force≥ 11N (30G-33G);Clause 4.4 of ISO<br>11608-2:2012;<br>Clause 4.12 of ISO 7864:2016 | Clause 4.4 of ISO 11608-2:2012;<br>Clause 4.12 of ISO 7864:2016 |
| Design specification of the<br>inner sheath (dimensions,<br>color, materials and<br>strength) | 21.5*10.7*9.8mm;<br>Transparent color;<br>Polypropylene.<br>Tensile stress at<br>yield>20MPa; Flexural<br>modulus: >800MPa;<br>Charpy Notched Impact<br>Strength (23°C ) >2.8kJ/m² . | Unknown |
| Design specification of the<br>outer sheath (dimensions,<br>color, materials and<br>strength) | 43.8*18.6*18.6mm;<br>Transparent color;<br>Polypropylene.<br>Tensile stress at<br>yield>20MPa; Flexural<br>modulus: >800MPa;<br>Charpy Notched Impact<br>Strength (23°C ) >2.8kJ/m². | Unknown |
| Design specification of the<br>upper cover (dimensions, | 30.2*14.6*14.6mm;<br>White: | Unknown |
| color, materials and<br>strength) | Polypropylene.<br>Tensile stress at<br>yield>20MPa; Flexural<br>modulus: >800MPa;<br>Charpy Notched Impact<br>Strength (23°C) >2.8kJ/m². | |
| Needle tip configuration | Conform with ISO 7864 standards | Conform with ISO 7864 standards |
| Biocompatibility | | |
| Cytotoxicity | No Cytoxicity | |
| Intracutaneous reactivity | No Irritation to Skin | |
| Skin Sensitization | No skin sensitization | Conform with ISO 10993 standards |
| Acute Systemic Toxicity | No Systemic Toxicity | |
| Pyrogen | No pyrogen | |
| Hemolysis | No hemolysis | |
| Subacute Systemic Toxicity | No Subacute Systemic<br>Toxicity | Unknown |
| Sterilization | | |
| Method | Irradiation Sterilized | Irradiation Sterilized |
| SAL | 10-6 | 10-6 |
| Endotoxin Limit | 20 EU per device | 20 EU per device |
| Shelf life | 5 years | Unknown |
| Label/ Labeling | Complied with 21 CFR part 801 | Complied with 21 CFR part 801 |
Table 4 Safety and Performance Comparison for Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type)
{8}------------------------------------------------
# VII Compatible injectors
The Insulin Pen Needle can be used in combination with following pen injector available and cleared in the USA:
- Autopen ® K983974 Owen Mumford, Inc.
- Novopen Echo ® K162602 Novo Nordisk Inc.
- Humapen and Humapen Ergo K982842 Eli Lilly and Company -
- Humapen Luxura K142518 Eli Lilly and Company -
- -Humapen Memoir K053563 Eli Lilly and Company
#### VIII Non-Clinical Testing
Non clinical tests were conducted to verify that the proposed device met all design specifications and that the subject device is Substantially Equivalent (SE) to the predicate device. The test results demonstrated that the proposed device complies with the following standards:
#### Performance Testing:
{9}------------------------------------------------
- > ISO 7864: 2016 Sterile hypodemic needles for single use
- > ISO 9626: 2016 Stainless steel needle tubing for the manufacture of medical devices
- > ISO 11608-2: 2012 Needle-based injection systems for medical use- Requirements and test methods- Part 2: Needles
- ハ ISO 23908 :2011 Sharps injury protection - Requirements and test methods -Sharps protection features for single-use hypodermic needles, introducers for catheters and needles used for blood sampling
#### Biocompatibility Testing:
In accordance with ISO 10993-1, the Insulin Pen Needles are classified as: Externally communicating, indirect blood path with prolonged contact duration (>24 h to 30 d). The direct and indirect patient-contact component(s) along with the material(s) for the proposed devices are identified as follows:
| Components | Material | Contact Level | Contact Duration |
|--------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Needle Tube | Stainless Steel<br>(SUS304) | Indirect, blood path | prolonged (>24hrs to 30 days) |
| Adhesive | UV glue | Indirect, blood path | prolonged (>24hrs to 30 days) |
| Lubricant | MDX4-4159 | Indirect, blood path | prolonged (>24hrs to 30 days) |
| Needle hub | Polypropylene | Direct contact with intact skin | Limited (≤24 h) |
| Outer sheath | Polypropylene | Direct contact with intact skin | Limited (≤24 h) |
#### Table 5 Patient Contact Material Identification
The following testing was conducted:
- . Cytotoxicity
- . Sensitization
- Irritation ●
- . Acute Systemic Toxicity
- Material-Mediated Pyrogenicity .
- Subacute Toxicity .
- . Hemocompatibility
Particulate matter testing was conducted in accordance with USP <788> Particulate Matter in Injections and met the USP acceptance criteria.
#### Sterility, Shipping and Shelf-Life
The Insulin Pen Needles were sterilized by irradiation to achieve a SAL of 10 °. The radiation source
{10}------------------------------------------------
was Electron beam, and the radiation dose was 25kGy, which was established according to VDmax method per ISO11137-2, Sterilization of healthcare products-Radiation establishing the sterilization dose. The sterilization was validated according to ISO 11137-2. The Insulin Pen Needles were evaluated for bacterial endotoxin utilizing the USP <85> Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) method.
- . Package integrity testing, after environmental conditioning and simulated transportation was conducted on the final, packaged, and sterile devices. All packaging deemed acceptable for protection of product and sterility maintenance.
- Sterile Barrier Packaging Testing performed on the proposed device: .
- Seal strength ASTM F88/F88-15 o
- o Dye penetration ASTM F1929-15
Shelf life of 5 years is validated using the FDA recognized standard ASTM F1980-16 Standard Guide for Accelerated Aging of Sterile Barrier Systems for Medical Devices
# Simulated Clinical Use
A simulated clinical use study was performed on 600 device samples for the Insulin Pen Needle (Safety Type) according to FDA Guidance (Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Medical Device with Sharps Injury Prevention Feature) and ISO 23908:2011 to evaluate the safety mechanism of the proposed device. The results demonstrated that the proposed device met the pre-established criteria.
## VIII Clinical Testing
No clinical study is included in this submission.
# IX Conclusion
The clinical and non-clinical performance testing demonstrate that the subject device is as safe and effective as the predicate. Therefore, the subject device is substantially equivalent to the predicate device.
Predicate graph will load when search results are available.
Embedding visualization will load when search results are available.
PDF viewer will load when search results are available.
Loading panels...
Select an item from Submissions
Click any panel, subpart, regulation, product code, or device to see details here.
Section Matches
Results will appear here.
Product Code Matches
Results will appear here.
Special Control Matches
Results will appear here.
Loading collections...
Loading
My Alerts
You will receive email notifications based on the filters and frequency you set for each alert.
Sort by:
Create Alert
Search Filters
Agent Token
Create a read-only bearer token for Claude, ChatGPT, or other agents that can call HTTP APIs.
Copy this now. It will not be shown again.
Connected apps
Apps you authorized through browser sign-in. Disconnecting revokes their access immediately.
Learn the FDA Browser
Two short videos show you everything — or skip straight to the written tutorial if you'd rather read. You can reopen this any time from the Tutorial button in the top bar.
Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.