The ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter is intended for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and post-dilatation of self-expanding stents in the carotid arteries.
Device Story
The ENROUTE Enflate is a rapid exchange (RX) 0.014" PTA balloon dilatation catheter designed for the Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) procedure. It features a proximal luer lock hub for inflation via a balloon inflation device and a distal coaxial lumen for 0.014" guidewire tracking. The device includes a dilatation balloon with two radiopaque marker bands for positioning and an external position marker 32.5 cm from the tip to indicate relative position to the guiding catheter. Used by physicians in a clinical setting, the device is advanced to a carotid artery stenosis to perform angioplasty or stent post-dilatation. The catheter's 75 cm working length is optimized for direct carotid access rather than femoral access. By dilating stenotic lesions or expanding stents, the device restores vessel patency, potentially improving blood flow and reducing stroke risk in patients undergoing carotid revascularization.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Performance was validated through biocompatibility testing (ISO 10993-1), sterilization validation (ISO 11135:2014), packaging validation (ISO 11607), and mechanical design verification including balloon fatigue, rated burst pressure, compliance, bond strength, tip pull, flexibility, kink, torque, and inflation/deflation time.
Technological Characteristics
Rapid exchange (RX) PTA catheter; 0.014" guidewire compatible; Nylon balloon; 4F or 5F sheath compatibility; 75 cm working length; 8 atm nominal pressure; 14 atm rated burst pressure; two radiopaque marker bands; EO sterilization.
Indications for Use
Indicated for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and post-dilatation of self-expanding stents in the carotid arteries.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A percutaneous catheter is a device that is introduced into a vein or artery through the skin using a dilator and a sheath (introducer) or guide wire.
Predicate Devices
AVIATOR PLUS PTA Balloon Dilatation Catheter (K071189)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains the logo of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On the left is the Department of Health & Human Services logo. To the right of that is the FDA logo, which is a blue square with the letters "FDA" in white. To the right of the blue square is the text "U.S. FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION" in blue.
September 2, 2022
Silk Road Medical, Inc. Denise Aycox Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist 1213 Innsbruck Drive Sunnyvale, California 94089
Re: K221414
Trade/Device Name: ENROUTE Enflate Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.1250 Regulation Name: Percutaneous Catheter Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: LIT Dated: May 12, 2022 Received: May 16, 2022
Dear Denise Aycox:
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,
Gregory O'Connell Assistant Director DHT2C: Division of Coronary and Peripheral Intervention Devices OHT2: Office of Cardiovascular Devices Office of Product Evaluation and Quality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{2}------------------------------------------------
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K221414
Device Name
ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter
Indications for Use (Describe)
The ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter is intended for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and post-dilatation of self-expanding stents in the carotid arteries.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) | | |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| <table style="border:none;"><tr><td style="border:none;">[X] Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)</td><td style="border:none;">[ ] Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C)</td></tr></table> | [X] Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) | [ ] Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C) |
| [X] Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) | [ ] Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C) | |
> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
__ Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
#### CONTINUE ON A SEPARATE PAGE IF NEEDED.
This section applies only to requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
#### *DO NOT SEND YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE PRA STAFF EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW.*
The burden time for this collection of information is estimated to average 79 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain the data needed and complete and review the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
> Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Office of Chief Information Officer Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Staff PRAStaff(@fda.hhs.gov
"An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB number."
{3}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for Silk Road Medical. The words "SILK ROAD" are in orange, with the word "MEDICAL" in gray below. There is a greater than symbol at the end of the word "ROAD".
## 1. 510(k) Summary
[as required by 21 CFR 807.92.(c)]
Pursuant to Section 12, Part (a)(i)(3A) of the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, Silk Road Medical is providing the summary of Substantial Equivalence for the ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter.
### 1.1. Sponsor/Applicant
Silk Road Medical 1213 Innsbruck Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94089
#### 1.2. Sponsor Contact
| Primary Contact | Alternate Contact |
|------------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Denise Aycox | Kym Rupp |
| Sr. Regulatory Affairs Specialist. | Manager, Regulatory Affairs |
| Ph: 408-585-2156 | (407) 756-0035 |
| Email: daycox@silkroadmed.com | Email: krupp@silkroadmed.com |
#### 1.3. Date of Preparation of 510(k)Summary
May 12, 2022
#### 1.4. Device Trade or Proprietary Name
Trade Name ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter
#### 1.5. Device Classification
| Regulatory Class | II |
|------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Classification Panel | Cardiovascular |
| Classification Name | Percutaneous Catheter |
| Common Name | PTA balloon dilatation catheter |
| Classification<br>Regulation | 870.1250 |
| Product Code | LIT |
#### 1.6. Predicate Device
| Predicate Device | | |
|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| 510(k) Number / Clearance Date | Name of Device | Name of Manufacturer |
| K071189 Cleared on May 16, 2007 | AVIATOR PLUS PTA Balloon<br>Dilatation Catheter | Cordis Europa, N.V<br>Oosteinde 8<br>Roden, NL NI-9301 Lj |
{4}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image is a logo for Silk Road Medical. The words "SILK ROAD" are in orange, with the word "MEDICAL" in gray below. There is an orange arrow pointing to the right at the end of the word "ROAD". The logo is simple and modern.
## 1.7. Predicate Comparison
| Predicate Comparison | | | |
|----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Device Name | Predicate Device | Subject Device | For any differences, justification of substantial equivalence |
| 510(k) No. | K071189 | TBD | N/A |
| Classification | Class II | | SAME |
| Classification<br>Regulation | 870.1250 | | SAME |
| Product Code | LIT | | SAME |
| Indication for Use | The Cordis AVIATOR<br>PLUS PTA Balloon<br>Dilatation Catheter<br>is indicated for<br>Percutaneous<br>Transluminal<br>Angioplasty in the<br>peripheral<br>vasculature,<br>including iliac,<br>femoral, ilia-<br>femoral, popliteal,<br>infra popliteal,<br>renal, and carotid<br>arteries, and for the<br>treatment of<br>obstructive lesions<br>of native or<br>synthetic<br>arteriovenous<br>dialysis fistulae. This<br>device · 1s also<br>indicated for post-<br>dilatation of<br>balloon-expandable<br>and self-expanding<br>stents in the<br>peripheral<br>vasculature. | The ENROUTE<br>EnflateTM Transcarotid<br>RX Balloon Dilatation<br>Catheter is intended<br>for percutaneous<br>transluminal<br>angioplasty and post-<br>dilatation of self-<br>expanding stents in the<br>carotid arteries. | Both products are intended for<br>transluminal angioplasty and<br>post-dilatation of self-<br>expanding stents in the carotid<br>arteries. The predicate,<br>AVIATOR PLUS, has an<br>expanded indication while the<br>ENROUTE Enflate has a more<br>limited indication particularly<br>for use in the carotid arteries. |
| Balloon Characteristics | | | |
| Catheter Type | Rapid Exchange (RX) | | SAME |
| Shaft | RX Coaxial | SAME | |
| Construction | | | |
| Guidewire<br>Compatibility | .014" | SAME | |
| Sheath<br>Compatibility | 4 or 5F<br>(4F (up to 6mm), 5F for<br>7mm) | SAME<br>(4F for 4-5.5 mm<br>diameters, 5F for 6 mm<br>diameter) | Both the subject and predicate<br>are compatible with 4F or 5F<br>sheaths depending on the<br>balloon diameter. |
| Nominal Pressure | 10 atm | 8 atm | The Nominal pressure is similar<br>to the predicate and is<br>consistent with other PTA<br>balloons. |
| Rated Burst<br>Pressure | 14 atm (for diameters<br>up to 6mm), 12 atm for<br>7mm | 14 atm | The RBP for both the subject<br>and predicate are 14 atm for<br>balloon diameters up to 6mm.<br>The 12atm RBP is for a 7mm<br>diameter which is not an<br>offered diameter size for the<br>subject |
| Contrast Infusion | No | | SAME |
| Coating | None | | SAME |
| Marker band # | 2 | | SAME |
| Balloon Material | Duralyn | Nylon | The ENROUTE Enflate Catheter<br>is constructed of materials<br>commonly used for semi-<br>compliant PTA balloons. |
| Dimensions | | | |
| Catheter Working<br>Length | 142cm | 75cm | The shorter working length<br>was selected to accommodate<br>the TCAR procedure. The<br>product is designed to have<br>direct access to the carotid<br>artery rather than femoral<br>artery access. |
| Catheter Shaft<br>Outer Diameter | 1.10mm | 1.14mm | The OD of the catheter shaft is<br>similar to the predicate and<br>falls in-line with other cleared<br>PTA catheters. |
| Balloon Length | 15mm, 20mm, 30mm<br>or 40mm | 25mm or 35mm | These lengths are similar to<br>other cleared PTA balloon<br>catheters for use in the carotid<br>arteries. |
| Balloon Diameter | 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 or<br>7.0 mm at nominal<br>pressure | 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, or 6.0<br>mm at nominal<br>pressure | The diameter sizes are<br>identical to the predicate with<br>the exception of the 7.0mm<br>size. These diameters are |
| | | | consistent with other cleared<br>PTA balloon catheters for use<br>in the carotid arteries. |
| Packaging and Sterilization | | | |
| Packaging<br>Configuration | Balloon and flushing<br>needle provided in<br>Tyvek pouch. The<br>balloon is packaged in a<br>protective hoop. | Balloon packaged in a<br>protective hoop in a<br>Tyvek pouch | The Packaging configuration is<br>identical to the predicate<br>except a flushing needle is not<br>included. |
| Sterilization<br>Method | EO | SAME | |
{5}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/5/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for Silk Road Medical. The words "SILK ROAD" are written in a sans-serif font, with "SILK" in orange and "ROAD" in gray. To the right of "ROAD" is an orange arrow pointing to the right. Below "ROAD" is the word "MEDICAL" in gray.
{6}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/6/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for Silk Road Medical. The words "SILK ROAD" are in orange, with the "ROAD" portion in gray. Below that, the word "MEDICAL" is in gray, with a registered trademark symbol to the right of it.
## 1.8. Device Description:
The Silk Road Medical ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter is a standard rapid exchange (RX) 0.014" Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) catheter with a proximal single lumen and distal coaxial lumen tubing with a dilatation balloon, and an atraumatic, tapered tip. The proximal luer lock hub allows for connection with a balloon inflation device for inflation with diluted contrast medium. The second lumen in the distal shaft permits the use of an 0.014" guidewire to facilitate advancement of the catheter to and through the stenosis to be dilated. The balloon has two radiopaque marker bands to aid in positioning the balloon in the stenosis, located either 25 or 35 mm apart as indicated on the package label. An external position marker is located 32.5 cm from the distal tip to indicate the relative position of the catheter tip to the guiding catheter/introducer sheath. The total working length of the catheter is 75 cm. The Silk Road Medical ENROUTE Enflate Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter will complement the TCAR procedure.
#### 1.9. Indications for Use:
The ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter is intended for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and post-dilatation of self-expanding stents in the carotid arteries.
#### 1.10. Summary of Performance Data
As required under Section 12, Part (a)(i)(3A) of the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, a summary of any information regarding substantial equivalence of the device follows. Included in this section are descriptions of the testing performed on the subject ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter to support substantial equivalence to the predicate device:
- Biocompatibility
- Design Verification (Bench-Top Testing) .
- Sterilization, Packaging Validation, and Shelf Life ●
{7}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/7/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for Silk Road Medical. The words "SILK ROAD" are in orange, with "MEDICAL" in gray below. The "A" in "ROAD" is shaped like an upward-pointing triangle, and there is an orange arrow pointing to the right after the word "ROAD".
The subject, ENROUTE ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter met all established requirements.
#### 1.10.1. Biocompatibility Testing
The subject ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter uses equivalent materials, processing, and identical sterilization methods as those in the predicate device, AVIATOR PLUS PTA Balloon Dilatation Catheter [K071189].
Biocompatibility testing was successfully conducted per BS EN ISO 10993-1. The studies were selected in accordance with ISO 10993-1 guidelines (Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices) for a limited exposure (< 24 hours), external communicating device with circulating blood contact. Studies were conducted pursuant to 21 CFR, Part 58, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and included:
- Cytotoxicity
- Intracutaneous reactivity (Irritation)
- . Sensitization
- Acute systemic toxicity
- Hemocompatibility
- o Direct and Indirect Contact
- O Complement activation
- In vivo thromboresistance O
- Pyrogenicity
#### 1.10.2. Design Verification - Bench-top Testing
The physical and mechanical properties of the ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter were assessed in accordance with FDA draft guidance "Peripheral Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) and Specialty Catheters - Premarket Notification (510(k)) Submissions" and the guidance "Certain Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) Catheters- Class II Special Controls Guidance for Industry and FDA. Standard test methods and pre-determined acceptance criteria were used. The following tests were performed and all tests passed successfully:
- . Visual and Dimensional Inspection
- . Balloon Fatigue
- Balloon Fatigue (Without Stent)
- Balloon Rated Burst Pressure
Simulated Use
- Balloon Rated Burst Pressure (Without Stent)
-
- . Balloon Fatigue (In Stent)
- Balloon Compliance
- I Catheter Bond Strength
- l Tip Pull Test
- Flexibility and Kink Test
- l Torque Strength
■
{8}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/8/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for Silk Road Medical. The words "SILK ROAD" are in orange, with "SILK" on the left and "ROAD" on the right. The word "MEDICAL" is in gray below "ROAD". There is a right-pointing arrow after the word "ROAD".
Radiopaci
- l Balloon Rated Burst Pressure (In Stent)
- . Balloon Inflation and Deflation Time
# 1.10.3. Sterilization, Packaging Validation, and Shelf Life
Sterility testing demonstrated that the device is compliant with ISO 11135:2014 "Sterilization of health care products – Ethylene oxide - Requirements for development, validation, and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices".
Packaging validation conducted in accordance with ISO 11607-1 & ISO 11607-2, and design verification testing performed on accelerated aged devices were used to establish shelf life.
#### 1.11. Summary of Substantial Equivalence
The subject, ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter is substantially equivalent to the predicate device with regard to intended use, operating principle, design concept, materials, shelf-life, packaging and sterilization processes. Substantial equivalence was demonstrated with non-clinical performance tests, which complied with the requirements specified in the international and FDA-recognized consensus standards. The results of these tests demonstrate that ENROUTE Enflate™ Transcarotid RX Balloon Dilatation Catheter met the acceptance criteria, is adequate for the intended use, and is substantially equivalent to the predicate.
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.