HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless and Self-Punching (SP) anchors are implantable devices for securing soft tissue to bone. Knotless anchors are one-piece cannulated, threaded implants; SP anchors are two-piece designs with a cannulated anchor and dilator. Both are preloaded on disposable inserter shafts. Materials include Biocryl Rapide (PLGA/beta-TCP), Biocomposite (PLA/TCP), and PEEK. Used by surgeons in orthopedic procedures (shoulder, elbow, knee, foot/ankle). Anchors are provided sterile for single use. Suture is provided separately; stay sutures (UHMWPE/PDS or UHMWPE/PET) are used for assembly and may be discarded or incorporated during repair. Devices facilitate tissue fixation to bone, aiding healing.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Verification activities included assessment of fixation strength at T=0 and over the healing period, and assessment of insertion force. Results demonstrated devices meet design inputs and performance criteria.
Indicated for patients requiring soft tissue-to-bone fixation in shoulder (rotator cuff, bicep, deltoid), elbow (UCL, RCL), knee (posterior oblique, MCL, LCL, IT band, ACL, PCL, meniscal root), and foot/ankle (Achilles, lateral/medial stabilization) procedures.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories are devices intended to be implanted consisting of one or more metallic components and their metallic fasteners. The devices contain a plate, a nail/plate combination, or a blade/plate combination that are made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, stainless steel, and titanium, that are intended to be held in position with fasteners, such as screws and nails, or bolts, nuts, and washers. These devices are used for fixation of fractures of the proximal or distal end of long bones, such as intracapsular, intertrochanteric, intercervical, supracondylar, or condylar fractures of the femur; for fusion of a joint; or for surgical procedures that involve cutting a bone. The devices may be implanted or attached through the skin so that a pulling force (traction) may be applied to the skeletal system.
{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 11, 2024
DePuy Mitek Lidia Moses Regulatory Affairs Specialist II 325 Paramount Drive Raynham, Massachusetts 02767
#### Re: K241010
Trade/Device Name: HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless anchors; HEALIX ADV ANCE Self-Punching anchors Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3030 Regulation Name: Single/Multiple Component Metallic Bone Fixation Appliances And Accessories Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: MAI, MBI Dated: April 12, 2024 Received: September 9, 2024
Dear Lidia Moses:
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 (the 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 available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrb/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.
{1}------------------------------------------------
Additional information about changes that may require a new premarket notification are provided in the FDA guidance documents entitled "Deciding When to Submit a 510(k) for a Change to an Existing Device" (https://www.fda.gov/media/99812/download) and "Deciding When to Submit a 510(k) for a Software Change to an Existing Device" (https://www.fda.gov/media/99785/download).
Your device is also subject to, among other requirements, the Quality System (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820), which includes, but is not limited to, 21 CFR 820.30. Design controls; 21 CFR 820.90. Nonconforming product; and 21 CFR 820.100, Corrective and preventive action. Please note that regardless of whether a change requires premarket review, the QS regulation requires device manufacturers to review and approve changes to device design and production (21 CFR 820.30 and 21 CFR 820.70) and document changes and approvals in the device master record (21 CFR 820.181).
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR Part 803) for devices or postmarketing safety reporting (21 CFR Part 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 Part 4, Subpart A) for combination products; and, if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR Parts 1000-1050.
All medical devices, including Class I and unclassified devices and combination product device constituent parts are required to be in compliance with the final Unique Device Identification System rule ("UDI Rule"). The UDI Rule requires, among other things, that a device bear a unique device identifier (UDI) on its label and package (21 CFR 801.20(a)) unless an exception or alternative applies (21 CFR 801.20(b)) and that the dates on the device label be formatted in accordance with 21 CFR 801.18. The UDI Rule (21 CFR 830.300(a) and 830.320(b)) also requires that certain information be submitted to the Global Unique Device Identification Database (GUDID) (21 CFR Part 830 Subpart E). For additional information on these requirements, please see the UDI System webpage at https://www.fda.gov/medical-device-advicecomprehensive-regulatory-assistance/unique-device-identification-system-udi-system.
Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 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.
{2}------------------------------------------------
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,
### Thomas Mcnamara -S
For: Christopher Ferreira, MS Assistant Director DHT6C: Division of Restorative, Repair, and Trauma Devices OHT6: Office of Orthopedic Devices Office of Product Evaluation and Quality Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{3}------------------------------------------------
#### Indications for Use
Submission Number (if known)
K241010
Device Name
HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless anchors;
HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching anchors
Indications for Use (Describe)
HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless anchors:
The DePuy Mitek HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless BR anchors is indicated as follows:
- · Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Repair
- · Shoulder: Bicep Tenodesis
- · Shoulder: Deltoid Repair
- · Elbow: Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL)
- · Elbow: Radial Collateral Ligament (RCL)
- · Knee: Posterior Oblique
- · Knee: Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
- · Knee: Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
- · Knee: liotibial (IT) Band Tenodesis
- · Knee: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair
- · Knee: Secondary Fixation in ACL/PCL Reconstruction/Repair
- · Knee: Meniscal Root Repair
- · Foot and Ankle: Achilles Tendon Repair
The DePuy Mitek HEALIX ADVANCE KNOTLESS PEEK Anchors is indicated as follows:
- · Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Repair
- · Shoulder: Bicep Tenodesis
- · Shoulder: Deltoid Repair
- · Elbow: Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL)
- · Elbow: Radial Collateral Ligament (RCL)
- · Knee: Posterior Oblique
- · Knee: Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
- · Knee: Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
- · Knee: liotibial (IT) Band Tenodesis
- · Knee: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair
- · Knee: Secondary Fixation in ACL/PCL Reconstruction/Repair
- · Knee: Meniscal Root Repair
- · Foot and Ankle: Achilles Tendon Repair
- · Foot and Ankle: Lateral Stabilization
- · Foot and Ankle: Medial Stabilization
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching anchors:
The DePuy Mitek HEALIX ADVANCE SP Biocomposite Anchors is indicated as follows:
- · Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Repair
- · Shoulder: Bicep Tenodesis
Form Approved: OMB No. 0910-0120 Expiration Date: 07/31/2026 See PRA Statement below.
{4}------------------------------------------------
| • Shoulder: Deltoid Repair |
|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| • Elbow: Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) |
| • Elbow: Radial Collateral Ligament (RCL) |
| • Knee: Posterior Oblique |
| • Knee: Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) |
| • Knee: Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) |
| • Knee: liotibial (IT) Band Tenodesis |
| • Knee: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair |
| • Knee: Secondary Fixation in ACL/PCL Reconstruction/Repair |
| • Knee: Meniscal Root Repair |
The DePuy Mitek HEALIX ADVANCE SP PEEK Anchors is indicated as follows:
| • Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Repair |
|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| • Shoulder: Bicep Tenodesis |
| • Shoulder: Deltoid Repair |
| • Elbow: Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) |
| • Elbow: Radial Collateral Ligament (RCL) |
| • Knee: Posterior Oblique |
| • Knee: Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) |
| • Knee: Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) |
| • Knee: liotibial (IT) Band Tenodesis |
| • Knee: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair |
| • Knee: Secondary Fixation in ACL/PCL Reconstruction/Repair |
| • Knee: Meniscal Root Repair |
| • Foot and Ankle: Achilles Tendon Repair |
| • Foot and Ankle: Lateral Stabilization |
| • Foot and Ankle: Medial Stabilization |
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
> 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."
{5}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/5/Picture/0 description: The image contains the words "Johnson&Johnson MedTech" in red font. The text is stacked on two lines, with "Johnson&Johnson" on the top line and "MedTech" on the bottom line. The font appears to be sans-serif and bolded.
#### 510(k) Summary
#### HEALIX ADVANCE™ Knotless Anchors, HEALIX ADVANCE™ Self-Punching Anchors
#### Date Prepared: 04/12/2024
| Submitter's Name and Address | DePuy Synthes Mitek Sports Medicine<br>a Johnson & Johnson company<br>325 Paramount Drive<br>Raynham, MA 02767<br>On behalf of:<br>Medos International SARL<br>Chemin-Blanc 38, Le Locle Neuchatel<br>CH 2400, Switzerland |
|------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact Person | Lidia Moses<br>Regulatory Affairs Specialist II, Regulatory Affairs<br>DePuy Synthes Mitek Sports Medicine<br>a Johnson & Johnson company<br>325 Paramount Drive<br>Raynham, MA 02767 |
| | Telephone: 508-405-7569<br>Email: lmoses@its.jnj.com |
| Name of Medical Device | Proprietary Name:<br>A) HEALIX ADVANCE™ KNOTLESS BR Anchor<br>B) HEALIX ADVANCE™ KNOTLESS PEEK Anchor<br>C) HEALIX ADVANCE™ SP BIOCOMPOSITE Anchor<br>D) HEALIX ADVANCE™ SP PEEK Anchor |
| | Classification Name:<br>A) Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories<br>B) Smooth or threaded metallic bone fixation fastener<br>C) Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories<br>D) Smooth or threaded metallic bone fixation fastener |
| | Product Code:<br>A) MAI<br>B) MBI<br>C) MAI<br>D) MBI |
| | Common Name:<br>Suture Anchor |
{6}------------------------------------------------
## n & Johnson
| Substantial<br>Equivalence | The HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless BR anchors are substantially equivalent to predicate:<br>• K180101 HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless BR<br><br>The HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless PEEK anchors are substantially equivalent to predicate:<br>• K171114 HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless PEEK<br><br>The HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching Biocomposite anchors (4.9mm, 5.5mm lengths) are substantially equivalent to predicate:<br>• K191242 HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching Biocomposite anchors (4.9mm, 5.5mm lengths)<br><br>The HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching PEEK anchors (4.9mm, 5.5mm lengths) are substantially equivalent to predicate:<br>• K182941 HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching PEEK anchors (4.9mm, 5.5mm lengths)<br><br>The HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching PEEK & Biocomposite anchors 6.5mm lengths) are substantially equivalent to predicate:<br>• K201883 HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching PEEK & Biocomposite anchors (6.5mm lengths) |
|----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Device<br>Classification | HEALIX ADVANCE KNOTLESS PEEK Anchor and HEALIX ADVANCE SP PEEK Anchor are classified as:<br>Smooth or threaded metallic bone fixation fasteners, classified as Class II, product code MBI, regulated under 21 CFR 888.3040.<br><br>HEALIX ADVANCE KNOTLESS BR Anchor and HEALIX ADVANCE SP BIOCOMPOSITE Anchor are classified as:<br>Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories, classified as Class II, product code MAI, regulated under 21 CFR 888.3030. |
| Device Panel | Orthopedic Devices |
| Device<br>Description | The subject devices of this Special 510(k) are the HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless anchors and HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching (SP) anchors.<br><br>The HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless Anchor is a one-piece implantable cannulated, threaded anchor designed to secure soft tissue to bone utilizing suture (provided separately). The anchor is preloaded on a disposable inserter shaft with handle, held in place by a #2 ORTHOCORD stay suture comprised of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) and violet Polydioxanone (PDS). During implantation, the stay suture may be discarded or incorporated into the repair at the surgeon's discretion. The anchor is provided preloaded on a single-use driver. The anchor is offered in three sizes: 4.75mm, 5.5mm and 6.5mm. The |
| | anchors are available in two materials: Biocryl Rapide® (BR) and<br>Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) materials. The Biocryl Rapide material is a<br>biocomposite material of 70% PLGA copolymer (85% PLLA/15% PGA) and 30%<br>β-TCP. The HEALIX ADVANCE KNOTLESS Anchor is provided sterile and is<br>for single use only. |
| | The HEALIX ADVANCE SP Anchor is a two-piece "self-punching" design<br>consisting of a cannulated, threaded anchor and dilator designed to secure soft<br>tissue to bone utilizing suture (provided separately). The anchor-dilator are<br>preloaded on a disposable inserter shaft with handle, held in place by a non-<br>absorbable stay suture comprised of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene<br>(UHMWPE) and Green poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). During implantation,<br>the stay suture may be discarded or incorporated into the repair at the surgeon's<br>discretion. The HEALIX ADVANCE SP Anchor is offered in three sizes: 4.9mm,<br>5.5mm and 6.5mm. The anchors are available in two materials: Biocomposite<br>(Biocryl) and Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material. Biocryl is an absorbable<br>biocomposite of Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Tricalcium Phosphate (TCP). The<br>HEALIX ADVANCE SP Anchor is provided sterile and is for single use only. |
| Technological<br>Characteristics | The anchor design, materials, principal of operation, and intended use of the<br>subject devices are identical to that of the predicate devices. This submission is<br>made in support of a modification to the labeling of the subject devices to add<br>additional indications and a modification to the suture compatibility language<br>within the Instructions for Use. |
| Indications for<br>Use | HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless anchors (Note: new indications are underlined): |
| | The DePuy Mitek HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless BR anchors is indicated as |
| | follows: |
| | Shoulder ○ Rotator Cuff Repair ○ Bicep Tenodesis ○ Deltoid Repair Elbow ○ Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) ○ Radial Collateral Ligament (RCL) Knee ○ Posterior Oblique ○ Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) ○ Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) ○ Iliotibial (IT) Band Tenodesis ○ Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair ○ Secondary Fixation in ACL/PCL Reconstruction/Repair ○ Meniscal Root Repair Foot/Ankle |
{7}------------------------------------------------
{8}------------------------------------------------
### Johnson
The DePuy Mitek HEALIX ADVANCE KNOTLESS PEEK Anchors is indicated as follows:
- . Shoulder
- Rotator Cuff Repair o
- O Bicep Tenodesis
- Deltoid Repair O
- Elbow
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) O
- Radial Collateral Ligament (RCL) O
- Knee ●
- Posterior Oblique O
- Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) O
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) O
- O Iliotibial (IT) Band Tenodesis
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair O
- Secondary Fixation in ACL/PCL Reconstruction/Repair O
- Meniscal Root Repair O
- Foot/Ankle ●
- Achilles Tendon Repair O
- Lateral Stabilization O
- 0 Medial Stabilization
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching anchors (Note: new indications are underlined):
The DePuy Mitek HEALIX ADVANCE SP Biocomposite Anchors is indicated as follows:
- Shoulder ●
- Rotator Cuff Repair O
- Bicep Tenodesis O
- Deltoid Repair ೧
- Elbow
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) reconstruction O
- Radial Collateral Ligament (RCL) reconstruction O
- Knee ●
- Posterior Oblique repair O
- Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) reconstruction O
- O Lateral Collateral Ligament reconstruction
- Iliotibial (IT) Band Tenodesis O
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair o
- Secondary Fixation in ACL/PCL Reconstruction/Repair O
- Meniscal Root Repair O
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The DePuy Mitek HEALIX ADVANCE SP PEEK Anchors is indicated as follows:
- Shoulder .
- 0 Rotator Cuff Repair
{9}------------------------------------------------
# son&Johnson
| Bicep Tenodesis Deltoid Repair <b>Elbow</b> Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) reconstruction Radial Collateral Ligament (RCL) reconstruction <b>Knee</b> Posterior Oblique repair Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) reconstruction Lateral Collateral Ligament reconstruction Iliotibial (IT) Band Tenodesis Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair Secondary Fixation in ACL/PCL Reconstruction/Repair Meniscal Root Repair <b>Foot/Ankle</b> Achilles Tendon Repair Lateral Stabilization Medial Stabilization | |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Non-clinical Testing | Verification activities were performed on the proposed device. Verification included an assessment of fixation strength for proposed indications at T=0 and over the healing period, as well as assessment of insertion force. |
| Safety and Performance | Results of the analyses demonstrated that the devices continue to meet established design inputs and corresponding criteria, and that there were no new issues of safety or effectiveness related to device performance.<br><br>Based on similarities in the intended use, technological characteristics, and performance in comparison to the predicate devices, the modified HEALIX ADVANCE Knotless anchors and HEALIX ADVANCE Self-Punching anchors have shown to be substantially equivalent to the predicate devices under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. |
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.