K961968 · Bd Becton Dickinson Vacutainer Systems Preanalytic · LQL · Feb 4, 1997 · Microbiology
Device Facts
Record ID
K961968
Device Name
BBLCRYSTAL GRAM-POSITIVE ID SYSTEM
Applicant
Bd Becton Dickinson Vacutainer Systems Preanalytic
Product Code
LQL · Microbiology
Decision Date
Feb 4, 1997
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 866.2660
Device Class
Class 1
Indications for Use
The BBLCRYSTAL™ Gram Positive (GP) Identification (ID) System is a miniaturized identification method employing modified conventional, fluorogenic, and chromogenic substrates. It is intended for the identification of frequently isolated aerobic gram-positive bacteria from clinical specimens.
Device Story
Device is a miniaturized identification system for aerobic gram-positive bacteria. Input: pure culture suspension from clinical specimens. Operation: suspension rehydrates 29 dehydrated biochemical/chromogenic/fluorogenic substrates in a panel base/lid assembly; 4-hour incubation at 35-37°C. Output: visual color reactions scored as positive/negative. User (lab technician) records results on a report form, calculates a 10-digit numerical profile, and enters it into a PC-based Electronic Codebook. Codebook provides definitive ID, tie between species, or no ID. System aids clinical decision-making by identifying specific bacterial taxa, enabling targeted treatment.
Clinical Evidence
Clinical study at four laboratories evaluated 735 gram-positive aerobic isolates against API Staph, API 20 Strep, API Coryne, and conventional methods. Results: 90% (668/735) correct identification, 7.6% (56/735) incorrect, 1.5% (11/735) no identification. Reproducibility study (10 QC strains, triplicate, three days) showed 96.7% overall reproducibility, with individual substrate reproducibility ranging from 79.2% to 100%.
Technological Characteristics
Miniaturized panel assembly (base and lid) with 29 dehydrated biochemical, chromogenic, and fluorogenic substrates and one negative control. Plastic prongs and wells. Manual inoculation via pouring/tilting. Visual colorimetric/fluorogenic readout. PC-based software (Electronic Codebook) for profile interpretation. No specific material standards or energy sources (other than incubator) listed.
Indications for Use
Indicated for identification of aerobic gram-positive bacteria isolated in pure culture from clinical specimens in a clinical laboratory setting.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A microorganism differentiation and identification device is a device intended for medical purposes that consists of one or more components, such as differential culture media, biochemical reagents, and paper discs or paper strips impregnated with test reagents, that are usually contained in individual compartments and used to differentiate and identify selected microorganisms. The device aids in the diagnosis of disease.
{0}
K9101968
FEB - 4 1997
May 17, 1996
SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
SUBMITTED BY:
Virginia C. Weinknecht
Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems
P O Box 243
Cockeysville, MD 21030-0243
NAME OF DEVICE:
Trade Name: BBLCRYSTAL™ Gram Positive ID System
Common Name/Description: Miniaturized Microorganism ID System
Classification Name: Microbiology - Discs, Strips, and Reagents, Microorganism Differentiation
PREDICATE DEVICES:
BioMerieux Vitek, Inc., API Staph (K813614)
BioMerieux Vitek, Inc., API 20 Strep (K813610)
BioMerieux Vitek, Inc., API Coryne (K910304)
DEVICE DESCRIPTION:
INTENDED USE: The BBLCRYSTAL™ Gram Positive (GP) Identification (ID) System is a miniaturized identification method employing modified conventional, fluorogenic, and chromogenic substrates. It is intended for the identification of frequently isolated aerobic gram-positive bacteria from clinical specimens.
INDICATIONS FOR USE: Use of the BBLCRYSTAL™ Gram Positive Identification System is indicated when the aerobic gram-positive organisms described in the attached table have been isolated in pure culture from clinical specimens in a clinical laboratory, and identification of the microorganisms is desired.
B-1
{1}
TABLE B-1: Taxa List for BBLCRYSTAL™ Gram Positive Identification System
<table><tr><td>Actinomyces pyogenes<br/>Aerococcus species (includes A. urinae and A. viridans)<br/>Aerococcus urinae<br/>Aerococcus viridans<br/>Alloiococcus otitidis<sup>1</sup><br/>Arcanobacterium haemolyticum<sup>1</sup><br/>Bacillus brevis<br/>Bacillus cereus<br/>Bacillus circulans<br/>Bacillus coagulans<br/>Bacillus licheniformis<br/>Bacillus megaterium<br/>Bacillus pumilus<br/>Bacillus species (includes B. brevis, B. circulans, B. coagulans, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, B. pumilus and B. sphaericus, P. alvei, P. macerans)<br/>Bacillus sphaericus<br/>Bacillus subtilis<br/>Corynebacterium aquaticum<br/>Corynebacterium bovis<br/>Corynebacterium diptheriae (includes C. diptheriae ssp. grevis, C. diptheriae ssp. mitis and C. diptheriae ssp. intermedius)<br/>Corynebacterium genitalium<br/>Corynebacterium jeikeium<br/>Corynebacterium kutscheri<br/>Corynebacterium propinquum<br/>Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum<br/>Corynebacterium pseudogenitalium<br/>Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis<br/>Corynebacterium ranale group<br/>Corynebacterium species (includes C. aquaticum, C. bovis, C. kutscheri, C. propinquum, c. pseudodiphtheriticum, C. pseudotuberculosis, C. ranale group, C. striatum and C. ulcerans)<br/>Corynebacterium striatum<br/>Corynebacterium ulcerans<br/>Enterococcus avium<br/>Enterococcus casseliflavus/gelinarum<br/>Enterococcus durans<br/>Enterococcus faecalis<br/>Enterococcus faecium<br/>Enterococcus hirae<br/>Enterococcus raffinosus<br/>Enterococcus solitarius<br/>Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae<br/>Gardnerella vaginalis<br/>Gemella haemolysans<br/>Gemella morbillorum<br/>Gemella species (includes G. haemolysans, and G. morbillorum)<br/>Globicatella sanguis<br/>Helcococcus kunzii</td><td>Lactococcus garvieae<br/>Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris<br/>Lactococcus lactis ssp. hordniae<br/>Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis<br/>Lactococcus raffinolactis<br/>Lactococcus species (includes L. lactis ssp. cremoris, L. lactis ssp. hordniae, L. lactis ssp. lactis and L. raffinolactis)<br/>Leuconostoc citreum<br/>Leuconostoc lactis<br/>Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides<br/>Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides<br/>Leuconostoc species (includes L. citreum, L. lactis, L. mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides and L. pseudomesenteroides)<br/>Listeria grayi<sup>1</sup><br/>Listeria ivanovii ssp. ivanovii<br/>Listeria monocytogenes<br/>Listeria murrayi<br/>Micrococcus kristinae<br/>Micrococcus luteus<br/>Micrococcus lyiae<br/>Micrococcus roseus<br/>Micrococcus sedentarius<br/>Micrococcus species (includes M. kristinae, M. luteus, M. lyiae, M. roseus, M. sedentarius)<br/>Oerskovia species (includes O. turbata, and O. xanthineolytica)<br/>Peanibacillus alvei<br/>Peanibacillus macerans<br/>Pediococcus demnosus<br/>Pediococcus pervulus<br/>Pediococcus pantosaceus<br/>Pediococcus species (includes P. demnosus, P. pervulus, and P. pentosaceus)<br/>Rhodococcus equi<br/>Rothia dentocariosa<sup>1</sup><br/>Staphylococcus aureus<br/>Staphylococcus auricularis<br/>Staphylococcus auricularis (includes S. capitis ssp. capitis and S. capitis ssp. ureolyticus)<br/>Staphylococcus caprae<br/>Staphylococcus carnosus<br/>Staphylococcus cohnii (includes S. cohnii ssp. cohnii and S. cohnii ssp. ureolyticum)<br/>Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. cohnii<br/>Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. ureolyticum<br/>Staphylococcus epidermidis<br/>Staphylococcus equorum<br/>Staphylococcus felis<br/>Staphylococcus gallinarum<br/>Staphylococcus haemolyticus<br/>Staphylococcus hominis<br/>Staphylococcus intermedius</td><td>Staphylococcus kloosii<br/>Staphylococcus lundus<br/>Staphylococcus lugdunensis<br/>Staphylococcus pasteuri<sup>1</sup><br/>Staphylococcus saccharolyticus<br/>Staphylococcus saprophyticus<br/>Staphylococcus schleiferi (includes S. schleiferi ssp. cagulans and S. schleiferi ssp. schleiferi)<br/>Staphylococcus sciuri<br/>Staphylococcus silvum<br/>Staphylococcus silvum ssp. scleroides<br/>Staphylococcus silvum ssp. scleroides ssp. scleroides ssp. scleroides ssp. scleroides ssp. scleroides ssp. scleroides ssp. scleroides ssp. scleroides ssp. scleroides ssp. ssp. scleroides ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp. ssp.
{2}
B-3
# PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
The main component of the BBLCRYSTAL™ GP ID System is the BBLCRYSTAL GP panel assembly, consisting of the CRYSTAL base and lid. The BBLCRYSTAL lid consists of 29 dehydrated biochemical/chromogenic/fluorogenic substrates and one fluorogenic negative control, on the ends of plastic prongs. The CRYSTAL base consists of 30 matching wells; its design allows inoculation of all 30 wells in a single step by pouring the suspension of pure culture into the target area and tilting the base. The test inoculum rehydrates the dried substrates and initiates test reactions.
The pure culture suspension is prepared by picking several small colonies of the same morphology from media such as Trypticase® Soy Agar with 5% Sheep Blood or Columbia Agar with 5% Sheep Blood, or alternatively selective media such as Phenylethyl Alcolol Agar with 5% Sheep Blood or Columbia CNA Agar with 5% Sheep Blood. A standardized suspension of this culture is prepared in the BBLCRYSTAL™ ANR, GP, RGP, N/H ID Inoculum Fluid provided. The suspension is added to the target area of the panel base, which the use then rocks back and forth to inoculate all the wells contained in the base.
After the base/lid assembly has been incubated for 4 hours at 35-37°C, the assembly is placed on the BBLCRYSTAL Panel Viewer and the color reactions are visually compared to the BBLCRYSTAL GP Color Chart provided. Each reaction is scored as a positive (+) or negative (-) and recorded on the BBLCRYSTAL GP Report Form.
After all results are read, a 10-digit numerical profile is calculated by assigning a value of 4, 2, or 1 to each positive reaction. (Negative reactions are scored as "0".) The values for each column are then added together to obtain the 10 digit Profile Number.
The BBLCRYSTAL ID System Electronic Codebook is loaded into the user's PC and the appropriate database is selected. Then the Profile Number and results of any off-line tests are entered, and the Codebook gives one of the following three results:
(a) a definitive ID;
(b) a tie between two or more species; or
(c) no ID possible with data submitted.
In the case of a definitive ID or a tie between two or more potential ID's, the user can access the statistics for that ID as well as background information for the species identified.
{3}
In the case where no ID is possible, the Codebook suggests that the user perform a purity check of the test isolate. If culture purity has been confirmed, then it is likely that (i) the test isolate is producing atypical Crystal reactions (which may also be caused by procedural errors), (ii) the test species is not part of the intended taxa, or (iii) the system is unable to identify the test isolate with the required level of confidence. Once user error has been ruled out, the Codebook suggests that additional testing must be done to establish an identification.
## PERFORMANCE DATA:
### Clinical Correlation:
In a study conducted at four clinical laboratories, the performance of the BBLCRYSTAL Gram Positive ID System was evaluated against a combination of the API Staph, API 20 Strep, and API Coryne Identification Systems, and conventional methodologies. Fresh, routine isolates arriving in the clinical laboratory, as well as previously identified isolates of the clinical trial sites' choice were utilized in the study. A total of 735 gram positive aerobic isolates were tested; 90% (668/735) of these isolates were correctly identified (including supplemental testing) using the BBLCRYSTAL™ GP ID System; 7.6% (56/735) were incorrectly identified; and 1.5% (11/735) yielded a "No Identification" result.
### Reproducibility:
At the same four clinical laboratories, reproducibility of the BBLCRYSTAL™ GP ID System was established by testing ten (10) Quality Control strains in triplicate on three days. Evaluations were performed of individual and overall reproducibility of substrate reactions, of QC organism reactions, and of inter- and intra-laboratory reproducibility.
Overall reproducibility was calculated as 96.7%. Reproducibility of individual substrate reactions ranged from 79.2 to 100%; individual QC organism reaction reproducibility ranged from 91.4 to 99.8%; and individual site reproducibility from 95.5 to 97.8%.
B-4
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.