This device provides a mechanical means for performing needle / instrument guided procedures with the use of the diagnostic ultrasound endocavity transducer. Needle guide is attached over endocavity transducer / probe / scanhead instruments. This device provides a fixed path for the needle or instrument that when coupled by the ultrasound system software corresponds to on-screen imaging guidelines for visualizing guided instrument placement procedures. CIVCO Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guides are furnished sterile; single use patient / procedure, disposable. The single use, disposable feature helps to prevent transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material to the patient and healthcare worker during reuse of the transducer.
Device Story
Disposable endocavity needle/biopsy guide; attaches externally to ultrasound transducers via clip-on mechanism. Provides fixed physical path for needles/instruments during ultrasound-guided procedures. Integrates mounting bracket and cannula into single-use component. Used in clinical settings by healthcare providers for transvaginal/transrectal procedures. Device aligns with on-screen imaging guidelines provided by ultrasound system software to facilitate accurate instrument placement. Eliminates need for reprocessing reusable guide brackets; reduces risk of cross-contamination. Benefits patient/clinician through sterile, single-use design and improved procedural efficiency.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Biocompatibility testing conducted per ISO 10993-Part 1, including cytotoxicity, acute systemic toxicity, irritation, sensitization, hemolysis, and material-mediated pyrogenicity. Results demonstrated non-toxic, non-sensitizing, non-irritating, non-hemolytic, and non-pyrogenic properties. No clinical data presented.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: ABS, polycarbonate, stainless steel (T304 Hypodermic Grade). Design: Injection-molded thermoplastic with integral stainless steel cannula. Connectivity: None (mechanical accessory). Sterilization: Ethylene Oxide (EtO). Form factor: Contoured for patient comfort, clip-on attachment for specific transducer geometries.
Indications for Use
Indicated for diagnostic ultrasound needle/instrument guided procedures including transvaginal and transrectal tissue biopsy, fluid aspiration, catheter placement, and treatment.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A diagnostic ultrasonic transducer is a device made of a piezoelectric material that converts electrical signals into acoustic signals and acoustic signals into electrical signals and intended for use in diagnostic ultrasonic medical devices. Accessories of this generic type of device may include transmission media for acoustically coupling the transducer to the body surface, such as acoustic gel, paste, or a flexible fluid container.
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CIVCO MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS
Solutions for Ultrasound
B2 of B5
K970514
June 20, 1997
# 510(k) Summary - Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guide
Date Summary Prepared: 31 January 1997
This summary of the safety and effectiveness information upon which the substantial equivalence determination is based is being submitted in accordance with the requirements of SMDA 1990.
| Submitter's Name: | CIVCO Medical Instruments Company, Inc. |
| --- | --- |
| Address: | 102 First Street South, Kalona, IA 52247 |
| Telephone No.: | (319) 656-4447 fax: (319) 656-4451 |
| Contact Person: | J. William Jones, Manager - Regulatory Affairs |
Establishment Registration Number: 1937223
CIVCO Medical Instruments is registered as a medical device manufacturer.
| Device Trade / Proprietary Name: | Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guide |
| --- | --- |
| Device Common / Usual Name: | Ultrasound Transducer Needle / Instrument Guide |
| Device Classification Name: | Ultrasonic Diagnostic Transducer Accessories |
| Classification: | Class II under 21 CFR 892.1570 |
| --- | --- |
| Classification Panel: | 90 Radiology |
| Classification Procode: | ITX |
Description of Predicate Device(s): The CIVCO Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guide is equivalent to CIVCO's currently, legally marketed Transrectal Needle/Biopsy Guide, 510(k) reference number K875128/A, and Transvaginal Needle/Biopsy Guide, 510(k) reference number K875240/A.
Description of Subject Device Submitted for Premarket Notification: - The subject device provides a fixed path by which to allow needle / instrument guidance in relationship to a specific ultrasound transducer geometry. Various sizes and shapes of endocavity needle guides are engineered and manufactured by CIVCO - each is designed to fit to a specific OEM ultrasound transducer or family of transducers.
ORIGINALS ARE CODED RED
sheet 1 of 4
102 First Street South • Kalona, IA 52247 USA
Phone: 319/656-4447 • Fax: 319/656-4451
E-mail: info@civcomedical.com
ISO 9001
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B3 of B5
510(k) Summary con't. - Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guide
## Description of Subject Device Submitted for Premarket Notification con't.
The endocavity guide design integrates the mounting bracket and cannula into a single, disposable component that attaches externally, over the transducer with a clip-on action. The removal process is accomplished by pulling the needle guide off the transducer in a reverse method from the application.
Typical guide designs are illustrated below.

Encased Cannula Styles

Open Cannula Styles
Design variables address the mounting features / dimensional characteristics / presentation angle necessary to accommodate differences in transducer geometries, and the cannula size (gauge) as required by the needle / instrument to be guided. Otherwise, needle guide configurations are essentially the same in appearance and function. All guides are designed for conformal fit with locator features for secure alignment to the transducer. Exterior shapes of the needle guide are contoured for patient comfort.
The device is furnished sterile; and the entire guide is single use patient / procedure, disposable. The single use, disposable feature helps to prevent transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material to the patient and healthcare worker during reuse of the transducer.
sheet 2 of 4
ORIGINALS ARE CODED RED
75
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B4 of B5
510(k) Summary con't. - Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guide
Product categories / models include:
- Disposable Endocavity Needle Guide (sterile)
- Disposable Transrectal Needle Guide (sterile)
- Disposable Transvaginal Needle Guide (sterile)
Endocavity needle guides are individually packaged in sterile "procedure kit" form for single patient / procedure, disposable use. "Procedure kits" are also available with Poly and Latex transducer covers combined with disposable needle guide devices that CIVCO custom kits for ultrasound OEMs.
Intended Uses: This device provides a mechanical means for performing needle / instrument guided procedures with the use of the diagnostic ultrasound endocavity transducer. Needle guide is attached over endocavity transducer / probe / scanhead instruments. This device provides a fixed path for the needle or instrument that when coupled by the ultrasound system software corresponds to on-screen imaging guidelines for visualizing guided instrument placement procedures. CIVCO Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guides are furnished sterile; single use patient / procedure, disposable. The single use, disposable feature helps to prevent transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material to the patient and healthcare worker during reuse of the transducer.
Indications for Use: Diagnostic ultrasound needle / instrument guided procedures - transvaginal and transrectal: tissue biopsy, fluid aspiration, catheter placement, and treatment.
The intended use and indications for use place the CIVCO Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guides in device body contact categories as follows:
a) surface devices, intact skin / mucosal membranes / breached surfaces, limited contact duration (< 24 hours)
b) external communicating devices, blood path indirect / tissue communicating, limited contact duration (< 24 hours)
## Comparison of Device to Substantially Equivalent, Legally Marketed Device(s):
Intended Use: both subject and predicate devices provide a mechanical means for performing transrectal and/or transvaginal needle / instrument guided procedures with the use of the diagnostic ultrasound endocavity transducer. This device provides a fixed path for the needle or instrument that when coupled by the ultrasound system software corresponds to on-screen imaging guidelines for visualizing guided instrument placement procedures.
Predicate devices utilize a reusable guide bracket (after cleaning / sterilization by user); and a sterile, single use, disposable cannula insert.
The subject device is furnished sterile; and the entire guide is single use patient / procedure, disposable. The single use, disposable feature helps to prevent transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material to the patient and healthcare worker during reuse of the transducer.
Design: Predicate devices are comprised of two components - 1) a reusable guide mount or bracket that securely attaches (wrap-around clamp or slide-on) external to the transducer at a fixed position, and 2) a disposable stainless steel cannula or plastic tube that snap fits into a slot on the reusable component.
The subject device integrates the mounting bracket and cannula into a single, disposable component that attaches externally, over the transducer with a clip-on action. The removal process is accomplished by pulling the needle guide off the transducer in a reverse method from the application.
sheet 3 of 4
ORIGINALS ARE CODED RED
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B5 of B5
510(k) Summary con't. - Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Blopsy Guide
Comparison of Device to Substantially Equivalent, Legally Marketed Device(s) con't:
Material: Predicate devices: thermoplastics (polycarbonate, nylon, acetal) and stainless steel (T304 Hypodermic Grade tubing).
Subject devices: thermoplastics (ABS, polycarbonate) and stainless steel (T304 Hypodermic Grade tubing). These materials have been effectively used in CIVCO ultrasound endocavity needle guide applications for the past seven (7) years.
Manufacture: Predicate devices: machined fabrications from thermoplastic extruded / molded standard shapes and stainless steel tubing.
Subject devices: fabricated from 1) injection molded thermoplastic components, bonded to stainless steel cannula with medical grade adhesive; and 2) injection insert-molded thermoplastic with integral stainless steel cannula.
Subject devices are manufactured in large lots for single use - disposable applications, and are furnished sterile. Procedure kit packaging (in class 10,000 cleanroom) and EtO sterilization are same as for disposables used with the predicate devices.
Safety: materials and manufacturing processing (including EtO sterilization) affects to the healthcare worker and patient via intended use / indications for use contact of this device have been biologically evaluated using biocompatibility tests for cytotoxicity, acute systemic toxicity, irritation, sensitization, hemolysis, and material mediated pyrogen. Testing is in accordance with ISO 10993-Part 1 Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices, FDA Blue Book Memorandum #G95-1, and FDA-Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). CIVCO Disposable Ultrasound Endocavity Biopsy / Needle Guide products / materials have been evaluated for safe use under device categories of limited contact duration and body contact for surface devices (skin / mucosal membranes / breached surfaces) and body contact for external communicating devices (blood path indirect / tissue communicating). Biocompatibility testing was conducted using sterilized (where applicable), finished devices. Testing has demonstrated subject materials / devices to be non-toxic, non-sensitizing, non-irritating, non-hemolytic, and non-pyrogenic.
Effectiveness: Both the subject and predicate devices guides are designed for secure and aligned fit to the transducer, while not altering the transducer design integrity or function. Positive registration features of the design assures accurate needle / instrument path and placement in relation to the transducer. Attachment and removal of the subject device is simplified vs. the predicate device. Exterior shapes of the needle guides are contoured for patient comfort with no sharp edges. The integrated one-piece design of the subject device improves effectiveness since the reprocessing (clean, disinfect, sterilize) issues for a reusable device such as the predicate device is eliminated by the sterile, single use, disposable feature. Injection molding manufacturing process assures part-to-part accuracy for repeatable product performance.
sheet 4 of 4
ORIGINALS ARE CODED RED
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Boulevard
Rockville MD 20850
JUN 20 1997
Re: K970514
Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound
Needle/Biopsy Guide
Dated: June 2, 1997
Received: June 3, 1997
Regulatory Class: II
21 CFR 892.1570/Procode: 90 ITX
Dear Mr. Jones:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to 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). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. 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.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (Premarket Approval), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practice for Medical Devices: General (GMP) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic GMP inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4591 for Radiology devices, or 594-4613 for Ear, Nose and Throat devices. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its Internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Lillian Yin, Ph.D.
Director, Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, Ear, Nose and Throat, and Radiological Devices
Office of Device Evaluation
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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510(k) Notification - CIVCO Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guide page C3
# INDICATIONS FOR USE STATEMENT
Page 1 of 1
510(k) Number (if known): K970514
Device Name: Disposable Endocavity Ultrasound Needle / Biopsy Guide
Indications For Use:
Diagnostic ultrasound needle / instrument guided procedures - transvaginal and transrectal: tissue biopsy, fluid aspiration, catheter placement, and treatment.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
David A. Sgman
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT, and Radiological Devices
510(k) Number K970514
Prescription Use ☑
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
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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.