The Imation™ SE-204 laser imager is intended use as a high resolution hard copy device for output from digital imaging source modalities for use in medical imaging diagnosis and referral. Electronic image information signals are managed in the SE-204 and transformed optically to expose Imation imaging media. The system is intended for use with a variety of digital modalities, including, but not limited to Digital Radiography and full view digital mammography for diagnostic use by medical radiologists and communications to referring physicians and their patients.
Device Story
Imation SE-204 Laser Imager functions as high-resolution hard copy output device for digital medical imaging modalities. Device receives electronic image signals from modalities (e.g., digital radiography, mammography) via Image Management System (IMS). System transforms signals optically to expose Imation imaging media; media transported through integrated processor to produce final film. Operated by medical personnel in clinical settings. Includes Automated Image Quality Control (AIQC) to match printing power with film characteristics, ensuring consistent image quality. Output used by radiologists for diagnosis and communication with referring physicians and patients. Device does not contact patients or control/monitor other medical devices; human intervention remains integral to diagnostic process.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Safety and effectiveness demonstrated through internal qualification, validation, and reliability testing, and adherence to voluntary standards (IEC601-1, IEC601-1-1, IEC601-1-2, UL2601). Performance metrics focused on spatial resolution and consistency of output density via AIQC.
Technological Characteristics
Laser printer for medical imaging. Uses daylight cartridges for imaging media. Integrated processor for film development. Connectivity via host control or keypad. Software-controlled image management and machine functions. AIQC system for density control. Complies with IEC601-1, IEC601-1-1, IEC601-1-2, and UL2601 standards.
Indications for Use
Indicated for medical radiologists and referring physicians to produce high-resolution hard copy diagnostic images from digital modalities, including digital radiography and full-view digital mammography, for diagnostic use and patient communication.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A medical image hardcopy device is a device that produces a visible printed record of a medical image and associated identification information. Examples include multiformat cameras and laser printers.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls; voluntary standards—Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Std., Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) Std., Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) Test Pattern). The device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 892.9.
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### K972822 510(k) Summary NOV 1 9 1997
Magnetic Resonance Diagnostic Device
July 28, 1997
| Imation Corp. | | Contact: Stephen G. Slavens | |
|---------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------|--|
| 1 Imation Place | | 3M Center, 235-2B-23 | |
| Oakdale MN 55128 | | St. Paul MN 55144-1000 | |
| | | Phone: 612-736-9536 | |
| | | FAX: 612-736-3116 | |
| Device: Trade name: | Imation™ SE-204 Laser Imager | | |
| Common name: | Laser Printer | | |
3M(Imation™) 8300 Laser Imager(K936152) Predicate devices: Agfa LR 5200 Laser Film Recorder(K964414)
#### Description And Intended Use of Device:
Classification name:
The Imation™ SE-204 laser imager is intended use as a high resolution hard copy device for output from digital imaging source modalities for use in medical imaging diagnosis and referral. Electronic image information signals are managed in the SE-204 and transformed optically to expose Imation imaging media. The system is intended for use with a variety of digital modalities, including, but not limited to Digital Radiography and full view digital mammography for diagnostic use by medical radiologists and communications to referring physicians and their patients.
21 CFR 892.1000
#### Technological Characteristics:
The subject device and predicate devices use the same technical design base. The printers receive image data from the modality. Modality data and printing functions are performed by the IMS(Image management System). User control is performed by a keypad or directly by the modality through the host control. Imation imaging media is removed from a daylight cartridge and transported to the laser imaging station. Image data and media merge at the laser station and the film is scanned. The exposed media is transported through the integrated processor and exits the printer.
Software is used to control the image management and machine functions. AIQC(Automated Image Quality Control) matches printing power with film characteristics to provide consistently high image quality.
{1}------------------------------------------------
#### Performance Data:
An important performance characteristics for medical hard copy devices is spatial resolution. The subject and the predicate Agfa devices are similar with respect to spatial resolution with SE-204 pixels giving slightly higher dpi.
Safety and effectiveness are assured via meeting voluntary standards, including IEC601-1, IEC601-1-1, IEC601-1-2, UL2601 and Imation™ SE-204 Engineering specification(Part B).
With the successful conclusion of both the field test and internal tests for qualification, validation and reliability, the Product Team will approve final release for production (including Software). After final approval, according to the established procedures, the software code label will be changed to production level label.
#### Conclusion:
The subject device, like the predicates, has no patient contact. The devices also do not control. monitor or otherwise affect any devices directly connected to or affecting the patient. Images displayed by the subject device and its predicates are reviewed by medical personnel, offering ample opportunity for competent human intervention in case of a malfunction or other failure.
The subject and predicate device DryView™ Model 8300 have both been designed to the same safety standard. As with this predicate device, a test pattern generator and automatic image quality control(AIOC) system are incorporated to assure consistency between input signals and output density. The subject device has been designed to have similar resolution as the predicate Agfa LR 5200 Laser Film Recorder, which has the indications for use of full view digital mammography and high resolution computed radiography.
Imation therefore concludes that the Imation™ SE-204 Laser Imager is as safe and effective as the predicate devices.
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Image /page/2/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The logo features a stylized caduceus symbol, which is a staff with two snakes coiled around it. The words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH" are written on the left side of the logo, and the words "USA" are written on the top right side of the logo. The logo is black and white.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
NOV 19 1997
Steven G. Slavens Regulatory Affairs Manager Imation Enterprises Corporation 3M Center, Bldg. 235-2B-23 St. Paul, MN 551441000
Re:
K972822 Imation SE-204 Laser Imager Dated: October 18, 1997 Received: October 21, 1997 Regulatory class: Unclassified Procode: 90 LMC
Dear Mr. Slavens:
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 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 Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirement, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic QS 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 does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under 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) 594-4613. 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.
h. William Yu, Ph.D.
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
{3}------------------------------------------------
# ATTACHMENT 2
## Statement of Indications for Use:
510(K) Number (if known): ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Device Name: Imation™ SE-204 Laser Printer
Indications for Use:
The Imation™ SE-204 laser imager is intended use as a high resolution hard copy device for output from digital imaging source modalities for use in medical imaging diagnosis and referral. Electronic image information signals are managed in the SE-204 and transformed optically to expose Imation imaging media. The system is intended for use with a variety of digital modalities, including, but not limited to Digital Radiography and full view digital mammography for diagnostic use by medical radiologists and communications to referring physicians and their patients.
| Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) | |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Prescription Use<br>(Per 21 CFR 801.109) | <div style="text-align: left;">✓</div> |
| OR | Over the Counter Use ______ |
| (Division Sign-Off) | <div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="signature" src="signature.png"/></div> |
| Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT, and Radiological Devices | |
| 510(k) Number | K972522 |
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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.