Used in qualitative procedures for growth and detection of Mycobacteria in clinical specimens other than blood.
Device Story
BacT/Alert 3D system performs automated microbial detection in clinical specimens (excluding blood). System utilizes specialized culture media bottles containing Middlebrook 7H9 broth, pancreatic digest of casein, bovine serum albumin, catalase, and purified water. Instrument monitors bottles for microbial growth via CO2 production. Detection logic evaluates acceleration of CO2 production, long-term growth, and total delta change in growth curves. Used in clinical laboratory settings by trained personnel. Output provides qualitative detection of Mycobacteria, assisting clinicians in diagnosing mycobacterial infections. System design includes spill-controlled bottle blocks and automated air circulation management.
Clinical Evidence
Clinical evaluation compared BacT/Alert 3D against MB/BacT Mycobacteria Culture System using 311 clinical isolates. Results showed 22 isolates positive on both systems, 14 positive only on BacT/Alert 3D, and 8 positive only on MB/BacT. Non-clinical bench testing included seeded studies with 10 organisms at high (10^6 CFU/ml) and low (10^2 CFU/ml) inoculum levels, showing no significant difference in time-to-detection between systems.
Technological Characteristics
Microbial growth monitor; utilizes culture media bottles (Middlebrook 7H9 broth, pancreatic digest of casein, bovine serum albumin, catalase, purified water). Detection principle: CO2 production monitoring via growth curve analysis. Features spill-controlled bottle blocks and automated air circulation. System is a laboratory instrument.
Indications for Use
Indicated for the qualitative growth and detection of Mycobacteria in clinical specimens other than blood.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A microbial growth monitor is a device intended for medical purposes that measures the concentration of bacteria suspended in a liquid medium by measuring changes in light scattering properties, optical density, electrical impedance, or by making direct bacterial counts. The device aids in the diagnosis of disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
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# JUL 2 4 1998
# 510(k) PREMARKET NOTIFICATION BACT/ALERT 3D SYSTEM EXPANDED INDICATION FOR MYCOBACTERIA
K981736
#### 510(K) SUMMARY 16.0
A 510(k) Summary follows for the BacT/Alert 3D with Mycobacteria Indication described in this submission.
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# 510(k) PREMARKET NOTIFICATION BACT/ALERT 3D SYSTEM EXPANDED INDICATION FOR MYCOBACTERIA
### 510(k) Summary
#### The submitter's name, address, telephone number, a contact person, and the date the summary (a)(1) was prepared;
Submitter's Name: Organon Teknika Corporation
Organon Teknika Corporation Submitter's Address: 100 Akzo Avenue Durham, North Carolina 27712
Submitter's Telephone: (919) 620-2288
Submitter's Contact: Rebecca Rivas
Date 510(k) Summary Prepared: May 15, 1998
- The name of the device, including the trade or proprietary name if applicable, the common or (a)(2) usual name, and the classification name, if known;
Trade or Proprietary Name: BacT/Alert 3D
Common or Usual Name: BacT/Alert 3D
Classification Name: Microbial Growth Monitor
- (a)(3) An identification of the legally marketed device to which the submitter claims substantial equivalence;
Device Equivalent to: MB/BacT Mycobacteria Culture System
#### A description of the device. (a)(4)
Device Description: BacT/Alert 3D System with expanded Mycobacteria indication is used in the qualitative procedures for growth and detection of Mycobacteria in clinical specimens other than blood.
- A statement of the intended use of the device. (a)(5)
Device Intended Use: Used in qualitative procedures for growth and detection of Mycobacteria in clinical specimens other than blood.
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## 510(k) PREMARKET NOTIFICATION BACT/ALERT 3D SYSTEM EXPANDED INDICATION FOR MYCOBACTERIA
| predicate device. | | |
|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Intended Use | Growth and detection of<br>Mycobacteria in Clinical<br>Specimens other than<br>blood. | Growth and detection of<br>Mycobacteria in Clinical<br>Specimens other than blood. |
| Media | MB/BacT Process bottles<br>(K954468),Culture Media<br>with suitable nutritional<br>conditions to recover<br>mycobacterial species.<br>Containing Middlebrook<br>7H9 Broth, Pancreatic<br>Digest of Casein, Bovine<br>Serum Albumin,Catalase,<br>Purified Water. | MB/BacT Process<br>bottles(K954468),Culture<br>Media with suitable<br>nutritional conditions to<br>recover mycobacterial species.<br>Containing Middlebrook 7H9<br>Broth, Pancreatic Digest of<br>Casein, Bovine Serum<br>Albumin,Catalase, Purified<br>Water. |
| Bottle Blocks | Sealed for spill control | Sealed for spill control |
| Air Circulation | Shuts off when door is open | Shuts off when drawer is open |
| Determination<br>for positivity | High enough amount of<br>acceleration of CO2<br>production, High enough<br>amount of long-term<br>growth, and high enough<br>total change (delta) in the<br>growth curve. | High enough amount of<br>acceleration of CO2<br>production, High enough<br>amount of long-term growth,<br>and high enough total change<br>(delta) in the growth curve. |
| | MB/BacT Mycobacteria<br>System | BacT/Alert 3D with<br>Mycobacteria Indication |
- A summary of the technological characteristics of the new device in comparison to those of the (a)(6) predicate device.
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# 510(k) PREMARKET NOTIFICATION BACT/ALERT 3D SYSTEM EXPANDED INDICATION FOR MYCOBACTERIA
#### A brief discussion of the nonclinical tests submitted, referenced, or relied on in the Premarket (b)1) notification submission for a determination of substantial equivalency.
Testing was performed to establish the performance characteristics of the new device including:
Seeded studies were performed in-house for 10 organisms at inoculum levels of 106 (high) and 102 (low) CFU/ml. Individual strains of each organism at the low inoculum level were inoculated into six bottles each. Three bottles were loaded into the current MB/BacT system, and three were loaded into the BacT 3D instrument. Individual strains of each organism at the high inoculum level were inoculated into two bottles each. One bottle was loaded into the current MB/BacT system, and one bottle was loaded into the BacT 3D Times to detection (in days) for each bottle were used to perform analysis for substantial instrument. equivalence between the two systems. Analysis of the times to detection showed no significant effect of detection system for either the high or low inoculum level.
#### A brief discussion of the clinical tests submitted, referenced, or relied on in the Premarket b)(2) notification submission for a determination of substantial equivalency.
A total of 311 isolates were cultured from clinical specimens on both the BacT/Alert 3D and the MB/BacT Mycobacteria Culture System. 22 isolates were positive on both the BacT/Alert 3D and the MB/BacT. An additional 14 isolates were found to be positive on the Bac 7/Alert 3D only. 8 additional isolates were found to be positive on the MB/BacT only.
#### (b)3) The conclusions drawn from the nonclinical and clinical tests that demonstrate that the device is as safe, as effective, and performed as well or better than the legally marketed device identified in (a)(3).
Organon Teknika's BacT/Alert 3D System with mycobacteria indication utilizes the same culture media bottles and detection algorithms as the currently marketed predicate device the MB/Bacteria Culture System.
Both systems are equivalent in the following respects:
- 1. They both have the same intended use: For use in qualitative procedures for growth and detection of mycobacteria in clinical specimens other than blood.
- 2. They both utilize the same culture media bottles and detection methodology.
- The BacT/Alert 3D vielded test results comparable to that seen with the predicate device the 3. MB/BacT Mycobacteria Culture System.
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Image /page/4/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized eagle with its wings spread, enclosed within a circle. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES • USA" is arranged around the upper portion of the circle.
# The 2 1 1898
Food and Drug Administration 2098 Gaither Road Rockville MD 20850
Rebecca Rivas Requlatory Affairs Administrator Organon Teknika Corporation 100 Akzo Avenue Durham, North Carolina 27712
K981736 Re: Trade Name: BacT/Alert 3D with Mycobacteria Indication Requlatory Class: I Product Code: MDB Dated: June 24,1998 Received: June 25, 1998
Dear Ms. Rivas:
or regulations.
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 The general controls provisions of provisions of the Act. the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions aqainst 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 Requlations, 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 requlation (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 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
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Page 2 -
Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA-88), this device may require a CLIA complexity categorization. To determine if it does, you should contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at (770) 488-7655 .
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) 594-4588. 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 requlation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" Other general information on your (21 CFR 807.97). 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.qov/cdrh/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Steven Sutman
Steven I. Gutman, M.D., M.B.A. Director Division of Clinical Laboratory Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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| <br>----- | | |
|-----------|--|--|
10(k) Number (If known):
Device Name: BACT/ALERT 3D WITH MYCOBACTERIA INDICATION
Indications For Use:
-
THE BACT/ALERT 3D MICROBIAL DETECTION SESTEM WITH EXPRECTION OR MICORACTERIA IN IS USED IN QUALITATIVE PROCEDURES FOR GROWTH AND DETECTION OF MICOBACTERIA IN CLINICAL SPECIMENS OTHER THAN BLOOD.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Woody Dubois
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Clinical Laboratory Devices
510(k) Number K981736
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use_
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
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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.