Surgical apparel are devices intended to be worn by operating room personnel during surgical procedures to protect both the surgical patient and the operating room personnel from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids and particulate material. The Convertors® Spunbonded, Flashspun Polyolefin gowns are devices intended to be worn by operating room personnel during surgical procedures to protect both the surgical patient and the operating room personnel from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids and particulate material.
Device Story
Convertors® Spunbonded, Flashspun Polyolefin Gowns are sterile surgical apparel designed for use by operating room personnel. The device acts as a physical barrier to prevent the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material between the surgical patient and the operating room staff. The gowns are constructed from spunbonded, flashspun polyolefin fabric and are packaged with a towel. They are intended for use in clinical surgical settings to enhance infection control and maintain a sterile field.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Biocompatibility testing performed per ISO 10993 Part-1 (sensitization, cytotoxicity, and irritation/intracutaneous reactivity).
Technological Characteristics
Material: Spunbonded, flashspun polyolefin. Biocompatibility: Tested per ISO 10993 Part-1. Form factor: Surgical gown, sterile, packaged with a towel.
Indications for Use
Indicated for operating room personnel during surgical procedures to provide a barrier against microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material for both patient and personnel.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Surgical apparel are devices that are intended to be worn by operating room personnel during surgical procedures to protect both the surgical patient and the operating room personnel from transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material. Examples include surgical caps, hoods, masks, gowns, operating room shoes and shoe covers, and isolation masks and gowns. Surgical suits and dresses, commonly known as scrub suits, are excluded.
Special Controls
*Classification.* (1) Class II (special controls) for surgical gowns and surgical masks. A surgical N95 respirator or N95 filtering facepiece respirator is not exempt if it is intended to prevent specific diseases or infections, or it is labeled or otherwise represented as filtering surgical smoke or plumes, filtering specific amounts of viruses or bacteria, reducing the amount of and/or killing viruses, bacteria, or fungi, or affecting allergenicity, or it contains coating technologies unrelated to filtration (e.g., to reduce and or kill microorganisms). Surgical N95 respirators and N95 filtering facepiece respirators are exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to § 878.9, and the following conditions for exemption:(i) The user contacting components of the device must be demonstrated to be biocompatible.
(ii) Analysis and nonclinical testing must:
(A) Characterize flammability and be demonstrated to be appropriate for the intended environment of use; and
(B) Demonstrate the ability of the device to resist penetration by fluids, such as blood and body fluids, at a velocity consistent with the intended use of the device.
(iii) NIOSH approved under its regulation.
(2) Class I (general controls) for surgical apparel other than surgical gowns and surgical masks. The class I device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to § 878.9.
Predicate Devices
Convertors® Optima standard, fabric- and poly-reinforced gowns
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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AUG 2 4 1998
**Allegiance**
Park, Illinois 60085-678
K982369
## SMDA REQUIREMENTS (continued) XII.
# 510(k) SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS Convertors® Spunbonded, Flashspun Polyolefin Gowns
Intended Use:
Substantial Equivalence:
patient and the operating room personnel from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids and particulate material. The Convertors® Spunbonded, Flashspun
surgical procedures to protect both the surgical
Surgical apparel are devices intended to be
worn by operating room personnel during
Polyolefin gowns are substantially equivalent to the Convertors® Optima standard, fabric- and poly-reinforced gowns in that:
- the intended use is the same
- the performance attributes are the similar
All materials used in the fabrication of this Convertors® Spunbonded, Flashspun Polyolefin evaluated through biological aowns were qualification safety tests as outlined in ISO 10993 Part-1 "Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices". The biocompatibility tests performed were sensitization, cvtotoxicity, and irritation/ intracutaneous reactivity. These materials also were tested in accordance with industry recognized test methods and were found to be acceptable for the intended use.
Summary of testing:
{1}------------------------------------------------
#### XIII. SAMPLE
A drawing of the standard, fabric- and poly-reinforced gowns are enclosed to visually assist with the review. (See Appendix D).
#### XIV. KIT INFORMATION
Each gown is packaged with a towel. The towel is the same towel that is currently placed in our gown packs. This towel has been used safely and effectively for many years as a component of the gown This premarket notification (510(k)) is to introduce standard, pack. fabric and poly-reinforced gowns constructed of Spunbonded, Flashspun Polyolefin fabric. There is no change to the towel contained within this pack.
### XV. 21 CFR 807.95 -CONFIDENTIALITY
Allegiance Healthcare Corporation regards its intent to market the Convertors® Spunbonded, Flashspun Polyolefin gown as confidential commercial information. Allegiance Healthcare Corporation has not divulged this intent to market information to anyone other than Allegiance employees and even then on a need-to-know basis. Therefore, we request that FDA treat this information in a confidential manner.
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Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the seal of the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The seal is circular and contains the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. In the center of the seal is an abstract design of a human figure with three arms.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
AUG 2 4 1998
Ms. Sharon Robbins Requlatory Affairs Manager Allegiance Healthcare Corporation 1500 Waukegan Road MPWM McGaw Park, Illinois 60085-6787
Re : K982369 Convertors® Spunbonded, Flashspun Trade Name: Polyolefin Gowns, Sterile Regulatory Class: II Product Code: FYC Dated: July 1, 1998 Received: July 7, 1998
Dear Ms. Robbins:
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 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 (Act). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include reguirements 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 requlations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Requlations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. ਰ substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (QS) for Medical General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, Devices: 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 In addition, FDA may publish further announcements action. concerning your device in the Federal Reqister. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531
{3}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 - Ms. Robbins
through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or requlations.
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) 594-4692. 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" (21CFR 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/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
S. Butman for
Timothy A. Ulatowski Director Division of Dental, Infection Control, and General Hospital Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure ... ......
{4}------------------------------------------------
**Allegiance**
Allegiance Healthcare Corporation 1500 Waukegan Road McGaw Park, Illinois 60085-6787 7.473.1500 AX: 847.785.2461
Page 1 of 1
510(k) Number (if known):
K982369
Device Name:
Convertors® Spunbonded, Flashspun Polyolefin Gowns, Sterile
Indications For Use:
The Convertors® Spunbonded, Flashspun Polyolefin Gowns are devices intended to be worn by operating room personnel during surgical procedures to protect both the surgical patient and the operating room personnel from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids and particulate material.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109) or
Over-The Counter Use
Chim S. f.
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Dental, Infection Control, and General Hospital Device 510(k) Number
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.