MERCATOR ATRIAL HIGH DENSITY ARRAY CATHETER MODELS, 7005, 7006, 7007, MERCATOR ATRIAL HIGH DENSITY ARRAY DEPLOYMENT KIT,
Applicant
Cardiac Pathways Corp.
Product Code
MTD · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
Jan 27, 1999
Decision
SESU
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.1220
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
The Mercator Atrial High-Density Array Catheter, used in conjunction with the Cardiac Pathways' Model 8100 Arrhythmia Mapping System and the Model 8300 Signal Acquisition Module, is intended to be used in the right atrium of patients with complex arrhythmias that may be difficult to identify using conventional mapping systems alone (i.e., linear mapping catheters). The system is used to record intracardiac electrogram (EGM) signals and to deliver pacing pulses for the purpose of diagnostic provocative stimulation during an electrophysiology procedure.
Device Story
The Mercator Atrial High Density Array Catheter (HDAC) is a diagnostic catheter designed for right atrial mapping. It features a collapsible, spheroidal 32-bipole electrode array (available in 70cc, 100cc, 130cc sizes) that maintains contact with atrial walls. The device is inserted via an 11F guiding sheath and positioned using a pigtail catheter. It interfaces with the Cardiac Pathways Model 8100 Arrhythmia Mapping System and Model 8300 Signal Acquisition Module. During electrophysiology procedures, the physician uses the HDAC to record intracardiac electrograms and deliver pacing pulses. The system provides high-density signal data to assist in diagnosing complex arrhythmias. The output is visualized by the clinician to interpret cardiac rhythms and guide diagnostic decision-making. The device benefits patients by providing more comprehensive mapping data than standard linear catheters, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy for complex arrhythmias.
Clinical Evidence
Clinical study (IDE) of 74 patients (mean age 51.6, 54% male). Primary endpoints compared HDAC to standard catheters for diagnostic quality and signal quality. Results: 89% acute success rate for ablation; 96.9% pacing capture at 5 mA. Independent expert analysis showed no statistical difference in diagnostic quality (p=1.000 sinus, p=0.1177 arrhythmia) or signal quality (p=0.8643 sinus, p=0.4559 arrhythmia) compared to standard catheters. Baseline noise was equivalent (p=0.5450). Safety profile showed no thromboembolic events or cardiac perforations.
Technological Characteristics
8.5F catheter shaft with 32-bipole electrode array; spheroidal geometry; compliant arms; radiopaque markers for orientation; 0.75mm x 0.25mm electrodes; 1mm bipole spacing; 8mm inter-bipole spacing. Interfaces with external mapping system via 79-pin connector. Includes 11F guiding sheath and pigtail catheter for placement. Materials include braided shafts and atraumatic tips. Connectivity is wired to the mapping system.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with complex arrhythmias requiring diagnostic provocative stimulation and intracardiac electrogram recording in the right atrium during electrophysiology procedures.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An electrode recording catheter or an electrode recording probe is a device used to detect an intracardiac electrocardiogram, or to detect cardiac output or left-to-right heart shunts. The device may be unipolar or multipolar for electrocardiogram detection, or may be a platinum-tipped catheter which senses the presence of a special indicator for cardiac output or left-to-right heart shunt determinations.
{0}------------------------------------------------
Mercator Atrial High Density Array Catheter
JAN 27 1999
K982540
# APPENDIX F
REVISED 510(K) SUMMARY FOR THE MERCATOR ATRIAL HIGH DENSITY ARRAY CATHETER
{1}------------------------------------------------
# 510(k) SUMMARY
## Indications
The Mercator Atrial High-Density Array Catheter, used in conjunction with the Cardiac Pathways' Model 8100 Arrhythmia Mapping System and the Model 8300 Signal Acquisition Module, is intended to be used in the right atrium of patients with complex arrhythmias to record intracardiac electrogram (EGM) signals and to deliver pacing pulses for the purpose of diagnostic provocative stimulation during an electrophysiology procedure.
#### Device Description
The Mercator High Density Array Catheter has an 8.5F catheter shaft with a collapsible, spheroidal-shaped, 32 bipole electrode array on the distal end, and an integrated cable/connector assembly on the proximal end. The device is designed to interface with the Cardiac Pathways' Arrhythmia Mapping System. There are three sizes of arrays for the right atrium based on the atrial volume derived from transthoracic echocardiograms: 70 cc, 100 cc, and 130 cc.
The electrode array consists of eight equidistant arms fixed at each end to form a spheroid. The arms terminate into an atraumatic tip on the distal end, and transition into the catheter shaft on the proximal end. The arms are made of a compliant material that maintains contact against the atrial walls during the cardiac cycle. The arms are labeled A through H in a clockwise direction. The array orientation is ascertained using three radiopaque markers positioned on arms A (distal), B (mid) and C (proximal). Each arm has four electrode pairs spaced equidistant from each other along the length of each arm. Each electrode is 0.75 mm wide by 0.25 mm high. The electrode spacing is the same for all three sizes of catheters: 1 mm between electrodes in a bipole and 8 mm between bipoles when measured center to center.
The electrical connections between the electrodes on the array and the connector on the proximal end of the catheter are made via cables. The cables run the length of the catheter shaft and connector bump tubing. The catheter shaft terminates at the proximal end at the Y-arm assembly. The center lumen of the catheter is contiguous with the luer fitting on the straight arm of the Y-arm assembly and is used for flushing the catheter. The angled arm on the Y-arm assembly provides the interface for the connector bump tubing.
The connector has 79 pins, and interfaces with a mating receptacle on the Arrhythmia Mapping System. The terminations of the cables at the connector are housed inside a backshell that provides a smooth transition from the connector to the connector burnp tubing.
{2}------------------------------------------------
The 11 F Guiding Sheath and the 30° Angled Guiding Sheath have an 11 F braided catheter shaft that terminates into a short, atraumatic tip on the distal end and a luer fitting on the proximal end. On the 30° Angled Guiding Sheath, the distal 4.5 cm of the catheter shaft is angled 30° from the proximal shaft of the catheter. The 11 F Guiding Sheath and the 30° Angled Guiding Sheath are used in conjunction with the 8.5 F Pigtail Catheter and the 30° Angled 8.5 F Pigtail Catheter, respectively, to position the High Density Array Catheter in the right atrium.
The 11 F Guiding Sheaths have a large inside diameter through which the High Density Array Catheter is inserted into and withdrawn from the cardiovascular system. The shaft of the Guiding Sheath is radiopaque. The Guiding Sheath terminates into a female luer fitting on the proximal end. This luer fitting is used to flush the Guiding Sheath and to introduce the High Density Array Catheter into the Guiding Sheath. The working length of the Guiding Sheath is 110 cm.
The purpose of the Guiding Sheath is to "guide" the High Density Array Catheter to a position in the right atrium found using the 8.5 F Pigtail Catheter. The Guiding Sheath is also used to collapse and withdraw the electrode array on the High Density Array Catheter when mapping is complete
The 8.5 F Pigtail Catheter and the 30° Angled 8.5 F Pigtail Catheter have an 8.5 F braided catheter shaft on the proximal end attached to a soft distal extrusion that is necked down and formed into a radius known as a " pigtail". The 8.5 F Pigtail Catheter and the 30° Angled 8.5 F Pigtail Catheter are used in conjunction with the 11 F Guiding Sheath to position the High Density Array Catheter in the right atrium.
The Pigtail Catheters have an open center lumen and 12 side holes positioned equidistant from each other in the distal extrusion, proximal to the pigtail. These holes can be used to deliver contrast media into the right atrium for visualization of catheter position and to assess the size of the atrium. The center lumen is accessible for flushing using a female luer lock fitting on the proximal end of the Pigtail Catheter. The braided shaft is radiopaque and gives the catheter good torque transmission.
The diameter of the pigtail tip is 1.3 cm. The purpose of this large diameter tip is to facilitate atraumatic placement into the right atrium. It also helps to avoid prolapsing of the High Density Array Catheter through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. The working length of the Pigtail Catheter is 135 cm.
A pigtail stylet is packaged in the Deployment Kit to straighten out the distal radius of the pigtail when inserting it inside the Guiding Sheath. The stylet is a stainless steel mandrel with a ball on the end to prevent advancing it all the way into the center lumen of the Pigtail Catheters. The pigtail stylet is used only in the preparation of the Guiding Sheath/Pigtail Catheter assembly and is not intended to be inserted into a patient. It is removed after the Pigtail Catheter is positioned inside the Guiding Sheath.
{3}------------------------------------------------
## Predicate Devices
The Mercator Atrial High Density Array Catheter is substantially equivalent to Woven Dacron® Electrode Catheters and Atrial Mapping Electrode Catheters manufactured by Bard Electrophysiology, the Explorer ST™ Fixed Curve Diagnostic Catheter manufactured by EP Technologies, and Fixed Tip Electrophysiology Catheters and the Deflectable Halo Electrophysiology Catheters manufactured by Webster Laboratories.
# Performance Data
The Mercator Atrial High Density Array Catheter, the Guiding Sheaths, and the Pigtail Catheters were subjected to a battery of electrical and mechanical tests to verify that the devices met the specifications. Electrical testing included, but were not limited to, assessment for continuity and short circuits, DC impedance, AC impedance, capacitance, and dielectric strength and current leakage. The device met the specifications. Mechanical testing included, but was not limited to, assessment of joint strengths and the forces required to insert and withdraw the devices. The device met the specifications. Biocompatibility testing was performed to verify that the devices did not elicit toxicological responses.
Clinical testing was performed in accordance with an Investigational Device Exemption granted by the FDA. A total of 79 patients were enrolled in this study at eight centers. A total of 74 patients were included in the data analysis; five patients were excluded from analysis because the HDAC was not deployed in the heart. The patient population had a mean age of 51.6 years, and the gender distribution was 54% male and 46% female. Fifty-one percent of patients had a history of atrial flutter or fibrillation. The majority of patients (55%) had other co-existing chronic conditions. Thus, the patients in this study were somewhat older than a typical supraventricular tachycardia population. The most common arrhythmia study diagnoses were atrial flutter in 30%, atrioventricular nodal tachycardia in 18%, supraventricular tachycardia in 18%, and atrial tachycardia in 16% of patients. The electrophysiology procedure included the performance of radiofrequency catheter ablation in 88% of patients, and was considered acutely successful in 89% of those undergoing ablation.
A total of 92 HDACs were deployed in 74 patients. The selection of HDAC size was based in part upon measurements of end-systolic right atrial dimensions obtained from the pre-procedure echocardiogram. Larger HDAC sizes were used in patients with larger right atrial dimensions. In patients with normal right atrial dimensions, the 70 cc HDAC was always chosen.
Atrial pacing capture was determined for each bipole pair at 2 mA and at 5 mA. Consistent capture of one or more bipole pairs at 5 mA was achieved in 96.9% of patients.
{4}------------------------------------------------
The primary analyses of equivalence between the HDAC and predicate devices (diagnostic commercial catheters) were performed by a blinded independent expert. The analyses involved comparing electrograms from both devices in sinus rhythm and the atrial arrhythmia.
Electrogram recordings were obtained during sinus rhythm with standard catheters in 88% of patients and with the HDAC in 82% of patients. Recordings were obtained during the atrial arrhythmia in 81% of patients with standard catheters and in 78% of patients with the HDAC.
Matched sets of electrogram data in sinus rhythm for both standard catheters and the HDAC were available for analysis by the independent expert for 41 patients. The overall diagnostic quality in sinus rhythm was rated as identical (p = 1.000). With both devices, recordings were acceptable to make a diagnosis of sinus rhythm in all patients. The rhythm diagnosis was sinus rhythm in all cases with both devices. The overall signal quality was rated as similar (p = 0.8643).
Matched sets of electrogram data in the atrial arrhythmia for standard catheters and the HDAC were available for analysis by the independent expert for 45 patients. The overall diagnostic quality was rated as similar (p = 0.1177). The recordings were acceptable to make a diagnosis of atrial arrhythmia in all patients with standard catheters and the HDAC. Using predefined diagnostic categories, the arrhythmia diagnoses were similar with the two devices (Kappa = 0.799). The overall signal quality also manifested no difference among catheters (p = 0.4559).
Baseline noise was evaluated by the independent expert, who measured the peak-to-peak absolute amplitude of noise on individual signals. The mean baseline noise recorded per electrode pair was 0.016 ± 0.075 mV for standard catheters and 0.019 ± 0.096 mV for the HDAC (p = 0.5450). The proportion of electrode pairs with baseline noise recorded was 7.6% for standard catheters and 6.8% for the HDAC. The mean baseline noise recorded for each patient was also similar for both devices (p = 0.8970). Regardless of the way in which absolute peak to-peak noise was compared, the standard catheter and HDAC were equivalent.
Patients were anticoagulated using intravenous heparin, and activated clotting time (ACT) levels were used to guide heparin administration. The mean baseline ACT was 126.0 ± 20.7 sec, and the mean ACT on heparin was 257.0 ± 52.2 sec. The mean ACT level using linear regression analysis was stable over time, achieving a range of 1.5-2.5 times the baseline value.
Safety was evaluated based upon the findings of the pre-discharge echocardiogram, the pre-discharge history and physical examination, and the examination of the HDAC immediately after removal. There were no instances of thromboembolic events, cardiac perforation, or valve injury. There was no evidence of thrombus on the 92 HDAC
{5}------------------------------------------------
catheters visually inspected immediately following removal from the patient. One procedure-related major adverse event (1.35%) occurred involving a left femoral hematoma in a patient in whom the HDAC was inserted into the right femoral vein. Three minor, procedure-related adverse events occurred, one case of transient Type I (Wenckebach) AV block and pleuritic chest pain, one case of chest pain probably related to radiofrequency catheter ablation, and a third case of oropharyngeal edema attributed to an allergic reaction from a sedative used during the procedure.
In conclusion, the data supports the comparability of the HDAC with standard (linear) diagnostic electrophysiology catheters. Specifically, the ability to make an arrhythmia diagnosis in all cases with either catheter, similar diagnostic quality, similar rhythm interpretations, similar signal quality, and similar absolute baseline noise. The functionality was adequately defined regarding pacing and recording capabilities. The HDAC demonstrated an excellent safety profile compared to comparison groups of patients undergoing either diagnostic electrophysiology studies or radiofrequency catheter ablation for supraventricular tachyarrhythmia with standard linear mapping. The three sizes and shapes of the HDAC appeared appropriate for the intended patient population. The data supports the use of the HDAC as a diagnostic tool for the recording of multiple intracardiac electrograms and delivery of pacing stimuli to the right atrium.
{6}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/6/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo features a stylized eagle with three lines forming its body and wings. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular pattern around the eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
JAN 27 1999
Ms. Erin Dignan Manager, Regulatory Affairs Cardiac Pathways, Corp. 995 Benecia Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Re: K982540 Mercator™ Atrial High Density Array Catheter Regulatory Class: II (two) Product Code: MTD - High density array intracardiac mapping catheter Dated: October 28, 1998 Received: October 29, 1998
Dear Ms. Dignan:
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, Druq, and Cosmetic Act (Act). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act and the limitations described below. 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.
The Office of Device Evaluation has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that this device will be used for an intended use not identified in the proposed labeling and that such use could Therefore, in accordance with Section 513(i)(1)(E) of the cause harm. Act, the following limitation must appear in the Warnings section of the device's labeling:
WARNING: The use of this device in conjunction with radiofrequency ablation, as part of the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, may pose an increased risk of adverse events, such as cardiac perforation, myocardial infarction, air embolism, and hematoma requiring surgical repair and/or blood transfusion.
{7}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 - Ms. Erin Dignan
The Warning must be presented within a black box, and the font size of the text should be at least 2 points larger than any surrounding text. The Warning must be present on the first page of your Operator's Manual, and on the packaging for each individual device.
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 A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance to 895. with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, as set forth in the Quality System Requlation (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 requlatory 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.
The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and permits your device to proceed to the market. This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification if the limitation statement above is added to your labeling, as described.
Please note that the above labeling limitations are required by Section 513(i)(1)(E) of the Act. Therefore, a new 510(k) is required before these limitations are modified in any way or removed from the device's labeling.
If you desire specific information about the application of other labeling requirements to your device (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4646. 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 Other general information on your responsibilities under the 807.97). Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers
{8}------------------------------------------------
Page 3 - Ms. Erin Dignan
Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or
e and in the state of the (4mm fels gov/cdrb/dsma/dsmamain.html", Assistance at its toll=Lree number (800) 050 2011 02 (00)
at its Internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Susan Albert, Ph.D., M.B.
Susan Alpert, Ph.D., M Director Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{9}------------------------------------------------
Page 5 - Ms. Erin Dignan
Page 1 of 1
510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: Cardiac Pathways Mercator ™ Atrial High Density Array Catheter
FDA's Statement of the Indications For Use for device:
The Mercator Atrial High-Density Array Catheter, used in conjunction with the Cardiac Pathways' Model 8100 Arrhythmia Mapping System and the Model 8300 Signal Acquisition Module, is intended to be used in the right atrium of patients with complex arrhythmias that may be difficult to identify using conventional mapping systems alone (i.e., linear mapping catheters). The system is used to record intracardiac electrogram (EGM) signals and to deliver pacing pulses for the purpose of diagnostic provocative stimulation during an electrophysiology procedure.
V. Carla Mitchell
Prescription Use XX (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use
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.