Medline Disposable Sterile Surgical Gowns, Zoned Impervious are surgical apparel that is 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.
Device Story
Disposable sterile surgical gown; manufactured from non-woven Sontara Spunlace fabric (55% wood pulp, 45% polyester) laminated to microporous polyethylene plastic film; provides barrier protection against liquid penetration while allowing vapor passage; features bound seams, tape-covered drill holes, stockinet cuffs, and Velcro or snap closures; intended for single use by operating room personnel; protects patient and staff from microorganisms, body fluids, and particulates; prevents contamination of sterile fields and migration of blood-borne pathogens.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Tested for synthetic blood penetration (ASTM F1670) and viral penetration (ASTM F1671). Biocompatibility testing performed per ISO 10993 for surface devices, intact skin, limited duration (<24 hours).
Technological Characteristics
Non-woven hydroentangled (spunlace) fabric (55% wood pulp, 45% polyester) laminated to microporous polyethylene film. Weight: 1.70 oz/yd²; Thickness: 9.4 mils. Features bound seams, tape-covered manufacturing holes, stockinet cuffs, and Velcro/snap closures. Sterile, single-use.
Indications for Use
Indicated for operating room personnel during surgical procedures to protect patient and personnel from transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material.
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
Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.'s Barrier Fabric 450 Surgical Gown (K934608)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Medline Industries, Inc.
OCT 2 8 1998
Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for Medline. The logo consists of the word "MEDLINE" in a bold, sans-serif font. Above and below the word are two parts of a star shape. The top part of the star is above the word, and the bottom part of the star is below the word.
One Medline Place Mundelein, Illinois 60060.4486
1-847-949-2639 WATS: 1-800-950-0128 Fax: 1-847-949-2643
Lara N. Simmons Director of Regulatory Affairs 510(k) SUMMARY
K982693
July 13, 1998
- 1. Submitters Information: Medline Industries, Inc. One Medline Place Mundelein, IL 60060 Phone: 847-949-2639 847-837-2787 Fax: Lara Simmons, Corporate Regulatory Affairs Contact:
- 2. Device Information:
- Trade Name: Medline Disposable Sterile Zoned Impervious Surgical Gowns A.
- Sterile Disposable Surgeon's Gowns B. Common Name:
- Surgical Gown C. Classification Name:
- 79FYA Class II Device Panel and ProCode: D.
## 3. Substantial Equivalence Claim: Medline claims substantial equivalence to Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.'s Barrier Fabric 450 Surgical Gown, K934608.
## 4. Device Description:
Medline Disposable Sterile Zoned Impervious Surgical Gowns are manufactured from a non-woven fabric which is laminated to a plastic film. Because the plastic film is made of microporous polyethylene, it provides protection from inward liquid penetration as well as comfort by allowing outward passage of vapor. These products are disposable and intended for single use only.
The Sontara Spunlace Fabric is produced by DuPont. It is a hydroentangled (or hydrolaced) fabric made using a Spunlace technology. For medical applications, the content is approximately 55% wood pulp and 45% polyester. The interlaced fibers and surface finish give Sontara outstanding barrier properties while providing the comfort features of re-usable linens.
This product has seams which are bound to provide strength and barrier properties. Tape is utilized to cover the drill holes required during manufacturing. There are long stockinet cuffs on the sleeves for added comfort and protection. Both Velcro and snaps are offered as closures. The materials used in Medline's gowns are strong, do not unravel or delaminate and are low in lint.
- 5. Intended Use:
Medline Disposable Sterile Zoned Impervious Surgical Gowns are surgical apparel that is intended to be worn by operating room personnel during surgical procedures to protect
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Medline Industries, Inc.
Image /page/1/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for Medline. The logo consists of the word "MEDLINE" in a stylized, italicized font. Above the word, there is a symbol resembling a compass or a star with four points. The symbol is black, matching the color of the text, and it is positioned directly above the center of the word "MEDLINE".
One Medline Place Mundelein, Illinois 60060.4486
1-847-949-2639 WATS: 1-800-950-0128 Fax: 1-847-949-2643
Lara N. Simmons Director of Regulatory Affairs
> both the surgical patient and the operating room personnel from transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate material.
- 6. Technological Characteristics:
There are no technological differences between the new device and the predicate device. They are both made from material that is functionally the same.
- 7. Non-Clinical Performance Data:
| Feature | Medline | Predicate |
|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Material<br>Composition | Sontara Spunlace – a Non-Woven<br>hydroentangled (or hydrolaced)<br>fabric made using a Spunlace<br>Technology | Johnson & Johnson Fabric 450 is a<br>non-woven hydroentangled fabric<br>made using a spunlace technology |
| Weight Per Square<br>Yard | 1.70 oz/yd² | 2.1 oz/yd² |
| Thickness | 9.4 mils | 10.0 mils |
The safety and effectiveness of Medline Disposable Sterile Zoned Impervious Surgical Gowns are dependent upon proper usage of the product. When used per the instructions, these products provide a barrier to help prevent contamination of the otherwise sterile fields during medical and surgical procedures and provide a protective barrier to help prevent the migration of blood-borne pathogens.
- Viral Penetration and Synthetic Blood Penetration Studies. 8. Medline Industries, Inc. Zoned Impervious Surgical Gowns have been tested under both ASTM F1670 (Synthetic Blood Penetration) and ASTM F1671 (Viral Penetration).
- 9. Biocompatibility
These devices meet the requirements for biocompatibility per ISO10993 for surface devices, intact skin, limited duration (<24 hours).
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Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services USA. The logo is a circular seal with the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES USA" written around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized image of three human profiles facing to the right. The profiles are stacked on top of each other, with the top profile being the largest and the bottom profile being the smallest.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
OCT 2 8 1998
Ms. Lara Simmons Corporate Requlatory Affairs Medline Industries, Incorporated One Medline Place Mundelein, Illinois 60060
Re : K982693 Medline Disposable Sterile, Surgical Gowns Trade Name: Zoned Impervious Requlatory Class: II Product Code: FYA Dated: July 13, 1998 Received: August 3, 1998
Dear Ms. Simmons:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (Premarket Approval), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major requlations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. ਸ substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practice for Medical Devices: General (GMP) requlation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic GMP inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP requlation may result in regulatory action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
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Page 2 - Ms. Simmons
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA deberibed in your in 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 requlation (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" (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,
Timothy A. Ulatowski
Directbr Division of Dental, Infection Control, and General Hospital Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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## INTENDED USE
510(k) Number (if known): (N/A)
Device Name: Medline Disposable Sterile Surgical Gowns, Zoned Impervious
Indications for Use:
Medline Disposable Sterile Surgical Gowns, Zoned Impervious are surgical apparel that is intended to be wom 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.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use X
(Division Sign-Off) (Optional Format 1-2-96)
Division of Dental, Infection Control,
and General Hospital Devices
510(k) Number K 982693
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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 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.
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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?
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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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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.
