The QuickVue Influenza A/B Test is intended for the rapid, qualitative detection of influenza Types A and B antigen directly from nasal swab, nasal wash and/or nasal aspirate specimens. The test is intended for use as an aid in the rapid diagnosis of acute influenza virus infection. The test is intended for professional and laboratory use.
Device Story
Lateral-flow immunoassay for qualitative detection of influenza A and B antigens. Input: nasal swab, nasal wash, or nasal aspirate specimens. Process: specimen extraction in reagent tube to disrupt virus particles; extracted sample applied to test strip; monoclonal antibodies bind specific viral antigens. Output: visual colorimetric result on test strip (pink-red test line for positive, blue procedural control line). Used in professional/laboratory settings; performed by healthcare personnel. Results aid rapid diagnosis of acute influenza infection, supporting clinical decision-making for symptomatic patients.
Clinical Evidence
Multi-clinical field study compared QuickVue Influenza A/B Test to viral culture using clinical specimens from symptomatic patients. Physician's office laboratory studies conducted at three U.S. sites demonstrated >99% agreement with expected results, confirming suitability for professional use.
Technological Characteristics
Lateral-flow immunoassay; utilizes monoclonal antibodies specific to influenza A and B antigens. Form factor: test strip and extraction tube. No electronic components or software. Qualitative visual readout.
Indications for Use
Indicated for qualitative detection of influenza Type A and B antigens in nasal swab, nasal wash, and nasal aspirate specimens from patients symptomatic for acute influenza virus infection. Intended for professional and laboratory use.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An influenza virus antigen detection test system is a device intended for the qualitative detection of influenza viral antigens directly from clinical specimens in patients with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection. The test aids in the diagnosis of influenza infection and provides epidemiological information on influenza. Due to the propensity of the virus to mutate, new strains emerge over time which may potentially affect the performance of these devices. Because influenza is highly contagious and may lead to an acute respiratory tract infection causing severe illness and even death, the accuracy of these devices has serious public health implications.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special controls for this device are:(1) The device's sensitivity and specificity performance characteristics or positive percent agreement and negative percent agreement, for each specimen type claimed in the intended use of the device, must meet one of the following two minimum clinical performance criteria:
(i) For devices evaluated as compared to an FDA-cleared nucleic acid based-test or other currently appropriate and FDA accepted comparator method other than correctly performed viral culture method:
(A) The positive percent agreement estimate for the device when testing for influenza A and influenza B must be at the point estimate of at least 80 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 70 percent.
(B) The negative percent agreement estimate for the device when testing for influenza A and influenza B must be at the point estimate of at least 95 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 90 percent.
(ii) For devices evaluated as compared to correctly performed viral culture method as the comparator method:
(A) The sensitivity estimate for the device when testing for influenza A must be at the point estimate of at least 90 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 80 percent. The sensitivity estimate for the device when testing for influenza B must be at the point estimate of at least 80 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 70 percent.
(B) The specificity estimate for the device when testing for influenza A and influenza B must be at the point estimate of at least 95 percent with a lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval that is greater than or equal to 90 percent.
(2) When performing testing to demonstrate the device meets the requirements in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a currently appropriate and FDA accepted comparator method must be used to establish assay performance in clinical studies.
(3) Annual analytical reactivity testing of the device must be performed with contemporary influenza strains. This annual analytical reactivity testing must meet the following criteria:
(i) The appropriate strains to be tested will be identified by FDA in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and sourced from CDC or an FDA-designated source. If the annual strains are not available from CDC, FDA will identify an alternative source for obtaining the requisite strains.
(ii) The testing must be conducted according to a standardized protocol considered and determined by FDA to be acceptable and appropriate.
(iii) By July 31 of each calendar year, the results of the last 3 years of annual analytical reactivity testing must be included as part of the device's labeling. If a device has not been on the market long enough for 3 years of annual analytical reactivity testing to have been conducted since the device received marketing authorization from FDA, then the results of every annual analytical reactivity testing since the device received marketing authorization from FDA must be included. The results must be presented as part of the device's labeling in a tabular format, which includes the detailed information for each virus tested as described in the certificate of authentication, either by:
(A) Placing the results directly in the device's § 809.10(b) of this chapter compliant labeling that physically accompanies the device in a separate section of the labeling where the analytical reactivity testing data can be found; or
(B) In the device's label or in other labeling that physically accompanies the device, prominently providing a hyperlink to the manufacturer's public Web site where the analytical reactivity testing data can be found. The manufacturer's home page, as well as the primary part of the manufacturer's Web site that discusses the device, must provide a prominently placed hyperlink to the Web page containing this information and must allow unrestricted viewing access.
(4) If one of the actions listed at section 564(b)(1)(A)-(D) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act occurs with respect to an influenza viral strain, or if the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines, under section 319(a) of the Public Health Service Act, that a disease or disorder presents a public health emergency, or that a public health emergency otherwise exists, with respect to an influenza viral strain:
(i) Within 30 days from the date that FDA notifies manufacturers that characterized viral samples are available for test evaluation, the manufacturer must have testing performed on the device with those viral samples in accordance with a standardized protocol considered and determined by FDA to be acceptable and appropriate. The procedure and location of testing may depend on the nature of the emerging virus.
(ii) Within 60 days from the date that FDA notifies manufacturers that characterized viral samples are available for test evaluation and continuing until 3 years from that date, the results of the influenza emergency analytical reactivity testing, including the detailed information for the virus tested as described in the certificate of authentication, must be included as part of the device's labeling in a tabular format, either by:
(A) Placing the results directly in the device's § 809.10(b) of this chapter compliant labeling that physically accompanies the device in a separate section of the labeling where analytical reactivity testing data can be found, but separate from the annual analytical reactivity testing results; or
(B) In a section of the device's label or in other labeling that physically accompanies the device, prominently providing a hyperlink to the manufacturer's public Web site where the analytical reactivity testing data can be found. The manufacturer's home page, as well as the primary part of the manufacturer's Web site that discusses the device, must provide a prominently placed hyperlink to the Web page containing this information and must allow unrestricted viewing access.
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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#### SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS XI.
The following information as presented in the Premarket Notification [510(k)] for the QuickVue Influenza A/B Test constitutes data supporting a substantially equivalent determination.
## Product:
QuickVue® Influenza A/B Test
# Manufacturer:
QUIDEL Corporation 10165 McKellar Court San Diego, California 92121
### Device Classification:
The device, QuickVue Influenza A/B Test, is similar to other FDA-cleared devices used for the qualitative detection of influenza type A and B directly from clinical specimens. These tests are used to aid in the diagnosis of disease cause by influenza viruses A and B and provide epidemiological information on these diseases (21CFR 866.3330).
The Food and Drug Administration has proposed that serological test systems for the detection of influenza virus be classified as Class I.
#### Intended Use:
The QuickVue Influenza A/B Test is intended for the rapid, qualitative detection of influenza Types A and B antigen directly from nasal swab, nasal wash and/or nasal aspirate specimens. The test is intended for use as an aid in the rapid diagnosis of acute influenza virus infection. The test is intended for professional and laboratory use.
# Physiologic Basis for the Test:
Influenza is a highly contagious, acute, viral infection of the respiratory tract. The causative agents of the disease are immunologically diverse, single-strand RNA viruses known as Influenza Viruses. There are three types of influenza viruses: A. B. and C. Type A viruses are the most prevalent and are associated with the most serious epidemics. Type B produces a disease that is generally milder than that caused by Type A. Type C has never been connected with a large epidemic of human disease. Both Type A and B viruses can circulate simultaneously, but usually one type is dominant during a given season.
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Influenza antigens may be detected in clinical specimens by immunoassay. The QuickVue Influenza A/B Test is a lateral-flow immunoassay using highly sensitive moroclonal antibodies that are specific for influenza antigens. The test is specific to influenza Types A and B antigen with no know cross-reactivity to normal flora or other known respiratory pathogens.
#### Principle of the Test:
Nasal swabs, nasal wash and/or nasal aspirates serve as specimens for this test. The patient specimen is placed in a tube containing Extraction Reagent, during which time the virus particles in the specimen are disrupted, exposing internal viral antigens. After extraction, the Test Strip is placed in the Extraction Tube for 10 minutes. During this time, the extracted specimen will react with the reagents in the Test Strip.
If the extracted specimen contains influenza Type A and/or B antigens, a pink-tored Test Line along with a blue procedural Control Line will appear on the Test Strip. If influenza Type A and B viral antigens are not present, or present at very low levels, only a blue procedural Control Line will appear. If no blue procedural Control Line develops, the result is considered invalid.
## Safety and Effectiveness:
Substantial equivalence has been demonstrated between the QuickVue Influenza A/B Test and viral culture for the qualitative detection of influenza Type A and B antigens. Using clinical specimens obtained from patients symptomatic for upper respiratory infection, a comparison of the QuickVue Influenza A/B Test to viral culture was conducted in a multi-clinical field study.
Physician's Office Laboratory studies were also conducted to show that doctors' office personnel with diverse educational backgrounds and work experience can perform the test accurately and reproducibly. Testing was performed at three geographically distinct sites in the United States. The results obtained at each site agreed >99% with the expected results.
## Conclusion:
These studies demonstrated the substantial equivalence of the QuickVue Influenza A/B Test to existing products already marketed. They further demonstrated the suitability of the product for laboratory and professional use. Such studies are a critical element in establishing the fundamental safety and effectiveness of the product and its appropriateness for commercial distribution.
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Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized eagle or bird symbol, with three curved lines representing its wings or body. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular fashion around the bird symbol.
SEP 2 4 1999
Food and Drug Administration 2098 Gaither Road Rockville MD 20850
Ms. Mary De Armond Regulatory Compliance Manager Quidel Corporation 10165 McKellar Court San Diego, California 92121
Re: K991633 Trade Name: QuickVue® Influenza A/B Test Regulatory Class: I Product Code: GNX Dated: August 10, 1999 Received: August 17, 1999
Dear Ms. De Armond:
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 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 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 requirements, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (OS) 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 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
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 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 at (301) 443-6597 or at its internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsmamain.html"
Sincerely yours,
Steven Gutman
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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Image /page/4/Picture/0 description: The image shows the word "QUIDEL" in a bold, sans-serif font. Above the word, there are seven horizontal lines of varying thickness, with the top line being the thinnest and the bottom line being the thickest. The lines are evenly spaced and create a visual effect of increasing weight or intensity as they descend. The overall impression is a simple yet bold logo or branding element.
#### Indications for Use (Separate Page) XIII.
of ۳ Page
510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name:
QuickVue® Influenza A/B Test
K991633
Indications for Use:
The QuickVue Influenza A/B Test is intended for the qualitative detection of influenza Type A and Type B antigens directly from nasal swab, nasal wash and nasal aspirate specimens. The QuickVue Influenza A/B Test is intended for laboratory and professional use.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Woody Dubose
I I ahoratory Devic 510(k) Number
| Prescription Use | X |
|----------------------|---|
| (Per 21 CFR 801.109) | |
OR-
Over-The Counter Use____________
Quidel Corporation 10165 McKellar Court · San Diego, CA 92121 (619) 552-1100 ▪ FAX (619) 453-4338
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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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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?
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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.
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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.
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A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
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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.
