125I Brachytherapy Seeds are intended for permanent interstitial implantation in selected localized tumors. The devices are implanted as a source of nuclear radiation for therapy.
Device Story
Prostec 125I Brachytherapy Seed is a permanent interstitial implant for localized tumor therapy. Device consists of 125I isotope absorbed onto spherical polymeric (Dowex) substrate, sealed within welded titanium casing. Includes gold alloy radiographic marker for visualization. Delivered via 18-gauge or larger hypodermic needle, potentially using Mick applicator. Used by physicians in clinical settings for targeted radiation delivery. Titanium casing ensures containment of radioactive source. Benefit is localized radiation treatment of tumors.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Evidence consists of physical characterization, dimensional measurements, and comparison of anisotropy constants and dose rate constants against the predicate device. Compliance with ISO 2919-1980(e) and ISO/TR 4826-1979(E) for sealed radioactive sources and leak testing was demonstrated.
Technological Characteristics
Radioactive source: 125I; Substrate: Dowex polymeric beads; Casing: Titanium (ASTM F 67-95, ASTM F 1472-93); Marker: Gold alloy; Dimensions: 4.5 mm length, 0.8 mm diameter; Energy levels: 27.4, 31.4, 35.5 keV; Half-life: 59.4 days; Sealing: Laser weld; Delivery: 18-gauge needle; Sterilization: Delivered non-sterile.
Indications for Use
Indicated for permanent interstitial implantation in patients with selected localized tumors requiring nuclear radiation therapy.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A radionuclide brachytherapy source is a device that consists of a radionuclide which may be enclosed in a sealed container made of gold, titanium, stainless steel, or platinum and intended for medical purposes to be placed onto a body surface or into a body cavity or tissue as a source of nuclear radiation for therapy.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). A prostate seeding kit intended for use with a radionuclide brachytherapy source only is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 892.9.
{0}------------------------------------------------
MAR 1 4 2000
submitted by Prostec LLC 8200 NW 27 Street Miami. Fl 33122 Phone: (305) 716-7000 Facsimile: (305) 716-7020
# Identification of Device
| Classification Name: | Radionuclide brachytherapy source |
|----------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Common/Usual Name: | 125I Radioactive Seeds |
| Proprietary Name: | Prostec 125I Brachytherapy Seed |
| Classification: | Class II, classification number is 90KXK |
### Identification of a Legally Marketed Predicate Device
The Prostec LLC 1251 Brachytherapy Seeds are substantially equivalent to the Amersham/Medi+Physics Model 6702 seeds, which are legally manufactured and distributed pursuant to 510(k) K915156.
### Device Description
The 1251 Brachytherapy Seeds consist of 1251 absorbed onto the surface of a spherical polymeric substrate sealed in a welded titanium casing. A typical Brachytherapy Seed is shown below. For higher activity levels the number of beads with absorbed 1431 may be increased from 2 to 4.
Typically, the 1351 Brachytherapy Seeds are placed within or in close to the turnor to be treated utilizing guidance. The devices are delivered using an 18 gauge or greater diameter hypodermic needle.
{1}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/1/Figure/2 description: The image shows a diagram of a typical 125I Brachytherapy Seed. The diagram includes labels for different parts of the seed, such as the "Plug", "Seed Half (2 Places)", "Hot Bead (125I)", and "Cold Bead". The diagram also includes measurements, such as "4.5 mm" and "0.8 mm", and labels for "Gold Alloy Radiographic Marker".
### Intended Use
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1251 Brachytherapy Seeds are intended for permanent interstitial implantation in selected localized turnors. The devices are implanted as a source of nuclear radiation for therapy.
# Summary of Technological Characteristics
The table below compares the technological characteristics of the 1231 Brachytherapy Seeds to the predicate device.
| Feature | 125I Brachytherapy Seeds | Predicate Device |
|-----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Manufacturer | Prostec LLC | Amersham/Medi+Physics |
| 510(k) Number | To be determined | K915156 |
| Delivered Non-sterile | Yes | Yes |
| Intended use | 125I Brachytherapy Seeds are in-<br>tended for permanent interstitial<br>implantation in selected localized<br>tumors. The devices are implanted<br>as a source of nuclear radiation for<br>therapy. | 125I seeds are indicated for interstitial<br>treatment of tumors which have the<br>following characteristics: unresectable,<br>localized, and moderate radiosensitiv-<br>ity. |
{2}------------------------------------------------
| Feature | 125I Brachytherapy Seeds | Predicate Device |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Capsule | Titanium | Titanium |
| Capsule Sealing Method | Laser Weld | Weld |
| Radioisotope | 125I | 125I |
| Half-life | 59.4 days | 59.4 days |
| Principal Energy Levels<br>(keV | 27.4, 31.4, and 35.5 | 27.4, 31.4, and 35.5 |
| 125I Substrate | Dowex® | Dowex® |
| Radiographic Marker | Gold Alloy | None |
| Packaging | Glass vial in lead container placed<br>in a shipping carton | Glass vial in lead container placed in a<br>shipping carton |
| Length | 4.5 mm | 4.5 mm |
| Outside Diameter | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Application Methods | Through an 18 gauge needle, needle<br>may be attached a Mick applicator<br>provided that the Prostec Cartridge<br>is used. | Through an 18 gauge needle, needle<br>may be attached to common applicators<br>such as the Mick, Henschke, or Scott |
| Apparent Activity Level | 0.1 to 5.0 mCi | 5.0 to 40 mCi |
| Point-source approxima-<br>tion anisotropy con-<br>stant $ϕan$ | 0.96 | 0.95 |
| Dose rate Constant<br>cGy/hr/U, 1999 NIST | 1.05 | 1.04 |
| Seed Strength Specifica-<br>tion | Apparent activity in mCi and air-<br>kerma | Apparent activity in mCi and air-kerma |
| Residual Activity | < 0.2 µCi after 2 years | < 0.2 µCi after 2 years |
# Summary of Performance Data
The 1351 Brachytherapy Seeds comply with the following standards, practices, and guidances:
- ISO 2919-1980(e), Sealed radioactive sources -- Classification, International Or-. ganization for Standardization, First Edition (1980)
- ISO/TR 4826-1979(E), Technical Report 4826: Sealed radioactive sources -. Leak test methods, pg 2 , International Organization for Standardization (1979)
{3}------------------------------------------------
The tissue contact materials of the 1251 Brachytherapy Seeds meet the requirements of the following recognized consensus standards.
- ASTM F 1472 -- 93, Standard Specification for Wrought Ti-6Al-4V Alloy for . Surgical Implant Applications.
- ASTM F 67 95, Standard Specification for Unalloyed Titanium for Surgical Im-. plant Applications.
The anisotropy of the 12-1 Brachytherapy Seeds and the Amersham/Medit+Physics 1-125 were compared and found to be equivalent. The 1257 Brachytherapy Seeds are substantially equivalent to the Amersham/Medi+Physics Model 6702 seeds, which are legally manufactured and distributed pursuant to 510(k) K915156. This has been demonstrated by comparison of physical characteristics, dimensional measurements, and anisotropy.
Brachytherapy is an old and well-established medical treatment. 1251 is a wellcharacterized radioactive source for brachytherapy treatment. The use of 1231 is has been documented by B. C. Hilaris, D. J. Holt and J. St. Germain in FDA Report 76-8022.1
Since the 1231 Brachytherapy Seeds meet the requirements of the stated standards and embody technological characteristics essentially identical to the predicate device, we believe the device is safe and effective and performs as well as or better than the predicate device. The 1231 Brachytherapy Seeds will be manufactured per specifications and good manufacturing practices that ensure the device is safe and effective for its intended use.
1 Hilaris BC, Holt DJ, St. Germain J: Use of Iodine 123 Radioactive Seeds for Interstitial Implant
{4}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The logo is circular and contains the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. In the center of the circle is an abstract image of an eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
MAR 1 4 2000
Al Weisenborn Prostec LLC 19526 East Lake Drive Miami, FL 33015
Re:
K993280
Prostec 125 I Brachytherapy Seeds Dated: January 6, 2000 Received: January 7, 2000 Regulatory class: II 21 CFR 892.5730/Procode: 90 KXK
Dear Mr. Weisenborn:
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 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 (QS) 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.
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) 594-4613. 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 notfication"(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/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Dan Setiz
CAPT Daniel G. Schultz, M.D. Acting Director, Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, Ear, Nose and Throat, and Radiological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{5}------------------------------------------------
Page_1_of_1_
510(k) **Number** (if known):
K93280
Device Name 1251 Brachytherapy Seeds
Indications for Use:
125I Brachytherapy Seeds are intended for permanent interstitial implantation in selected localized The devices are implanted as a source of tumors. nuclear radiation for therapy.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
(Division Sign-Off)
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, ENT,
and Radiological Devices
510(k) Number K993280
Prescription Use √
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use
(Optional Format 1-2-96)
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.