510(k) Clearance
510(K) CLEARANCE CASE STUDY CHALLENGE:The manufacturer of a new laser-resistant endotracheal tube device needed to use an older predicate for their 510(k) submission to the FDA. While still commercially available, the predicate device was over 20 years old at the time of submission, with limited regulatory information and test data available. FDA often imposes closer […]
Regulatory Strategy
REGULATORY STRATEGY CASE STUDY CHALLENGE:A large international medical diagnostic system equipment manufacturer was beginning to see the fruits of a technology development collaboration with Boston-area medical research institutions. Having set up a subsidiary company in the US to commercialize these technologies, the company needed: APPROACH:AlvaMed proposed a project with: The 3-month, $60,000 project assessed the […]
GMP and CE Certification
GMP AND CE CERTIFICATION CASE STUDY CHALLENGE:A major pharma company purchased a medical device business, seeking to achieve FDA clearance, CE certification and remain compliant under GMP regulations. APPROACH:An experienced AlvaMed team developed a project plan consistent with ISO 13485 and the European Union regulations. AlvaMed’s team: RESULTS:Risk analyses and a 510(k) draft were completed […]
US Agent Services
FDA US AGENT CASE STUDY CHALLENGE:A startup company in France successfully completed their US market clearance for an imaging device and selected a US distributor. After registering their manufacturing establishment in France with the FDA, the company became aware of the FDA’s requirement to appoint a US Agent. Their distributor was unwilling to take on […]
FDA Registration
FDA REGISTRATION CASE STUDY CHALLENGE:A small start-up company had achieved their second round of funding to commercialize custom dental surgical guides. The company manager had no prior experience in the medical device industry and very limited bandwidth. The company also had no supporting quality or regulatory resources. Facing the task of registering the product and […]
MANAGING CHANGES AND MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE
Under the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR), devices need to meet the applicable “harmonized standards” to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements. If a harmonized standard referenced in the technical documentation (including the DHF) is updated, manufacturers are expected to assess the impact and incorporate any necessary changes […]
FDA ISSUES GUIDANCE CONTENT OF PREMARKET SUBMISSIONS FOR DEVICE SOFTWARE FUNCTIONS
The FDA released new guidance for the Content of Premarket Submissions for Device Software Functions [1] in June 2023. This guidance replaces the preexisting guidance from May of 2005. Since then, technological advances have caused software to become an important part of medical devices. The final guidance moved to a simplified risk-based approach to determine […]
FDA ESTAR OVERVIEW
Currently, all medical device submissions for 510(k), De Novo, and Pre-Submissions may voluntarily use eSTAR. The intention of the program is to enhance the quality of submissions by providing a standardized format so submitters can ensure submissions are complete. Additionally, the review process can be streamlined and more efficient. Starting October 1, 2023, all 510(k) […]
