Cytotoxicity testing according to EN ISO 10993-5: Avoiding pitfalls when choosing a laboratory

Cytotoxicity testing can be used to test a sample to determine how much it can damage, or even cause the death of, human cells. Standards and legislation require manufacturers to demonstrate that their devices are not cytotoxic. With a good test setup, it is possible to detect whether a sample is 100% cytotoxic, i.e., highly cytotoxic, or…

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Avoid the five most common mistakes when submitting a Premarket Notification (510(k))

The 510(k), also known as “Premarket Notification”, is one of the most common procedures for the authorization of medical devices in the USA. The concept is based on demonstrating equivalence with a predicate device (equivalent device). But the same mistakes, which can result in the entire 510(k) authorization failing, are made time and again. It…

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Post-Market Surveillance and monitoring of devices on the market

Post-Market Surveillance (PMS) is a proactive and systematic process to derive necessary corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) from information about medical devices already placed on the market. We have created a Post-Market Surveillance checklist for you. With this checklist, you can find out whether you meet the regulatory requirements of the MDR for Post-Market Surveillance…

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MDCG 2020-6: Clinical data requirements for legacy devices

Currently, manufacturers of legacy devices can keep their devices on the market without demonstrating conformity under Regulation 2017/745 on Medical Devices (MDR). However, manufacturers will have to provide the necessary clinical data by the end of the transition period at the latest. The requirements for clinical data that can be used to demonstrate conformity have increased enormously under the MDR. Furthermore,…

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Distributor requirements (that also affect the manufacturers)

The medical device regulations have significantly increased the requirements for distributors. You need to understand these requirements to avoid multi-year custodial sentences threatened in the event of infringement. This article also considers extensive guidance issued by the Irish regulator. 1. What a “distributor” is (and what it isn’t) a) Definition The Medical Device Regulation (MDR) has many…

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The Machinery Directive: Which parts apply to medical devices?

The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) is generally applicable to machines of all types. However, the directive can also be relevant for medical device manufacturers: both the MDR and the IVDR refer to it. If the Machinery Directive comes into play, requirements that go beyond those of the MDR and IVDR apply. Therefore, this article will give you an…

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ISO 20417:2021 – Finally some clear requirements for accompanying information

ISO 20417:2021 Medical devices – Information to be supplied by the manufacturer establishes requirements for the general information that manufacturers have to supply with their medical devices and IVD devices. The authors have succeeded in presenting the criteria in a clear and comprehensible manner. ISO 20417:2021 is also on the list of standards to be…

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Essential performance of medical devices

IEC 60601-1 describes essential performance as performance necessary to achieve freedom from unacceptable risk. This article aims to explain what the standard means by that and how this essential performance differs from basic safety. The article also addresses the IEC 60601-1/AMD1/ISH1:2021 INTERPRETATION SHEET 1. 1. What is essential performance? a) Definition of the term Despite this definition, there are always…

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