Developing a regulatory strategy: 6 good reasons 

Defining the regulatory strategy is one of the central tasks of the regulatory affairs departments at medical device manufacturers.  Why is a good regulatory strategy so important? What do regulatory affairs experts need to do? This article provides the answers.  1. What does a regulatory strategy determine?  a) Background  Manufacturers of medical devices must comply…

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Risk management plan: The most important advantages

The risk management plan is one of the most important documents in technical documentation. Accordingly, authorities and notified bodies examine this plan intensively. However, it is not only from a regulatory perspective that medical device manufacturers benefit from a precise risk management plan. This article 1. What a risk management plan is In a risk…

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MDCG 2023-4 on combinations of MDSW and hardware

MDCG published guideline MDCG 2023-4 in October 2023 entitled “Medical Device Software (MDSW) – Hardware combinations – Guidance on MDSW intended to work in combination with hardware or hardware components.” Criticism 1: Unclear scope of MDCG 2023-4 The title gives the impression that (all) types of combinations of hardware and Medical Device Software (MDSW) are…

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Post-Market Clinical Follow-up: Best Practices for PMCF

How to meet PMCF regulatory requirements as quickly as possible Post-Market Clinical Follow-up is increasingly being criticized by the notified bodies. And this is after the manufacturers have successfully mastered the hurdle before: the initial clinical evaluation. This article provides manufacturers of medical devices with 1. PMCF: The basics a) Objective and definition The MDR…

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Closed-loop systems in medical devices

Medical devices are increasingly based on closed-loop systems. “Closed-loop systems” are also mentioned in the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). In this article you will learn what closed-loop systems are, where they are used in medicine, and what regulatory requirements they need to meet. The article also reveals how you can save several hundred euros buying the…

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When can clinical studies be avoided for devices with artificial intelligence?

For manufacturers, the answer to whether and when clinical studies are necessary when using artificial intelligence in medical devices is relevant. After all, the duration and cost of bringing these devices to market depend on this. The good news in advance: there are cases where manufacturers can avoid clinical studies for devices with AI. This…

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Medicinal product or (substance-based) medical device?

The classification of whether a device is a medicinal product or a substance-based medical device has far-reaching regulatory consequences. This classification is so demanding that there are regular disputes with authorities and notified bodies, and in 2023, even the European Court of Justice had to rule on the matter. This article helps manufacturers, authorities, and…

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