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FDA 510(k)
Background
A Fortune 500 company needed medical device consultants to perform a FDA 510k analysis for a family of medical devices. The goal of eliminating pre-sterilization by ethylene oxide (EtO) was intended to replace providing instructions for cleaning to the customer and disinfecting the product prior to use. Disinfecting was critical in the event that the customer may choose to reuse the product.
The elimination of EtO sterilization would result in a substantial reduction in the cost of manufacturing. Eliminating the cost of the sterilization and use of lower-cost packaging materials could save the client millions of dollars annually.
Challenge
A suitable cleaning and disinfection process needed to be validated as safe and effective, and a regulatory analysis was needed to determine the need for any 510k regulatory submissions.
Approach
Regulatory Compliance Associates® developed a test plan and coordinated testing that demonstrated a microbiological log reduction of greater than 103 using the proposed cleaning and disinfection process. Additionally, a formal regulatory analysis was conducted, evaluating the nature of the product application and relevant predicate medical device 510(k) filings to determine the necessity for filing a 510(k).
Results
The regulatory analysis concluded that a 510(k) filing to clear the change with FDA was not required. Instead, a formal regulatory opinion and supporting validation testing was documented in the product Design History File.
Due to not needing the 510(k), the project was completed under budget by over 60 percent, and the client realized a substantial product cost savings several months ahead of schedule.
About RCA
Regulatory Compliance Associates® (RCA) provides regulatory compliance consulting to the following industries for resolution of life science challenges:
We understand the complexities of running a life science business and possess areas of expertise that include every facet of R&D, operations, regulatory affairs, quality, and manufacturing. We are used to working on the front lines and thriving in the scrutiny of FDA, Health Canada, MHRA and globally-regulated companies.
As your partners, we can negotiate the potential minefield of regulatory compliance and regulatory due diligence with insight, hindsight, and the clear advantage of our unique expertise and experience.
- Founded in 2000
- Headquartered in Wisconsin (USA)
- Expertise backed by over 500 industry subject matter experts
- Acquired by Sotera Health in 2021
About Sotera Health
The name Sotera Health was inspired by Soteria, the Greek goddess of safety, and reflects the Company’s unwavering commitment to its mission, Safeguarding Global Health®.
Sotera Health Company, along with its three best-in-class businesses – Sterigenics®, Nordion® and Nelson Labs®, is a leading global provider of mission-critical end-to-end sterilization solutions and lab testing and advisory services for the healthcare industry. With a combined tenure across our businesses of nearly 200 years and our industry-recognized scientific and technological expertise, we help to ensure the safety of over 190 million patients and healthcare practitioners around the world every year.
We are a trusted partner to more than 5,800 customers in over 50 countries, including 40 of the top 50 medical device companies and 8 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.
To begin the Regulatory Compliance Associates® scoping process today, please enter your information in the blue form below and click the submit button at the bottom of the webpage.
References
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, “Deciding When to Submit a 510(k) for a Change to an Existing Device, (K97-1)” January 10, 1997.
- International Standards Organization, ISO Standard 17664: Sterilization of Medical Devices—Information to be provided by the manufacturer for processing of resterilizable medical devices. 2004.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, “Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002, Validation Data in Premarket Notification Submissions (510(k)s) for Reprocessed Single-Use Medical Devices,” September 25, 2006.
