Medical devices; radiology devices; reclassification of full-field digital mammography system. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the reclassification of the full-field digital mammography (FFDM) system from class III (premarket approval) to class II (special controls). The device type is intended to produce planar digital x-ray images of the entire breast; this generic type of device may include digital mammography acquisition software, full-field digital image receptor, acquisition workstation, automatic exposure control, image processing and reconstruction programs, patient and equipment supports, component parts, and accessories. The special control that will apply to the device is the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Full-Field Digital Mammography System." FDA is reclassifying the device into class II (special controls) because general controls along with special controls will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document that will serve as the special control for this device.     

General and plastic surgery devices; reclassification of the tissue adhesive for topical approximation of skin device. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reclassifying the device type, tissue adhesive for the topical approximation of skin, from class III (premarket approval) into class II (special controls). Tissue adhesives for non-topical uses remain in class III and continue to require premarket approval applications (PMAs). FDA is proposing this reclassification in accordance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act). Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of a guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Tissue Adhesive for the Topical Approximation of Skin" that will serve as the special control for the reclassified device type.     

Medical devices; ear, nose and throat devices; reclassification of the endolymphatic shunt tube with valve. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reclassifying the endolymphatic shunt tube with valve from class III (premarket approval) into class II (special controls). The device is intended to be implanted in the inner ear to relieve the symptoms of vertigo and hearing loss due to endolymphatic hydrops (increase in endolymphatic fluid) of Meniere's disease. FDA is also identifying the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Endolymphatic Shunt Tube With Valve; Guidance for Industry and FDA" (the guidance) as the special control that the agency believes will reasonably ensure the safety and effectiveness of the device. This reclassification is based on new information submitted in are classification petition by E. Benson Hood Laboratories, Inc. (Hood Laboratories). FDA is taking this action under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act), as amended by the Medical Device Amendments of 1976, the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, and the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is publishing a notice announcing the guidance.     

Microbiology devices; reclassification of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 serological assays. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reclassifying herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and/or 2 (HSV 1 and 2) serological assays from class III (premarket approval) to class II (special controls). FDA had earlier proposed this reclassification on its own initiative based on new information. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of a class II special controls guidance entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 Serological Assays."     

Obstetric and gynecologic devices; reclassification and classification of medical devices used for in vitro fertilization and related assisted reproduction procedures--FDA. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it is reclassifying instrumentation intended for use in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and related assisted reproduction technology (ART) procedures, including but not limited to gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), embryo transfer (ET), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), from class III (premarket approval) to class II (special controls). FDA is also reclassifying assisted reproduction microscopes and microscope accessories from class III to class I. This reclassification is on the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services' (the Secretary's) own initiative based on new information. Accordingly, the order is being codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. Upon the effective date, this Federal Register document may be cited in the absence of an existing predicate device which would be used to support substantial equivalence. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of a draft guidance entitled "Devices Used for In Vitro Fertilization and Related Assisted Reproduction Procedures: Submission Guidance for a 510(k)."     

Medical devices; reclassification of the knee joint patellofemorotibial metal/polymer porous-coated uncemented prosthesis and the knee joint femorotibial (unicompartmental) metal/polymer porous-coated uncemented prosthesis. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it has reclassified two fixed-bearing knee joint prostheses, the knee joint patellofemorotibial metal/polymer porous-coated uncemented prosthesis, which is intended to be implanted to replace a knee joint, and the knee joint femorotibial (uni-compartmental) metal/polymer porous-coated uncemented prosthesis, which is intended to be implanted to replace part of a knee joint. FDA has reclassified the devices from class III (premarket approval) into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply is a guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Knee Joint Patellofemorotibial and Femorotibial Metal/Polymer Porous-Coated Uncemented Prostheses; Guidance for Industry and FDA." The agency is reclassifying these devices into class II because special controls, in addition to general controls, will provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the devices, and there is sufficient information to establish special controls. The agency is also announcing that it has issued an order in the form of a letter to the Orthopedic Surgical Manufacturers Association (OSMA) reclassifying the devices.     

Medical devices; reclassification of the cutaneous carbon dioxide and the cutaneous oxygen monitor. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reclassifying the cutaneous carbon dioxide (PcCO2) monitor from class II (performance standards) into class II (special controls). FDA is also reclassifying the cutaneous oxygen (PcO2) monitor for an infant patient who is not under gas anesthesia from class II (performance standards) into class II (special controls) and is reclassifying the cutaneous oxygen (PcO2) monitor for all other uses from class III (premarket approval) into class II (special controls). Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document entitled "Class II [[Page 76679]] Special Controls Guidance Document: Cutaneous Carbon Dioxide (PcCO2) and Oxygen (PcO2) Monitors; Guidance for Industry and FDA" that will serve as the special control for the devices. These reclassifications are taken on the agency's own initiative based on new information. These actions are being taken under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act), as amended by the Medical Device Amendments of 1976 (the 1976 amendments), the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 (the SMDA), the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA), and the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act.     

Dental devices; reclassification of tricalcium phosphate granules and classification of other bone grafting material for dental bone repair. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reclassifying tricalcium phosphate (TCP) granules for dental bone repair from class III to class II (special controls), classifying into class II (special controls) other bone grafting material for dental indications, and revising the classification name and identification of the device type. Bone grafting materials that contain a drug that is a therapeutic biologic will remain in class III and continue to require a premarket approval application. The classification identification includes materials such as hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, polylactic and polyglycolic acids, or collagen. This action is being taken to establish sufficient regulatory controls that will provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of these devices. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document that will serve as the special control for the class II devices.     

Medical devices; general and plastic surgery devices; classification of absorbable poly(hydroxybutyrate) surgical suture produced by recombinant DNA technology. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the absorbable poly(hydroxybutyrate) surgical suture produced by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to the device is the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Absorbable Poly(hydroxybutyrate) Surgical Suture Produced by Recombinant DNA Technology." The agency is classifying these devices into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of these devices. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document that will serve as the special control for this device.     

Medical Devices; general and plastic surgery devices; classification of contact cooling system for aesthetic use. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the contact cooling system for aesthetic use into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to the device is the guidance document entitled "Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff; Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Contact Cooling System for Aesthetic Use." The Agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of a guidance document that will serve as the special control for this device type.     

Medical devices; reclassification of the shoulder joint metal/polymer/metal nonconstrained or semi-constrained porous-coated uncemented prosthesis. Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it is reclassifying the shoulder joint metal/polymer/metal nonconstrained or semi-constrained porous-coated uncemented prosthesis intended to replace a shoulder joint from class III to class II (special controls). The agency is also announcing that it has issued an order in the form of a letter to the Orthopedic Surgical Manufacturers Association (OSMA) reclassifying the device. The special control that will apply is a guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance: Shoulder Joint Metal/Polymer/Metal Nonconstrained or Semi-Constrained Porous-Coated Uncemented Prosthesis." The agency is classifying this device into class II because special controls, in addition to general controls, would provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device, and there is sufficient information to establish special controls.     

Medical devices; ear, nose, and throat devices; classification of olfactory test device. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the olfactory test device into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to the device is the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Olfactory Test Device." The agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document that is the special control for the device.     

Medical devices; reclassification of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it has reclassified the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement intended for use in arthroplastic procedures of the hip, knee, and other joints for the fixation of polymer or metallic prosthetic implants to living bone from class III to class II (special controls). The agency is also announcing that it has issued an order in the form of a letter to the Orthopedic Surgical Manufacturers Association (OSMA) reclassifying the device. The special control for the device is a guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Bone Cement." The agency is reclassifying this device into class II because special controls, in addition to general controls, would provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device, and there is sufficient information to establish special controls.     

Medical devices; reclassification and codification of natural nonabsorbable silk surgical suture--FDA. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the reclassification and codification of natural nonabsorbable silk surgical suture. FDA issued an order in the form of a letter to the manufacturer reclassifying the device from class III (premarket approval) into class II (special controls). Accordingly, FDA is amending the regulations as set forth below.     

Medical devices; immunology and microbiology devices; classification of Plasmodium species antigen detection assays. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying Plasmodium species antigen detection assays into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to the device is the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Plasmodium Species Antigen Detection Assays." The agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document that will serve as the special control for this device.     

Medical devices; reclassification and codification of the stainless steel suture. Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it has issued an order in the form of a letter to Alto Development Corp. (the petitioner) reclassifying the 316L stainless steel suture for use in abdominal wound closure, intestinal anastomosis, hernia repair, and sternal closure from class III (premarket approval) to class II (special controls). The order is being codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Although FDA reclassified the device in 1986, it inadvertently neglected to publish a notice of the reclassification in the Federal Register or codify the change in the CFR.     

Medical devices; cardiovascular devices; classification of implantable intra-aneurysm pressure measurement system. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the implantable intra-aneurysm pressure measurement system into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to the device is the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Implantable Intra-Aneurysm Pressure Measurement System." The agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of a guidance document that will serve as the special control for the device.     

Medical devices: immunology and microbiology devices: classification of in vitro human immunodeficiency virus drug resistance genotype assay. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying an in vitro human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance genotype assay into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to this device is the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: In Vitro HIV Drug Resistance Genotype Assay." FDA is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of this device. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document that will serve as the special control for this device.     

Medical devices; general hospital and personal use devices; classification of remote medication management system. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the remote medication management systems into class II (special controls). Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of a guidance document entitled, "Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff; Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Remote Medication Management System," which will serve as the special control for this device type. The agency is classifying this device type into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of these devices.     

Medical devices; immunology and microbiology devices; classification of gene expression profiling test system for breast cancer prognosis. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying gene expression profiling test systems for breast cancer prognosis into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to the device is the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Gene Expression Profiling Test System for Breast Cancer Prognosis." The agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document that will serve as the special control for this device.