Dental devices; reclassification of root-form endosseous dental implants and endosseous dental implant abutments. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reclassifying root-form endosseous dental implants and endosseous dental implant abutments from class III to class II (special controls). Root-form endosseous dental implants are intended to be surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw arches to provide support for prosthetic devices, such as artificial teeth, in order to restore the patient's chewing function. Endosseous dental implant abutments are separate components that are attached to the dental implant and intended to aid in prosthetic rehabilitation. FDA is reclassifying these devices on its own initiative on the basis of new information. 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 these devices. 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 1976 amendments), the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997, and the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002.     

Medical devices; radiology devices; reclassification of bone sonometers. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule to reclassify bone sonometer devices from class III into class II, subject to special controls. FDA is taking this action on its own initiative after reviewing recent scientific and technological studies regarding bone sonometer devices. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of a guidance document entitled "Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff; Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Bone Sonometers" that will serve as the special control for these devices.     

Medical devices; classification/reclassification; restricted devices; analyte specific reagents--FDA. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule to classify/reclassify analyte specific reagents (ASR's) presenting a low risk to public health into class I (general controls), and to exempt these class I devices from the premarket notification (510(k)) requirements. FDA is classifying/reclassifying ASR's used in certain blood banking tests as class II (special controls) because general controls are insufficient to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. Finally, ASR's presenting a high risk are being classified or retained in class III (premarket approval). FDA is also designating all ASR's as restricted devices under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the act), and establishing restrictions on their sale, distribution and use. The scope of products covered by this final rule includes both pre- 1976 devices, which have not been previously classified, as well as post- 1976 devices, which are statutorily classified into class III. The intent of this final rule is to regulate these pre- and post-1976 devices in a consistent fashion. This rulemaking does not affect requirements for reagents that are subject to licensure under the Public Health Service Act (the PHS Act). This rulemaking also does not affect reagents sold to nonclinical settings, including those reagents sold as components to manufacturers of cleared or approved in vitro diagnostic tests.     

Medical devices; classification/reclassification of immunohistochemistry reagents and kits--FDA. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule to classify/reclassify immunohistochemistry reagents and kits (IHC's) into three classes depending on intended use. FDA is classifying/reclassifying into class I (general controls) and exempt from premarket notification requirements IHC's used as adjunctive tests and presenting a low risk to public health. FDA is classifying/reclassifying into class II (special control) IHC's that detect or measure certain target analytes and that provide prognostic or predictive data that is not confirmed by routine histopathologic control specimens. The results of the class II IHC's are reported independently to the clinician, and the performance claims are widely accepted and supported by valid scientific evidence. FDA is classifying/reclassifying into class III (premarket approval) IHC's intended for any other use. The scope of products covered by this final rule includes both pre-1976 devices that have not been previously classified, as well as post-1976 devices that are statutorily classified into class III. The intent of this final rule is to regulate pre-1976 devices and post-1976 devices in a consistent fashion. Therefore, FDA is classifying or reclassifying these products as applicable.     

Dental products devices; reclassification of endosseous dental implant accessories. Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reclassifying the manually powered drill bits, screwdrivers, countertorque devices, placement and removal tools, laboratory pieces used for fabrication of dental prosthetics, trial abutments, and other manually powered endosseous dental implant accessories from class III to class I. These devices are intended to aid in the placement or removal of endosseous dental implants and abutments, prepare the site for placement of endosseous dental implants or abutments, aid in the fitting of endosseous dental implants or abutments, aid in the fabrication of dental prosthetics, and be used as an accessory with endosseous dental implants when tissue contact will last less than an hour. FDA is also exempting these devices from premarket notification. This reclassification is on the Secretary of Health and Human Services' own initiative based on new information. This action is 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), and the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA).     

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.     

Cardiovascular and neurological devices; reclassification of two embolization devices. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule to reclassify two embolization device types from class III (premarket approval) into class II (special controls). The agency is also changing the names and revising the identifications of these devices. The vascular embolization device (previously the arterial embolization device) is intended to control hemorrhaging due to aneurysms, certain types of tumors, and arteriovenous malformations. The neurovascular embolization device (previously the artificial embolization device) is intended to permanently occlude blood flow to cerebral aneurysms and cerebral arteriovenous malformations. FDA is reclassifying these devices on its own initiative on the basis of new information. 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 1976 amendments), the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997, and the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002. 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 these devices.     

Orthopedic devices: classification and reclassification of pedicle screw spinal systems--FDA. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying certain previously unclassified preamendments pedicle screw spinal systems into class II (special controls) and reclassifying certain postamendments pedicle screw spinal systems from class III (premarket approval) to class II. FDA is taking this action because it believes that special controls would provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. This action is 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), and the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA).     

Dental devices; classification for intraoral devices for snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the intraoral devices for snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea into class II (special controls). These devices are used to control or treat simple snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea. This classification is based on the recommendations of the Dental Devices Panel (the Panel), and is being taken to establish sufficient regulatory controls that will provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of these devices. This action is 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), and the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA). Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is publishing a notice of availability of the guidance document that will serve as the special control for this final rule.     

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.     

Gastroenterology-urology devices; classification for external penile rigidity devices. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying external penile rigidity devices intended to create or maintain sufficient penile rigidity for sexual intercourse into class II (special controls). FDA also is exempting these devices from premarket notification requirements. 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 device.     

Medical devices; dental devices; classification of oral rinse to reduce the adhesion of dental plaque. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the oral rinse to reduce the adhesion of dental plaque 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: Oral Rinse to Reduce the Adhesion of Dental Plaque." 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 publishing a notice of availability of a guidance document that is the special control for this device.     

Medical devices; reclassification of the topical oxygen chamber for extremities. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reclassifying the topical oxygen chamber for extremities (TOCE) from class III to class II. This device is intended to surround a patient's limb and apply humidified oxygen topically at a pressure slightly greater than atmospheric pressure to aid healing of chronic skin ulcers, such as bedsores. This reclassification is on the Secretary of Health and Human Services's own initiative based on new information. This action is being taken under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) as amended by the Medical Device Amendments of 1976 (the 1976 Amendments), the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 (the SMDA), and the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA). Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document entitled ``Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Topical Oxygen Chamber for Extremities,' which will serve as the special control for this device.     

Orthopedic devices; reclassification of the intervertebral body fusion device. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reclassifying intervertebral body fusion devices that contain bone grafting material, from class III (premarket approval) into class II (special controls), and retain those that contain any therapeutic biologic (e.g., bone morphogenic protein) in class III. 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. This reclassification is based upon on the recommendation of the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel (the Panel).     

Medical devices; reclassification of tumor-associated antigen immunological test system--FDA. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it is codifying the reclassification of tumor-associated antigen immunological test systems intended as an aid in monitoring patients for disease progression or response to therapy or for the detection of recurrent or residual disease from class III (premarket approval) to class II (special controls). FDA is also announcing that it has issued an order in the form of a letter to Centocar, Inc., reclassifying serum tumor markers into class II. This action is being taken under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act), as amended by the Medical Device Amendments of 1976 and the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990.     

Microbiology devices; reclassification of hepatitis A virus serological assays. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule to reclassify hepatitis A virus (HAV) serological assays from class III (premarket approval) into class II (special controls). FDA is taking this action after reviewing a reclassification petition submitted by Beckman Coulter, Inc. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document entitled "Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Hepatitis A Virus Serological Assays" that will serve as the class II special control for these devices.     

Dental devices; dental noble metal alloys and dental base metal alloys; designation of special controls. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration is amending the identification and classification regulations of gold-based alloys and precious metal alloys for clinical use and base alloys devices in order to designate a special control for these devices. FDA is also exempting these devices from premarket notification requirements. The agency is taking this action on its own initiative. This action is being taken under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act), as amended by the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 (SMDA), and the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA). Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the draft guidance documents that would serve as special controls for these devices.     

Medical devices; reclassification and codification of vitamin D test system--FDA. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that it has issued an order in the form of a letter to INCSTAR Corp. reclassifying INCSTAR 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 125I Radioimmunoassay (RIA). This radioimmunoassay device is intended for use in clinical laboratories for the quantitative determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) and other hydroxylated metabolites of vitamin D in serum or plasma to be used in the assessment of vitamin D sufficiency. The device and substantially equivalent devices of this generic type were reclassified from class III (premarket approval) to class II (special controls). Accordingly, the order is being codified in the Code of Federal Regulations.     

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)."     

Cardiovascular devices; classification of electrocardiograph electrodes. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the electrocardiograph electrode, intended to acquire and transmit the electrical signal at the body surface to a processor that produces an electrocardiogram (ECG) or vectorcardiogram, into class II (special controls). FDA is also exempting this device from the premarket notification requirement.