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  • Medical Devices

    • FDA and Product Jurisdiction: Time for ReformsMarch 1st, 2016

      FDA regulatory requirements for products are heavily influenced by the product’s classification. FDA has developed procedures for determining whether a product should be regulated as a drug, device, or biologic.   Understanding FDA’s procedures for determining jurisdiction is essential for companies that are seeking to market …

    • Booz Allen Issues Final Implementation Evaluation Report on CDRH Actions to Improve Device ReviewFebruary 29th, 2016

      By Allyson B. Mullen – By In early February, Booz Allen Hamilton (“Booz Allen”) issued its Final Implementation Report assessing the actions taken by CDRH to address the firm’s earlier recommendations to improve the Center’s premarket review activities. We previously blogged on Booz Allen’s recommendations and …

    • Final Device Human Factors Guidance – Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes?February 23rd, 2016

      By Melisa M. Moonan – After more than 600 comments and four and a half years since the draft guidance (“Applying Human Factors and Usability Engineering to Optimize Medical Device Design” (June 21, 2011)) was published, FDA has released the final device human factors guidance, “Applying …

    • FDA Issues Draft Guidance Regarding Interoperable Medical DevicesFebruary 7th, 2016

      By Allyson B. Mullen – On January 26, FDA issued the draft guidance “Design Considerations and Pre-market Submission Recommendations for Interoperable Medical Devices.” A copy of the draft guidance can be found here. The draft guidance addresses design and premarket issues related to the interoperability of devices, …

    • Draft Guidance Announces List of High Priority Devices for Human Factors ReviewFebruary 4th, 2016

      By Melisa M. Moonan – FDA has been flooding the zone with new guidance documents. Earlier this week, FDA finalized the human factors guidance, “Applying Human Factors and Usability Engineering to Medical Devices, Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff” (Feb. 3, 2016). At …

    • FDA Issues Draft Guidance Regarding Post-Market Cybersecurity for DevicesFebruary 2nd, 2016

      By Allyson B. Mullen – On January 15, FDA issued the draft guidance “Postmarket Management of Cybersecurity in Medical Devices.”  This draft guidance is the postmarket counterpart to the draft premarket guidance that FDA released in 2013, which we previously posted on here and here.  Without finalizing the …

    • Premarket Sterility Guidance for Devices is the Latest in a Flurry (Blizzard Pun Intended) of Device Guidance Activity for FDAJanuary 31st, 2016

      By Allyson B. Mullen & Jeff N. Gibbs – Before the multiple feet of snow that the DC area recently received, CDRH had been creating its own storm of device guidance documents. One of the most recent ones is the final guidance “Submission and Review of …

    • Draft Emerging Signals Guidance – Additional Time Granted for Comments Due to an “unanticipated high-level of interest”January 28th, 2016

      By Melisa M. Moonan – FDA has granted stakeholders an additional 30 days to comment on its the December 31, 2015 draft guidance “Public Notification of Emerging Postmarket Medical Device Signals ('Emerging Signals').” The new deadline for comments is March 29, 2016.   We previously commented on …

    • New Draft Guidance Clarifies UDI Exceptions for Convenience KitsJanuary 15th, 2016

      By Allyson B. Mullen – On January 4, CDRH issued its first draft device guidance of the year. The Draft Guidance “Unique Device Identification: Convenience Kits” explains FDA’s position as to what constitutes a convenience kit for purposes of the UDI Rule.  The guidance is quick to …

    • User Facility MDR Inspections: Emerging Signal of an FDA Compliance Concern?January 13th, 2016

      By Melisa M. Moonan – It has come to our attention that FDA has initiated inspections at several hospitals in various parts of the country to assess compliance with User Facility Medical Device Reporting (MDR) obligations under section 519 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic …

    • FDA Issues Draft Guidance for Notifying the Public of Emerging Postmarket Medical Device SignalsJanuary 7th, 2016

      By Allyson B. Mullen – On New Year’s Eve, FDA gave an end of the year surprise to the device industry: the draft guidance “Public Notification of Emerging Postmarket Medical Device Signals ('Emerging Signals').” FDA indicates that the purpose of the guidance is to provide information …

    • The New and Improved 510(k) RTA: Permitting FDA DiscretionJanuary 3rd, 2016

      By Allyson B. Mullen – In August, CDRH quietly implemented a new version of the 510(k) Refuse to Accept (RTA) Policy in a draft guidance, titled "Refuse to Accept Policy for 510(k)s" (New RTA Guidance). This change was done with so little fanfare that many did not …

    • HP&M’s Jeff Shapiro Addresses FDA’s Role in Digital Health Regulation: Unclear and EvolvingDecember 20th, 2015

      Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C.’s Jeffrey K. Shapiro participated in a panel discussion at a recent Food and Drug Law Institute conference that focused on the regulation of digital health software. Mr. Shapiro’s talk emphasized the limits of FDA’s expertise and the need for caution …

    • HP&M Announces Addition of New Of Counsel to its RanksDecember 15th, 2015

      Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. (“HP&M”) is pleased to announce that Melisa M. C. Moonan has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Ms. Moonan advises clients on medical device regulatory issues. She joined the firm after close to six years as Associate Chief Counsel for Regulatory …

    • HP&M’s Jeff Shapiro to Speak at FDLI Combination Products WorkshopNovember 24th, 2015

      As combination products continue to increase in number and complexity, FDA has shifted its focus to developing more effective ways to review them.  While FDA has strived to clarify regulatory requirements and coordinate product reviews among the various centers, it is often difficult to know …