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Medical Device Product Classification

Purpose of medical device Product classification

Medical device product classification is a system that categorizes devices based on their intended use and inherent risk. This system guides the level of regulatory control needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

  • Risk-based approach: Classifying devices based on risk guides the level of regulatory scrutiny needed. Higher-risk devices require more stringent controls to ensure safety and efficacy.
  • Premarket requirements: Determines the level of premarket evaluation (e.g., testing, data submission) required for device approval.
  •   Market access: Influences the ease and speed of bringing a device to market.
  •  Transparency: Classification of medical devices helps manufacturers understand their regulatory obligations and provides transparency for patients and healthcare providers.

Device Categories

• Invasive and Active Devices

  1.  Active Devices: Use an energy source (e.g., electrical, mechanical) to diagnose or treat a medical condition. 
  2. Inactive Devices: Do not use an energy source and primarily aid in diagnosis or monitoring.

• Based on Sterility

  1.  Sterile Devices: Are free from microorganisms and intended for use in sterile environments. 
  2. Non-Sterile Devices: Do not require sterility and may come into contact with non-sterile environments.

• Based on Invasiveness

  1.  Implantable Devices: Are placed inside the body for a period of time. 
  2. Non-Implantable Devices: Are used externally on the body or come into temporary contact with it.

• Based on Duration of use

  1. Transient Use: Intended for continuous use for less than 60 minutes. 
  2. Short-Term Use Devices: Intended for continuous use between 60 minutes and 30 days. 
  3. Long-Term Use Devices: Intended for use for more than 30 days.

Factors Influencing Classification

  1. Intended use: The device’s purpose and its impact on the human body.
  2. Duration of contact with the body: Longer contact duration often implies higher risk.
  3. Degree of invasiveness: More invasive procedures pose greater risks.
  4. Potential for harm: Devices with the potential for serious injury or death are classified as higher risk.
  5. Novelty: New, untested devices usually require more stringent classification.

Importance of accurate classification

 

  1.  Correct regulatory oversight: Ensures appropriate level of scrutiny for safety and effectiveness.
  2. Efficient development and market access: Faster approval for lower-risk devices.
  3. Post-market surveillance: Higher-risk devices undergo stricter monitoring for adverse events.

Classification Systems

  1. Global variations: Different countries and regions have their own classification systems, though they share common principles.
  2. US FDA: Classifies devices into Class I (low risk), Class II (moderate risk), and Class III (high risk).
  3. EU MDR: Classifies devices into Class I (low risk), Class IIa (medium risk), Class IIb (high-medium risk), and Class III (high risk).

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