90 FR 89 pgs. 19636-19638 - Medical Devices; Immunology and Microbiology Devices; Classification of the Device To Detect and Identify Microbial Nucleic Acids by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization in Clinical Specimens
Type: RULEVolume: 90Number: 89Pages: 19636 - 19638
Pages: 19636, 19637, 19638Docket number: [Docket No. FDA-2025-N-0813]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-08150 Filed 5-8-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Health and Human Services Department
Sub Agency: Food and Drug Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 866
[Docket No. FDA-2025-N-0813]
Medical Devices; Immunology and Microbiology Devices; Classification of the Device To Detect and Identify Microbial Nucleic Acids by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization in Clinical Specimens
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION:
Final amendment; final order.
SUMMARY:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Agency, or we) is classifying the device to detect and identify microbial nucleic acids by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in clinical specimens into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the device to detect and identify microbial nucleic acids by FISH in clinical specimens classification. We are taking this action because we have determined that classifying the device into class II (special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing regulatory burdens.
DATES:
This order is effective May 9, 2025. The classification was applicable on August 18, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dina Jerebitski, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 66, Rm. 3574, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 301-796-2411, Dina.Jerebitski@fda.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Upon request, FDA has classified the device to detect and identify microbial nucleic acids by FISH in clinical specimens as class II (special controls), which we have determined will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. In addition, we believe this action will enhance patients' access to beneficial innovation, in part by reducing regulatory burdens by placing the device into a lower device class than the automatic class III assignment.
[top] The automatic assignment of class III occurs by operation of law and without
FDA may take a variety of actions in appropriate circumstances to classify or reclassify a device into class I or II. We may issue an order finding a new device to be substantially equivalent under section 513(i) of the FD&C Act (see 21 U.S.C. 360c(i)) to a predicate device that does not require premarket approval. We determine whether a new device is substantially equivalent to a predicate device by means of the procedures for premarket notification under section 510(k) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 360(k)) and part 807 (21 CFR part 807).
FDA may also classify a device through "De Novo" classification, a common name for the process authorized under section 513(f)(2) of the FD&C Act (see also part 860, subpart D (21 CFR part 860, subpart D)). Section 207 of the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-115) established the first procedure for De Novo classification. Section 607 of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (Pub. L. 112-144) modified the De Novo application process by adding a second procedure. A device sponsor may utilize either procedure for De Novo classification.
Under the first procedure, the person submits a 510(k) for a device that has not previously been classified. After receiving an order from FDA classifying the device into class III under section 513(f)(1) of the FD&C Act, the person then requests a classification under section 513(f)(2).
Under the second procedure, rather than first submitting a 510(k) and then a request for classification, if the person determines that there is no legally marketed device upon which to base a determination of substantial equivalence, that person requests a classification under section 513(f)(2) of the FD&C Act.
Under either procedure for De Novo classification, FDA is required to classify the device by written order within 120 days. The classification will be according to the criteria under section 513(a)(1) of the FD&C Act. Although the device was automatically placed within class III, the De Novo classification is considered to be the initial classification of the device.
We believe this De Novo classification will enhance patients' access to beneficial innovation, in part by reducing regulatory burdens. When FDA classifies a device into class I or II via the De Novo process, the device can serve as a predicate for future devices of that type, including for 510(k)s (see section 513(f)(2)(B)(i) of the FD&C Act). As a result, other device sponsors do not have to submit a De Novo request or premarket approval application to market a substantially equivalent device (see section 513(i) of the FD&C Act, defining "substantial equivalence"). Instead, sponsors can use the less-burdensome 510(k) process, when necessary, to market their device.
II. De Novo Classification
On June 20, 2017, FDA received ID-FISH Technology, Inc.'s request for De Novo classification of the ID-FISH Plasmodium Genus Test Kit, ID-FISH Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax Combo Test Kit. FDA reviewed the request in order to classify the device under the criteria for classification set forth in section 513(a)(1) of the FD&C Act.
We classify devices into class II if general controls by themselves are insufficient to provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness, but there is sufficient information to establish special controls that, in combination with the general controls, provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device for its intended use (see 21 U.S.C. 360c(a)(1)(B)). After review of the information submitted in the request, we determined that the device can be classified into class II with the establishment of special controls. FDA has determined that these special controls, in addition to the general controls, will provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device.
Therefore, on August 18, 2017, FDA issued an order to the requester classifying the device into class II. In this final order, FDA is codifying the classification of the device by adding 21 CFR 866.3367. 1 We have named the generic type of device "device to detect and identify microbial nucleic acids by FISH in clinical specimens," and it is identified as an in vitro diagnostic device intended for the detection and identification of microbial pathogens in specimens collected from patients with signs and symptoms of infection. The device is intended to aid in the diagnosis of human disease in conjunction with clinical signs and symptoms and other laboratory findings.
Footnotes:
1 ?FDA notes that the "ACTION" caption for this final order is styled as "Final amendment; final order," rather than "Final order." Beginning in December 2019, this editorial change was made to indicate that the document "amends" the Code of Federal Regulations. The change was made in accordance with the Office of the Federal Register's (OFR) interpretations of the Federal Register Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 15), its implementing regulations (1 CFR 5.9 and parts 21 and 22), and the Document Drafting Handbook.
FDA has identified the following risks to health associated specifically with this type of device and the measures required to mitigate these risks in table 1.
| Identified risks to health | Mitigation measures |
|---|---|
| Incorrect identification or lack of identification of a pathogenic microorganism by the device can lead to improper patient management | General Controls and Special Controls, 21 CFR 866.3367(b)(1) and (2). |
| Failure to correctly interpret test results | General Controls and Special Controls, 21 CFR 866.3367(b)(2). |
| Failure to correctly operate the instrument | General Controls and Special Controls, 21 CFR 866.3367(b)(2)(i) and (ii). |
[top] FDA has determined that special controls, in combination with the general controls, address these risks to health and provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. For a device to fall within this classification, and
III. Analysis of Environmental Impact
The Agency has determined under 21 CFR 25.34(b) that this action is of a type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.
IV. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
This final order establishes special controls that refer to previously approved collections of information found in other FDA regulations and guidance. These collections of information are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521). The collections of information in part 860, subpart D, regarding De Novo Classification have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0844; the collections of information in 21 CFR part 814, subpart A through E, regarding premarket approval, have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0231; the collections of information in part 807, subpart E, regarding premarket notification submissions, have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0120; the collections of information in 21 CFR part 820, regarding quality system regulation, have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0073; and the collections of information in 21 CFR parts 801 and 809, regarding labeling, have been approved under OMB control number 0910-0485.
List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 866
Biologics, Laboratories, Medical devices.
Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under authority delegated to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, 21 CFR part 866 is amended as follows:
PART 866-IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES
1. The authority citation for part 866 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
21 U.S.C. 351, 360, 360c, 360e, 360j, 360 l, 371.
2. Add §?866.3367 to subpart D to read as follows:
§?866.3367 Device to detect and identify microbial nucleic acids by FISH in clinical specimens.
(a) Identification. A device to detect and identify microbial nucleic acids by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in clinical specimens is an in vitro diagnostic device intended for the detection and identification of microbial pathogens in specimens collected from patients with signs and symptoms of infection. The device is intended to aid in the diagnosis of human disease in conjunction with clinical signs and symptoms and other laboratory findings.
(b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The special controls for this device are:
(1) Design verification and validation must include the following:
(i) Detailed device description documentation, including the device components, instrument requirements, ancillary reagents required but not provided, and a detailed explanation of the methodology, including all pre-analytical methods for processing of specimens, probe sequences, and rationale for probe sequence selection;
(ii) Detailed description of the fluorophores, signal source, detection mechanism, and method of result interpretation;
(iii) Detailed documentation from the following analytical studies: analytical sensitivity (Limit of Detection), inclusivity, reproducibility, interference, cross reactivity, and specimen stability; and
(iv) Detailed documentation from a clinical study that includes prospective (sequential) samples. The study, performed on a study population consistent with the intended use population, must compare the device performance to results obtained from appropriate and well-accepted comparator methods.
(2) The labeling required under §?809.10(b) of this chapter must include:
(i) A statement that the device is intended to be used in conjunction with clinical history, signs, symptoms, and the results of other diagnostic testing;
(ii) A detailed explanation of the interpretation of results and acceptance criteria for any quality control testing; and
(iii) A limitation that negative results do not preclude the possibility of infection.
Dated: May 5, 2025.
Grace R. Graham,
Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2025-08150 Filed 5-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P