510(k)

Medical abbreviation · Medical Research

510(k)
Stands forPremarket notification (FDA section 510(k))
CategoriesMedical

510(k) stands for Premarket notification (FDA section 510(k)), a medical research abbreviation.

FDA clearance pathway for most moderate-risk (class II) medical devices, in which the manufacturer shows the new device is substantially equivalent to a legally marketed predicate device. Clearance is usually faster and requires less clinical data than premarket approval.

Example: The new infusion pump received 510(k) clearance citing an earlier model as its predicate.

Usage notes

Named for section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, added by the Medical Device Amendments of 1976. Devices are "cleared" through 510(k) rather than "approved". Critics argue that chains of predicates can let devices reach the market without adequate testing, and the De Novo pathway serves novel low-to-moderate-risk devices without a predicate.

More medical research abbreviations

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  • ARR – Absolute risk reduction
  • AUC – Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve
  • BTD – Breakthrough therapy designation
  • CBER – Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
  • CDER – Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
  • CEA – Cost-effectiveness analysis
  • CI – Confidence interval
  • CITI – Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
  • COI – Conflict of interest
  • CONSORT – Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials
  • CPG – Clinical practice guideline

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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.