Medical devices are a staple of modern medicine and are responsible for many of the innovations in healthcare we see today. However, they aren’t all made equal and do carry their own degree of risk and harm. That’s why governing bodies introduced medical device classes I, II, and III (sometimes medical devices classes 1, 2, and 3) to help regulate them and assess their impact on patients, making way for proper manufacturing, safety, and usage protocols.
In this article, we’ll discuss the topic of medical device classification levels I and II, their characteristics, as well as how they differ from one another.
What Is A Medical Device? FDA Medical Device Definition
By definition, a medical device is an instrument, apparatus, machine, or implant intended for use in the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. The term covers a broad range of healthcare products, and applies to any device that is used alone or in combination with another to prevent, diagnose, and treat illness.
As has already been mentioned, medical devices play a huge role in modern healthcare and are used in a variety of settings. This could be anything from a simple tongue depressor to something as complex as a heart pacemaker.
Why Classes?
Given the wide range of uses and varying degrees of risk within the scope of medical devices, regulatory bodies such as the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have created a medical device classification system.
The aim of this system is to provide a consistent regulatory framework that takes into account the risks associated with each device. This, in turn, will help to ensure patient safety during use. There are three primary classes of medical devices, with Class III products considered the highest risk and therefore requiring the most stringent regulation.
Unsure What Class Your Medical Device Fits In?
RBC’s medical compliance experts can help you determine your classification level
How Does The FDA Class a Medical Device?
The FDA has classifications for about 1,700 different types of generic medical devices and groups them into 16 specialties that they refer to as panels. They assign devices from these panels to one of three classes based on the degree of control necessary to use them both safely and effectively.
Knowing the class in which their product is categorized is important for medical device manufacturers because each level has its own application requirements and degree of regulatory control. Device exemptions and special controls will apply in some cases, but only to those that meet certain conditions and criteria.
What Is A Class I Medical Device?
The FDA class I medical device category applies to products considered to be low-risk and pose little to no harm to patients.
They make up 47% of medical devices today, 95% of which are exempt from the regulatory process. Products that fall into a generic category of exempted class I devices are not required to submit a premarket notification application or acquire FDA clearance prior to going to market in the United States. They are, however, required in all cases to register their establishment and list their product with the FDA.
FDA Class I Medical Device Requirements
Given the relatively benign nature of these products, manufacturers of class I medical devices are subject to the least amount of regulation. That being said, there are still general controls that must be adhered to in order to ensure patient safety.
Some of the regulatory requirements for class I medical devices include:
- Design and manufacturing controls
- Quality system regulation
- Labeling requirements
- Post-market surveillance
FDA Class I Medical Device Examples
As was already mentioned, class I medical devices make up a large portion of all medical devices in the US market. They are among some of the most commonly used tools in healthcare, and pose little to no risk to those administering or using them.
Examples of class I medical devices include:
- Scalpels
- Most bandages
- Oxygen masks
- Bedpans
- Latex gloves
- Manual stethoscopes
Credit: Mufid Majnun
What Is A Class II Medical Device?
Class II medical devices are those that may pose a moderate risk to patients and are therefore subject to more stringent regulation than class I products.
They make up around 43% of medical devices on the market today and must go through the FDA’s 510(k) premarket notification process in order to be cleared for commercial sale in the United States.
FDA Class II Medical Device Requirements
In order to be classified as a class II medical device, manufacturers must prove that their product is “substantially equivalent” to a device already on the market that has been given clearance by the FDA.
The premarket notification submission must include data that demonstrates this equivalence as well as a description of indications for use, proposed labeling, and any additional information that may be relevant to its safety and effectiveness.
The FDA determines what is a class II medical device and what isn’t. If it finds that a class II medical device 510(k) does not prove substantial equivalence to an existing product, it may deny the premarket notification and require that the product be reviewed or reclassified.
FDA Class II Medical Device Examples
While deemed to require a slightly higher degree of control than their class I counterparts, many class II medical devices are still among the most familiar healthcare products out there.
Examples of common FDA class II medical devices include:
- Blood pressure cuffs
- Syringes
- Pregnancy test kits
- Infusion pumps
- Oximeters
- Blood transfusion kits
Learn more about our design and development process:
- Project Feasibility
- Concept Prototyping
- Systems Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
The Differences Between Medical Device class I and II – Which One Will My Product Be?
The main difference between the class I medical device and class II medical device categories is the level of risk they pose to patients. Class I devices are considered low-risk and Class II devices are considered to be moderate-risk. Class I devices make up the majority of medical devices on the market and are subject to less stringent regulation than class II medical devices.
Class II medical devices must go through the FDA’s 510(k) premarket notification process in order to be cleared for commercial sale. So, which one should your product be? The answer depends on the level of risk posed by your device. If your device is low-risk, then it will likely fall into Class I. If your device is moderate-risk, then it will likely fall into Class II.
Of course, this is not a hard and fast rule and there are always exceptions. Knowing which classification your device will fall under takes experience, like the 25+ years experience that RBC has in the medical device industry. If you are unsure which category your device falls into, talk to us.
Featured Photo Credit: HH E
