Archives: Medical Devices and FDA

Subscribe to Medical Devices and FDA RSS Feed

FDA Issues Final Guidance on Multiple Function Digital Health Software and Other Devices

By Amy Leiser, Christina Kuhn, Kathryn Culver, Scott Danzis and Wade Ackerman on Posted in Digital Health, Medical Devices and FDA, Software
On July 28, 2020, FDA announced the publication of a final guidance on Multiple Function Device Products: Policy and Considerations that outlines FDA’s evolving approach to the regulation of multiple function device products, including software. The concept of “multiple function” products was introduced by the 21st Century Cures Act (“Cures Act”) of 2016, which added … Continue Reading

Client Alert: FDA Issues Temporary Guidance on New CARES Act Provision Requiring Certain Device Notifications to CDRH

By Wade Ackerman, Scott Danzis, Christopher Hanson and Amy Leiser on Posted in COVID-19, Medical Devices and FDA, Software
The following guidance could be relevant to manufacturers of software as a medical device (SaMD).  The recently-enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) added new section 506J to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). This section requires manufacturers of certain devices to notify FDA of an interruption or permanent discontinuance … Continue Reading

FDA Issues COVID-19 Policy for Certain Digital Health Solutions

By Elizabeth Guo and Wade Ackerman on Posted in COVID-19, Digital Health, Medical Devices and FDA, Uncategorized
On April 14, 2020, FDA issued a direct-to-final guidance outlining its “Enforcement Policy for Digital Health Devices for Treating Psychiatric Disorders During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency.”  The guidance intends to “expand the availability of digital health therapeutic devices” – possibly the first time FDA has used such term in its written … Continue Reading

Digital Health Alert: Product Liability Considerations for COVID-19-Related Solutions

By Emily Ullman, John Deboy and Daniel Auten on Posted in COVID-19, COVID19, Digital Health, Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA, Product Liability, Software
Product liability considerations are not likely the first concerns that spring to mind for the many companies working to develop digital health countermeasures and other products related to COVID-19.  Yet even while putting together solutions on an accelerated timeline, there are some straightforward actions that companies can take that may reduce litigation risk down the … Continue Reading

COVID-19: FDA Regulatory Considerations for Digital Health Solutions

By Christina Kuhn on Posted in COVID-19, Medical Devices and FDA
Digital health companies are playing an important role in the global response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.  For example, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a Call to Action to the tech community requesting help in answering urgent scientific questions about COVID-19.  As readers of this blog are aware, some … Continue Reading

Ideation Question #8: What is Novel in the Digital Health Solution and What Will Give the Solution a Competitive Advantage?

By Jessica Parezo and Joshua Gray on Posted in Data Security, Digital Health, Health Data, Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA
This is the eighth of our video posts on 10 questions that can help lawyers contribute to the digital health ideation process.  Today’s video explores the question: what is novel in the digital health solution and what will give the solution a competitive advantage?… Continue Reading

Ideation Question #7: Are Healthcare Providers Involved, and What Questions Should Be Considered for Collaborations?

By Sarah Franklin on Posted in Data Security, Digital Health, Health Data, Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA
This is the seventh of our video posts on 10 questions that can help lawyers contribute to the digital health ideation process.  Today’s video explores the question: are healthcare providers involved, and what questions should be considered for collaborations?… Continue Reading

FDA Issues Updated Guidance on the Regulation of Digital Health Technologies

By Elizabeth Guo, Christina Kuhn, Wade Ackerman and Scott Danzis on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Health, Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA, Software
On September 26, 2019, the FDA issued two revised guidance documents addressing its evolving approach to the regulation of digital health technologies. These guidances primarily describe when digital health solutions will or will not be actively regulated by FDA as a medical device. In parallel, FDA also updated four previously final guidance documents to ensure … Continue Reading

Top 10 Questions During Ideation of Digital Health Solutions

By Christina Kuhn, Wade Ackerman and Sarah Cowlishaw on Posted in Data Security, Health Data, Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA
Our clients increasingly apply agile product and business development methodologies when they are developing digital health solutions.  “Ideation” is the part of that process and involves the rapid identification and creation of ideas for digital health solutions, which are then prototyped and tested.  Covington has created a Top 10 Questions for Ideation of Digital Health … Continue Reading

FDA Outlines Proposed Framework for Regulating Artificial Intelligence Software

By Elizabeth Guo, Scott Danzis, Wade Ackerman and Lindsey Tonsager on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Innovation, Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA, Software
On April 2, 2019, FDA released a discussion paper entitled “Regulatory Framework for Modifications to Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)-Based Software as a Medical Device (SaMD)” (the “AI Framework”). The AI Framework is the Agency’s first policy document describing a potential regulatory approach for medical devices that use artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning (“ML”). The … Continue Reading

NMPA Releases Draft Good Manufacturing Practice Appendix on Standalone Software

By Christopher Chen and John Balzano on Posted in China, Data Security, Medical Devices and FDA, Software
On January 3, 2019, the National Medical Products Administration (“NMPA”) published a draft standalone software appendix of medical device good manufacturing practice (“Draft Standalone Software GMP” or “Draft Appendix”) for public comment (available here).  Comments are due on January 30, 2019. China revised its medical device GMP in 2014, which apply to all classes of … Continue Reading

Significant FDA Digital Health Policy Development for Prescription Drug Sponsors

By Mingham Ji, Christina Kuhn, Elizabeth Guo, Wade Ackerman and Krista Carver on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA
As previewed by Commissioner Gottlieb several months ago (see our earlier post here), FDA published a notice in the Federal Register on November 20, 2018, to propose a new framework for “prescription drug-use-related software.” The Agency defines this digital health category widely as software disseminated by a prescription drug sponsor for use with the sponsor’s … Continue Reading

AI Update: Medical Software and Preemption

By Robert Jacques and Emily Ullman on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Medical Devices and FDA
In light of the rapidly expanding field of medical software technology, and its recognition that traditional approval mechanisms for hardware-based medical devices may not be well suited to regulating such technology, FDA is piloting a new, streamlined regulatory approach for digital health technologies. The initiative, currently a “working model” and known as the Software Precertification … Continue Reading

Inside FDA’s Latest Digital Health Developments: Gottlieb Sees “Vast Potential” Ahead

By Christina Kuhn and Covington Digital Health Team on Posted in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA
On April 26, Commissioner Gottlieb addressed the agency’s progress on FDA’s Digital Health Innovation Action Plan and announced several additional steps the agency is taking to advance the potential benefits of digital health. Here is a recap of the key updates: (1) Launch of New FDA Program to Apply Digital Health to Drugs As our … Continue Reading

Latest NIST Draft Report a Call to Action for Federal Agencies and Private Companies

By Priscilla Fasoro and Covington Digital Health Team on Posted in Cybersecurity, Government Contracting, Internet of Things (IoT), Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA
Inflection Point for IoT In a relatively short amount of time, the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its applications— from smart cars to the myriad of interconnected sensors in the General Service Administration building reminiscent of HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey— has rapidly proliferated, providing significant opportunities and benefits. However, … Continue Reading

Key Takeaways from Covington’s Webinar about Digital Health Associated with Pharmaceuticals

By Grant Castle, Sarah Cowlishaw, Wade Ackerman, Christina Kuhn and Covington Digital Health Team on Posted in Emerging Companies, Medical Apps, Medical Devices and FDA
On February 1, 2018, Covington’s Digital Health team hosted a webinar examining U.S. and EU regulatory issues for digital health associated with pharmaceuticals.  Here are some key takeaways from that webinar: Neela Paykel from Proteus Digital Health, noted that “you need to think outside the box for how to engage, whether you’re a pharma company … Continue Reading
LexBlog