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Infusion Pumps - Total Product Life Cycle Recommendations for Safety and Performance

This guidance covers class II infusion pumps classified under 21 CFR 880.5725, including devices used in healthcare facilities to pump fluids into patients in a controlled manner. It also includes prescription infusion pumps intended for lay users in home settings. The guidance aims to improve infusion pump quality and reduce recalls and adverse events through recommendations for the total product lifecycle.

  1. Develop comprehensive safety assurance case addressing all hazards and controls
  2. Conduct thorough verification and validation testing including:
    • Performance testing
    • Human factors validation
    • Software validation
    • EMC testing
    • Environmental testing
  3. Prepare complete labeling including:
    • Directions for use
    • Cleaning/disinfection instructions
    • Alarm descriptions
    • Special instructions for home use if applicable
  4. Submit documentation for:
    • Safety assurance case
    • Test reports
    • Labeling
    • Risk analysis
    • Software documentation
  5. Implement quality system controls and post-market surveillance
  6. Prepare for potential pre-clearance inspection
  7. Establish MDR reporting procedures
  8. Consider early interaction with FDA through pre-submission process

Key Considerations

Clinical testing

  • Clinical investigation required if simulated use studies alone are insufficient
  • Must be conducted under approved IDE
  • Must comply with IDE requirements, IRB requirements, and informed consent requirements

Non-clinical testing

  • Performance testing to verify/validate pump design
  • Testing should be conducted with complete infusion pump system
  • Must include detailed documentation of verification and validation activities
  • Flow accuracy specifications must be appropriate for intended use
  • Reliability analysis at component and system level required

Human Factors

  • Human factors validation study report required
  • Must evaluate user interface components
  • Must assess potential use errors and hazards
  • Must consider different user populations (healthcare professionals vs lay users)
  • Must validate instructions for use with representative users

Software

  • Enhanced Documentation Level required for infusion pumps
  • Static analysis of all software required
  • Must address information security (CIAA framework)
  • Must validate dosing algorithms if present
  • Must address network capabilities and risks if applicable

Cybersecurity

  • Must address confidentiality, integrity, availability and accountability
  • Must describe network security if applicable
  • Must address wireless technology security if applicable
  • Must provide security controls and risk mitigation strategies

Labelling

  • Must include complete directions for use
  • Must specify intended use environment
  • Must include cleaning/disinfection instructions
  • Must include alarm descriptions and troubleshooting
  • Special considerations for home use labeling

Biocompatibility

  • Must evaluate biocompatibility of patient-contacting materials
  • Chemical and particulate characterization required
  • Sterilization validation if applicable
  • Shelf life data if applicable

Safety

  • Safety assurance case required
  • Must address all identified hazards and controls
  • Must include alarm systems meeting IEC 60601-1-8
  • Must validate safety control mechanisms

Other considerations

  • IEC 60601-1: Medical electrical equipment - Part I: General requirements for basic safety and essential performance
  • IEC 60601-1-2: Medical electrical equipment - Electromagnetic disturbances
  • IEC 60601-1-8: Medical electrical equipment - Alarm systems
  • ISO 14971: Medical devices - Application of risk management to medical devices
  • AAMI ANSI HE75: Design of Medical Devices
  • IEC 62366: Medical devices - Application of usability engineering to medical devices

Original guidance

  • Infusion Pumps - Total Product Life Cycle Recommendations for Safety and Performance
  • HTML / PDF
  • Issue date: 2014-12-02
  • Last changed date: 2019-02-09
  • Status: FINAL
  • Official FDA topics: Medical Devices, 510(k), Premarket
  • ReguVirta summary file ID: 91d778f5c60de7094d388faa2b19bc12
This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.