Back to Explorer

FDA Decisions for Investigational Device Exemption Clinical Investigations: Guidance for Sponsors, Clinical Investigators, Institutional Review Boards, and Food and Drug Administration Staff

FinalCenter for Devices and Radiological Health08/19/2014

Description

FDA seeks to encourage medical device research and innovation to address important clinical needs and improve patient care. In many cases, device development and evaluation include clinical investigation. Thisguidance documenthas been developed to facilitate the initiation of clinical investigations to evaluate medical devices under FDA’s Investigational Device Exemptions (IDE) regulations, Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 812.

Scope & Applicability

Product Classes

3
Significant Risk Device

Devices requiring full IDE submission

Permanently Implanted Device

device used in feasibility and pivotal studies

investigational device

Device being evaluated in a clinical investigation

Stakeholders

4
Sponsor

Entity responsible for submitting applications under section 524B

Clinical Investigator

Veterinarian responsible for selecting anesthetic regimens and conducting field studies

Institutional Review Board

Governs top dose in clinical studies

sponsor-investigator

individual who both initiates and conducts a clinical investigation

Regulatory Context

Attributes

1
Substantial Equivalence

Standard for 510(k) clearance

Identified Hazards

Hazards

3
unreasonable risk

Risk to safety of subjects that may trigger a clinical hold

Serious Adverse Events

risk to sub-populations like those with renal insufficiency

Unacceptable Probable Risks

Safety concerns that may lead to IDE disapproval.

Related CFR Sections (4)

Related Warning Letters (10)

  • Clinical Investigator

    Shirish M. Gadgeel, M.D.

    2025-09-09
  • Clinical Investigator

    Mark J. Savant, M.D

    2025-07-15
  • Bioresearch Monitoring Program/Institutional Review Board (IRB)

    United Health Products, Inc.

    2025-05-20
  • Clinical Investigator

    Americo F. Padilla, M.D.

    2025-03-25
  • Institutional Review Board (IRB)

    Armstrong County Memorial Hospital

    2024-11-05
  • Clinical Investigator

    Namita A. Goyal, M.D.

    2024-10-22
  • Institutional Review Board (IRB)

    Louisiana State University Health Science Center IRB

    2024-10-08
  • Bioresearch Monitoring Program/IRB

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

    2024-07-16
  • Institutional Review Board (IRB)

    New York State Psychiatric Institute IRB

    2024-03-26
  • Investigational Review Board (IRB)

    Nobles Medical Technology II, Inc.

    2024-03-12

See Also (8)