FDA PRODUCT CODE · CLASS II
PSY — Whole Slide Imaging System
The whole slide imaging system is an automated digital slide creation, viewing, and management system intended as an aid to the pathologist to review and interpret digital images of surgical pathology slides prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. The system generates digital images that would otherwise be appropriate for manual visualization by conventional brightfield microscopy. The whole slide imaging system is not intended for use with slides prepared from frozen tissue, cytology, and non-FFPE hematopathology specimens (e.g., peripheral blood smear).
What these counts are not
Clearance and recall counts are SPEQ’s aggregation of FDA’s own published records for the code. A recall count is a measure of history, not of a device’s safety, neither number is an FDA rating, and SPEQ is not affiliated with the FDA.
What this classification requires
Every statement below is FDA’s own classification record for this product code, quoted from the device classification field reference. The SPEQ reading beneath each one is SPEQ’s interpretation of what it means for the work, and is not FDA text.
510(K)
SPEQ READINGA premarket notification under 21 CFR Part 807 Subpart E is the route for this code. The submission argues substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate, so the engineering question is which predicate the design can actually be compared against, and the evidence question is what testing supports that comparison.
Class II (moderate to high risk): general controls and special controls
SPEQ READINGSpecial controls are the distinguishing feature: performance standards, guidance documents, patient registries or postmarket surveillance named for the device type. Find the special controls before designing the test plan — they usually name the tests.
Device is eligible for The Voluntary Malfunction Summary Reporting Program
SPEQ READINGMalfunctions for this code may be reported in periodic summary form rather than as individual MDRs under 21 CFR Part 803. Eligibility is a property of the product code; using it is a decision the manufacturer makes and must be able to justify.
Not exempt due to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)/Quality System
SPEQ READINGThe full Quality Management System Regulation (21 CFR 820, incorporating ISO 13485:2016) applies, and is what an FDA inspection of this device will be conducted against.
Device is not implantable
SPEQ READINGNo implant-specific expectations attach from the classification itself.
Device is not used for life sustaining purposes
SPEQ READINGNo life-sustaining designation attaches to this code.
Device is not a candidate for a third party review program
SPEQ READINGFDA reviews any premarket notification for this code directly.
Other product codes under 21 CFR 864.3700
One regulation usually governs several product codes. These share this code’s regulation, and therefore its classification basis.
21 CFR 864.3700 — Whole slide imaging system
The classification regulation for this product code, as published by the Office of the Federal Register. This is the regulation text itself — no SPEQ interpretation appears in it.
(a) Identification. The whole slide imaging system is an automated digital slide creation, viewing, and management system intended as an aid to the pathologist to review and interpret digital images of surgical pathology slides. The system generates digital images that would otherwise be appropriate for manual visualization by conventional light microscopy.
(b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The special controls for this device are: (1) Premarket notification submissions must include the following information: (i) The indications for use must specify the tissue specimen that is intended to be used with the whole slide imaging system and the components of the system.
(ii) A detailed description of the device and bench testing results at the component level, including for the following, as appropriate: (A) Slide feeder; (B) Light source; (C) Imaging optics; (D) Mechanical scanner movement; (E) Digital imaging sensor; (F) Image processing software; (G) Image composition techniques; (H) Image file formats; (I) Image review manipulation software; (J) Computer environment; and (K) Display system.
(iii) Detailed bench testing and results at the system level, including for the following, as appropriate: (A) Color reproducibility; (B) Spatial resolution; (C) Focusing test; (D) Whole slide tissue coverage; (E) Stitching error; and (F) Turnaround time.
(iv) Detailed information demonstrating the performance characteristics of the device, including, as appropriate: (A) Precision to evaluate intra-system and inter-system precision using a comprehensive set of clinical specimens with defined, clinically relevant histologic features from various organ systems and diseases. Multiple whole slide imaging systems, multiple sites, and multiple readers must be included. (B) Reproducibility data to evaluate inter-site variability using a comprehensive set of clinical specimens with defined, clinically relevant histologic features from various organ systems and diseases. Multiple whole slide imaging systems, multiple sites, and multiple readers must be included. (C) Data from a clinical study to demonstrate that viewing, reviewing, and diagnosing digital images of surgical pathology slides prepared from tissue slides using the whole slide imaging system is non-inferior to using an optical microscope. The study should evaluate the difference in major discordance rates between manual digital (MD) and manual optical (MO) modalities when compared to the reference ( e.g., main sign-out diagnosis). (D) A detailed human factor engineering process must be used to evaluate the whole slide imaging system user interface(s).
(2) Labeling compliant with 21 CFR 809.10(b) must include the following: (i) The intended use statement must include the information described in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, as applicable, and a statement that reads, “It is the responsibility of a qualified pathologist to employ appropriate procedures and safeguards to assure the validity of the interpretation of images obtained using this device.” (ii) A description of the technical studies and the summary of results, including those that relate to paragraphs (b)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section, as appropriate.
(iii) A description of the performance studies and the summary of results, including those that relate to paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section, as appropriate.
(iv) A limiting statement that specifies that pathologists should exercise professional judgment in each clinical situation and examine the glass slides by conventional microscopy if there is doubt about the ability to accurately render an interpretation using this device alone. [83 FR 22, Jan. 2, 2018]
Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21. 21 CFR is a work of the United States Government and is in the public domain. SPEQ read this section on October 21, 2026. CFR is amended continuously, so verify against the source before acting on it: read 21 CFR 864.3700 on eCFR →
Recent clearances
Source: FDA device classification, 510(k)/PMA, and recall datasets. Recall entries count distinct FDA recall numbers, so one recall event affecting several products appears as several entries. Browse every product code SPEQ tracks →