21 CFR §878.4371
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)Identification. An irrigating wound retractor device is a prescription device intended to be used by a surgeon to retract the surgical incision, to provide access to the surgical wound, to protect and irrigate the surgical wound, and to serve as a conduit for removal of fluid from the surgical wound.
- (b)Classification. Class II (special controls). The special controls for this device are:
- (1)The patient-contacting components of the device must be demonstrated to be biocompatible and evaluated for particulate matter.
- (2)Performance data must demonstrate the sterility and pyrogenicity of the patient-contacting components of the device.
- (3)Performance data must support shelf life by demonstrating continued functionality and sterility of the device over the identified shelf life.
- (4)Non-clinical performance testing must demonstrate that the device performs as intended under anticipated conditions of use. Performance testing must:
- (i)Characterize the tear resistance, tensile strength, and elongation properties of the barrier material;
- (ii)Demonstrate that the liquid barrier material is resistant to penetration by blood, and is non-flammable;
- (iii)Characterize the forces required to deploy the device;
- (iv)Characterize the device's ranges of operation, including flow rates and maximum suction pressures;
- (v)Demonstrate the ability of the device irrigation apparatus to maintain a user defined or preset flow rate to the surgical wound; and
- (vi)Demonstrate the ability of the device to maintain user defined or preset removal rates of fluid from the surgical wound.
- (5)The labeling must include or state the following information: