Instructions for Use (IFUs) for medical devices are documents that provide essential information and instructions on how to use the devices safely and effectively. They are typically supplied by the manufacturer and form an integral part of the device’s Regulatory requirements.
Clinical evaluation of medical devices is one of the key steps for receiving the Conformité Européenne (CE), or the European Conformity certification in the European Union (EU) geography. The objective behind clinical evaluation of medical devices is to ensure patient/user safety, drive manufacturers and Notified Bodies (NBs) towards evidence-based decision-making, and at the same time inform them about Post-marketing Surveillance (PMS) activities.
The European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR) 2017/745 is a regulation that sets out the requirements for medical devices in the EU. The regulation provides the evaluation of medical devices prior to marketing, and one of the key requirements is the need for clinical investigations. Clinical investigations are necessary to assess a device’s safety and performance and demonstrate that it meets the requirements of the EU MDR. Under the EU MDR, the clinical investigation has been divided into three (03) components –
The clinical evaluation of medical devices is a procedure for demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the devices. The documentation of the clinical evaluation process is called a Clinical Evaluation Report (CER). The CER holds a significant position when placing or distributing medical devices in the European Union (EU). The report aims to establish the device’s intended benefits for users when weighed against the associated risks.
A Clinical Evaluation Report (CER) is a safety and performance assessment report of any medical device based on the clinical data related to it. The clinical data is either collected through clinical investigation or by availing previously collected data of a substantially equivalent device. To sell a medical device in Europe, it is compulsory for manufacturers to prepare an accurate CER to obtain CE marking certification.
