Document ID: FDA-2017-N-6642-0001
Agency: fda
Document Type: Rule
Title: Medical Devices; Neurological Devices; Classification of the Computerized Behavioral Therapy Device for Psychiatric Disorders
Posted Date: 2017-12-27T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61166-61168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27843]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 882

[Docket No. FDA-2017-N-6642]

Medical Devices; Neurological Devices; Classification of the 
Computerized Behavioral Therapy Device for Psychiatric Disorders

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Final order.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is classifying 
the computerized behavioral therapy device for psychiatric disorders 
into class II (special controls). The special controls that apply to 
the device type are identified in this order and will be part of the 
codified language for the computerized behavioral therapy device for 
psychiatric disorders' classification. We are taking this action 
because we have determined that classifying the device into class II 
(special controls) will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and 
effectiveness of the device. We believe this action will also enhance 
patients' access to beneficial innovative devices, in part by reducing 
regulatory burdens.

DATES: This order is effective December 27, 2017. The classification 
was applicable on September 14, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Antkowiak, Center for Devices 
and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New 
Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 66, Rm. 2663, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, 240-
402-3705, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Upon request, FDA has classified the computerized behavioral 
therapy device for psychiatric disorders as class II (special 
controls), which we have determined will provide a reasonable assurance 
of safety and effectiveness. In addition, we believe this action will 
enhance patients' access to beneficial innovation, in part by reducing 
regulatory burdens by placing the device into a lower device class than 
the automatic class III assignment.
    The automatic assignment of class III occurs by operation of law 
and without any action by FDA, regardless of the level of risk posed by 
the new device. Any device that was not in commercial distribution 
before May 28, 1976, is automatically classified as, and remains 
within, class III and requires premarket approval unless and until FDA 
takes an action to classify or reclassify the device (see 21 U.S.C. 
360c(f)(1)). We refer to these devices as ``postamendments devices'' 
because they were not in commercial distribution prior to the date of 
enactment of the Medical Device Amendments of 1976, which amended the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).
    FDA may take a variety of actions in appropriate circumstances to 
classify or reclassify a device into class I or II. We may issue an 
order finding a new device to be substantially equivalent under section 
513(i) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 360c(i)) to a predicate device that 
does not require premarket approval. We determine whether a new device 
is substantially equivalent to a predicate by means of the procedures 
for premarket notification under section 510(k) of the FD&C Act and 
part 807 (21 U.S.C. 360(k) and 21 CFR part 807, respectively).
    FDA may also classify a device through ``De Novo'' classification, 
a common name for the process authorized under section 513(f)(2) of the 
FD&C Act. Section 207 of the Food and Drug Administration Modernization 
Act of 1997 established the first procedure for De Novo classification 
(Pub. L. 105-115). Section 607 of the Food and Drug Administration 
Safety and Innovation Act modified the De Novo application process by 
adding a second procedure (Pub. L. 112-144). A device sponsor may 
utilize either procedure for De Novo classification.
    Under the first procedure, the person submits a 510(k) for a device 
that has not previously been classified. After receiving an order from 
FDA classifying the device into class III under section 513(f)(1) of 
the FD&C Act, the person then requests a classification under section 
513(f)(2).
    Under the second procedure, rather than first submitting a 510(k) 
and then a request for classification, if the person determines that 
there is no legally marketed device upon which to base a determination 
of substantial equivalence, that person requests a classification under 
section 513(f)(2) of the FD&C Act.
    Under either procedure for De Novo classification, FDA shall 
classify the device by written order within 120 days. The 
classification will be according to the criteria under section 
513(a)(1) of the FD&C Act. Although the device was automatically placed 
within class III, the De Novo classification is considered to be the 
initial classification of the device.
    We believe this De Novo classification will enhance patients' 
access to beneficial innovation, in part by reducing regulatory 
burdens. When FDA classifies a device into class I or II via the De 
Novo process, the device can serve as a predicate for future devices of 
that type, including for 510(k)s (see 21 U.S.C. 360c(f)(2)(B)(i)). As a 
result, other device sponsors do not have to submit a De Novo request 
or premarket approval application in order to market a substantially 
equivalent device (see 21 U.S.C. 360c(i), defining ``substantial 
equivalence''). Instead, sponsors can use the less-burdensome 510(k) 
process, when necessary, to market their device.

[[Page 61167]]

II. De Novo Classification

    On May 16, 2016, Pear Therapeutics, Inc., submitted a request for 
De Novo classification of the reSET. FDA reviewed the request in order 
to classify the device under the criteria for classification set forth 
in section 513(a)(1) of the FD&C Act.
    We classify devices into class II if general controls by themselves 
are insufficient to provide reasonable assurance of safety and 
effectiveness, but there is sufficient information to establish special 
controls that, in combination with the general controls, provide 
reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device for 
its intended use (see 21 U.S.C. 360c(a)(1)(B)). After review of the 
information submitted in the request, we determined that the device can 
be classified into class II with the establishment of special controls. 
FDA has determined that these special controls, in addition to the 
general controls, will provide reasonable assurance of the safety and 
effectiveness of the device.
    Therefore, on September 14, 2017, FDA issued an order to the 
requester classifying the device into class II. FDA is codifying the 
classification of the device by adding 21 CFR 882.5801. We have named 
the generic type of device computerized behavioral therapy device for 
psychiatric disorders, and it is identified as a prescription only 
device intended to provide a computerized version of condition-specific 
behavioral therapy as an adjunct to clinician supervised outpatient 
treatment to patients with psychiatric conditions. The digital therapy 
is intended to provide patients access to therapy tools used during 
treatment sessions to improve recognized treatment outcomes.
    FDA has identified the following risks to health associated 
specifically with this type of device and the measures required to 
mitigate these risks in table 1.

     Table 1--Computerized Behavioral Therapy Device for Psychiatric
                 Disorders Risks and Mitigation Measures
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            Identified risks                   Mitigation measures
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Device provides ineffective treatment,   Clinical data; Software
 leading to worsening condition.          verification, validation, and
                                          hazard analysis; and labeling.
Device software failure, leading to      Software verification,
 delayed access.                          validation, and hazard
                                          analysis; and Labeling.
Use error/improper device use..........  Labeling.
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    FDA has determined that special controls, in combination with the 
general controls, address these risks to health and provide reasonable 
assurance of safety and effectiveness. For a device to fall within this 
classification, and thus avoid automatic classification in class III, 
it would have to comply with the special controls named in this final 
order. The necessary special controls appear in the regulation codified 
by this order. This device is subject to premarket notification 
requirements under section 510(k) of the FD&C Act.
    At the time of classification, computerized behavioral therapy 
devices for psychiatric disorders are for prescription use only. 
Prescription devices are exempt from the requirement for adequate 
directions for use for the layperson under section 502(f)(1) of the 
FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 352(f)(1)) and 21 CFR 801.5, as long as the 
conditions of 21 CFR 801.109 are met (referring to 21 U.S.C. 
352(f)(1)).

III. Analysis of Environmental Impact

    The Agency has determined under 21 CFR 25.34(b) that this action is 
of a type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
effect on the human environment. Therefore, neither an environmental 
assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This final order establishes special controls that refer to 
previously approved collections of information found in other FDA 
regulations. These collections of information are subject to review by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The collections of information in 
the guidance document ``De Novo Classification Process (Evaluation of 
Automatic Class III Designation)'' have been approved under OMB control 
number 0910-0844; the collections of information in 21 CFR part 814, 
subparts A through E, regarding premarket approval, have been approved 
under OMB control number 0910-0231; the collections of information in 
part 807, subpart E, regarding premarket notification submissions, have 
been approved under OMB control number 0910-0120; and the collections 
of information in 21 CFR part 801, regarding labeling, have been 
approved under OMB control number 0910-0485.

List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 882

    Medical devices, Neurological devices.

    Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under 
authority delegated to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, 21 CFR part 
882 is amended as follows:

PART 882--NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES

0
1. The authority citation for part 882 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  21 U.S.C. 351, 360, 360c, 360e, 360j, 360l, 371.

0
2. Add Sec.  882.5801 to subpart F to read as follows:

Sec.  882.5801   Computerized behavioral therapy device for psychiatric 
disorders.

    (a) Identification. A computerized behavioral therapy device for 
psychiatric disorders is a prescription only device intended to provide 
a computerized version of condition-specific behavioral therapy as an 
adjunct to clinician supervised outpatient treatment to patients with 
psychiatric conditions. The digital therapy is intended to provide 
patients access to therapy tools used during treatment sessions to 
improve recognized treatment outcomes.
    (b) Classification. Class II (special controls). The special 
controls for this device are:
    (1) Clinical data must be provided to fulfill the following:
    (i) Describe a validated model of behavioral therapy for the 
psychiatric disorder; and
    (ii) Validate the model of behavioral therapy as implemented by the 
device.
    (2) Software must be described in detail in the software 
requirements specification (SRS) and software design specification 
(SDS). Software verification, validation, and hazard analysis must be 
performed. Software documentation must demonstrate that the device 
effectively implements the behavioral therapy model.

[[Page 61168]]

    (3) The following labeling must be provided:
    (i) Patient and physician labeling must include instructions for 
use, including images that demonstrate how to interact with the device.
    (ii) Patient and physician labeling must list compatible devices.
    (iii) Patient and physician labeling must include a warning that 
the device is not intended for use as a standalone therapy.
    (iv) Patient and physician labeling must include a warning that the 
device does not represent a substitution for the patient's medication.
    (v) Physician labeling must include a summary of the clinical 
testing with the device.

    Dated: December 20, 2017.
Leslie Kux,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017-27843 Filed 12-26-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4164-01-P