MDR 2017/745 Specialist
EU MDR compliance patterns for medical device classification, technical documentation, and clinical evidence.
Table of Contents
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Device Classification Workflow
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Technical Documentation
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Clinical Evidence
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Post-Market Surveillance
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EUDAMED and UDI
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Reference Documentation
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Tools
Device Classification Workflow
Classify device under MDR Annex VIII:
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Identify device duration (transient, short-term, long-term)
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Determine invasiveness level (non-invasive, body orifice, surgical)
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Assess body system contact (CNS, cardiac, other)
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Check if active device (energy dependent)
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Apply classification rules 1-22
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For software, apply MDCG 2019-11 algorithm
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Document classification rationale
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Validation: Classification confirmed with Notified Body
Classification Matrix
Factor Class I Class IIa Class IIb Class III
Duration Any Short-term Long-term Long-term
Invasiveness Non-invasive Body orifice Surgical Implantable
System Any Non-critical Critical organs CNS/cardiac
Risk Lowest Low-medium Medium-high Highest
Software Classification (MDCG 2019-11)
Information Use Condition Severity Class
Informs decision Non-serious IIa
Informs decision Serious IIb
Drives/treats Critical III
Classification Examples
Example 1: Absorbable Surgical Suture
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Rule 8 (implantable, long-term)
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Duration: > 30 days (absorbed)
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Contact: General tissue
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Classification: Class IIb
Example 2: AI Diagnostic Software
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Rule 11 + MDCG 2019-11
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Function: Diagnoses serious condition
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Classification: Class IIb
Example 3: Cardiac Pacemaker
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Rule 8 (implantable)
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Contact: Central circulatory system
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Classification: Class III
Technical Documentation
Prepare technical file per Annex II and III:
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Create device description (variants, accessories, intended purpose)
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Develop labeling (Article 13 requirements, IFU)
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Document design and manufacturing process
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Complete GSPR compliance matrix
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Prepare benefit-risk analysis
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Compile verification and validation evidence
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Integrate risk management file (ISO 14971)
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Validation: Technical file reviewed for completeness
Technical File Structure
ANNEX II TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION ├── Device description and UDI-DI ├── Label and instructions for use ├── Design and manufacturing info ├── GSPR compliance matrix ├── Benefit-risk analysis ├── Verification and validation └── Clinical evaluation report
GSPR Compliance Checklist
Requirement Evidence Status
Safe design (GSPR 1-3) Risk management file ☐
Chemical properties (GSPR 10.1) Biocompatibility report ☐
Infection risk (GSPR 10.2) Sterilization validation ☐
Software requirements (GSPR 17) IEC 62304 documentation ☐
Labeling (GSPR 23) Label artwork, IFU ☐
Conformity Assessment Routes
Class Route NB Involvement
I Annex II self-declaration None
Is/Im Annex II + IX/XI Sterile/measuring aspects
IIa Annex II + IX or XI Product or QMS
IIb Annex IX + X or X + XI Type exam + production
III Annex IX + X Full QMS + type exam
Clinical Evidence
Develop clinical evidence strategy per Annex XIV:
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Define clinical claims and endpoints
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Conduct systematic literature search
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Appraise clinical data quality
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Assess equivalence (technical, biological, clinical)
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Identify evidence gaps
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Determine if clinical investigation required
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Prepare Clinical Evaluation Report (CER)
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Validation: CER reviewed by qualified evaluator
Evidence Requirements by Class
Class Minimum Evidence Investigation
I Risk-benefit analysis Not typically required
IIa Literature + post-market May be required
IIb Systematic literature review Often required
III Comprehensive clinical data Required (Article 61)
Clinical Evaluation Report Structure
CER CONTENTS ├── Executive summary ├── Device scope and intended purpose ├── Clinical background (state of the art) ├── Literature search methodology ├── Data appraisal and analysis ├── Safety and performance conclusions ├── Benefit-risk determination └── PMCF plan summary
Qualified Evaluator Requirements
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Medical degree or equivalent healthcare qualification
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4+ years clinical experience in relevant field
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Training in clinical evaluation methodology
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Understanding of MDR requirements
Post-Market Surveillance
Establish PMS system per Chapter VII:
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Develop PMS plan (Article 84)
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Define data collection methods
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Establish complaint handling procedures
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Create vigilance reporting process
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Plan Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSUR)
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Integrate with PMCF activities
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Define trend analysis and signal detection
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Validation: PMS system audited annually
PMS System Components
Component Requirement Frequency
PMS Plan Article 84 Maintain current
PSUR Class IIa and higher Per class schedule
PMCF Plan Annex XIV Part B Update with CER
PMCF Report Annex XIV Part B Annual (Class III)
Vigilance Articles 87-92 As events occur
PSUR Schedule
Class Frequency
Class III Annual
Class IIb implantable Annual
Class IIb Every 2 years
Class IIa When necessary
Serious Incident Reporting
Timeline Requirement
2 days Serious public health threat
10 days Death or serious deterioration
15 days Other serious incidents
EUDAMED and UDI
Implement UDI system per Article 27:
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Obtain issuing entity code (GS1, HIBCC, ICCBBA)
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Assign UDI-DI to each device variant
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Assign UDI-PI (production identifier)
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Apply UDI carrier to labels (AIDC + HRI)
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Register actor in EUDAMED
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Register devices in EUDAMED
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Upload certificates when available
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Validation: UDI verified on sample labels
EUDAMED Modules
Module Content Actor
Actor Company registration Manufacturer, AR
UDI/Device Device and variant data Manufacturer
Certificates NB certificates Notified Body
Clinical Investigation Study registration Sponsor
Vigilance Incident reports Manufacturer
Market Surveillance Authority actions Competent Authority
UDI Label Requirements
Required elements per Article 13:
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UDI-DI (device identifier)
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UDI-PI (production identifier) for Class II+
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AIDC format (barcode/RFID)
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HRI format (human-readable)
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Manufacturer name and address
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Lot/serial number
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Expiration date (if applicable)
Reference Documentation
MDR Classification Guide
references/mdr-classification-guide.md contains:
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Complete Annex VIII classification rules (Rules 1-22)
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Software classification per MDCG 2019-11
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Worked classification examples
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Conformity assessment route selection
Clinical Evidence Requirements
references/clinical-evidence-requirements.md contains:
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Clinical evidence framework and hierarchy
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Literature search methodology
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Clinical Evaluation Report structure
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PMCF plan and evaluation report guidance
Technical Documentation Templates
references/technical-documentation-templates.md contains:
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Annex II and III content requirements
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Design History File structure
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GSPR compliance matrix template
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Declaration of Conformity template
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Notified Body submission checklist
Tools
MDR Gap Analyzer
Quick gap analysis
python scripts/mdr_gap_analyzer.py --device "Device Name" --class IIa
JSON output for integration
python scripts/mdr_gap_analyzer.py --device "Device Name" --class III --output json
Interactive assessment
python scripts/mdr_gap_analyzer.py --interactive
Analyzes device against MDR requirements, identifies compliance gaps, generates prioritized recommendations.
Output includes:
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Requirements checklist by category
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Gap identification with priorities
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Critical gap highlighting
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Compliance roadmap recommendations
Notified Body Interface
Selection Criteria
Factor Considerations
Designation scope Covers your device type
Capacity Timeline for initial audit
Geographic reach Markets you need to access
Technical expertise Experience with your technology
Fee structure Transparency, predictability
Pre-Submission Checklist
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Technical documentation complete
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GSPR matrix fully addressed
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Risk management file current
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Clinical evaluation report complete
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QMS (ISO 13485) certified
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Labeling and IFU finalized
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Validation: Internal gap assessment complete