IDE Development Process

The Pre-IDE Process

Review the FDA Guidance titled Significant Risk and Nonsignificant Risk Medical Device Studies.  The guidance document provides definitions and examples of Significant Risk (SR) and Nonsignificant Risk (NSR) studies. To find information on a specific device or type of device, search the database maintained by CDRH. 

The sponsor-investigator makes the initial risk determination for the proposed study and presents it to the IRB.  The IRB then reviews the sponsor-investigator’s risk determination and agrees or disagrees.  FDA is available to help the sponsor-investigator and the IRB in making the determination.  If needed, FDA is the final arbiter.

Sponsors of an SR study are encouraged to contact FDA to obtain further guidance prior to the submission of an IDE application. This will be especially beneficial to new sponsors who have not previously had contact with the agency and for sponsors proposing to study new technologies or new uses for existing technologies. The pre-IDE Program is primarily designed to benefit the IDE sponsor.  By allowing the sponsor to obtain early FDA input on selected (by the sponsor) sections of the IDE application, FDA hopes that the initiation of clinical trials will be facilitated.

This communication may take the form of telephone conference calls, videoconferences, or face-to-face discussions. The pre-IDE Program is intended as a way for sponsors to obtain preliminary comments on their pre-clinical data (bench/animal testing) or the investigational plan (clinical protocol) in a timely manner.  It will also allow FDA personnel to familiarize themselves with the new technologies. 

The sponsor should contact the Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) reviewing division directly or may contact the IDE staff for assistance:

IDE Staff
Investigational Device Exemptions Program
Office of Device Evaluation
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
WO66-1648
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Telephone 301-796-5640

Please review the latest FDA guidance for IRBs, Clinical Investigators, and Sponsors. For additional information on submitting IDEs, review of your IDE submission, or need assistance, please contact the CTSI Office of FDA Affairs.

IDE Preparation

Develop the IDE Study Protocol

The IDE Protocol is the basis for both the IRB Application and the initial IDE submission:

• Review the IDE Protocol Template for required content.  A completed protocol and cover letter must be included in the IDE application.
• Start with a protocol synopsis (page 7 and 8 of the protocol template).   The protocol synopsis will be valuable if you are planning a pre-IDE meeting.   
• Compile a reference list. Include all published articles and unpublished reports or manuscripts cited.  Collect a copy of each article or report listed.

Prepare the Initial IDE Submission

The IDE Sponsor-Investigator compiles information in three broad areas:

• Report of Prior Investigations. Published and unpublished reports of all prior clinical, animal, and laboratory testing of the device

• Investigational Plan. A complete written study protocol    
• Manufacturing Information. A description of the methods, facilities, and controls used for the manufacture, processing, storage, and, where appropriate, installation of the device
• The IDE Sponsor-Investigator writes the IDE Application (including the Investigator's Certification of Financial Interest) and the IDE Cover Letter.
• Please review the IDE Required Elements for additional information
• Coming soon - the IDE Investigtor Handbook for more information

Need assistance or have regulatory questions? Please contact the CTSI Office of FDA Affairs.

File the IDE

Now Required - eCopy Program for Medical Device Submissions

An electronic copy (eCopy) is an electronic version of your medical device submission stored on a compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), or a flash drive. Including an eCopy with your submission has been required since January 1, 2013. A submission with an eCopy that does not meet the technical standards outlined in the eCopy guidance will be placed on eCopy hold until a valid eCopy is received.

For most devices, mail the cover page and accompanying materials, including a valid eCopy, to the following address:

Devices regulated by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health:

Food and Drug Administration
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Document Mail Center - WO66-G609
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20993-0002

All correspondence relating to IDEs regulated by CDRH should also be sent to this address. The IDE correspondence should be submitted in triplicate and reference the IDE number. The outside wrapper of each submission should identify the contents, for example, "Original IDE Application," " IDE Supplement," "IDE Report," etc.

Devices regulated by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER):

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Office of Communication, Outreach and Development
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Building 71, Room 3103
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Telephone Number: 240-402-8010 or 1-800-835-4709
Email: industry.biologics@fda.gov

Keep a copy of the courier Airbill.  Track the shipment on the courier website for confirmation of delivery.

File a PDF copy of the delivery confirmation with the PDF copy of the signed submission.

FDA will reply to the submission with an acknowledgement letter containing:

• the date of receipt of the IDE application
• the IDE number assigned to your application
• the name of the project manager to address in future submissions under the IDE

An IDE application is considered approved 30 days after it has been received, unless FDA informs the sponsor otherwise. An IDE may be approved, approved with conditions, or disapproved. It is advised that you obtain written confirmation (email or fax) that the FDA review has been completed and that the Study May Proceed. Please upload FDA Study May Proceed confirmation in webIRB. In cases of disapproval, a sponsor has the opportunity to respond to the deficiencies and/or to request a regulatory hearing under 21 CFR Part 16.

Maintain the IDE

Amendments, Safety Reports & Annual Reports (FDA Guidance)

IDE sponsor-investigators are required under 21 CFR 812.150 to submit the following reports:

Unanticipated adverse device effects (UADE)
A UADE is any serious adverse effect on health or safety, any life-threatening problem or death caused by, or associated with a device, if that effect, problem, or death was not previously identified in nature, severity, or degree of incidence in the application; or any other unanticipated serious problem associated with a device that relates to the rights, safety, or welfare of subjects.

A UADE Report consists of a completed Form FDA 3500A and an analysis of the event in a cover letter, submitted to FDA and all reviewing IRBs and investigators within 10 working days after the sponsor first receives notice of the adverse effect.  

Withdrawal of IRB approval
Submitted to FDA and all reviewing IRBs and participating investigators within 5 working days after receipt of notice of the withdrawal of IRB approval of an investigation (or any part of an investigation)

Withdrawal of FDA approval
Submitted to all reviewing IRBs and participating investigators within 5 working days after receipt of notice of any withdrawal of FDA approval

Current list of investigators with addresses
Submitted to FDA every six months

Progress reports
Submitted to FDA and all reviewing IRBs at regular intervals and at least yearly.  A suggested format for the Progress Report can be found on the CDRH website.

Recalls and device disposition
Submitted to FDA and all reviewing IRBs within 30 working days after receipt of a request to return, repair, or dispose of any unit of an investigational device. The report must state why the request was made.

A final report
For a significant risk device, the sponsor must submit a final report notifying FDA and all reviewing IRBs within 30 working days of the completion or termination of the investigation. The sponsor must also submit a final report to FDA and all reviewing IRBs and participating investigators within 6 months after the completion or termination of the investigation.  

Use of a device without informed consent
Submitted to FDA within 5 working days after receipt of notice of such use

SR device determination
Submitted to FDA within 5 working days after determination by an IRB that the device is a SR device and not an NSR device as the sponsor had proposed

Other reports
Accurate, complete, and current information about any aspect of the investigation upon request from FDA or the reviewing IRB

Recommended Links:

• IDE Definitions & Acronyms
• FDA.Gov IDE Reports

Need assistance or have regulatory questions? Please contact the CTSI Office of FDA Affairs.

IDE Templates, Education & Useful Links

Templates & Forms

• IDE Decision Worksheet
• IDE Protocol Template
• IDE Application Cover Letter
• IDE Application Template
• IDE Certification of Financial Interest of Clinical Investigators
• IDE Informal Progress Report
• IDE Formal Progress Report (TOC)
• Sample IRB Checklist: Non-Significant Risk Device

Useful Links

• FDA Device Advice
• Email Mobile Medical Device Questions to FDA
• IDE Pre-Submission Process (Q-Sub)
• Amendments, Safety Reports & Annual Reports (FDA Guidance)
• Center for Devices & Radiological Health
• Device Classification
• FAQs about IDEs
• IDE Policy
• IDE Required Elements
• General Requirement for the Submission of IDE Applications for Clinical Research Studies
• Marketing Your Medical Device
• Sponsor's Responsibilities for Significant Risk Device Investigations
• FDA Guidance: Significant Risk and Nonsignificant Risk Medical Device Studies 
• FDA Guidance: Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Devices 

Need assistance or have regulatory questions? Please contact the CTSI Office of FDA Affairs.