Effective Date of Requirement for Premarket Approval for Shortwave Diathermy for All Other Uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to require the filing of a premarket approval application (PMA) or a notice of completion of a product development protocol (PDP) for the class III preamendments device, shortwave diathermy (SWD) for all other uses. This device applies to the body electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency bands of 13 megahertz to 27.12 megahertz and is intended for the treatment of medical conditions by means other than the generation of deep heat within body tissues. It is not intended for treatment of malignancies. The Agency is also summarizing its proposed findings regarding the degree of risk of illness or injury designed to be eliminated or reduced by requiring the devices to meet the statute's approval requirements and the benefits to the public from the use of the devices. In addition, FDA is announcing the opportunity for interested persons to request that the Agency change the classification of any of the aforementioned devices based on new information. This action implements certain statutory requirements.

Agency Contact: Michael J. Ryan, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 66, rm. 1615, Silver Spring, MD 20993, 301-796- 6283.