R-TF-025-004 Summative evaluation protocol
Table of contents
- List of Tables
- List of Figures
- Terminology and Definitions
- Applicable Standards and Guidance
- Internal References
- Introduction
- Description of Intended Device Users, Uses, Use Environments, and Training
- Description of Device User Interface
- Summary of Known Use Problems
- Analysis of Hazards Associated with Use of the Device
- Summary of Preliminary Analyses and Evaluations
- Description and Categorization of Critical and Non-critical Tasks
- Table 5: Critical and Non-Critical Tasks
- Details of Human Factors Validation Testing
- Appendix A: Interview Guide
- Appendix B: Electronic IFU
- Appendix C: List of participants recruited for summative evaluation
List of Tables
- Table 1: Product Interface
- Table 2: Summary of Known Use Problems
- Table 3: Severity Ratings in URRA
- Table 4: Use-related Risk Analysis
- Table 5: Critical and Non-critical Tasks
- Table 6: HCP User Interface for Usability Testing
- Table 7: User Group Details
- Table 8: Participant IDs
- Table 9: Session Overview
- Table 10: Use Scenarios and Descriptions for ITPs
- Table 11: Use Scenarios and Descriptions for HCPs
List of Figures
- Figure 1: Visual Code Studio IDE Interface for ITPs
- Figure 2: Malignant Skin Lesions (Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma, & Basal Cell Carcinoma)
Terminology and Definitions
- AI: Artificial Intelligence
- API: Application Programming Interface
- CADe: Computer-assisted detection
- CC: Close call
- CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
- DO: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- e.g.,: For example
- EHR: Electronic Health Record
- EMR: Electronic Medical Record
- FDA: Food and Drug Administration
- FHIR: Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources
- HCP: Healthcare provider
- HD: High definition
- HF: Human factors
- i.e.,: That is
- ICD: International Classification of Diseases
- ICF: Informed consent form
- IDE: Integrated Development Environment
- IFU: Instructions for Use
- IL: Illinois
- IRB: Institutional Review Board
- ITP: Information Technology Professionals
- MD: Doctor of Medicine
- ML: Machine Learning
- OK: Success
- PA: Pennsylvania
- PID: Participant identification code
- RCA: Root cause analysis
- UD: Use difficulty
- UE: Use error
- UI: User Interface
- uFMEA: Use failure mode and effects analysis
- URRA: Use-related risk analysis
- US: United States
Applicable Standards and Guidance
This protocol is written in accordance with the following standards:
- ANSI/AAMI HE75:2009/(R)2018 Human Factors Engineering-Design of Medical Devices
- ANSI/AAMI/IEC 62366-1:2015+AMD1:2020 Medical Devices Part 1: Application of Usability Engineering to Medical Devices
- AAMI/IEC TIR62366-2:2016 Medical Devices Part 2: Guidance on the Application of Usability Engineering to Medical Devices
- ANSI/AAMI/ISO 14971:2019 Medical Devices—Application of risk management to medical devices
- FDA Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Applying Human Factors and Usability Engineering to Medical Devices (February 3, 2016)
In addition to the standards and guidance documents listed, draft guidance documents were reviewed and considered to understand the current thinking of the FDA on relevant topics.
Internal References
- R-TF-012-014
- REQ*001 The user receives quantifiable data on the intensity of clinical signs * QMS
- REQ*002 The user receives quantifiable data on the count of clinical signs * QMS
- REQ*003 The user receives quantifiable data on the extent of clinical signs * QMS
- REQ*004 The user receives an interpretative distribution representation of possible ICD categories represented in the pixels of the image * QMS
- REQ*005 The user can send requests and get back the output of the device as a response in a secure, efficient and versatile manner * QMS
- REQ*006 The data that users send and receive follows the FHIR healthcare interoperability standard * QMS
- REQ*007 If something does not work, the API returns meaningful information about the error * QMS
- REQ*008 Notify the user if the image does not represent a skin structure * QMS
- REQ*009 Notify the user if the quality of the image is insufficient * QMS
- REQ*010 The device detects if the image is of clinical or dermatoscopic modality * QMS
- REQ*012 Users can easily integrate the device into their system * QMS
Introduction
AI Labs Group (hereafter, the manufacturer) has developed a new software-aided adjunctive diagnostic application programming interface (API) intended to assess clinical atypical cutaneous lesions that are suspicious for skin cancer or other skin conditions. This software-only medical device is intended for use by healthcare information technology professionals (ITPs) to integrate into their hospital systems' electronic medical record (EMR) system, and healthcare practitioners (HCPs) with varying degrees of training in clinical diagnosis and management of skin lesions. Throughout this document, this API will be referred to as the device.
The device is a prescription device that incorporates Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) technology, including computer-assisted detection (CADe), which analyzes images or other physical characteristics of a skin lesion. The software provides quantifiable data on the intensity, count, and extent of clinical signs, and an interpretative distribution representation of possible International Classification of Diseases (ICD) classes to aid in determining whether a patient should be referred to a dermatologist.
Design Science will conduct a human factors (HF) validation study to determine if the device and its user interface can be used safely and effectively by all its intended users, for its intended uses, and in its intended use environments. The protocol that follows documents the methodology that will be used.
This validation study will take place in Philadelphia, PA and Evanston, IL from TBD. The study will include simulated-use testing with ITP and HCP participants, who are representative users, to evaluate their use of the product in representative clinical environments.
Description of Intended Device Users, Uses, Use Environments, and Training
Intended Device Users
The intended user population consists of the following distinct user groups:
- IT Professionals (ITPs): IT professionals are responsible for the integration of the medical device into the healthcare organization's EMR system. It is advisable that they have a basic knowledge of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) and the output of the device. They are individuals aged 18 years and older and can be from various educational backgrounds. Some of them may have vision, hearing, or dexterity impairments.
- Healthcare Providers (HCPs): Medical professionals (e.g., physicians), who have varying degrees of training in the clinical diagnosis and management of skin lesions, and will utilize the output from the software integration for diagnosis. All of them will have the qualifications and competencies native to their profession, and knowledge on how to take images with smartphones.
Intended Uses
The device is a computational software-only medical device leveraging computer vision algorithms to process images of the epidermis, the dermis and its appendages, among other skin structures. Its principal function is to provide a wide range of clinical data from the analyzed images to assist healthcare practitioners in their clinical evaluations and allow healthcare provider organizations to gather data and improve their workflows. The data generated are intended to aid healthcare practitioners and organizations in their clinical decision-making process. It is not meant to confirm a clinical diagnosis nor replace the role of a dermatologist, but rather to obtain additional information to consider a decision.
The device is indicated for use on images of visible skin structure abnormalities to support the assessment of all diseases of the skin incorporating conditions affecting the epidermis, its appendages (hair, hair follicle, sebaceous glands, apocrine sweat gland apparatus, eccrine sweat gland apparatus and nails) and associated mucous membranes (conjunctival, oral, and genital), the dermis, the cutaneous vasculature, and the subcutaneous tissue (subcutis).
Intended Use Environments
The device is intended to be used in the setting of healthcare organizations and their IT departments, which commonly are situated inside hospitals or other clinical facilities. The device is intended to be integrated into the healthcare organization's system by IT professionals.
The environments are further described as follows:
- IT Office Environment: In the context of healthcare facilities, an IT office is typically designated for hospital IT staff to within the hospital or clinic. The setting is expected to have standard, controlled indoor room temperature, humidity, noise, and lighting conditions. However, during actual use, the intended use environment might vary in ways that impact users' abilities to use the product safely and effectively. ITPs may experience natural distractions from colleagues.
- Clinical Environment: A standard clinical environment is typically designed with a clear layout that has designated areas for patients to be assessed for cutaneous lesions where HCPs can take photos of patients and utilize the device. This setting is also expected to adhere to cleanliness and sanitation standards to prevent infections and include a sufficient inventory of medical supplies. The setting is expected to have standard, controlled indoor room temperature, humidity, noise, and lighting conditions. However, during actual use, the intended use environment might vary in ways that impact users' abilities to use the product safely and effectively. HCPs may experience natural distractions from colleagues and patients. Additionally, the use of gloves can affect HCP's interactions and manual dexterity.
Training
The manufacturer does not expect that users will receive formal training prior to using the device. However, users are expected to review the relevant documentation before use:
- Healthcare Providers (HCPs) must review the Clinical User Manual from Instructions for Use (IFU).
- IT Professionals (ITPs) must review the Installation Manual from Instructions for Use (IFU).
This documentation review is considered a critical task and will be evaluated during the summative evaluation to ensure users can effectively understand and apply the information provided.
Description of Device User Interface
Device User Interface
This software-only medical device consists of a software-aided adjunctive diagnostic application programming interface (API). As such, the user interface of the device software-only medical device consists of the API endpoints, documentation, and data structures, specifically, the electronic instruction for use (IFU) for both user groups as well as API endpoints. These endpoints are used by ITPs for integrating into the hospital IT system. HPCs will then use the user interface of the hospital IT system to interact with the device software-only medical device.
The components of the device API user interface are detailed in Table 1.
| Interface Item | Written Description |
|---|---|
| API Endpoints | URL structures, methods and request structure, response structure, and authentication |
| API Documentation | Electronic IFUs |
| Data Structure | JSON payload formats, including field names and FHIR nomenclature |
Summary of Operating Sequence
The device installation sequence to be conducted by ITPs consists of the following:
- Obtain credentials
- Gain access token
- Build JSON with data
- Send JSON to device
- Receive JSON with device
- Process and store JSON
- Build Report
Refer to the User Guide for a detailed description of the primary operating sequence expected for the device.
For operation by healthcare providers, the device analyzes images taken of lesions and other skin abnormalities and produces a list of potential conditions.
The primary operating sequence consists of the following:
- Take a picture of the lesion with a smart phone
- Image should be close to the lesion, focused, and well lit
- The lesion should be the main item in the photo
- Upload the image to the device client
- Run the analysis
- Review the data output
Refer to the User Guide for a detailed description of the primary operating sequence expected for the device.
Summary of Known Use Problems
The manufacturer has conducted research on known or expected use problems for similar products and product types.
Based on this research, Table 2 describes known use problems pertaining to software-aided adjunctive diagnostic APIs, along with how these are addressed. All of these, along with additional consideration for industry-wide issues, have been identified and documented in the device's risk assessment. These problems are also included in the evaluated during the validation study through observations.
| Type of Use Problem | Description | Applicability to Product | Design Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| User authentication and security | APIs in healthcare settings must adhere to strict security standards. Past experiences have highlighted issues related to complex authentication processes and maintaining compliance with security protocols | Applicable | Implementation of data encryption, robust authentication mechanisms such as OAuth or JWT (REQ_005), monitoring of security threats, cybersecurity info in IFU (REQ_012) |
| Error handling and reporting | Inadequate and/or unclear error messages or lack of real-time error reporting can significantly impact the user's ability to diagnose and fix issues promptly | Applicable | Clear error messages (REQ_007), comprehensive IFU details on correct endpoints (REQ_012), technical support, RESTful API implementation (REQ_005) |
| Interoperability | Ensuring interoperability with various healthcare information systems, including EHR systems, has been a challenge. Compatibility issues can lead to data mismatches or loss, critical in healthcare applications | Applicable | Elastic demand design, constant backups, advanced security/software (REQ_005), REST features for status feedback, error codes, automatic awareness of downtime, support |
| Integration challenges | Difficulties encountered during the integration process, primarily due to compatibility issues with existing systems | Applicable | Clear error messages (REQ_007), comprehensive IFU with correct endpoints (REQ_012), technical support, RESTful API implementation (REQ_005) |
| Insufficient documentation | Inadequate, unclear and/or incomplete guidelines, leading to incorrect implementation and usage errors | Applicable | IFU-provided information (REQ_012), clear error messages (REQ_007), technical support for troubleshooting |
Analysis of Hazards Associated with Use of the Device
The manufacturer has conducted a comprehensive task analysis on the use of the device, which led to a list of potential use errors and a comprehensive use-related risk analysis (URRA). This process involved analyzing known use problems with similar devices, identifying the user interface characteristics related to safety, identifying potential use errors, and identifying known and foreseeable hazards and hazardous situations.
Please refer to R-TF-012-014 for the full use-related risk analysis (URRA).
Table 3 defines the possible severity ratings applied in the URRA.
Table 4 lists the applicable use steps and their severities. It also summarizes the URRA, including tasks, potential use errors, hazards and harms, severities, and risk mitigation measures.
| Severity Classification | Harm Severity Descriptions by Risk Type | Severity Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Catastrophic | Results in patient death. | 5 |
| Critical | Results in permanent impairment or life-threatening injury. | 4 |
| Serious | Results in injury or impairment requiring professional medical intervention. | 3 |
| Minor | Results in temporary injury or impairment not requiring professional medical intervention. | 2 |
| Negligible | Inconvenience or temporary discomfort. | 1 |
ID? | Hazard or Use Error? | Type? | Hazardous Situation or Vulnerability? | Foreseeable sequence of events |
|---|