2010-18406. Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff; Medical Devices; Neurological and Physical Medicine Device Guidance Document; Reopening of Comment Period

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice; reopening of comment period.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening until September 7, 2010, the comment period for the notice that appeared in the Federal Register of April 5, 2010 (75 FR 17143). In the notice, FDA requested comments on draft guidance documents for 11 neurological and physical medicine devices. FDA is reopening the comment period to allow further comment and to receive any new information.

DATES:

Submit either electronic or written comments by September 7, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert J. DeLuca, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 66, rm. G214, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, e-mail: [e-mail], 301-796-6630.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

In the Federal Register of April 5, 2010 (75 FR 17093), FDA published a notice announcing the availability of draft special controls guidance documents for 11 neurological and physical medicine devices. Interested persons were originally given until July 6, 2010, to comment on the draft guidance documents. The agency expressed specific interest in comments on the types of claims appropriate for devices included within the 11 classifications and, for devices that remain subject to premarket review, the data sponsors should submit to support those claims.

II. Request for Comments

Following publication of the April 5, 2010, notice, FDA received requests to allow interested persons additional time to comment. The requests asserted that the 90-day time period was insufficient to respond fully to FDA's specific requests for comments and to allow potential respondents to thoroughly evaluate and address pertinent issues. The agency has considered the requests and is reopening the comment period until September 7, 2010. The agency believes the additional comment period allows adequate time for interested persons to submit comments without significantly delaying rulemaking on these important issues.

III. How to Submit Comments

Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES) either electronic or written comments regarding this document. It is only necessary to send one set of comments. It is no longer necessary to send two copies of mailed comments. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Dated: July 22, 2010.

David Dorsey,

Acting Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Planning and Budget.