Endotoxin Testing Recommendations for Single-Use Intraocular Ophthalmic Devices

By Effective Medicine  On  In Medical Devices Tagged  

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DRAFT GUIDANCE

This guidance document is being distributed for comment purposes only.

Document issued on: April 17, 2014

You should submit comments and suggestions regarding this draft document within 90 days of publication in the Federal Register of the notice announcing the availability of the draft guidance.  Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD  20852. Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov. Identify all comments with the docket number listed in the notice of availability that publishes in the Federal Register.

For questions regarding this document, contact the Division of Ophthalmic and Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices (DOED) at 301-796-5620.

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Preface

Additional Copies

Additional copies are available from the Internet. You may also send an e-mail request to [email protected] to receive a copy of the guidance. Please use the document number 1836 to identify the guidance you are requesting.

This draft guidance, when finalized, will represent the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) current thinking on this topic. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. If you want to discuss an alternative approach, contact the FDA staff or Office responsible for implementing this guidance. If you cannot identify the appropriate FDA staff, call the appropriate number listed on the title page of this guidance.

1 of American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) ST72 Bacterial Endotoxins-Test Methodologies, Routine Monitoring and Alternatives to Batch Testing1. The endotoxin limit for OVDs specified in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15798 (Ophthalmic implants-Ophthalmic viscosurgical devices) is 0.5 endotoxin units (EU) per milliliter (mL). During cataract surgery, the anterior segment of the eye can accommodate more than 0.3 ml of OVD after lens extraction and as much as 0.1 mL OVD may remain in the eye at the end of the procedure. Hence, it is possible for 0.05 EU endotoxin to be left in the eye at the conclusion of the surgery, and this amount has been shown to cause inflammation.12 This same study showed that inflammation can be elicited by as little as 0.02 EU endotoxin in an OVD. Therefore, the FDA does not recognize the endotoxin levels in the ISO 15798 (Ophthalmic implants-Ophthalmic viscosurgical devices) standard.

In ISO 11979-8 (Ophthalmic implants-Intraocular lenses-part 8: Fundamental requirements Amendment 1), the endotoxin limit for IOLs is 0.5 EU per device or less. Any endotoxin present on an IOL or other solid ophthalmic devices goes into solution when placed in an aqueous medium such as the aqueous humor. Studies have shown that 0.08 EU endotoxin in a balanced salt solution can elicit inflammation in the eye, albeit for a short period of time.11 For this reason, FDA does not recognize the endotoxin limit in ISO 11979-8 (Ophthalmic implants-Intraocular lenses-part 8: Fundamental requirements Amendment 1) or the limit in the ANSI series of standards for intraocular lenses. 

For solid, single-use posterior segment intraocular devices such as retinal prostheses, endotoxin on the intraocular portion also goes into solution when placed in the eye. However, the intraocular portion of retinal prostheses has limited exposure to sensitive ocular tissue when compared to that of solid anterior segment devices. Hence, FDA agrees with using the ISO 16672 standard as a guide to establish endotoxin limits for solid posterior segment devices and posterior segment intraocular fluids also called liquid endotamponades.

IV. Scope

The recommendations made in this guidance are applicable to devices used within the eye, either as permanent implants or as single-use devices used in intraocular surgery. These include:

  1. Intraocular Fluids (21 CFR 886.4275, Class III), including
    1. Intraocular fluid (LWL)
    2. Viscoelastic surgical aid (LZP)
  2. Anterior Segment Solid Devices
    1. Intraocular lenses (21 CFR 886.3600, Class III), including
      1. Intraocular lenses (HQL)
      2. Multifocal intraocular lenses (MFK)
      3. Phakic intraocular lenses (MTA)
      4. Toric intraocular lenses (MJP)
      5. Accommodative intraocular lenses (NAA)
      6. Implantable miniature telescope (NCJ)
      7. Iris reconstruction lenses (NIZ)
    2. Capsular tension ring devices (Class III), including
      1. Endocapsular rings (MRJ)
    3. Glaucoma devices
      1. Aqueous shunts (21 CFR 886.3920, Class II), including
        1. Eye valve implant (KYF)
      2. Other glaucoma devices (Class III)
        1. Intraocular pressure lowering implants (OGO)
    4. Phacofragmentation systems (21 CFR 886.4670, Class II), specifically the accessories of irrigation/aspiration sleeves and tubing (HQC)
  3. Posterior Segment Solid Devices (Class III)
    1. Retinal prostheses (NBF)

Endotoxin contamination of reusable manual ophthalmic surgical instruments is outside the scope of this guidance. For more information on this topic, see FDA’s draft guidance “Processing/Reprocessing Medical Devices in Health Care Settings: Validation Methods and Labeling.” FDA’s draft guidance represents FDA’s proposed approach on this topic.

V. Recommendations

A. Intraocular Fluids

1. OVDs

a. The recommended endotoxin limit for release testing is ≤0.2 EU/mL regardless of whether the intended site of use is the anterior or posterior segment.

b. Endotoxin test method validation:

The viscosity of OVDs can interfere with the BET. In addition to the general validation requirements described in USP 85 and ANSI/AAMI ST72, the validation of the BET should include recovery of known amounts of endotoxin added/spiked to the OVD. For each OVD that is to be marketed, random samples from 3 lots of the OVD should each be spiked with endotoxin to final concentrations of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 EU/mL.  Each test should be conducted in triplicate (i.e., each lot should be spiked and sampled three times for testing). The OVDs should then be tested for endotoxin using the BET and the percent endotoxin recovery should be calculated. The detection limit may vary with the method used for testing (e.g., gel clot, turbidimetric and chromogenic) and, as such, it may be necessary to experiment with different methods to ensure maximal recovery of endotoxin. For OVDs fabricated from HA of a high molecular weight, it may be necessary to use an enzyme containing non-detectable levels of endotoxin to break down large molecules and make endotoxin more accessible for testing. The use of enzyme digestion will avoid the use of a high dilution factor to overcome interference, which may be necessary for the OVD to meet the endotoxin limit.11

c. If performed, animal testing for quality control and acceptance criteria with associated labeling claim:

The phrase “non-inflammatory” in the labeling of an OVD should not be used since the OVD could elicit some inflammation but it may not be clinically significant. OVDs may be labeled as having “low inflammatory potential” if animal testing or another validated method for detecting inflammation is performed as a product release test.

Although endotoxin in an OVD can be detected and quantified using a BET, the amount detected is only an approximation of the actual value due to the inherent limitations of the test. Furthermore, the amount of endotoxin detected can be affected by the unique properties of the individual OVD (e.g., the molecular weight), which could alter how the OVD binds to the ocular tissue and consequently the efficiency of enzyme digestion. Thus, the only established method to assure that an OVD has low inflammatory potential is to test the product in the anterior segment of the eye with subsequent assessment of inflammation.

Testing of an OVD in an animal model should be performed by injecting the OVD intracamerally.13 The eyes should then be monitored for clinical signs of inflammation using a slit lamp for at least three days. The test method should be validated by quantifying the inflammation elicited by the OVD that has been spiked with 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 EU endotoxin, at a minimum.

We recommend that sponsors who intend to perform this testing submit a Pre-Submission to obtain feedback from DOED on the animal testing validation recommendations and the acceptance criteria for release testing as well as for any other methods of detecting inflammation.2

2. Liquid Endotamponades

a. Similar to ISO 16672 (Ophthalmic implants — Ocular endotamponades), the recommended endotoxin limit for liquid endotamponades is ≤0.5 EU/mL.

B. Anterior Segment Solid Devices

1. The recommended endotoxin limit for all anterior segment solid intraocular devices is ≤0.2 EU/device. This limit applies to implants that are placed entirely in the anterior segment such as IOLs, iris reconstruction lenses, and capsular tension rings. For glaucoma devices, this limit applies to the segment of the device placed in the anterior chamber and the segment(s) contacting the aqueous humor even though the main portion of the device may reside outside the eye. For single-use cannulated or lumened devices (e.g., irrigation/aspiration sleeves and tubing), this limit applies to the fluid path and the portion of the device with aqueous humor contact.

2. Test sample preparation:

The standard 40 mL/device extraction ratio can be adjusted to accommodate the small size of solid intraocular devices in accordance with the recommendation in the “FDA Guidance for Industry Pyrogen and Endotoxin Testing: Questions and Answers.”The volumeof the extraction solution chosen for use should also take into consideration the endotoxin limit for the device and the sensitivity of the LAL lysate used in the testing. ANSI/AAMI ST72 specifies the minimum extraction time as 15 minutes at 37°-40°C or one hour at controlled room temperature (typically 18-25°C), or other demonstrated equivalent conditions.1 Because of the extreme sensitivity of the eye to endotoxin, the FDA recommends that the extraction be performed at 37°-40°C with agitation for a minimum of 60 minutes to maximize the extraction efficiency. For cannulated or lumened devices, sample preparation should consist of filling the fluid pathway with the extracting medium that has been pre-warmed to 37°± 1°C and then held at 37°± 1°C for at least 60 minutes. 

C. Posterior Segment Solid Devices

1. The recommended endotoxin limit for all posterior segment solid intraocular devices is ≤0.5 EU/device. This limit applies to the segment of the device placed in the posterior segment and any segment(s) contacting the vitreous even though part of the device may reside outside the eye. For devices that have a segment that contacts the aqueous humor and the vitreous or posterior segment, please contact the Division for recommended limits.

2. Test sample preparation:

The test sample preparation is identical to that described for anterior segment solid devices.

VI. References

  1. American National Standards Institute, Instrumentation AftAoM. Bacterial endotoxins-Test methodologies, routine monitoring, and alternatives to batch testing, ST72: 2011.
  2. Mamalis N, Edelhauser HF, Dawson DG, Chew J, LeBoyer RM, Werner L. Toxic anterior segment syndrome. J Cataract Refract Surg 2006;32:324-33.
  3. Ronge LJ. Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome:  Why sterile isn’t clean enough. EyeNet. San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2002.
  4. Cutler CM, Brubaker J, Clouser S, Danford C, Edelhauser HE, Mamalis N. Toxic anterior segment syndrome:  common causes. J Cataract Refract Surg 2010;36:1073-80.
  5. Mamalis N. Toxic anterior segment syndrome. J Cataract Refract Surg 2006;32:181-2.
  6. Holland SP, Morck DW, Lee TL. Update on toxic anterior segment syndrome. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology 2007;18:4-8.
  7. Maier P, Birnbaum F, Bohringer D, Reinhard T. Toxic anterior segment syndrome following penetrating keratoplasty. Arch Ophthalmol 2008;126:1677-81.
  8. Kreisler KR, Martin SS, Young CW, Anderson CW, Mamalis N. Postoperative inflammation following cataract extraction caused by bacterial contamination of the cleaning bath detergent. J Cataract Refract Surg 1992;18:106-10.
  9. Richburg FA, Reidy JJ, Apple DJ, Olson RJ. Sterile hypopyon secondary to ultrasonic cleaning solution. J Cataract Refract Surg 1986;12:248-51.
  10. Kutty PK, Forster TS, Wood-Koob C, et al. Multistate outbreak of toxic anterior segment syndrome, 2005. J Cataract Refract Surg 2008;34:585-90.
  11. Buchen SY, Calogero D, Hilmantel G, Eydelman MB. Rabbit ocular reactivity to bacterial endotoxin contained in aqueous solution and ophthalmic viscosurgical devices. Ophthalmology 2012;119:e4-e10.
  12. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention. Bacterial Endotoxins Test 85. United States Pharmacopeia, 2011.
  13. Buchen SY, Calogero D, Hilmantel G, Eydelman MB. Detecting endotoxin contamination of ophthalmic viscosurgical devices: intracameral versus intravitreal assays in rabbits. Ophthalmology 2012;119:e11-8.

1 A searchable database of FDA-recognized consensus standards is available at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfStandards/search.cfm.

Requests for Feedback on Medical Device Submissions: The Pre-Submission Program and Meetings with Food and Drug Administration Staff.”


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