HUMANITARIAN USE DEVICES
Overview
A Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) is a medical device intended to benefit patients in the treatment or diagnosis of a disease or condition that affects or is manifested in not more than 8,000 individuals in the United States per year. FDA regulations (21 CFR 814.124) provide for the submission of a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) in which the manufacturer is not required to provide the results of scientifically valid clinical investigations demonstrating that the device is effective for its intended purpose prior to marketing. This regulation was developed to provide an incentive for the development of devices for use in the treatment or diagnosis of diseases affecting these populations.
When the manufacturer submits the HDE it must provide sufficient information in order for the FDA to determine that the device does not pose an unreasonable or significant risk of illness or injury to the patient and that the probable benefits to health outweigh the risk of injury or illness from its use.
Physician Responsibilities for the Use of a HUD
A physician may utilize a HUD when agreeing to the following:
- The HUD will be utilized for treatment, diagnosis, or research in accordance with
the labeling of the device, intended purpose, and in the designated population for
which the FDA approved its use. If the device will be used outside of the FDA approved
indications, approval from the HDE holder is required as is a justification for such
use and a plan to manage risk associated with such use.
- The patient must be informed that the HUD is a device authorized under Federal law
for use; however, the effectiveness of the device for a specific indication has not
been demonstrated. AND,
- The informed consent of the patient or the patient's legally authorized representative will be obtained when the use of the HUD involves research or when required by the IRB. The LSUHSC-NO (LSUNO) IRB requires that treating physicians obtain informed consent. A HUD Informed Consent Form template has been developed for this purpose.
IRB Submission Requirements for Use of a HUD
Regardless of the intended use, a HUD requires prospective IRB review and approval by the Full Board. The use of a HUD does not constitute research unless the physician or health care provider intends to collect data from its use.
The physician must submit an IRB application for review at a convened meeting. Among other information, the physician must include the following in the application:
- The generic and trade name of the device;
- The FDA HDE number;
- The date of HUD designation;
- The indications for use of the device;
- A description of the device;
- Contradictions, warning, and precautions for use of the device;
- Adverse effects of the device on health;
- Alternative procedures;
- Marketing history;
- A summary of studies using the device; and,
- The HUD brochure.
Continuing Review Requirements
The physician is responsible for fulfilling Continuing Review requirements to the IRB at least annually. At the time of continuing review, the physician must report to the IRB in summary form each HUD activity at LSUNO or affiliated sites. This report must include the following:
- The clinical indications for the use of the HUD in each patient
- Clinical outcomes of each participant, if known.
Amendments to the HUD
Changess to the HUD or the clinical use of the HUD are to be promptly reported to the LSUNO IRB in accordance with the IRB procedures for Amendments to approved research.
Adverse Events and Unanticipated Problems
Adverse events and unanticipated problems that results from the use of a humanitarian device are subject to LSUNO IRB requirements for Reportable New Information.
FDA regulations require that if a physician or health care provider receives or otherwise becomes aware of information, from any source, that reasonably suggests that a HUD has or may have caused or contributed to the death or serious injury of a patient, the physician or health care provider must report such findings to the FDA as soon as possible, but no later than 10 working days after the Investigator first learns of the effect or problem. This reporting is in addition to, not a substitute for, FDA and/or manufacturer reporting requirements in accordance with 21 CFR 803.30.
The physician or health care provider is required to promptly report any FDA action(s) regarding the HUD to the IRB.
Resources
HRPP RESOURCES
FDA RESOURCES
