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U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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  2. Medical Devices
  3. Device Advice: Comprehensive Regulatory Assistance
  4. How to Study and Market Your Device
  5. Premarket Submissions: Selecting and Preparing the Correct Submission
  6. Investigational Device Exemption (IDE)
  7. Early Feasibility Studies (EFS) Program
  1. Investigational Device Exemption (IDE)

Early Feasibility Studies (EFS) Program

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Introduction

An early feasibility study (EFS) is a limited clinical investigation of a device early in development. It typically:

  • enrolls a small number of subjects;
  • is used to evaluate the device design concept with respect to initial clinical safety and device functionality; and
  • may guide device modifications.

CDRH's EFS Program facilitates the conduct of early feasibility studies in the United States to increase access for patients to potentially beneficial technologies and to support device innovation. EFS concepts are described in the FDA guidance document, Investigational Device Exemptions (IDEs) for Early Feasibility Medical Device Clinical studies, Including Certain First in Human (FIH) Studies.

The EFS Program provides a mechanism for innovators to work directly with sponsors, FDA review teams, and clinicians to collaborate early so they can increase the efficiency of their device development. Early clinical experience obtained from an EFS can provide insights for sponsors and FDA review teams into issues such as device proof of concept, patient characteristics that may impact performance, operator technique refinements, device safety, necessary device modifications, and human factors.

Components of the EFS Program include:

  • Opportunities for interactive review
  • Assistance in submission preparation from an EFS Program representative
  • Potential for less non-clinical data to support study initiation relative to the data needed for larger clinical studies based on use of clinical mitigation strategies
  • New mechanisms for timely device and clinical protocol modifications

Devices Appropriate for Early Feasibility Studies

The EFS Program is open to devices subject to Premarket Approval (PMA), Premarket Notification (510[k]), De Novo classification, or Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE).  EFS may be applicable when clinical experience is necessary because non-clinical testing is unavailable or inadequate to provide the information needed to advance device development. Therefore, EFS may be conducted on new devices without prior clinical experience and in some cases, may also be conducted on devices with limited prior clinical experience.  For example devices previously used under the Expanded Access pathway, devices used outside of the United States, or marketed devices being proposed for a new indication are suitable for investigation in an EFS. 

Early Feasibility Studies (EFS) Submission and Review Process

Medical device developers interested in conducting an EFS should:

  1. Contact an EFS Program representative to discuss the program and to receive assistance in preparing an EFS submission.
  2. Submit a Pre-Submission that describes the device concept, clinical context, and rationale for performing an EFS prior to submitting the IDE itself. Please note, an important goal of a Pre-Submission is to reach consensus with the FDA review team on the information needed to support study initiation based on a risk analysis, non-clinical testing, and clinical risk mitigation strategies.
  3. Engage with CDRH to request feedback on specific non-clinical testing protocols or details of the investigational plan through additional pre-submission supplements if necessary.
  4. Submit an IDE application to initiate the EFS.

EFS Program Contacts

For additional information about the EFS or assistance on preparing a submission, please e-mail the appropriate device review division listed below:

CDRH Review Group Email Address
OHT1: Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, Respiratory, ENT and Dental Devices OHT1_EFS@fda.hhs.gov
OHT2: Cardiovascular Devices OHT2_EFS@fda.hhs.gov
OHT3: Reproductive, Gastro-Renal, Urological, General Hospital Devices and Human Factors OHT3_EFS@fda.hhs.gov
OHT4: Surgical and Infection Control Devices OHT4_EFS@fda.hhs.gov
OHT5: Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices OHT5_EFS@fda.hhs.gov
OHT6: Orthopedic Devices OHT6_EFS@fda.hhs.gov
OHT7: In Vitro Diagnostics OHT7_EFS@fda.hhs.gov
OHT8: Radiological Health RadHealth@fda.hhs.gov

For general information regarding the EFS Program, please contact CDRH_EFS@fda.hhs.gov.

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