Medical Device Technical File

Before placing a medical device on the European market, manufacturers need to produce Medical Device Technical File according to MDR 2017/745 for all classes of medical devices (I, IIa, IIb, III). The manufacturer(s) must keep the latest technical documentation revision, also called a technical file, for Inspection by authorities. Below explains the mandatory requirements of a technical file.

General description of the device, its variants, and its intended purpose

• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Overview of devices/ device groups/device types, e.g. table with designation and reference to the REF number, including UDI-DI (if applicable)
• All trade names under which the device is placed on the market
• Description and specifications of the device, including its intended purpose, indication(s), contraindication(s) and warnings, the intended patient group, and the medical conditions to be diagnosed/treated/monitored
• UMDNS/GMDN classification (if applicable)
• Technical specifications of the device, such as characteristics, dimensions, and performance attributes of the device
• Variants/components/configurations and accessories of the device
• Exact software version (if applicable)
• Explanations of new characteristics and new intended purposes/indications

UDI (as soon as implemented or obligatory)
Description of the basis-UDI-DI, taking into account all variants covered by the technical documentation until the complete implementation of the UDI requirements, at least a clear representation of all variants covered by the TD (sizes, forms, coatings, etc.).

Designation / Classification
Justification for the designation as a medical device and description of the classification of the device, including the reason for the applied classification rule(s), exact identification of the applied indent, and statement for the classification.

Technical File and Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

DoC according to Annex IV MDR or according to MDD (considering EK-MED-Beschluss 3.9 A4). For initial certifications (e.g. MDR), the DoC has to be filed in draft status.

• Description of principles of operation of the device and its mode of action understandable to third parties, in combination with other components/accessories, including a description of the key functional elements, (e.g. its parts/components, its formulation/composition, including software) if applicable

Medical Device Technical File requirement about Summary of safety and clinical performance

Summary of safety and clinical performance according to Art. 32 MDR (SSCP) – only necessary for implantable devices and class III devices except for custom-made or investigational devices

Raw materials, components, packaging materials

• Overview of all raw materials, components, and packaging materials (e.g. bill of materials)
• Specifications of raw materials/components/subassemblies, e.g. technical specifications, features, dimensions, and performance attributes, of the device and any variants/configurations, including integrated raw materials and substances in direct or indirect contact with the body
• Specifications of packaging materials (primary and secondary packaging)
• Certificates of analysis from the suppliers, material certificates, inspection certificates,
• Identification of substances that come into direct or indirect contact with the human body

Declaration on particular substances:

• Formal statement if the device is manufactured utilizing tissues or cells of human origin, or their derivatives
• Formal statement if the device is manufactured using tissues or cells of animal origin, or their derivatives
• Formal statement if the device incorporates, as an integral part, a substance which, if used separately, may be considered to be a medicinal product within the meaning of point 2 of Article 1 of Directive 2001/83/EC, including a medicinal product derived from human blood or human plasma, as referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 1(8)

Previous and similar generations

Overview of the previous generation(s) of the device produced by the manufacturer
Overview of the similar generation(s) of the device available on the market in the European Union or on international markets

• Labelling (product, single-unit packaging, sales packaging, and transport packaging in case of specific management conditions) in all languages accepted in the Member States where the device is intended to be sold
• Instructions for use in all languages accepted in the Member States in which the device is intended to be sold

Description of the design

• Description of the applied design process, the phases (e.g. milestones) that were applied within the design of the device, and a summary of the results of these phases
• Identify all sites where design processes were performed (e.g. outsourced design units, research sites, etc.)

Description of the manufacturing

• Comprehensible description of manufacturing (e.g. procedures, flow charts, sample batch protocols …)
• Addresses of all manufacturing sites with information on the manufacturing steps
• Information on specific processes and their validation (e.g. coating processes, injection molding, soldering, bonding, welding, lyophilization, cleaning, etc.)
• Information on controlled conditions under which certain manufacturing steps take place

Description of quality control

Description (e.g. procedures, flow charts, test specifications, sample test protocols, …) of the quality controls (incoming controls, in-process controls, and final tests), including acceptance criteria.

• Outsourced processes, subcontractors
• Overview in a tabular format of outsourced processes and name/address of the executing companies
• Evidence of qualification of subcontractors (e.g. certificates, evidence of accreditation)
• Quality assurance agreements with subcontractors for outsourced production steps and in the case of sterile devices for the outsourcing of packaging and/or sterilization

Systematic evidence of compliance with the General Safety and Performance Requirements (preferably in the form of a checklist) including the following items:

– Justification for applicability/inapplicability of the requirement
– Reference to applied common specifications, standards, or parts thereof (specific reference to the applied date of issue)
– Reference to controlled documents and records as evidence of compliance
– Evaluation of the requirements is fulfilled
– Approval by a responsible person (date, signature).

List of applied standards and common specifications covered in a medical device technical file

A current list of applied standards, including the applied issue, and, if applicable, indicates which parts of the standards
have not been applied. (This item is part of 4.1 according to MDR, but explicitly required for Directive 93/42/EEC)

Must submit the following items from the current risk management file covering the whole life cycle:

• Risk management plan
• Risk analysis, including risk control measures
• Risk management report including the evaluation of residual risks and the evaluation of the benefit-risk ratio

For each of the following items, Shall provide a summary evaluation of the tests or a statement for non-applicability. Shall submit the test reports for the referenced tests.
The performance of testing in an accredited or recognized testing laboratory is not obligatory but typically facilitates evidence of suitability.

Biocompatibility reports included in a medical device technical file

All components and materials which (can) have direct or indirect contact with the patient or user must be considered.

• Chemical characterization of materials
• Literature research
• Test reports of performed biological tests
• Summary evaluation of all data and test results for the finished product.

Physical, chemical, and microbiological testing

Evidence of characterization and preclinical suitability of the devices about applicable test parameters (e.g. physical composition, chemical characterization and purity of raw materials and finished product, microbiological condition of the finished device, etc.)

• Planning and overview of performed tests
• Test reports of performed tests
• Evaluation of data and test results

Electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility EMC (if applicable)

• Planning and overview of performed tests
• Test reports of performed tests
• Evaluation of data and test results
• Description of the requirements regarding the periodic safety inspection (e.g. EN 62353)

Software verification and validation (if applicable)

• Description of the software lifecycle (e.g. according to EN 62304)
• Description of the software design (e.g. according to EN 62304, EN 62366)
• Validation of the software as used in the finished device: e.g. a. summary results of verifications, validations, and  tests performed (in-house or in a simulated or a real user environment)

Stability, including shelf life included in a medical device technical file

Evidence that the devices meet the defined specifications during the illustrated shelf life. Results of the individual stability studies and evaluations on the following aspects:

• Planning and overview of performed tests
• Storage stability (accelerated ageing (e.g. Arrhenius equation) and real-time data)
• Transport stability
• In-use stability
• The concept for maintenance and servicing over the entire lifecycle
• Evaluation of data and test results

Evidence of safety and performance covered in medical device technical file

Summary assessment of the performance and safety of the product, Including validation of the usability (if not already integrated with the risk management file, chapt. 5) as well as further evidence and data concerning other preclinical tests to demonstrate  the performance and safety of the device not addressed in chapter 6 if necessary:
– Planning and overview of performed tests
– Test reports of performed tests
– Evaluation of data and test results

Clinical Evaluation: Requirements for Medical Device Technical File

• Clinical evaluation according to article 61 and MEDDEV. 2.7.1 Rev 4
• Reviewed literature
• Evidence of performed clinical investigations, including
  – Clinical investigation plan
  – Clinical investigation report
  – Vote(s) of the ethics committee(s)
  – Regulatory approval of the clinical investigation
  – Justification for the non-performance of a clinical investigation (class III and implantable devices)
• Plan and evaluation report of the clinical surveillance (PMCF). The plan and report on the PMCF under consideration of the clinical evaluation results or a rationale that no clinical surveillance is necessary after placing on the market.
  – PMCF Plan
  – PMCF Report(s)
  – Alternatively, a rationale that no clinical surveillance after placing on the market is necessary

A device with medicinal components within the meaning of Directive 2001/83/EC (if applicable– according to the provisions of the consultation authority – following documents according to the provisions of BfArM)

• General information
• Description of the composition of the active substance(s);
• Statement regarding the reasonableness of the pharmaceutical content
• GMP-certificate for the manufacturing of the medicinal product(s)
• Description of the manufacturing steps relating to the medicinal product(s)
• Control of the active substances (e.g. a declaration for the pharmaceutical quality)
• Description of the in-process-controls of the medical device relating to the medicinal product
• Description of the final quality controls of the medical device (e.g. identity, purity, content, release, compatibility)
• Stability tests (or reference to the information given in chapter 6.5)
• Toxicity – pharmacological/toxicological profile
• Pharmacokinetics
• Local compatibility
• Clinical documentation (or reference to chapter 6.7)
• Labelling/instruction for use (or reference to chapter 2)

Devices manufactured utilizing tissues or cells of animal origin or their derivatives (if applicable)

• Explanation/justification for the use of the material of animal origin in comparison to alternative products of non-animal origin
• Evidence of the source, rearing, feeding, and age of the animals
• Evidence of slaughter of animals and preparation/handling of tissues
• Evidence of reduction/removal of transmissible pathogens
• Description of the traceability for the products
• Evidence of conformity with EN 22442-1, -2 und -3 and Regulation (EU) 722/2012

Substances that are intended to be introduced into the human body (if applicable)

• Planning and overview of performed tests
• Evidence of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
• Testing the interactions of those substances or their metabolites in the human body with other devices, medicinal products, or other substances, considering the target population and its associated medical conditions
• Biocompatibility tests – particularly evidence of local compatibility, single-dose toxicity, repeat-dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity, and developmental toxicity
• CMR or endocrine-disrupting activity (if applicable)
• Planning and overview of performed tests
• Test reports of performed tests
• Evaluation of data and test results

Sterile devices and devices to be sterilized (if applicable to be included in technical file)

• Description of environmental conditions during manufacturing, cleaning, and packaging
• Description and validation of packaging process
• Bioburden (initial microbial count) before sterilization (EN ISO 11737-1) Pyrogens/endotoxins
• Description of the sterilization method and validation of sterilization (if applicable)

Measuring function (if applicable)

• Planning and overview of performed tests
• Test reports of performed tests
• Evaluation of data and test results
• Description of Scope and interval of metrological controls

Combination with other devices (if applicable)

• Planning and overview of performed tests
• Test reports of performed tests
• Evaluation of data and test results

Hygienic (re-)processing of devices (if applicable)

• Validation of cleaning/disinfection processes specified in the instruction for use
• Validation of sterilization processes specified in the instruction for use
• Evidence of numbers of specified reprocessing cycles
• Proof of maintenance and functioning control set in the instruction for use

7.1. Post Market Surveillance as per PMS Plan (Article 85)
7.2. Periodic Safety Update Report (PSUR) (Article 86)