The Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream is intended to promote alleviation of mild allergic symptoms (i.e., mild nasal irritation including itchy, runny, or congested nasal passages) triggered by the inhalation of various allergens including environmental pollens, house dust, animal hairs, and dust mites.

Device Description

Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream is a viscous topical nasal cream consisting of highly refined aliphatic long-chain hydrocarbons for prophylaxis and therapy of allergic rhinitis caused by airborne allergens. The product is applied by finger or cotton swab to the inside surface of the nasal vestibule in the region of the nose flap where it acts as a mechanical barrier to reduce the adverse effects of inhaled allergens. Proper application of the cream makes it more difficult for inhaled allergens to come into contact with the skin in the nasal interior, and thus reduces the intensity of allergic rhinitis symptoms.

The hydrocarbon gel is chemically inert to the body and nasal membranes, and contains no additives. On average, protection lasts for 3 to 5 hours before the cream has to be reapplied. The Alergol Pollen Blocker cream is intended for topical use and provided non-sterile.

AI/ML Overview

Here's an analysis of the acceptance criteria and study details for the Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream, based on the provided text:

1. Table of Acceptance Criteria and Reported Device Performance:

The document does not explicitly state pre-defined acceptance criteria in terms of specific numerical thresholds for symptom reduction or airflow change that the device needed to meet to be considered "effective." Instead, the studies demonstrate "significant" effectiveness compared to placebo.

Acceptance Criteria (Implied/Demonstrated)	Reported Device Performance (Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream)
Safety: Device is well-tolerated with no adverse effects.	Well-tolerated, no side-effects reported.
Effectiveness (Symptom Reduction): Significantly reduces allergic rhinitis symptoms.	Decreased symptom scores by up to 40% (p = 0.001) in general; specific study showed reduction by nearly 60%.
Effectiveness (Nasal Airflow): Significantly improves nasal airflow.	Nasal airflow resistance went down by approximately 50%; specific study showed increase in airflow by approximately 20%.
Chemical Inertness: Chemically inert to the body and nasal membranes, no additives.	Chemically inert to the body and nasal membranes, no additives.
Biocompatibility: Biocompatible for topical use.	Biocompatibility consistent with toxicology and safety testing.
Stability: Shelf-life of over 5 years at room temperature.	Stability testing demonstrates shelf-life over 5 years.

2. Sample Size and Data Provenance for Test Set:

Sample Size:
- Study 1: N=50
- Study 2 (referenced as S. Schwetz et al.): N=91 (43 in pollen blocker cream group, 48 in carboxymethylcellulose gel/placebo group).
Data Provenance: The document does not explicitly state the country of origin. The studies are described as "multicenter." The manufacturer, Dr. Theiss Naturwaren GmbH, is a German company, which might suggest European studies, but this is not explicitly confirmed.
Retrospective or Prospective: Prospective. The studies are described as "multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover studies."

3. Number of Experts and Qualifications for Ground Truth (Test Set):

The document does not mention the use of experts to establish a "ground truth" for the test set in the way one might for diagnostic imaging. Instead, the efficacy was assessed by:

Nasal provocation testing: Likely administered and interpreted by clinical staff or researchers involved in the study.
Nasal symptom severity scores (range 0-6): These are subjective patient-reported or clinician-observed scores.
Changes in nasal airflow after allergen challenge: Measured objectively by instruments.

Therefore, the "ground truth" here is derived from quantitative and qualitative clinical measurements and patient self-reporting, not an expert panel reviewing cases.

4. Adjudication Method for the Test Set:

Not applicable in the context of symptom scores and objective physiological measurements for this type of device. The studies were designed as "double-blind," meaning neither the patients nor the clinicians/evaluators knew which treatment (active or placebo) was being administered, which serves to minimize bias in assessment.

5. Multi-Reader Multi-Case (MRMC) Comparative Effectiveness Study:

No, a MRMC comparative effectiveness study was not done. This type of study is typically used for diagnostic devices (e.g., imaging AI) where multiple readers interpret cases with and without AI assistance. The Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream is a therapeutic/prophylactic device, and its effectiveness was measured through symptom reduction and physiological changes in patients, not through diagnostic interpretation.

6. Standalone (Algorithm Only) Performance:

Not applicable. The Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream is a physical product (cream) applied by the user, not an algorithm. Therefore, there is no "standalone algorithm" performance to report. Its effectiveness is inherently tied to human application.

7. Type of Ground Truth Used:

The "ground truth" for evaluating the device's effectiveness was based on:

Clinical Endpoints:
- Patient-reported symptom scores: Subjective measure of allergic rhinitis symptoms (e.g., itching, runny/congested nose).
- Objective physiological measurements: Specifically, nasal airflow resistance and changes in airflow after allergen challenge.
The "effectiveness" was determined by comparing these clinical endpoints between the active treatment group and a control/placebo group.

8. Sample Size for the Training Set:

Not applicable. This device is a physical product, not an AI/machine learning algorithm that requires a "training set" of data.

9. How Ground Truth for Training Set Was Established:

Not applicable. As it's not an AI/ML device, there's no training set or associated ground truth establishment process.

Summary

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K042610

MAY 1 6 2005

510(k) Summary

Name of Device

Trade Name:	Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream
Common Name:	Pollen Blocker
Classification Name:	Unclassified

Predicate Devices

510(K)	MANUFACTURER	DEVICE	APPROVAL DATE
K981841	RespirAid	BREATHE EASY	10-13-98
K032948	Medpak	Elastic Skin Liquid Bandage	06-25-04

Device Description

Intended Use

Pharmaceutical and Physical and Characteristics

The Alergol Pollen Blocker (5 g nasal ointment) contains only a special pharmaceutical Vaseline (100%), no preservatives, no odoriferous substances, and pharmer substances. The physical characteristics of the Dr. Theiss Alergol Pollen no other Cream is similar to the Kos Polyglycol Cream, a packing material for use in ear surgical procedures. Both creams maintain their consistency for 4-6 hours. The our bargroal product to commercially-available pharmaceutical vaseline products.

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Safety Testing

By using longer carbon chains, a greater product viscosity is achieved which is an important factor regarding product safety. There have been no reports of any adverse effects during the past 40 years with the use of such products for topical purposes, even in the nasal cavity.

Laboratory and Testing

Appropriate toxicology and pharmacology testing demonstrates that the Alergol Pollen Blocker is safe for topical use as described in the product labelling. The biocompatibility of the Alergol Pollen Blocker cream is consistent with the results of the toxicology and safety performance testing. The Alergol Pollen Blocker does not contain any materials which are subject to the risk of transmission of bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE). Stability and packaging materials testing demonstrate that the product has a shelf-life of over 5 years at room temperature. The pollen blocker cream is intended for topical use and provided non-sterile.

Summary of Clinical Results

The safety and effectiveness of the Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream has been demonstrated in several clinical studies including two multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover studies (N=50; N=91) of the anti-allergic effectiveness of the Alergol Pollen Blocker nasal cream in treating patients suffering from allergic rhinitis.

Both studies demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the product. Symptom scores decreased significantly for patients treated with the Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream by up to 40% (p = 0.001) and nasal airflow resistance went down by approximately 50%. Treated patients reported that the blocker cream was welltolerated and no side-effects occurred as a result of application of the nasal cream.

The methylcellulose control also provided treatment and is not, therefore, strictly a placebo. However, the treatment effect for patients treated with the Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream was more significant than for those treated with the control therapy.

Results from Clinical Trials

In a clinical investigation (S. Schwetz et al. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery. 2004;130:979-984) Dr. Theiss Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream was found to be effective for the prophylaxis of symptoms in patients with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis.

In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, ninety-one patients were randomly assigned to receive pollen blocker cream (n=43) or carboxymethylcellulose gel (placebo) (n=48).

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The efficacy of treatment was assessed by means of nasal provocation testing. The investigators assessed the nasal symptom severity scores (range 0-6) and the changes in nasal airflow after allergen challenge.

Results:

Dr. Theiss Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream was significantly more effective than placebo and reduced the typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis in response to nasal challenge with allergen by nearly 60% (placebo reduced symptoms by 25% *)

The increase in airflow in response to treatment was approximately 20% in the Blocker Cream group compared to 10% in the placebo group.

Patient Group	Number of Patients	Percent of Patients	Symptom Score
High Responders	46	51%	Decrease >2
Responders	22	24%	Decrease = 1 or 2
Non-Responders	23	25%	Decrease <1

Patient results can be categorized as follows:

Approximately 50% of patients were therefore high responders, 25% were responders, and 25% were non-responders.

Dr. Theiss Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream did not produce any adverse effects.

Due to the physical mode of action of the preparation and its topical administration, there are no known interactions with other medicines. Dr. Theiss Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream can therefore be safely combined with other forms of allergy treatment.

Conclusions

By virtue of its physical characteristics and intended use, the Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream is substantially equivalent to devices legally marketed in the United States. Several clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and anti-allergic effectiveness of the Alergol Pollen Blocker nasal cream in treating patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. Methylcellulose vaseline also provides treatment, however the treatment effect for patients treated with the Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream was more significant than for those treated with methylcellulose.

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Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo is a circular seal with the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract image of an eagle, represented by three curved lines that suggest the bird's head, body, and tail feathers. The eagle faces to the left.

MAY 1 6 2005

Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850

Dr. Theiss Naturwaren GmbH c/o Stuart Portnoy, MD Senior Director, Medical Device Consulting PharmaNet, Inc. 815 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006

Re: K042610

Trade/Device Name: Dr. Theiss Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream Regulation Number: 21 CFR 880.5045 Regulation Name: Medical recirculating air cleaner Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: NUP Dated: April 15, 2005 Received: April 18, 2005

Dear Dr. Portnoy:

We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate for ass exactior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The I ou mayy arousisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.

If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.

Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean r reaso or active a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act that I Driving Internand regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must or uny 1 vith all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); good manufacturing practice requirements as set CI IC Fat 6077; additing (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.

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This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.

If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 827-8910. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/industry/support/index.html.

Sincerely yours,

David M. Whipple

David M. Whipple Acting Director Division of Ophthalmic and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health

Enclosure

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Indications for Use Statement

Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream Device Name:

510(k) Number:

Indications for Use:

The Alergol Pollen Blocker Cream is intended to promote alleviation of mild allergic The Alorgor - Silon Blooks rritation including itchy, runny, or congested nasal bymptome (from mill hathe inhalation of various allergens including environmental pollens, house dust, animal hairs, and dust mites.

(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE – CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NECESSARY)

concurrence of cdrh, office of device evaluation

Prescription Use

(Per 21 CFR 801.109)

Over-The-Counter Use

510(k) Numbe

Regulation Number and Section

§ 880.5045 Medical recirculating air cleaner.

(a)
Identification. A medical recirculating air cleaner is a device used to remove particles from the air for medical purposes. The device may function by electrostatic precipitation or filtration.(b)
Classification. Class II (performance standards).