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User Instructions
How is the MAUDE Database Full Text Search Index searched?
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Because of the amount of MAUDE data, you must select the 2-year period in which to search.
- Your search term can be the exact name of a specific device, or it can be a more generic, common name for a category of devices (i.e. pacemaker) or other search term.
- Search terms are not case sensitive.
For example, search terms like MediValv, medivalv, Medivalv and MEDIVALV will all find the same set of records.
- Normally, MAUDE uses a process called stemming to find your search term. In stemming, all words that are based on your search term are also included.
For example, if you Search with hear, you will get all records that have one or more words that stem from hear, like hears or hearing. You will not get records that have heart in them because hear is not a stem of heart.
- Or, you may use an * to indicate that you would like MAUDE to search all words containing your original search term and not use stemming. This is a good strategy to use if you are not exactly sure what a device is called. You may use * at the beginning, end, or beginning and end of your search term.
For example, if you search with hear*, you will get all records that have one or more words that start with hear, such as hear, heart, hearing, hears and hearth. If you search with *ear you will words that end in ear, such as clear, hear, smear, etc, but not heart, hearing, hears, and hearth. If you search with *ear* you get records that have one or more words with ear somewhere in them, such as clear, hear, smear, heart, hearing, hears, hearth, etc.
As yet another example, if you are interested in finding all angiography devices, they may be listed under angiogram, angiography, or angiographic device. If you entered angiogr* you would get all of the devices. If you entered angiogram, you would get only some of the devices.
- Trade names are often made-up words. If you are not sure of the spelling of a trade name for a specific device, you should add the * following 3-5 letters of the word rather than guessing at the spelling of the trade name.
For example, if you want to find the device Medivalv, you would not find the record if you entered Medivalve, but you would it if you searched with Medi*.
- You may enter more than one word in the search box if you would like to limit your search to records that contain all words.
For example, if you search with heart valve, you will get only those records that have both heart and valve in them. The records do not have to have the words near each other in the record.
- The program automatically sorts your results by Date Report Received.
- The program automatically returns 10 records per page. You can change this to a different number if you like.
Once you have entered your search conditions, click on "Search." Depending on your internet connection, it may take up to several minutes to complete your search.
What else can I get on this site?
At the bottom of the device list pages, you will find options to search the FDA web site further for your specific search terms.
- If you select Search Entire FDA web, you will get a list of every time your search term was mentioned in any FDA document.
- If you select Search only Press Releases, you will get a list of all press releases issued that contain your particular search term.
- If you select Search only Enforcement Reports, you will get a list of FDA actions (including recalls and safety alerts) that contain your particular search term.
How can I get further assistance?
If you have additional questions about a specific request, you can contact CDRH’s Staff.
When corresponding or requesting information from the CDRH Staff, please include your telephone, FAX numbers or mailing/E-mail address in your request if you would like us to respond.
If you have questions or feedback about MAUDE, please use this link to contact us: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/comment5.html.
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