| Regulatory status in China | Confirm the device’s classification and whether the exact system and intended use have the required NMPA registration for the Chinese market. Implantable neurostimulator systems may be subject to Class III requirements; verify classification for the specific product. | Current registration certificate and annexes; product technical requirements; approved indications; certificate-holder and manufacturing-site details. Check status through official NMPA channels. | A certificate for a different model, intended use, or legal entity; expired, suspended, or unverifiable registration; claims that a quality certificate alone authorizes market placement. | Pass only after product-specific status and scope are verified. |
| Quality management system | Assess controlled design, manufacturing, supplier-management, corrective-action, complaint-handling, and change-control processes. | Valid ISO 13485 certificate and scope; issuing-body details; audit summary; quality-system procedures relevant to the device and manufacturing site. | Certificate scope excludes the relevant site or activities; inability to explain traceability, corrective actions, or change notification. | Verify certificate authenticity and scope; treat certification as supporting evidence, not product approval. |
| System configuration and compatibility | Check that the pulse generator, lead, extensions, programmer, accessories, and software are specified as a compatible system. Review available stimulation settings and operating limits against the intended clinical use. | Product specifications; compatibility matrix; labeling and instructions for use; configuration and software-version controls. | Unclear component combinations; undocumented substitutions; specifications that differ between sales materials and controlled product documentation. | Confirm every proposed component is covered by the applicable documentation and approval. |
| Safety and performance testing | Review the risk-management file and test strategy for electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, software, and active implantable-device safety, as applicable to the system. | Risk-management summary; test reports from qualified laboratories; standards list and editions; verification and validation summaries. IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2, and ISO 14708-1/-3 may be relevant, subject to product scope and applicable regulatory requirements. | Only a standards logo or certificate without a matching report; testing does not cover the proposed configuration; unresolved critical risks. | Check report scope, model numbers, laboratory competence, and standards applicability. |
| Biocompatibility and sterilization | For patient-contacting and implantable components, assess biological-safety evaluation, material controls, sterilization validation, and maintenance of sterility through shelf life. | Biological evaluation documentation; material specifications; sterilization validation and routine monitoring records; packaging validation; shelf-life data and labeling. | Evidence does not match the exact materials or device configuration; missing sterilization or packaging validation; unclear expiry dating. | Review by qualified regulatory and clinical experts before procurement. |
| Clinical evidence and intended use | Assess whether the evidence supports the approved indications, target population, and claimed outcomes. Distinguish published clinical evidence from promotional claims. | Clinical evaluation documentation; study protocols and results; relevant peer-reviewed publications; post-market safety information and adverse-event summaries, where available. | Claims exceed the approved intended use; evidence is unrelated to the proposed model or population; outcome claims lack traceable sources. | Evaluate evidence quality, relevance, and limitations rather than relying on headline claims. |
| Manufacturing controls and traceability | Review control of critical processes, incoming components, in-process testing, final release, batch records, and device-level traceability. | Process-control overview; sample batch and release records; lot or serial-number traceability; supplier qualification and change-control procedures. | No clear link between component lots and finished devices; uncontrolled subcontracting; undocumented production-site changes. | Request a documented explanation of traceability and notification of material changes. |
| Software and cybersecurity | If the system includes software, wireless communication, or connected programming tools, assess software lifecycle controls, access management, vulnerability handling, and update governance. | Software version history; validation summary; cybersecurity risk assessment; update and vulnerability-response procedures; user-access controls. | Uncontrolled software updates; no defined security contact or vulnerability process; unclear impact of updates on compatibility or approval. | Confirm responsibilities and change notification in writing. |
| Training and clinical support | Assess training for clinicians and authorized users, availability of technical support, response channels, and support for implantation, programming, and troubleshooting consistent with labeling. | Training materials; instructor qualifications; service hours and escalation pathway; language availability; written support commitments. | Support promises are verbal only; no defined escalation for device complaints or urgent technical issues; training materials are unavailable in the required language. | Agree on response times, coverage, and training scope before purchase. |
| Warranty, repairs, and lifecycle support | Review warranty terms, repair or replacement pathways, spare-part availability, service life statements, and plans for product discontinuation. | Written warranty; service and replacement procedures; parts availability commitments; end-of-life and product-change policies. | Ambiguous exclusions; no defined repair route; unsupported claims about service life or availability. | Compare contractual terms and local service capacity, not only purchase price. |
| Packaging, shipping, and import readiness | Confirm packaging protects sterile products and that transport, storage, labeling, and customs documentation match the device and destination. If a lithium battery is included, assess applicable transport requirements. | Packaging and transport validation; storage conditions; shipping documents; battery transport documentation, including UN 38.3 test summary where applicable. | Unverified battery transport status; incomplete shipping documents; packaging or labeling inconsistent with the approved product. | Confirm requirements for the specific shipment route and destination before dispatch. |
| Overall supplier decision | Compare suppliers using the same checklist. Give priority to verified regulatory status, safety evidence, traceability, and dependable post-sale support. | Completed due-diligence records; document verification log; site or remote audit notes; signed commercial and service terms. | Decision based mainly on price, unsupported claims, or certificates that cannot be independently checked. | Do not proceed until critical regulatory, safety, and traceability gaps are resolved. |