(a) Identification. A switching valve (ploss) is a three-way valve located between a stethoscope placed over the heart, a blood pressure cuff, and an earpiece. The valve allows the user to eliminate one sound channel and listen only to a patient's heart or korotkoff (blood pressure) sounds through the other channel.

(b) Classification. Class I (general controls). The device is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 868.9. The device is also exempt from the current good manufacturing practice requirements of the quality system regulation in part 820 of this chapter, with the exception of § 820.180, with respect to general requirements concerning records, and § 820.198, with respect to complaint files.