SOCRATES is a non-randomized, multisite, single-arm, open-label, global post-market observational data collection per standard of care. While generally of prospective design, a limited retrospective element is allowed for the inclusion of patients for a short period of 10 days after their index procedure.~SOCRATES intends to enroll a number of subjects that will support the analysis of all the individual Post Market Clinical Follow-Up (PMCF) Plans. An average of approximately 100 subjects per year and site on a continuous basis is expected but may vary depending on the needs of individual PMCF Plans. As long as SOCRATES is active, there is no upper limit to the total number of subjects that may be enrolled, and enrollment will be driven by the need to support sample sizes of individual PMCF plans for given products/product groupings supported by SOCRATES.~SOCRATES is designed to be a continuous effort after the data collection commences without a predefined closure timepoint. Data collection and enrollment may be stopped, restarted or finalized per Sponsor discretion.~The expected duration of SOCRATES participation for a subject is dependent on~the specific lifetime of the device (e.g. the battery usage for pulse generators or continued active use of leads for CRM devices) or~the necessary timeframe to adequately assess safety and performance of the device based on the residual risk assessed for each device in the associated PMCF plan. Timeframes might e.g. spread from 7 days to one year post procedure for EP. The maximum duration per enrolled subject will consequently vary.~For BSC implantable devices subjects are intended to be followed for the entire time of being implanted with a BSC device to allow data collection over the lifetime of the device(s) as required by applicable regulations. A maximum duration per enrolled subject is not defined, unless locally required. In case a local maximum duration is enforced subjects may be consented again and re-enrolled for continued participation if they are still in scope for SOCRATES. Sites shall ensure continuous data collection without any gaps in case a re-enrollment becomes applicable. Data sets for re-enrolled subjects will be handled as if the subject was continuously enrolled. This process will ensure to meet the requirement of MDR for device manufacturers to collect data over the lifetime of the devices.
SOCRATES is part of Boston Scientific's (BSC) Post-market surveillance system. The implementation of such systems is mandatory per local regulations such as the Regulation '(EU) 2017/745 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2017 on medical devices' or short Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The SOCRATES design is therefore based on the BSC's commitment as well as external regulatory requirements to proactively and systematically gather, record and analyze relevant data on the quality, performance and safety of devices throughout their entire lifetime.