What ongoing phase monitors the performance of devices after they have been launched?

The ongoing phase that monitors the performance of devices after they have been launched is known as post-market surveillance. This phase is crucial because it involves the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data regarding a medical device's safety and effectiveness once it is on the market.

Post-market surveillance helps identify any potential issues that may not have been evident during preclinical testing or clinical trials, which are conducted prior to regulatory approval. This phase ensures that any adverse events, trends, or defects are promptly reported and managed to maintain patient safety and device efficacy. It also contributes to ongoing compliance with regulations and can help inform future regulatory decisions.

In contrast, preclinical testing is concerned with the initial research and evaluation of a device before it is submitted for approval, while regulatory approval refers to the formal process of obtaining permission to sell and market the device. Device design relates to the development stage where concepts and specifications are defined, not to the monitoring of performance after the product is released to the market.