K022837 · Fotona D.D. · GEX · Nov 25, 2002 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K022837
Device Name
FOTONA TANDEM LASER SYSTEM
Applicant
Fotona D.D.
Product Code
GEX · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Nov 25, 2002
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4810
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Fotona Tandem Laser System and Accessories is intended for incision, ablation, vaporization, coagulation, and hemostasis of vascular lesions and soft tissue in various surgical areas, and for permanent hair reduction in Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI.
Device Story
Fotona Tandem Laser System utilizes Nd:YAG (1064 nm) and KTP (532 nm) laser technology for surgical and aesthetic applications. System features two optical cavities activated by flashlamps; red diode aiming beam reflected via beamsplitter. Physician selects wavelength via control panel; laser energy delivered through optical fiber to focusing handpieces in non-contact mode. Shared power supply, control, and cooling systems. Used by physicians in dermatology, general, and plastic surgery. Device enables selective photothermolysis of target chromophores (melanin for hair reduction; vascular targets for coagulation). Clinical benefits include stable long-term hair reduction and effective management of vascular lesions and soft tissue surgical needs.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; substantial equivalence based on technological characteristics and intended use comparison to predicate devices.
Technological Characteristics
Dual-wavelength laser system (1064 nm Nd:YAG and 532 nm KTP); flashlamp-pumped; non-contact delivery via optical fiber and handpieces; shared power supply, control, and cooling systems; internal computer-controlled wavelength selection.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring incision, ablation, vaporization, coagulation, and hemostasis of vascular lesions and soft tissue (including skin, muscle, cartilage, organs, glands) and for permanent hair reduction in Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
(1) A carbon dioxide laser for use in general surgery and in dermatology is a laser device intended to cut, destroy, or remove tissue by light energy emitted by carbon dioxide.(2) An argon laser for use in dermatology is a laser device intended to destroy or coagulate tissue by light energy emitted by argon.
Predicate Devices
Fotona Dualis long pulse KTP laser system
Fotona Dualis Nd:YAG laser system
Palomar Clear Light Nd:YAG laser system (Palomar Q-YAG 5)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
K 022837
I. General Information
#### Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data Appendix E:
NOV 2 5 2002
1/>
| Company : | Fotona d.d.<br>Stegne 7, 1210 Ljubljana<br>SLOVENIA |
|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact Person : | Mojca Valjavec |
| Preparation Date : | 08-08-02 |
| Device Trade Names : | Fotona Tandem Laser System |
| Common Name : | Combination of Long Pulse Nd:YAG and<br>Nd:YAG/KTP Lasers |
| Classification Name : | Instrument, Surgical, Powered, Laser<br>79-GEX<br>21 CFR 878-48 |
# II. Description
The Fotona Tandem laser system is based on the Nd: YAG (1064 nm) and KTP (532 nm) laser technology. There are two optical cavities containing the Nd:YAG and KTP crystals. Both are activated by means of the use of flashlamps. After each cavity, a red diode aiming beam is reflected onto a coaxial beam path using a beamsplitter assembly. The combined therapeutic and aiming beams are guided through the optical fiber delivery systems to the focusing handpieces.
Both lasers are used in non-contact mode.
Both laser heads share a common power supply, control system, and cooling system. The internal computer can be directed to select either the Nd: Y AG head or the KTP (Inixedwavelength 1064/532 nm) head. When the laser is first turned on the physician is able to select the desired wavelength via control panel.
# III. Intended Use
The Fotona Tandem Laser System and Accessories is intended for incision, ablation, vaporization, coagulation, and hemostasis of vascular lesions and soft tissue in various surgical areas, and for permanent hair reduction in Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI.
{1}------------------------------------------------
# IV. Summary of Substantial Equivalence
Fotona believes that its Tandem laser system is substantially equivalent to the Fotona Dualis " long pulse KTP laser system previously cleared for incision, ablation, vaporization, coagulation, and hemostasis of vascular lesions and soft tissue in various surgical areas, to the Fotona Dualis' Nd:YAG laser system previously cleared also for permanent hair reduction in Fitzpatrick skin types I - VI, and to the Palomar Clear Light Nd:YAG laser system, marketed under Palomar Q-YAG 5. Similar as the Fotona Tandem, the Palomar system incorporates dual wavelengths (1064 and 1064/532 nm) and has been cleared for treatment of vascular lesions and removal of hair.
They therefore have the same Intended Use as the Fotona Tandem laser system.
The Tandem laser system shares the same design features (wavelength, active medium, cooling system, power supply, beam deliveries, controls, housing) as the Fotona Dualis " and the Fotona Dualis YP.
The risk and benefits for the Tandem laser system are comparable to the predicate devices when used for similar clinical applications.
It is therefore believed that there are no new questions of Safety or Effectiveness raised by the introduction of the Tandem laser system.
{2}------------------------------------------------
## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image is a black and white logo for the Department of Health & Human Services USA. The logo features a circular border with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES • USA" arranged around the top half of the circle. Inside the circle is an abstract graphic consisting of three stylized human profiles facing to the right, stacked one above the other.
#### Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
NOV 2 5 2002
Fotona D. D Moica Valiavec OA/RA Manager Stegne 7, 1210 Ljubljana Slovenia
Re: K022837
Trade/Device Name: Fotona Tandem Laser System Regulation Number: 878.4810 Regulation Name: Instrument, surgical, powered, laser Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: GEX Dated: August 20, 2002 Received: August 27, 2002
Dear Sir or Madam:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the
{3}------------------------------------------------
### . Page 2 - Sir or Madam
quality systems (OS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable; the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050. This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 5100k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device
to proceed to the market.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4659. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled. "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html
Sincerely yours,
Muriam C. Provost
(Celia M. Witten, Ph.D., MD., MD.
Director Director Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{4}------------------------------------------------
# Appendix F : Indications for Use Statement
510(k) Number (if known): KO22837
Device Name:
Fotona Tandem Nd: YAG/KTP Laser System and Accessories
Indications For Use:
The Fotona Tandem Laser System and Accessories is intended for incision, ablation, vaporization, coagulation, and hemostasis of vascular lesions and soft tissue in various surgical areas, and for permanent hair reduction in Fitzpatrick skin types I-V1.
### KTP Laser (532 + 1064 nm)
The Fotona Tandem KTP laser is intended for incision, vaporization, coaqulation, and hemostasis of vascular lesions and soft tissue in vanous surgical areas. All soft tissue is included, such as skin, cutaneous tissue, subcutaneous tissue, striated and smooth tissue, muscle, cartilage meniscus, mucous membrane, lymph vessels and nodes, organs, and glands. Dermatology :
The treatment (hemostasis, color lightening, blanching, reduction of lesion size) of the vascular lesions (Angiomas, Hemangiomas, Telangiectasia)
### Nd:YAG Laser (1064 nm)
The Tandem Nd:YAG laser systems is indicated for use in surgical and aesthetic applications requiring selective photothermolysis of target chromophores in soft tissue in the medical specialities of general and plastic surgery and dermatology:
- To effect stable long-term, or permanent, hair reduction in skin types I VI through selective . targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined as a long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a treatment regimen.
- For removal of unwanted hair. ●
- For coaqulation and hemostasis of vascular lesions. ●
- For incision/excision of soft body tissue in dermatology. ●
- For soft tissue general surgery applications skin incision; tissue dissection; complete or ● partial resection of internal organs, tumors, lesions; tissue ablation; vessel coagulation.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
| | Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) |
|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| | Miriam C. Provost |
| | (Division Sign-Off) |
| | Division of Gen. 1. Restorative<br>and Neurological Devices |
| Prescription Use<br>(Per 21 CFR 801.109) | 510(k) Number <sup>OR</sup> K022837 Over-The-Counter Use |
Two short videos show you everything — or skip straight to the written tutorial if you'd rather read. You can reopen this any time from the Tutorial button in the top bar.
Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.