K091746 · Biolase Technology, Inc. · GEX · Dec 7, 2009 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K091746
Device Name
WATERLASE MD, MODEL 7100102
Applicant
Biolase Technology, Inc.
Product Code
GEX · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Dec 7, 2009
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4810
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
Removal of subgingival calculi in periodontal pockets with periodontitis by closed or open curettage.
Device Story
Waterlase MD is an Er,Cr:YSGG dental laser system for hard and soft tissue procedures. Input: laser energy delivered via flexible fiber optic to handpiece. Operation: laser energy combined with water atomization spray to cut, remove, contour, or etch tissue; soft tissue modes (H and S) use laser for incision/excision/ablation with water spray for cooling/cleaning. Output: laser beam at target site; visible aiming light; illumination via fiber optic ports. Used in dental clinics by clinicians. Adjustable parameters include power output, pulse duration, repetition rate, and air/water flow. Interchangeable tips vary spot size/geometry. Output allows precise tissue management, potentially improving clinical outcomes compared to traditional techniques.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; substantial equivalence is based on technological comparison to the predicate device.
Technological Characteristics
Er,Cr:YSGG laser source; flexible fiber optic delivery; water atomization spray system; adjustable power, pulse duration, frequency, and flow rates; interchangeable tips for variable spot size/geometry; visible aiming light; illumination ports.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with periodontitis requiring removal of subgingival calculi in periodontal pockets via closed or open curettage. Contraindicated for patients with specific medical conditions including, but not limited to, allergy to local/topical anesthetics, heart disease, lung disease, bleeding disorders, sleep apnea, or immune system deficiency.
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
Ka Vo Key Laser III (1243 US)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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CONFIDENTIAL Biolase Technology, Inc.
> Regulatory Authority:
Company:
Contact:
K091746
510k Summary of Safety & Efficacy Waterlase® MD™ Expanded Indications for Use June 11, 2009
510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Information DEC - 7 2009
Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, 21 CFR 807.92
Biolase Technology, Inc. 4 Cromwell Irvine, CA 92618
Ms. Ioana M. Rizoiu Biolase Technology, Inc. 4 Cromwell Irvine, CA 92618 Tel: (949) 226-8144 Fax: (949) 273-6680
Waterlase®MD Trade Name: Common Name: Er, Cr: YSGG laser Classification Name: Surgical laser instrument Classification Code: 79 GEX, MXF, DZI a Class II device Equivalent Devices: Ka Vo Key Laser III 1243 US
### DEVICE DESCRIPTION:
The Waterlase MD dental laser system is a device used to perform a variety of dental soft and hard tissue indications. For hard tissue procedures the Waterlase MD uses the Erbium,Chromium:Yttrium,Scandium,Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr.YSGG) laser in combination with advanced water atomization spray technology to cut, remove, shave, contour, roughen and etch tissues. Soft tissue procedures are performed using two different modes of operation. H and S. where direct Er.Cr. YSGG laser energy is applied to incise, excise or ablate these tissues. For soft tissue procedures the water spray is applied for hydration. cooling or to keep tissues and the field of view clean. For hard tissue applications the spray is part of the tissue removing process as well as hydration, cooling and keeping tissues and field of view clean.
A flexible fiber optic terminated into the handpiece delivers the Waterlase®MD laser energy to the end fiber tip and target. A visible aiming light emitted from the handpiece's distal end pinpoints the area of treatment. Three fiber optic ports provide illumination from the handpiece to the tissue site in addition to the center beam emitting source. In both hard and soft tissue applications the power output, pulse duration, repetition rate (frequency) and air and water flow rates are adjustable to specific user requirements. The spot size and spot geometry can also be varied by changing tips which include different diameters and end configurations.
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CONFIDENTIAL Biolase Technology, Inc.
K091746
510k Summary of Safety & Efficacy
Waterlase MD™ Expanded Indications for Use
June 11, 2009
# INDICATIONS FOR USE:
Removal of subgingival calculi in periodontal pockets with periodontitis by closed or open curettage.
### CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:
All clinical procedures performed with Waterlase MD must be subject to the same clinical judgment and care as with traditional techniques. Patient risk must always be considered and fully understood before clinical treatment. The clinician must completely understand the patient's medical history prior to treatment. Exercise caution for general medical conditions, which might contraindicate a local procedure. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, allergy to local or topical anesthetics, heart disease, lung disease, bleeding disorders, sleep apnea or an immune system deficiency. Medical clearance from patient's physician is advisable when doubt exists regarding treatment.
### SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE:
The indications included herein are the same as indications that have been previously cleared by the FDA for an equivalent device. Substantial equivalency for the Waterlase MD has been determined through comparison to a previously cleared device.
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Image /page/2/Picture/9 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized eagle with three stripes representing the department's mission. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular pattern around the eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room W-066-0609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
DEC - 7 2009
Ms. Ioana M. Rizoiu Vice President, Clinical Research & Development Biolase Technology, Incorporated 4 Cromwell Irvine, California 92618-1816
Re: K091746 Trade/Device Name: Waterlase® MD Regulation Number: 21CFR 878.4810 Regulation Name: Laser Surgical Instrument for use in General and Plastic Surgery and in Dermatology Regulatory Class: II Product Code: GEX Dated: November 18, 2009 Received: November 24, 2009
Dear Ms. Rizoiu:
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 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.
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## Page 2- Ms. Rizoiu
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); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820): and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please go to
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDRH/CDRHOffices/ucm115809.htm for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm for the CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act from the Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours.
h for
Susan Runner, D.D.S., M.A. Acting Division Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Infection Control and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
#### Enclosure
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K091746
Page 1 of 1
Indications for Use
510(k) Number_
Device Name: Waterlase® MD
Indications for Use:
Removal of subgingival calculi in periodontal pockets with periodontitis by closed or open curettage.
X Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) AND/OR
Over-the-Counter Use_ (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Kein Muluy for NSP
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Anesthesialagy, Gerleral Hospital Tection Control, Dental Devices
510(k) Number: K 091746
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.