K972872 · Esc Medical Systems , Ltd. · GEX · Oct 28, 1997 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K972872
Device Name
DERMA K LASER SYSTEM
Applicant
Esc Medical Systems , Ltd.
Product Code
GEX · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Oct 28, 1997
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4810
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The intended use of the Derma™ K is drawn from that of the predicates Derma™ 20 and Topaz™ 30, namely the vaporization, incision, excision, ablation, or photocoagulation of soft tissue in the listed surgical specialties of: Dermatology Cosmetic Surgery Plastic and General Surgery Dental and Oral Surgery Gynecology Orthopedic Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Podiatry
Device Story
Derma™ K is a dual-wavelength surgical laser system producing infrared energy at 2.94 microns (Er:YAG) and 10.6 microns (CO2). Energy is delivered to soft tissue via an articulated arm and removable handpieces. Operated by physicians in clinical or surgical settings, the device performs incision, excision, ablation, vaporization, and hemostasis. The system utilizes electronic control and cooling systems to manage laser output. By providing precise tissue interaction, the device assists surgeons in various specialties, potentially improving procedural outcomes compared to traditional surgical methods.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data submitted. Bench testing only.
Technological Characteristics
Dual-wavelength laser system (Er:YAG 2.94 microns; CO2 10.6 microns). Features articulated arm delivery with removable handpieces. Includes electronic control systems, cooling systems, and aiming beam diode laser. Identical to predicate systems in power, wavelength, and construction. Class II device.
Indications for Use
Indicated for incision, excision, ablation, vaporization, and hemostasis of soft tissue in patients requiring surgical intervention in dermatology, cosmetic, plastic, general, dental, oral, gynecologic, orthopedic, ENT, and podiatric specialties.
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.
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#### 510(K) Summary 4.
# OCT 28 1997
### Summary Page 1 of 2
This summary of 510(k) safety and effectiveness information is being submitted in accordance with the requirements of SMDA 1990.
K972872
- Submitter's name, address, telephone, fax, & contact person 1 .
Dr. Zvi Ladin ESC Medical Systems Limited Title: Vice President, Clinical Applications and Regulatory Affairs Phone: 011-972-959-9000 Fax: 011-972-959-9050 Address: Yokneam Industrial Park, PO Box 240, Yokneam 20692, Israel
- 2. Date summary prepared:
July 31, 1997
- 3. Product trade or proprietary name: Derma™ K laser system
- 4. Product common name: Dual wavelength Er: YAG and CO2 Laser System
#### న్. Product classification name 21C.F.R. § 878.4810 Lasers in general and plastic surgery and in dermatology 21C.F.R. § 874.4500 Lasers for use in ENT 21C.F.R. § 884.4550 Gynecologic surgical laser
#### Legally marketed predicates device used for equivalency: 6.
ESC Topaz™ 30 Laser System (K965015)
ESC DermaTM 20 Laser System (K964253)
- 7. Description:
The Derma™ K is a surgical laser system that produces laser (infrared) energy at wavelengths of 2.94 and 10.6 microns which is directed to soft tissue through an articulated arm system with removable handpieces.
ESC Proprietary Information
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### Summary Page 2 of 2
- 8. Statement of intended use:
The intended use of the Derma™ K is drawn from that of the predicates Derma™ 20 and Topaz™ 30, namely the vaporization, incision, excision, ablation, or photocoagulation of soft tissue in the listed surgical specialties of:
- · Dermatology
- · Cosmetic Surgery
- · Plastic and General Surgery
- · Dental and Oral Surgery
- · Gynecology
- · Orthopedic
- · Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Podiatry
#### Clinical and Non-clinical Performance Data 9.
None submitted.
- Technological characteristics: 10.
The Er: YAG laser output characteristics of the Derma™ K system and the predicate Derma™ 20 system are identical in average power, increments of power available, and wavelength. The electronic control systems, safety systems, cooling systems, Er: YAG laser, and aiming beam diode laser are identical.
The CO2 laser output characteristics of the Derma™ K system and the predicate ESC Topaz™ 30 system are similar in average power, increments of power available, and wavelength. The laser and power source are identical in construction.
There are no technological characteristics of the Derma™ K that are different from the predicates.
Advisory: This information was prepared for the sole purpose of compliance with the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990. It does not imply that the procedures described herein can be performed with the equipment described without substantial risk of personal injury or death to patients or operators due to operator error or in high risk procedures.
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Image /page/2/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized image of an eagle with three heads, representing the department's mission to protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular fashion around the eagle image.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
## OCT 28 1997
Dr. Zvi Ladin Vice President, Clinical Applications and Regulatory Affairs ESC Medical Systems, Ltd. Yokneam Industrial Park, PO Box 240 Yokneam 20692, Israel
Re: K972872 Trade Name: DERMA™ K Laser System Regulatory Class: II Product Code: GEX Dated: July 31, 1997 Received: August 4, 1997
Dear Dr. Ladin:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to 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). 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 (Premarket Approval), 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 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements , as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (OS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic (OS) inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
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Page 2 - Dr. Zvi Ladin
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) 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 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4595. 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" (21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
toscella
Celia M. Witten, Ph.D., M.D. Director Division of General and Restorative Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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K972872
510(k) Number (if known):
Derma™ K Laser System Device Name: ...
.
:
Indications For Use:
The Derma™ K laser system is intended for incision, excision, ablation, vaporization and hemostasis of soft tissuc.
(PLRASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
| Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) |
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| Division of General Restorative Devices | |
| 510(k) Number | K972872 |
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
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OR
Over-The-Counter Usc
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(Optional Format 1-2-96)
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.