Cleared Special

K081324 - CANDELA FAMILY OF Q-SWITCHED ALEXANDRITE LASERS (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

Class II General & Plastic Surgery device cleared through the Special 510(k) pathway - typically does not require clinical trials.

K081324 · Candela Corp. · General & Plastic Surgery device
Jun 2008
Decision
36d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K081324 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the CANDELA FAMILY OF Q-SWITCHED ALEXANDRITE LASERS. Classified as Powered Laser Surgical Instrument within the GEX classification (a category for powered laser surgical instruments across multiple specialties), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Candela Corp. (Wayland, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on June 17, 2008 after a review of 36 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the General & Plastic Surgery FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 878.4810 - the FDA general and plastic surgery device framework. As a Special 510(k), this submission covers a manufacturer modification to an existing cleared device rather than a new device introduction.

Device pattern: Iterative device modification. Low regulatory complexity profile. This Special 510(k) clearance confirms that the manufacturer's modifications remained within the established regulatory envelope of the original cleared device.

Submission Details

510(k) Number K081324 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received May 12, 2008
Decision Date June 17, 2008
Days to Decision 36 days
Submission Type Special
Review Panel General & Plastic Surgery (SU)
Summary Summary PDF
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
96d faster than avg
Panel avg: 132d · This submission: 36d
Pathway characteristics
Modification to existing cleared device.

Device Classification

Product Code GEX Powered Laser Surgical Instrument
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 878.4810
Definition A Laser (light Amplification By Stimulated Emission Of Radiation) Based Device Having Coherence, Collimated And Typically Monochromatic Radiation. Typically Indicated To To Cut, Destroy, Remove Or Coagulate Tissue, Generally Soft Tissue, For General Surgical Purpose In Medical Specialties Of General And Plastic Surgery, Dermatology/aesthetic, Podiatry, Otolaryngology (ent), Gynecology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics (soft Tissue), Dental And Oral Surgery, And Dentistry. The Classification Regulation 21 Cfr 878.4810 Describes A Device That Is Carbon Dioxide Or Argon Laser Intended To Cut, Destroy, Remove Or Coagulate Tissue By The Light.
What this classification means

Class II devices require demonstration of substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate device. This pathway does not require clinical trials - it relies on engineering equivalence and performance data. Most General & Plastic Surgery devices follow this clearance model.

Regulatory Peers - GEX Powered Laser Surgical Instrument

All 128
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