Cleared Traditional

K974381 - CANDELA GENTLELASE GL DERMATOLOGICAL LASER (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

Class II General & Plastic Surgery device cleared through predicate-based substantial equivalence - typically does not require clinical trials.

K974381 · Candela Corp. · General & Plastic Surgery device
Feb 1998
Decision
82d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K974381 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the CANDELA GENTLELASE GL DERMATOLOGICAL LASER. 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 February 10, 1998 after a review of 82 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. The Traditional 510(k) pathway establishes clearance through substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate device, without requiring clinical trial data.

Device pattern: Fast-track predicate clearance. Standard predicate reliance. The short review cycle indicates strong predicate alignment - the FDA found sufficient equivalence without extended technical review.

Submission Details

510(k) Number K974381 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received November 20, 1997
Decision Date February 10, 1998
Days to Decision 82 days
Submission Type Traditional
Review Panel General & Plastic Surgery (SU)
Summary Summary PDF
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
50d faster than avg
Panel avg: 132d · This submission: 82d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required.

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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