K971821 · Reliant Technologies, Inc. · GEX · Sep 25, 1997 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K971821
Device Name
UNICA 315 M CO2 SURGICAL LASER SYSTEM
Applicant
Reliant Technologies, Inc.
Product Code
GEX · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Sep 25, 1997
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4810
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Unica 315M R/G is indicated for use as a surgical instrument to vaporize, incise, excise, ablate or photocoagulate soft tissue in general surgical procedures.
Device Story
The Unica 315M R/G is a portable CO2 surgical laser system used by clinicians to perform soft tissue surgery (vaporization, incision, excision, ablation, photocoagulation). The device utilizes a sealed waveguide CO2 laser tube (10,600 nm) to deliver energy via a 4-joint articulated arm. It features an aiming beam (532 nm or 635 nm) to assist the surgeon in targeting. Operation modes include Superpulse, Pulse, and Continuous, with single or repeat pulse trains. The system is air-cooled, battery-backed for 1-5 hours of operation, and can be integrated with microscopes or colposcopes via micromanipulators. The clinician operates the device to deliver precise laser energy to the target tissue, facilitating surgical procedures. The device is designed for portability and robustness, with internal overheat protection and a sealed laser tube requiring no gas refills.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Equivalence is based on the long-standing history of CO2 laser use and comparison of operational/clinical parameters with legally marketed predicate devices.
Technological Characteristics
CO2 laser, sealed waveguide tube, TEM00 Gaussian mode. Wavelength: 10,600 nm. Aiming beam: 532 nm or 635 nm. Power: 1-15 Watts. Beam delivery: 4-joint articulated arm. Cooling: Internal air-cooled with overheat protection. Power: 110-120V/220-230V. Battery backup: 1-5 hours. Dimensions: 19.6 x 6.4 x 7.5 inches. Weight: 33 lbs. Complies with 21 CFR 1040 and 1010.
Indications for Use
Indicated for use as a surgical instrument to vaporize, incise, excise, ablate, or photocoagulate soft tissue in general surgical procedures. No specific patient population, age, or gender restrictions are defined.
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.
Coherent Laser Systems System 451 CO2 Laser System (K951812)
Laser Industries Sharplan 1020 CO2 Surgical Laser System (K860087)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
SEP 20 2 3
in
Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Information Reliant Technologies, Inc. Unica 315M R/G CO2 Laser System Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, 21CFR807.92
- 1. Device Name(s)
| Trade Name: | Unica 315M R/G CO₂ Surgical Laser System |
|-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Common Name: | CO₂ Surgical Laser |
| Classification Name: | Instrument, Surgical, Powered, Laser<br>§ 878.4810 Laser surgical instrument for use in general and plastic surgery and dermatology. Classification: Class II. |
| Classification Panel: | General & Plastic Surgery Devices Panel |
| Product Code(s): | 79-GEX |
# 2. Establishment Name & Registration Number:
Reliant Technologies, Inc. Name:
Number: 2950711
#### 3. Special Controls:
This device complies with CDRH radiation control regulations as outlined in:
21 CFR §1040, Performance Standards for Light Emitting Products
21 CFR §1010, Performance Standards for Electronic Products, general.
#### 4. Labeling:
The Unica 315M R/G is indicated for use as a surgical instrument to vaporize, incise, excise, ablate or photocoagulate soft tissue in general surgical procedures.
Required laser warning and caution statements are displayed as required for surgical laser devices.
{1}------------------------------------------------
#### 5. Device Description:
| Weight: | 33 lb. (15 kg.) |
|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dimensions: | Length:<br>19.6 in. (49 cm.)<br>Height (folded arm):<br>7.5 in. (18 cm.)<br>Width:<br>6.4 in. (16 cm.) |
| Main Laser Source: | CO2 laser, sealed wave guide tube TEM00. |
| Treatment Beam<br>Wavelength: | 10,600 nm CO2 laser |
| Aiming Beam<br>Wavelength: | 532 nm KTP or 635 nm GaAlAs-laser - max. output 5 milliwatt. |
| Modes of Operation*: | Superpulse/Pulse/Continuous<br>Single or Repeat pulse trains |
| Beam Delivery: | 4 joint articulated arm that can be partially folded into the laser. |
| Battery backup: | Equipped with backup battery for 1 to 5 hours of operation<br>depending on output power etc. |
| Battery charge cycle: | Full charge is achieved in 5 hours |
| Cooling system: | Internal cooling to instrument case. Overheat protection circuit. |
| Electric requirements: | Single phase 220-230V 50 Hz, <0.5A, or<br>Single phase 110-120V 60 Hz, <1.0A. |
*Reliant Technologies, Inc. continually incorporates innovations into its products. Product specifications may change without notice.
- It contains a sealed laser tube, i.e. no gas filling is needed. The typical life time of the laser . tube is more than 10,000 hours of operation.
- It is mechanically robust and electrically very safe does not contain any higher voltage . than 32 volts.
- It is easy to transport. The 315 M can be hand-carried without difficulty. The articulated . arm can be partially folded into the laser.
- It has a backup battery. The laser output is independent of any line voltage fluctuations or . even total voltage loss for hours.
{2}------------------------------------------------
It can be connected via micromanipulators to microscopes and colposcopes. Special accessories can be employed, e.g. for angular cutting.
#### Attachments/Accessories:
The Unica 315 M CO2 Laser is compatable with the following existing legally marketed Reliant Technologies, Inc. laser attachments and accessories:
- 1. UniMax Model 2000 Color Corrected MicroSpot CO2 Laser Micromanipulator -K920821.
- 2. Acutome 2000 Color Corrected Laparoscopic CO2 Laser Coupler and Sleeves K942868.
- 3. Acutome 100 Color Corrected CO2 Laser Handpiece K942931.
- 4. AccuScan Model C CO2 Laser Scanner K953670.
# 6. Applicant Name & Address:
Reliant Technologies, Inc. 1153 Triton Drive, Suite C Foster City, CA 94404 415.570.6831 - 415.377.0887 (fax)
# 7. Company Contact:
Ms. Lana Black Reliant Technologies, Inc. 1153 Triton Drive, Suite C Foster City, CA 94404 415.570.6831 - 415.377.0887 (fax)
# 8. Substantially Equivalent Device(s):
- 1. Luxar Corporation. LX-20SP Laser System
- 2. Coherent Laser Systems. System 451 CO2 Laser System
- 3. Laser Industries. Sharplan 1020 CO2 Surgical Laser System
{3}------------------------------------------------
# 9. Equivalence:
Based on the long standing history of use of CO2 lasers and the operational and clinical parameters of the Unica 315 M and the referenced comparison devices, Reliant Technologies, Inc. believes that the Unica 315 M laser is substantially equivalent to devices presently legally marketed in the US.
#### 10. Feature Comparison Table:
| SPECIFICATION | UNICA 315M R/G CO2<br>Laser System | Luxar - LX-20SP<br>Laser System | Coherent<br>System 451 CO2<br>Laser System | Sharplan 1020 CO2<br>Surgical<br>Laser System |
|-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| LASER MEDIUM -<br>WAVELENGTH: | CO2 -10.6 micron | CO2 -10.6 micron | CO2 -10.6 micron | CO2 -10.6 micron |
| BATTERY BACKUP: | 1-5 hours depending on<br>laser output power | NA | NA | NA |
| OUTPUT Power: | 1-15 Watt | 2 - 20 Watt | 0.5 - 100 Watt | 1-20 Watt |
| MODE: | TEMoo, Gaussian | TEMo1, Multimode | TEMoo, Gaussian | TEMoo, Gaussian |
| Exposure Times: | Single pulse and variable,<br>0.05 -continuous sec. | Single pulse and variable,<br>0.05 -continuous sec. | Single pulse and variable,<br>0.05 -continuous sec. | Single pulse and variable,<br>0.05 -continuous sec. |
| POWER<br>REQUIREMENTS: | 110-120 VAC or<br>220-240 VAC | 110-120 VAC or<br>220-240 VAC | 117-220 VAC | 120 VAC |
| AIMING BEAM: | 635 nm GaA1As - up to 5<br>mW<br>532 nm up to 3 mW | NA | HeNe 0.8 mW- 632.8 nm | HeNe 2.0 mW- 632.8 nm |
| BEAM DELIVERY: | Articulated arm &<br>accessories | Hollow waveguide | Articulated arm &<br>accessories | Articulated arm &<br>accessories |
| WEIGHT: | 33 lb./15 Kg. | 40 lb./18.4 kg | 350 lb./160 kg | 80 Ib./36 Kg |
| COOLING: | Air Cooled | Air Cooled | Water | Water |
| INDICATIONS: | Cutting, coagulation.<br>excision and ablation of soft<br>tissue. | Cutting, coagulation,<br>excision and ablation of soft<br>tissue. | Cutting, coagulation,<br>excision and ablation of soft<br>tissue. | Cutting, coagulation,<br>excision and ablation of<br>soft tissue. |
| K Numbers: | Pending | K953074 | K951812 | K860087 |
{4}------------------------------------------------
Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image is a black and white logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo features a stylized image of an eagle or bird-like figure with three distinct head profiles layered on top of each other. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular fashion around the bird image.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20856
SEP 2 5 1997
Ms. Lana Black .Vice President and Official Correspondent Reliant Technologies, Inc. 1153 Triton Drive, Suite C Foster City, California 94404
Re: K971821 Trade Name: Unica 315M R/G - CO, Surgical Laser System Regulatory Class: II Product Code: GEX Dated: August 21, 1997 Received: August 22, 1997
Dear Ms. Black:
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 (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic (QS) 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.
{5}------------------------------------------------
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,
fccellge
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
{6}------------------------------------------------
# 14971821
# Indication for Use
The Unica 315M R/G is indicated for use as a surgical instrument to vaporize, incise, excise, ablate or photocoagulate soft tissue in general surgical procedures
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
tcoello
(Division Sign-Off) Division of General Re-510(k) Number
Prescription Use V (Per 21CFR§801.109)
OR
Over-The-Counter Use
Predicate graph will load when search results are available.
Embedding visualization will load when search results are available.
PDF viewer will load when search results are available.
Loading panels...
Select an item from Submissions
Click any panel, subpart, regulation, product code, or device to see details here.
Section Matches
Results will appear here.
Product Code Matches
Results will appear here.
Special Control Matches
Results will appear here.
Loading collections...
Loading
My Alerts
You will receive email notifications based on the filters and frequency you set for each alert.
Sort by:
Create Alert
Search Filters
Agent Token
Create a read-only bearer token for Claude, ChatGPT, or other agents that can call HTTP APIs.
Copy this now. It will not be shown again.
Connected apps
Apps you authorized through browser sign-in. Disconnecting revokes their access immediately.
Learn the FDA Browser
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.