FDA PRODUCT CODE · CLASS II
GEX — Powered Laser Surgical Instrument
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 these counts are not
Clearance and recall counts are SPEQ’s aggregation of FDA’s own published records for the code. A recall count is a measure of history, not of a device’s safety, neither number is an FDA rating, and SPEQ is not affiliated with the FDA.
What this classification requires
Every statement below is FDA’s own classification record for this product code, quoted from the device classification field reference. The SPEQ reading beneath each one is SPEQ’s interpretation of what it means for the work, and is not FDA text.
510(K)
SPEQ READINGA premarket notification under 21 CFR Part 807 Subpart E is the route for this code. The submission argues substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate, so the engineering question is which predicate the design can actually be compared against, and the evidence question is what testing supports that comparison.
Class II (moderate to high risk): general controls and special controls
SPEQ READINGSpecial controls are the distinguishing feature: performance standards, guidance documents, patient registries or postmarket surveillance named for the device type. Find the special controls before designing the test plan — they usually name the tests.
Device is eligible for The Voluntary Malfunction Summary Reporting Program
SPEQ READINGMalfunctions for this code may be reported in periodic summary form rather than as individual MDRs under 21 CFR Part 803. Eligibility is a property of the product code; using it is a decision the manufacturer makes and must be able to justify.
Not exempt due to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)/Quality System
SPEQ READINGThe full Quality Management System Regulation (21 CFR 820, incorporating ISO 13485:2016) applies, and is what an FDA inspection of this device will be conducted against.
Device is not implantable
SPEQ READINGNo implant-specific expectations attach from the classification itself.
Device is not used for life sustaining purposes
SPEQ READINGNo life-sustaining designation attaches to this code.
Device is a candidate for a third party review program
SPEQ READINGAn Accredited Person may conduct the 510(k) review instead of FDA. FDA still makes the clearance decision — third-party review changes who reviews, never who decides.
Other product codes under 21 CFR 878.4810
One regulation usually governs several product codes. These share this code’s regulation, and therefore its classification basis.
21 CFR 878.4810 — Laser surgical instrument for use in general and plastic surgery and in dermatology
The classification regulation for this product code, as published by the Office of the Federal Register. This is the regulation text itself — no SPEQ interpretation appears in it.
(a) 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.
(b) Classification.
(1) Class II.
(2) Class I for special laser gas mixtures used as a lasing medium for this class of lasers. The devices subject to this paragraph (b)(2) are exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter, subject to the limitations in § 878.9. [53 FR 23872, June 24, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 1123, Jan. 16, 1996; 66 FR 38803, July 25, 2001]
Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21. 21 CFR is a work of the United States Government and is in the public domain. SPEQ read this section on October 22, 2026. CFR is amended continuously, so verify against the source before acting on it: read 21 CFR 878.4810 on eCFR →
Recent clearances
Recent recalls
All model WLA-01 systems sold to US customers are found to have labeling non-compliances
The term Bladder Stone was incorrectly translated in both Spanish and Portuguese to Kidney Stone(Clculo renal) on the systems Graphical User Interface (GUI), a potential to deliver an incorrect or unintended amount of energy to the patients anatomy.
The term Bladder Stone was incorrectly translated in both Spanish and Portuguese to Kidney Stone(Clculo renal) on the systems Graphical User Interface (GUI), a potential to deliver an incorrect or unintended amount of energy to the patients anatomy.
Laser system's spot tracking system may become misaligned resulting in the possible risk of delivery of higher-than-expected laser energy to epidermal tissue, which may cause blistering.
Olympus identified inconsistencies in the Instructions for Use regarding cleaning the fiber tip and fiber cleaving and stripping instructions. Following the current instructions presents the potential for the fiber to break during use, which may cause burns, procedure delays, prolonged surgery, and
The strippers and cleavers are provided non-sterile and labelled as reusable/autoclavable. Olympus does not have validated cleaning and sterilization instructions. Use of a non-sterile fiber stripper or cleaver on a sterile fiber poses a risk of contamination.
Affected products may potentially have a breached sterile pouch seal. A breached sterile pouch seal may lead to minor procedure delays (if noticed prior to use) or patient infections (if not noticed prior to use in patient).
The strippers and cleavers are provided non-sterile and labelled as reusable/autoclavable. Olympus does not have validated cleaning and sterilization instructions. Use of a non-sterile fiber stripper or cleaver on a sterile fiber poses a risk of contamination.
Source: FDA device classification, 510(k)/PMA, and recall datasets. Recall entries count distinct FDA recall numbers, so one recall event affecting several products appears as several entries. Browse every product code SPEQ tracks →