510(k) · Cleared
Clearedenlighten III Laser System
Data to Oct 25, 2026 (FDA decisions) Oct 12, 2026 (recalls) Sep 30, 2026 (MAUDE) refreshed weekly
Cutera, Inc. · GEX Powered Laser Surgical Instrument
Cleared on Dec 12, 2018 as substantially equivalent to K172077 (Cutera, Inc., 2017) and 2 other predicates after a 43-day review. Its family tree reaches back 26 generations to 1995.
- Decided
- Dec 12, 2018
- Review
- 43 days
- Class
- Class II
- Product code
- GEX
- Recalls
- None
- Predicates
- 3
Its longest line of descent runs back 26 generations to K943450 (1995). 292 ancestors in all, the oldest K800617 (1980). No later device cites it as a predicate yet.
- Root · 26 generations backK943450 Arthrocare Arthroscopic Electrosurgery System Model 970Arthrocare Corp. · 1995
- 22 generations between
- 3 generations backK162454 PicoWay Laser SystemSyneron Candela Corporation · 2017
- 2 generations backK170597 PicoWay Laser SystemSyneron Candela Corporation · 2017
- 1 generation backK172077 Cutera enlighten III Laser SystemCutera, Inc. · 2017
- This deviceK182997 enlighten III Laser SystemCutera, Inc. · 2018
Show all 26 generations
- Root · 26 generations backK943450 Arthrocare Arthroscopic Electrosurgery System Model 970Arthrocare Corp. · 1995
- 25 generations backK961069 Arthrocare Urologic Multi-Electrode Electrosurgery SystemArthrocare Corp. · 1996
- 24 generations backK962445 Arthrocare Dental Electrosurgery SystemArthrocare Corp. · 1996
- 23 generations backK964849 Arthrocare Dermatologic Electrosurgery SystemArthrocare Corp. · 1997
- 22 generations backK973478 Arthrocare Sinus Electrosurgery SystemArthrocare Corp. · 1998
- 21 generations backK981870 Visage Cosmetic Surgery SystemArthrocare Corp. · 1998
- 20 generations backK000944 Thermage Thermacool SystemThermage, Inc. · 2000
- 19 generations backK013034 Modification to: Thermacool IiaThermage, Inc. · 2001
- 18 generations backK013639 Thermage Thermacool TC SystemThermage, Inc. · 2002
- 17 generations backK021402 Thermage Thermacool TC SystemThermage, Inc. · 2002
- 16 generations backK030142 Thermacool TC SystemThermage, Inc. · 2003
- 15 generations backK031671 Polaris WRSyneron Medical, Ltd. · 2003
- 14 generations backK051214 Aluma Skin Renewal SystemLumenis, Inc. · 2005
- 13 generations backK060448 Lumenis One Family of Systems; Lumenis One.Lumenis, Ltd. · 2006
- 12 generations backK072564 Alma Lasers Harmony XL Multi-Application PlatformAlma Lasers, Ltd. · 2008
- 11 generations backK083899 Revlite Q-Switched ND:Yag Laser SystemHoya Conbio, Inc. · 2009
- 10 generations backK103118 Revlite Q-Switched ND: Yag Laser System with Nadpiece AdaptorHoya Photonics, Inc. · 2010 · Recalled
- 9 generations backK121346 Picosure WorkstationCynosure, Inc. · 2012
- 8 generations backK133364 Picosure WorkstationCynosure, Inc. · 2014
- 7 generations backK140719 Picosure WorkstationCynosure, Inc. · 2014
- 6 generations backK143105 Picosure WorkstationCynosure, Inc. · 2015
- 5 generations backK153527 PicoWay Laser SystemSyneron Candela Corporation · 2016
- 4 generations backK160607 PicoWay Laser SystemSyneron Candela Corporation · 2016
- 3 generations backK162454 PicoWay Laser SystemSyneron Candela Corporation · 2017
- 2 generations backK170597 PicoWay Laser SystemSyneron Candela Corporation · 2017
- 1 generation backK172077 Cutera enlighten III Laser SystemCutera, Inc. · 2017
- This deviceK182997 enlighten III Laser SystemCutera, Inc. · 2018
View FIG. 1 as a table
Line of descent and top descendants
| Generation | Number | Device | Applicant | Decided | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| −26 | K943450 | Arthrocare Arthroscopic Electrosurgery System Model 970 | Arthrocare Corp. | 1995 | — |
| −25 | K961069 | Arthrocare Urologic Multi-Electrode Electrosurgery System | Arthrocare Corp. | 1996 | — |
| −24 | K962445 | Arthrocare Dental Electrosurgery System | Arthrocare Corp. | 1996 | — |
| −23 | K964849 | Arthrocare Dermatologic Electrosurgery System | Arthrocare Corp. | 1997 | — |
| −22 | K973478 | Arthrocare Sinus Electrosurgery System | Arthrocare Corp. | 1998 | — |
| −21 | K981870 | Visage Cosmetic Surgery System | Arthrocare Corp. | 1998 | — |
| −20 | K000944 | Thermage Thermacool System | Thermage, Inc. | 2000 | — |
| −19 | K013034 | Modification to: Thermacool Iia | Thermage, Inc. | 2001 | — |
| −18 | K013639 | Thermage Thermacool TC System | Thermage, Inc. | 2002 | — |
| −17 | K021402 | Thermage Thermacool TC System | Thermage, Inc. | 2002 | — |
| −16 | K030142 | Thermacool TC System | Thermage, Inc. | 2003 | — |
| −15 | K031671 | Polaris WR | Syneron Medical, Ltd. | 2003 | — |
| −14 | K051214 | Aluma Skin Renewal System | Lumenis, Inc. | 2005 | — |
| −13 | K060448 | Lumenis One Family of Systems; Lumenis One. | Lumenis, Ltd. | 2006 | — |
| −12 | K072564 | Alma Lasers Harmony XL Multi-Application Platform | Alma Lasers, Ltd. | 2008 | — |
| −11 | K083899 | Revlite Q-Switched ND:Yag Laser System | Hoya Conbio, Inc. | 2009 | — |
| −10 | K103118 | Revlite Q-Switched ND: Yag Laser System with Nadpiece Adaptor | Hoya Photonics, Inc. | 2010 | 1 |
| −9 | K121346 | Picosure Workstation | Cynosure, Inc. | 2012 | — |
| −8 | K133364 | Picosure Workstation | Cynosure, Inc. | 2014 | — |
| −7 | K140719 | Picosure Workstation | Cynosure, Inc. | 2014 | — |
| −6 | K143105 | Picosure Workstation | Cynosure, Inc. | 2015 | — |
| −5 | K153527 | PicoWay Laser System | Syneron Candela Corporation | 2016 | — |
| −4 | K160607 | PicoWay Laser System | Syneron Candela Corporation | 2016 | — |
| −3 | K162454 | PicoWay Laser System | Syneron Candela Corporation | 2017 | — |
| −2 | K170597 | PicoWay Laser System | Syneron Candela Corporation | 2017 | — |
| −1 | K172077 | Cutera enlighten III Laser System | Cutera, Inc. | 2017 | — |
| 0 (this device) | K182997 | enlighten III Laser System | Cutera, Inc. | 2018 | — |
Other ancestors by year cleared
| Year cleared | Devices | With a Class I recall |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 3 | 0 |
| 1991 | 4 | 0 |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 |
| 1993 | 8 | 0 |
| 1994 | 11 | 0 |
| 1995 | 12 | 0 |
| 1996 | 17 | 0 |
| 1997 | 22 | 0 |
| 1998 | 15 | 0 |
| 1999 | 10 | 0 |
| 2000 | 24 | 0 |
| 2001 | 24 | 0 |
| 2002 | 33 | 0 |
| 2003 | 23 | 0 |
| 2004 | 17 | 0 |
| 2005 | 10 | 0 |
| 2006 | 6 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 3 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
Sources: FDA 510(k) database (decision fields), the FDA summary (predicates and indications), FDA recall and enforcement reports, and MAUDE; processed by 510(k) Report. Verify on FDA.gov · Methodology and accuracy.
Planning a device in GEX? A 510(k) Report weighs predicate choices, recall history and review times for a new device like this one.
Top candidate predicates for a new GEX device
- #1 K222064 The Alma Soprano Titaniumscore 38.1 · 24 generations · no Class I recall
- #2 Held for the reportin the report
- #3 Held for the reportin the report
What was it cleared against? (3)
Devices the submitter claimed this one is substantially equivalent to (*), and reference devices cited for a specific test or feature (†), as written in the FDA summary.
| Type | Number | Device | Decided |
|---|---|---|---|
| * | K172077 | Cutera enlighten III Laser SystemSummary page 4…Dermatology Laser Classification Name: Powered Laser Surgical Instrument, GEX, 21 CFR 878.4810 Legally Marketed Cutera enlighten III Laser System (K172077) Predicate Devices: Syneron Candela PicoWay Laser System (K170597) Legally Marketed Cynosure PicoSure Workstation (… | 2017 |
| * | K170597 | PicoWay Laser SystemSummary page 4…ical Instrument, GEX, 21 CFR 878.4810 Legally Marketed Cutera enlighten III Laser System (K172077) Predicate Devices: Syneron Candela PicoWay Laser System (K170597) Legally Marketed Cynosure PicoSure Workstation (K173199) Reference Device: Device Description: The enlighten III la… | 2017 |
| * | K173199 | PicoSure WorkstationSummary page 4…tera enlighten III Laser System (K172077) Predicate Devices: Syneron Candela PicoWay Laser System (K170597) Legally Marketed Cynosure PicoSure Workstation (K173199) Reference Device: Device Description: The enlighten III laser system is a multi-wavelength, pulsed laser… | 2018 |
What descends from it?
No later submission names this one as a predicate yet.
Has anything in its family been recalled? (0 Class I)
No FDA recall names this device.
No ancestor or descendant has a Class I recall.
What does this lineage say?
- The line of descent spans 23 years and passes through 11 companies; a new generation was cleared every 9 months on median.
- 11 of the 292 ancestors have a recall of any class.
- 1 other device also cites its predicate K172077.
How does its category compare?
All GEX devicesGEX Powered Laser Surgical Instrument: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years. 2018, this device’s year, is highlighted.
FDA decisions per year · GEX
83in 2025
2026 to Oct 25, outlined.
Median 510(k) review, days · GEX
90in 2025
Receipt to decision; years with fewer than 3 clearances left blank.
Recalls per year · GEX
3in 2024
Class I (1 since 2007) Class II/III not classified
Adverse event reports per year · GEX
2,720in 2025
MAUDE reports naming product code GEX, not matched to any one device; reports are not rates.
View these four charts as a table
| Year | Decisions | Median 510(k) review, days | Recalls (Class I) | MAUDE reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 73 | 79 | 9 | 342 |
| 2008 | 107 | 86 | 2 | 232 |
| 2009 | 69 | 100 | 0 | 209 |
| 2010 | 50 | 96 | 4 | 1,711 |
| 2011 | 41 | 83 | 18 | 3,024 |
| 2012 | 45 | 118 | 5 | 2,000 |
| 2013 | 46 | 144 | 3 | 2,236 |
| 2014 | 61 | 147 | 6 | 2,036 |
| 2015 | 47 | 112 | 0 | 2,099 |
| 2016 | 51 | 114 | 1 | 2,585 |
| 2017 | 67 | 90 | 5 (1) | 2,977 |
| 2018 | 51 | 78 | 5 | 3,525 |
| 2019 | 41 | 88 | 6 | 2,709 |
| 2020 | 52 | 90 | 1 | 2,183 |
| 2021 | 53 | 123 | 0 | 3,465 |
| 2022 | 60 | 152 | 0 | 2,288 |
| 2023 | 52 | 87 | 6 | 2,337 |
| 2024 | 82 | 90 | 3 | 2,187 |
| 2025 | 83 | 90 | 0 | 2,720 |
| 2026 | 57 | 90 | 2 | — |
What is it indicated for?
The enlighten III laser system is intended for use in surgical and aesthetic applications in the medical specialties of dermatology and general and plastic surgery. 1064 nm The 1064 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for: • treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) • tattoo removal for dark colored tattoo inks and for multicolored tattoos containing dark colored tattoo inks on…
Read the full statement (196 words)
The enlighten III laser system is intended for use in surgical and aesthetic applications in the medical specialties of dermatology and general and plastic surgery.
1064 nm
The 1064 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for:
• treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI)
• tattoo removal for dark colored tattoo inks and for multicolored tattoos containing dark colored tattoo inks on patients with all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI)
• treatment of acne scars on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types II-V when used with the Micro Lens Array handpiece attachment
532 nm
The 532 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for:
• treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV
• tattoo removal for lighter colored tattoo inks, including red and yellow inks, on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III
670 nm
The 670 nm wavelength of the enlighten III laser system is indicated for:
• treatment of benign pigmented lesions on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III
• tattoo removal for lighter colored tattoo inks, including green and blue inks, on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV
Indications for use as stated in the FDA summary.
https://510kreport.com/device/K182997 · printed Nov 4, 2026
Cite this page
510(k) Report. “K182997: enlighten III Laser System.” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 4, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K182997
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Record history
- FDA decision record loaded May 2, 2026
- Summary read Oct 13, 2026 (extraction version 9eaa42aa01ed)
- Lineage and recalls computed Nov 3, 2026
- Page last updated Nov 3, 2026