Iridex Corporation has launched two new next-generation platform lasers—Iridex 532 nm and Iridex 577 nm —to the U.S. market.
Let’s start with this company.
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, Iridex operates as a global company developing, manufacturing, and marketing laser-based medical systems, as well as delivering medical devices and consumable instrumentation for the ophthalmology market in 100+ countries.
For details on its proprietary MicroPulse technology, keep reading.
Talk about this technology.
Iridex’s patented technology is a laser delivery modality designed to add fine control of photothermal effects in laser photocoagulation by allowing the tissue to cool between laser pulses, minimizing or preventing potential tissue damage.
It can be used to treat multiple retinal diseases—including diabetic macular edema (DME)—as well as glaucoma.
And speaking of lasers … didn’t the company launch a new platform recently?
If you consider April 2023 recent, then yes.
Last year, Iridex commercially launched its next-generation PAttern SCAnning Laser (PASCAL) platform with MicroPulse, designed as an advanced technology package of fast / precise pattern scanning capabilities and three tissue-sparing technologies in a smaller, ergonomically-optimized integrated laser platform.
Read our coverage on that U.S. market launch here.
Gotcha. Now talk about each of these new lasers.
The IQ 532 Laser System is designed for repeatable, tissue-sparing glaucoma and retinal therapies (with an optional MicroPulse laser therapy module), plus the following:
- High power for greater range of therapy alternatives
- High speed pulse durations for faster procedural time
What about that optional MicroPulse modality?
Per Iridex, the fovea-friendly module includes not only repeatable laser sessions for retinal diseases but also repeatable glaucoma therapy with MicroPulse laser trabeculoplasty (MLT).
Of note: MLT features low-energy laser pulses separated by (brief) rest periods, enabling the trabecular meshwork to cool down between pulses and prevent any tissue damage.
Moving on to the 577 laser now …
Similar in design to the 532 laser, the IQ 577 Laser System is designed as a “true yellow laser for retinal disorders” that uses MicroPulse laser therapy for fovea-friendly laser grids and tissue-sparing combo therapies. It features:
- High transmission through dense ocular media
- Repeatable macular and foveal laser sessions
- Consistent laser lesions for faster procedure time
- Low power for increased patient comfort
- Repeatable macular and foveal laser sessions
- Refractory and sub-clinical edema success (per the company)
What other similar features do these lasers share?
Along with multiple treatment modes such as continuous-wave, both lasers also include:
- 7-inch, high-resolution, intuitive graphic touchscreen interface
- Programmable memory presets for multiple users
- Dual port for alternative delivery device setup
Physicians are also able to create detailed reports of treatment parameters for each procedure, which can be managed and downloaded to a USB drive.
Where can I find additional details?
Click here to download and view manuals for both lasers.
Lastly, where can I demo these?
The lasers are being officially showcased at the Hawaiian Eye and Retina 2024 meeting, January 13 - 19, in Maui, Hawaii.
And if you’re not attending the meeting, click here to schedule a demonstration.