Cynosure Vectus

The Vectus is a diode laser built for hair removal. It was developed by Palomar Medical Technologies, which received FDA clearance under K120622 on May 23, 2012 and reported its first shipments in June 2012. The system now appears in Cynosure's product line. FDA's indications cover hair removal and permanent hair reduction, pseudofolliculitis barbae, leg veins, benign pigmented lesions and vascular lesions such as angiomas and telangiectasia, for all Fitzpatrick skin types including tanned skin.

The 510(k) summary describes the system as a diode powered handpiece connected by an umbilical to a base module, with a coolant reservoir, a chiller module and the Skintel Reader. Palomar's 2012 earnings release said the Vectus came standard with the Skintel melanin reader and had large area and small area tips, the first for legs and backs and the second for smaller zones. Cynosure's current page describes contact cooling during treatment and a feature it calls Photon Recycling.

FDA's device database lists the Vectus diode handpiece as part number 3520A-0001, with refurbished handpieces marked 3520A-0001R and remanufactured base modules as 3520-0009R. Checking those labels tells a buyer whether the handpiece is original or a refurbished replacement. FDA's clearance names it the Palomar Vectus Laser and Cynosure now sells it as the Vectus, so either name on a label refers to the same system. Unlike the Elite workstations, the Vectus is a diode device and has no alexandrite or Nd:YAG source.

When you list a Vectus, give the pulse count, say whether the unit has both the large and small area tips, and confirm that the Skintel reader is present. Describe the state of the coolant reservoir and any chiller or flow errors you have seen. A buyer will also want service records, especially any handpiece replacement, and the software version. Photograph the base module label, the handpiece label with its part number, both tips and the main screen.