Lumenis PiQo4

The PiQo4 is a tattoo and pigment laser that Lumenis launched at the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery meeting in April 2017. It was developed by Focus Medical of Bethel, Connecticut, whose name appears beside Lumenis on the product brochure. FDA cleared it in September 2015 under K151473 as the NaturaLase PiQo4, a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm with KTP optics that convert the beam to 532 nm, plus a pulse slicing module. The slicing electro-optics divert the front and back edges of each pulse away from the delivery system, shortening the pulse without reducing peak power, which is how one Nd:YAG source produces both nanosecond and picosecond pulses.

Lumenis's specification sheet lists four wavelengths, 1064, 650, 585 and 532 nm, pulse durations of 600 ps, 800 ps, 2 ns and 8 ns, up to 1,800 mJ per pulse, 15 spot sizes from 2 to 15 mm, and repetition up to 10 Hz. Energy reaches the skin through an articulated arm with interchangeable handpieces. The console runs on standard 120 volt, 15 amp power. Lumenis later added PicoFractional, a fractional photoacoustic treatment based on laser induced optical breakdown.

The 2015 clearance is limited to tattoo removal: 532 nm for red, yellow and orange inks in skin types I to III, and 1064 nm for black, brown, green, blue and purple inks in all skin types. A console labeled NaturaLase PiQo4 or Focus Medical is the same platform under its original name.

Lumenis no longer lists PiQo4 in its aesthetics product menu, and its PiQo4 web address now redirects to the Stellar M22 page, so parts and service support are an early question from buyers. Expect questions about the condition of the articulated arm and each handpiece, the laser's service history and whether PicoFractional is installed. Photograph the serial label, the main screen and every handpiece, and list any handpieces that are missing.