STRATA Skin Sciences XTRAC Momentum

XTRAC Momentum is the newest XTRAC excimer laser from STRATA Skin Sciences, the company that bought the XTRAC business from PhotoMedex in June 2015. FDA cleared it under K193478 in January 2020 for UVB phototherapy of psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis and leukoderma, and STRATA announced the commercial launch of XTRAC Momentum 1.0 in February 2022. It produces 308 nm ultraviolet light from xenon chloride molecules formed by high voltage discharges in a sealed chamber of neon, xenon and hydrogen chloride gas, in pulses of about 30 nanoseconds.

The 510(k) summary gives a maximum of 15 mJ per pulse at the skin, a 400 Hz maximum repetition rate and average power capped at 6 W. Light reaches the patient through a liquid light guide and a handpiece with removable tips. Listed tips are a standard tip with a fixed 4 cm2 square beam, a short tip for use with the iris diaphragm, a Short Hair Scalp Tip with three hollow teeth that part the hair, and the Multi Micro Dose tip, which applies four dose levels in one exposure.

The Momentum carries the same model number, AL10000, as the XTRAC Velocity it replaced, and the clearance says the AL10000 can be built in a horizontal Velocity configuration or a vertical Momentum configuration. Features that set Momentum apart are a finger switch on the handpiece in place of the footswitch, an onboard patient database, a reduced power Cool Beam setting, a dose range of 50 to 5000 mJ/cm2 and software support for the MMD tip. If your unit has those, it is a Momentum.

Ownership is the first question. In the United States, STRATA mainly places XTRAC lasers in practices at no upfront charge, keeps ownership and is paid per treatment through treatment codes. A seller must show that the practice owns the laser outright. After that, buyers ask for the service history, the condition of the light guide and tips, and the software version.