Odd Little Laser

[Eidetic]

Here's an odd little laser that came along on Ebay. The Alphalaser model 17416 is a diode laser with a rechargeable battery and a glass waveguide on the output end. The sticker says 655nm-920nm. Pressing the button gives 0.03mW output at the end of the waveguide while the red LED flashes for 60 seconds. Then it beeps and shuts off. The battery charges but doesn't hold the charge very long.

I'm trying to figure out a date for it, and hoping someone may have heard of the company before. Thinkin' late '80s. Maybe mid-'80s? any thoughts would help.