Gian Franco Bernabei, Mattioli Engineering Italia s.r.l. CEO: “Our design philosophy was always to avoid complicated maintenance procedures where a service engineer is needed but easy to replace consumable parts that the user can change by himself.”

Founded in 1998, Mattioli Engineering Italia s.r.l. is a pioneering Italian medical engineering company specializing in dermatology. Headquartered in Florence, Italy, the company was established by a group of experienced managers and engineers with strong backgrounds in international medical firms. Mattioli Engineering first gained prominence by developing the Ultrapeel^®, a patented crystal microdermabrasion device that became the first sterilizable technology of its kind to receive FDA clearance. This breakthrough positioned the company as an innovator in the medical aesthetics field, especially in the U.S. market, where the device introduced a new medical procedure.

Mattioli Engineering's success quickly expanded beyond the U.S. to global markets, particularly in the Far East. The company maintains a strong international presence through a network of distributors that sell and service their proprietary, high-reliability devices. Specializing in dermatological solutions for medical spas, Mattioli Engineering focuses on customer satisfaction, offering worldwide support and reliable parts delivery to ensure seamless operations for clients. With a solid foundation in research, engineering, and manufacturing, the company continues to be a leader in providing innovative dermatological devices across the globe under the leadership of CEO Gian Franco Bernabei.

In conversation with Gian Franco Bernabei, CEO of Mattioli Engineering Italia s.r.l.

Q. Your Dermoelectroporation^® technology is known for its precision in transdermal drug delivery. What advancements have been made in this technology, and how do they benefit medical professionals and patients?

Our Dermoelectroporation^® technology is essentially a significant advancement over the older Iontophoresis technology. While it can perform in the same way as the traditional method with low molecular weight molecules, it comes with key improvements. One of the biggest benefits is that it prevents any pH modifications during treatment, which was a common issue before. What sets our technology apart is its ability to adjust the electrical waveforms in real time to match the skin’s needs. This opens up the water channels in the skin and keeps them open, allowing better permeability. The older DC iontophoresis had a risk of burns because the opening of water channels was unpredictable, but with our technology, we’ve solved that by ensuring the channels open immediately and safely, eliminating any risk of burns.

With the development of treatments using high-weight molecules like exosomes and mRNA, our devices are now being used for much more than just hyaluronic acid-based skin rejuvenation, opening up new possibilities in skincare.

Q. Sterilization is a key concern in medical treatments, especially in skincare and dermatology. Could you elaborate on how your products ensure the highest standards of safety, particularly with sterile microdermabrasion disposables?

Our company was the first to address the need for a sterile procedure in Surgical Dermabrasion by making it possible to fully sterilize the critical parts of our equipment. Later, we took it a step further by offering certified sterile medical disposable parts, which we sterilize using a Medical Gamma Ray Certified Sterilizer. As Microdermabrasion became more popular for aesthetic procedures, where sterilization isn't strictly required, we adapted by offering clean parts that aren’t labeled as sterile, similar to what our competitors do. However, we still use the same gamma ray sterilization process to ensure the highest level of cleanliness and safety.

Q. The DEP System offers real-time monitoring of skin impedance and ensures precision in treatment. How has this technology improved outcomes for both operators and patients in terms of efficiency and comfort?

The innovation introduced by our company ensures the repeatability of treatments. Early on, when we introduced Dermoelectroporation^® technology, we discovered that treatment consistency could vary depending on the condition of the stratum corneum. To address this, we initially recommended performing microdermabrasion before the procedure. However, we realized that this wasn't always necessary and, in some cases, a microdermabrasion treatment could be too harsh—sometimes just a light scrub is enough.

Our real-time measurement of the skin’s electrical impedance provides immediate feedback on the condition of the stratum corneum, allowing us to detect whether a scrub is needed to ensure treatment consistency. Additionally, this technology prevents discomfort if the operator accidentally lifts the device off the skin and reapplies it, as the system automatically shuts down the electrical pulses to avoid any unpleasant sensation for the patient. The operator can then reposition the head on the skin, and the device will gradually increase the current again using a pushbutton on the handle.

As for how we continue to meet the diverse needs of both medical professionals and patients, we stay in constant communication with our key users and industry experts. This ongoing feedback helps us identify areas for improvement or new applications, like our recently introduced handpiece for hair regrowth treatments.

Q. What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

We are preparing to submit a new 510K to the FDA for a modern version of our DEP device. In addition to that, our R&D team is developing a disposable patch that can be connected to our existing DEP devices. This patch will allow Dermoelectroporation^® treatments to cover larger areas of the skin without requiring continuous operator assistance.

We’re also exploring the possibility of expanding the marketing of our Endoporation^® device across Europe and introducing it to the U.S. market, which will involve applying for another 510K. Additionally, in the U.S., we're planning to begin production of a new version of the DEP device, in collaboration with our current distributor, Mr. David Brown of DEP Medical Inc. However, this will also depend on securing additional investors to support the initiative.

Meet the leaders behind the success of Mattioli Engineering Italia s.r.l.

Mr. Gian Franco Bernabei has served as CEO of Mattioli Engineering Italia since 1998. With a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, he previously worked at EsaOte and Laser Valfivre, contributing to advancements in ultrasound scanners and lasers. As the inventor of most of Mattioli’s innovations, he holds over 20 international patents and has lectured at the University of Florence.

Mr. Ivano Garuglieri, the company’s Technical Director since 1998, holds a Master’s in Electronic Engineering. Before joining Mattioli, he held technical roles at Laser Valfivre and SEAC, specializing in CO2 and NdYag lasers and electronic instruments.

“We stay in constant communication with our key users and industry experts. This ongoing feedback helps us identify areas for improvement or new applications.”