How the Ottilo System works

The Ottilo System has two parts: a slim pen that moves the needles, and a desktop controller that powers and sets it. Here is what each part does and why it is built that way.

Cutaway of the Ottilo pen showing the solenoid coil, plunger and return spring

Solenoid, not motor

Most home microneedling pens use a small rotary motor. A cam on the motor shaft turns the spin into an up-and-down movement, which works, but the motor, the cam and the battery all have to fit inside the pen.

The Ottilo pen uses a solenoid: a coil of wire around a magnetic plunger. When the controller sends a pulse, the coil pulls the plunger forward and a spring brings it back. The needles move in a straight line, every stroke is the same length (2.5 mm), and the pen itself holds no motor and no battery.

It only runs on contact

A pressure switch sits inside the pen. With the dial turned up the system is ready, but the needles stay still until the tip is pressed to the skin. Lift the pen and it stops. Nothing moves while the pen is in the air or resting on a table.

Depth is set by hand

A ring near the tip of the pen sets how far the needles extend, from 0.25 to 2.5 mm. It is a mechanical setting, so it stays where you put it and does not depend on a menu. The controller screen shows the depth you have chosen as a reminder.

The controller

The Ottilo controller screen and speed dial
  • The dial turns the system on and sets the speed. Up from zero means ready; back to zero clicks it off. There are 8 speed levels.
  • The colour screen shows the speed level as a coloured bar, plus the depth, the cartridge type and the timer.
  • Two buttons choose the cartridge type shown on screen and the session timer: off, 5, 10 or 15 minutes.
  • Power comes from a plug-in US power supply, so there is no battery to charge or wear out.

Cartridges and care

Each needle cartridge comes in its own sealed pack and is used once. After a session, turn the dial back to zero, remove the cartridge and wipe the pen body down. Replacement cartridges come in packs of 10.

Ottilo is in development. The figures on this page are design targets for the production unit and may change before launch.

See the Ottilo System