Aesthetics Biomedical (Cartessa) Vivace Ultra

The science

Insulated microneedles fire RF into the dermis to heat tissue, contract collagen, and trigger remodeling for wrinkles, laxity, scars, texture. The Ultra's headline: a linear-array ultrasound in the workflow images skin before treatment so depth settings match actual tissue thickness by area — meaningful on thin-skinned zones like periorbital and neck where fixed-depth protocols over- or under-treat. Retains the Vivace formula: 36-needle gold-tipped array with precision robotic insertion (the comfort reputation), depths to ~3.5mm, red/blue LED modes, and the branded Vivace Experience serum + cooling peptide mask protocol.

Patented tech

The ultrasound visualization system is the genuinely novel piece — imaging-guided depth selection no other US RF-MN platform ships (FDA-cleared via the ASCA pathway). The gold-plated robotic insertion tip is refinement, and the reason for the comfort claims.

Origin

Phoenix, AZ brand owner/developer; manufacturing follows the Korean-OEM pattern common to the Vivace line — verify current arrangement.

Best-fit practice

Upscale medspas and plastic-surgery-adjacent practices selling comfort, precision, and premium experience to patients 35-60 — especially markets saturated with discounted Morpheus8. Less suited to volume shops: imaging adds treatment time and the brand won't generate inbound demand on its own.

Medical director & delegation

Class II device requiring medical direction; typical arrangement is physician oversight with delegation to NPs, PAs, or RNs where allowed — estheticians generally can't fire it. The ultrasound step raises training expectations.

Contraindications & screening

Pacemakers/ICDs and implanted electronics, pregnancy, active infection or inflammatory skin disease, recent isotretinoin, keloid history, metal implants near the zone. Gold-needle allergy is rare but belongs on the intake form.

Warranty & service

~1-year warranty; extended plans through Aesthetics Biomedical — a small-company service network, so nail down loaner policy and response times in the purchase agreement. Downtime hurts more when the manufacturer has no regional depot.

Resale & used market

Original Vivace trades steadily at ~$15k-30k; the Ultra is too new for a deep used market, and small-brand devices historically depreciate faster than InMode/Cynosure equivalents. Buy for use, not exit value.