Needle-like structure inserts painlessly: mosquito

1 of 2 Mosquito proboscis / Ben Knight-G.. / License

The proboscis of the mosquito inserts painlessly because the jagged edge of the proboscis leaves only small points in contact.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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	In/on solids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Painless drug delivery by injection.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"In mosquitoes the proboscis is a marvelously intricate structure…consisting of six different stylets, each adapted for a particular purpose--for making the primary incision, inserting anti-coagulant and digestive enzymes contained in the insect's saliva and, finally, withdrawing the blood itself. All the stylets are secreted within a protective sheath formed by the labium or lower lip, which, during blood extraction, is slid up out of the way into a loop form." (Wootton 1984:72)

About the inspiring organism

Culicidae
Culicidae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Painless drug delivery by injection.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Health

Mosquito inspired microneedle - Medical injection device

References

Wootton, A. 1984. Insects of the World. Blandford. 224 p.

Needle-like structure inserts painlessly: mosquito

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