1A2-A09 Development of low-invasive hollow tungsten microneedle having 30 μm in diameter(Bio-Mimetics and Bio-Mechatronics (2))

Abstract

Aiming at the use in low-invasive medical treatments, a tungsten hollow needle was fabricated by electrochemically etching a thin wire, the diameter of which is 30 μm, achieving an ultra-thin hollow needle equal to the labrum of mosquito stinger. Sharpness and smoothness of the tip are effective for easy insertion in the viewpoint of large stress concentration and small friction, respectively. An experiment of inserting the fabricated needle into an artificial skin of silicone rubber was carried out. The resistance force during insertion was much reduced due to its small size as mosquito's stinger. A hole was fabricated on the tungsten needle using excimer laser processing and electrochemical etching.