Parasitic-inspired needles will make injections painless

Engineers from Rutgers University have created tiny needles that mimic the structure of organs

parasitesThey can attach to the skin and replace hypodermic needles in the future. Details of the study were published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. Scientists used modern technology - while 3D printing creates objects layer by layer, 4D uses high-tech materials that can subsequently change shape.

“We think our device will allow morereliably and efficiently use minimally invasive, painless microneedles for drug injection, wound healing, biosensing and other operations with soft tissues, ”said Hu Wang Lee, associate professor of mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering at Rutgers University.

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Scientists note that miniature needles attractmore and more attention, because they are short, thin and minimally invasive - that is, they reduce pain and the risk of infection. They have a single problem: poor adhesion to muscle tissue.

Some insects and other organisms haveproperties that allow adhesion to tissues. For example, these are the microhooks of parasites, the prickly stings of bees and the scaly quills of a porcupine. Inspired by these examples, engineers at Rutgers University added a microelement to the needle that sticks to the tissue, enhancing adhesion. So scientists created back-facing spines on the needle.