Mechanics of a mosquito bite with applications to microneedle design

The mechanics of a fascicle insertion into the skin by a mosquito of the type aedes aegypti has been studied experimentally using high-speed video (HSV) imaging, and analytically using a mathematical model. The fascicle is a polymeric microneedle composed of a ductile material, chitin. It has been p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioinspiration & biomimetics 2008-12, Vol.3 (4), p.046001
Main Authors: Ramasubramanian, M K, Barham, O M, Swaminathan, V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomimetics - instrumentation
Computer Simulation
Computer-Aided Design
Culicidae - physiology
Equipment Design
Equipment Failure Analysis
Humans
Insect Bites and Stings - physiopathology
Microinjections - instrumentation
Microinjections - methods
Models, Biological
Needles
Skin - injuries
Skin - physiopathology
Wounds, Penetrating - physiopathology
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Summary:The mechanics of a fascicle insertion into the skin by a mosquito of the type aedes aegypti has been studied experimentally using high-speed video (HSV) imaging, and analytically using a mathematical model. The fascicle is a polymeric microneedle composed of a ductile material, chitin. It has been proposed that the mosquito applies a non-conservative follower force component in addition to the Euler compressive load in order to prevent buckling and penetrate the skin. In addition, the protective sheath surrounding the fascicle (labium) provides lateral support during insertion. The mechanics model presented approximates the fascicle as a slender column supported on an elastic foundation (labium) subjected to non-conservative (Beck) and conservative Euler loads simultaneously at the end. Results show that the lateral support of the fascicle provided by the labium is essential for successful penetration by increasing the critical buckling load by a factor of 5. The non-conservative follower force application increases the buckling load by an additional 20% and may or may not be necessary for successful penetration. Experimental results showing the importance of the labium have been cited to validate the model predictions, in addition to the video observations presented in this work. This understanding may be useful in designing painless needle insertion systems as opposed to miniaturized hypodermic needles.
ISSN:1748-3190
1748-3182
1748-3190
DOI:10.1088/1748-3182/3/4/046001