Rapid Prototyping of Biomimetic Structures: Fabrication of Mosquito-like Microneedles by Two-Photon Polymerization

Over the past twenty years, the use of rapid prototyping techniques for processing of medical devices has seen rapid growth. A number of rapid prototyping techniques currently exist for producing a broad range of medical devices using metals, ceramics, polymers, and composite materials. One promising rapid prototyping technology for creating medical devices with small scale features is two photon polymerization; this scalable photopolymerization technique enables processing of photosensitive materials such as organically-modified ceramic materials. In this study, two photon polymerization was used to produce microneedles that mimic the anatomy of the mosquito fascicle. The labrum of the mosquito was replicated in the mosquito-like microneedle. On the other hand, the maxillae of the mosquito were not replicated in the mosquito-like microneedle; the absence of these features was attributed to inadequate mechanical support of the maxillae. This study suggests that two photon polymerization and other rapid prototyping technologies may be used to produce biomimetic drug delivery devices that imitate the intricate structures found in nature.