Insertion Mechanics of Curved Bio-inspired Needles

Abstract

Needle insertion is an essential process during minimally invasive surgery (MIS), which has been used for biopsies, blood sampling, and brachytherapy. The minimally invasive procedure involves less intrusive and fewer post operations than traditional open surgeries, so this leads to fast recovery times, and decreased risk infection. For successful diagnosis and treatment, accuracy of needle insertion is vital, and previous studies are shown that insertion force, tissue deformation, and tissue damage can affect needle insertion precision. Insertion force, which is composed of stiffness, cutting, and friction force can be affected by the geometry and materials of the needle, mechanical properties of tissue, and insertion velocity. The traditional biopsy needles can cause harm to the patient, including tissue damage, bleeding, and pain. An essential aspect of the study is the mechanics and geometry of the needle, which plays a crucial role in its performance. This study focuses on decreasing insertion force, which is the total applied force of the needle that is coming from the tissue or organ. The study incorporates structures such as curved insect’s stinger to achieve a balance between penetration and minimal insertion force.