Biomimicry: How Nature Is Inspiring Better Medical Devices for the Future

Biomedical engineers often turn to nature for inspiration, a method known as biomimicry. In her presentation at the recent BIOMEDigital conference, Donna Bibber shared a few examples of how biomimicry is being used in miniaturization. Bibber is vice president of business development at Isometric Micro Molding. For more takeaways from Bibber's presentation, see: 9 Micro Molding Myths Busted.

"[Biomimicry is] using those features or surfaces in nature that will help us to develop new and better medical and drug-delivery devices of the future," Bibber said.

For example, she said a lot of surgical equipment and instruments are made with Sharklet Technologies' anti-bacterial technology, which uses biomimicry to replicate the baceria-resistant properties of a shark's skin.

The infographic below illustrates other examples of biomimicry that can be used in the development of medical devices.