A novel technological process for fabricating micro-tips for biomimetic adhesion

In this paper, the issue of adhesion to biological substrates for biomedical applications is addressed. In particular, taking inspiration from intestinal parasites, micro-hooks for clamping on the gastrointestinal wall have been studied, in order to provide future endoscopic micro-systems with the capability of attaching safely to the mucosa surface. A novel fabrication technology and experimentation on nylon micro-hooks are presented, together with theoretical modelling of the process. Artificial hooks have been prototyped (length ranging between 300 mu m and 500 mu m; maximum diameter of 100 mu m) and a batch process for large array production has been proposed.