Medical Design Briefs - August 2023 - 15

How Nature
Inspires the
Future of Health
T
he animal kingdom has fascinated man
from the beginning of time. From the
most minute organisms to undersea and
land creatures that have perfectly evolved
to adapt to their environments, we have
looked to their perfection for guidance to create
some of the most technologically advanced engineering
feats that are being adopted in the
rapidly growing fields of medical design and
development.
This inspiration from nature, called biomimicry,
has been inherent in overcoming a
variety of design challenges. Early adopters
were in areas like transportation and other commercial
industries. For example, Japan's Shinkansen
bullet train created a loud boom when entering
and leaving tunnels, disrupting residents and nature.
Taking a cue from the Kingfisher, a fish-eating bird
that can move almost soundlessly from air to water,
designers retooled the nose of the train to mimic that
of the Kingfisher's beak, and the problem was solved.
Another example is Shark Paint. Developed by the
Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering
and Applied Materials Research
(IFAM),
the paint was inspired by the
abrasive consistency of shark skin, which
protects them from UV rays and minimizes
drag. IFAM transferred this
concept to paint, which can function under extreme
weather fluctuations, UV radiation, and high speeds.
Weight and fuel consumption are reduced as only a
single layer of paint is required. This way, combined
with its other attributes, Shark Paint is ideal for airplanes
and sea-going vessels.
There are numerous examples of biomimicry approaches
to achieve beauty, balance, and harmony. But
how is this approach impacting the future of medical
device designs for individual patient care and devices
used in clinical settings?
Biomimicry Guidance for Biomimetic Innovation in
Healthcare Devices
First, a definition of terms. Biomimicry and biomimetics
are often used interchangeably but are not the
same. Look at biomimicry from two perspectives: inspirational
and design guidance, i.e., literal mimicry.
The result of this literal mimicry is referred to as biomimetics
or the natural intersection between biology and
engineering.
The connection between biomimicry and medical
device design may not be as evident for the healthcare
industry as it should be, considering how close medical
device design is to the organic intimacy of its context
for use.
Regardless of one's perspective of biomimicry, be it
inspirational or for guidance, there are opportunities
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Medical Design Briefs - August 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Medical Design Briefs - August 2023

Medical Design Briefs - August 2023 - COV1a
Medical Design Briefs - August 2023 - COV1b
Medical Design Briefs - August 2023 - COV1
Medical Design Briefs - August 2023 - COV2
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