Modelling and Simulation of In-Plane Microneedle for Blood Sampling Applications

Abstract

This paper presents the design and simulation of an In-Plane microneedle for blood sampling applications using Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) CoventorWare software. The characteristics of In-Plane microneedles are far more practical than Outof- Plane microneedles for blood sampling. Several models of In-Plane microneedle with different dimensions were investigated, and the strength of the In-Plane microneedle has been examined analytically and modeled using finite element modeling tools. Based on human skin thickness, 3 mm long microneedle was used for designing and simulation exercise. Microneedles with 160 μm width and 160 μm height is the optimum size, based on value of mises stress 6.8 GPa. It is the safest model for blood sampling based on the maximum strength value of the silicon material which is equal to 7 GPa. In addition, fluid flow characteristics for microchannel have also been examined analytically and modeled using finite volume method tools. For this purpose, 20 μm width and 20 μm height of the inner microchannel wall was chosen. It gives the velocity of blood flow of 0.003 m s-1 inside the microchannel under a 1 kPa inlet pressure.