Micro-encapsulation of bio-actuator using insect dorsal vessel

Abstract

Bio-actuators using living cells or tissue cannot work outside culture dish filled with culture medium. Therefore, the limitation of bio-actuator's operating environment is difficult problem compared to conventional micro actuator. To solve this problem, we focused on packaging of insect dorsal vessel and its culture medium by exoskeletal structure. By packaging of insect dorsal vessel and its culture medium, the bio-actuator using insect dorsal vessel would work outside culture dish filled with culture medium. We fabricated exoskeletal structure that has micro through-holes. The TC−100 culture medium was filled inside exoskeletal structure, without its leakage due to surface tension. We fabricated micro-manipulator using contracting force of insect dorsal vessel. The open-end displacement by contracting force of insect dorsal vessel was approximately 60 μm. After the assembly of insect dorsal vessel into exoskeletal structure filled with culture medium inside, the contracting of insect dorsal vessel was confirmed.