Dr. Paul Breedveld, Delft University of Technology: ‘Bio-Inspired Medical Technology’
Co-referee: Prof. Johan van Leeuwen, Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University
The department Bio-Mechanical Engineering of TU Delft uses nature as inspiration for medical technology. The presentation will show how the anatomy of squid arms and vertebral joints as well as the locomotion mechanisms of sea stars and snails are used in novel mechanisms for steerable surgical instruments and inspection devices that can move through human intestines. The mechanisms have been patented and are currently being commercialised.
Zodiac academic lectures are an initiative of the Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University. On every first Tuesday of the month, an invited speaker will present a topic related to animal sciences. Speaker and topic will, and are meant to, provoke discussion among the audience of staff, postdocs, PhD and MSc students, and guests. Drinks after the presentation and discussion.
Calendar 2007: 3 Apr HAP, 1 May CBI, 5 Jun ADP, 4 Sep ANU, 2 Oct APS