Needles are one of the most used medical instruments. They are used for a variety of purposes, including venipunctures, biopsies, and suturing.

Now that we venture deeper into the human body and explore new surgical areas, needles need to become smaller, longer and more flexible. With this development, challenges, such as buckling and needle deflection, become a more pressing concern.

In nature, many animals and plants are able to move through solid mediums, such as soil, without buckling. Think for example on tree roots and worms.

Instead of pushing a needle through tissues, in this assignment you will develop a growing needle. Growing has many advantages over other types of locomotions, including the elimination of buckling, but it also comes with its challenges. How are you going to make something grow?