Abstract: An electrode for use in a liquid electrolyte is at least partially provided with a covering, the covering being ion permeable and electrically insulating. Systems and methods for preventing short circuiting of the electrodes are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a counter electrode for use with a working electrode comprising conducting polymer, in the presence of an electrolyte. The counter electrode comprises conducting polymer. Systems and methods for preventing ion depletion of the electrolyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device for introduction into a body comprises a body-insertable part (1, 3, 7, 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 60, 70, 80) having a first electroactive polymer (13), integrated with the body-insertable part and comprising an electrically controllably releasable first substance. There is further disclosed a method for delivering a chemically active substance into a body.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an actuator device includes a first electroactive polymer layer, including an active electroactive polymer layer portion. In one embodiment, the active electroactive polymer layer portion is controllably shiftable between a substantially neutral state and a buckled state.

Abstract: An elongate device for introduction into a body lumen comprises a body extending in a longitudinal direction (L), and having at least two skeletal members (21, 21a, 21b, 24, 27a, 27b), which are substantially aligned in the longitudinal direction (L), and at least one electroactive polymer material (22), which changes volume upon electrical activation, arranged to control a distance between two longitudinally spaced-apart portions of said skeletal members (21, 21a, 21b, 24, 27a, 27b). The body presents an asymmetric bending stiffness, and/or the electroactive polymer material is asymmetrically arranged about a central axis of the device, such that the body is arranged to bend transversely of the longitudinal direction (L) upon activation of the electroactive polymer material. The electroactive polymer material (22) is form fit onto at least one of the skeletal members (21, 21a, 21b).

Abstract: Methods for producing micromachined layered devices having a membrane layer and a first and second layer on both sides of the membrane layer are disclosed. The method includes applying a membrane layer to a substrate, opening a window in the substrate so as to enable the addition of layers from both sides of the membrane layer while the substrate is made into a frame that supports the membrane layer during processing, adding at least one layer on each side of the membrane either simultaneously or on one side at a time, and removing the device from the substrate frame.

Abstract: Method for producing a micromachined layered device comprising a membrane layer and a first layer on one side of the membrane layer and a second layer on the opposite side of the membrane layer, the method comprising the following steps: d) a membrane layer is applied on a substrate; e) a window in the substrate is opened so as to free the membrane layer in order to enable the adding of layers from both sides of the membrane layer while the substrate is made into a frame that supports the membrane layer during the processing; f) at least one layer is added on each side of the membrane either simultaneously or on one side at a time; d) the device is cut out and removed from the substrate

Abstract: Microactuator comprising a volume changing layer (1) and a carrier substrate layer (2) carrying the volume changing layer (1), the microactuator also comprising a reinforcing structure (3) having an unevenly distributed bending stiffness and that the reinforcing structure (3) is spread over any of the layers (1), (2) to control the movement of the microactuator.

Abstract: Microactuator comprising a volume changing layer (1) and a carrier substrate layer (2) carrying the volume changing layer (1), the microactuator also comprising a reinforcing structure (3) having an unevenly distributed bending stiffness and that the reinforcing structure (3) is spread over any of the layers (1), (2) to control the movement of the microactuator.