Abstract: For improving the sensitivity, lifetime and energy consumption of a dielectric elastomer transducer (1) to be used as a sensor, it is suggested that a dielectric layer (3) enclosed by two electrodes (2) of the transducer (1) includes a nanoscale volume of a fluid (15) such that the dielectric layer (3) is rendered compressible and/or displaceable out of a volume enclosed by the two electrodes (2). The advantage of such a design is that, although the dielectric layer (3) and possible buffer layers (4) separating the electrodes (2) from the dielectric layer (3) may all have thicknesses in the order of a few ?m or even in the sub-?m range, the transducer (1) is rendered highly compliant due to the movability of the fluid (15). In consequence, a large nominal capacitance of the transducer (1) as well as a large relative capacitance change (up to twenty times that of the nominal capacitance) can be achieved in conjunction with a very high sensitivity.

Abstract: An artificial urinary sphincter can include a cuff configured to surround a portion of a length of a urethra. An actuator is configured to selectively apply a force to the cuff to thereby apply variable amount of pressure to the urethra. A controller is configured to adjust the application of the force by the actuator to cause the cuff to apply the variable amount of pressure to the urethra. A sensor can be in communication with the controller and configured to detect pressure applied against the cuff by the urethra. The controller is configured to cause the cuff to apply a first closing pressure to the urethra. In response to a detection of a threshold pressure increase by the sensor, the controller is configured to cause the cuff to apply a second closing pressure that is greater than the first closing pressure and that prevents urine from exiting the urethra.

Abstract: For improving the electroactivity and long-term stability of a neural interface, a novel neural probe (1) is proposed that is formed from a fiber (6), preferably by thermal imprinting, and wherein a polymer thin film (5) is employed for carrying a conducting thin film to be used as a recording or stimulation electrode (4). Due to this specific choice of materials and design, the electrode (4) is rendered compliant with respect to the fiber (6) on a nanometer to micrometer scale and offers a surface that is tailor-made for adhering to nervous tissue.

Abstract: An artificial urinary sphincter can include a cuff configured to surround a portion of a length of a urethra. An actuator is configured to selectively apply a force to the cuff to thereby apply variable amount of pressure to the urethra. A controller is configured to adjust the application of the force by the actuator to cause the cuff to apply the variable amount of pressure to the urethra. A sensor can be in communication with the controller and configured to detect pressure applied against the cuff by the urethra. The controller is configured to cause the cuff to apply a first closing pressure to the urethra. In response to a detection of a threshold pressure increase by the sensor, the controller is configured to cause the cuff to apply a second closing pressure that is greater than the first closing pressure and that prevents urine from exiting the urethra.