Abstract: An actuator device (21) comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP) and a driver (20) for generating a electrical drive signals which give opposite polarity voltages and thus electrical field within the electroactive polymer at different times. In this way, charge build-up can be reduced or avoided, while prolonged activation times are still possible. This improves the performance and/or lifetime of the device.

Abstract: An actuator or sensor device comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP) arrangement which extends between fixed opposite ends. The electroactive polymer arrangement comprises a passive carrier layer and an active electroactive polymer layer, wherein at or adjacent the ends, the passive carrier layer and the active EAP layer are mounted with one over the other in a first order, and at a middle area between the ends, the carrier layer and the active EAP layer are mounted in an opposite order. This enables internal stresses and moments within the electroactive polymer arrangement to be used more effectively to contribute to displacement or actuation force.

Abstract: The invention provides a surface analysis device for application to a receiving surface to enable analysis of at least one measure of an elasticity of said surface across multiple different linear stretches or sections of the surface. The device includes a two-dimensional arrangement of actuators and sensors, comprising at least one actuating element, at least one sensing element, and at least one further sensing or actuating element. Selected sets of two or more of these elements are activated together by a controller, each set including at least one actuator and one sensor, to thereby obtain a measure of elasticity between each actuator and sensor pair in the set. Elasticity measures are obtained based on stimulating a deformation in the receiving surface at the actuator site, and measuring a resultant pressure and/or force exerted by the receiving surface at a further displaced point. Sensors may monitor a change in the exerted pressure and/or force for example.

Abstract: An implantable blood flow control system has an open passageway defined inside a radially inner wall, behind which is a closed passageway. The radially inner wall includes electroactive polymer actuator members for providing a variable flow restriction. The flow restriction has an undulating shape so that the volume of the closed passageway may remain constant during actuation of the electroactive polymer actuator members. In this way, the chamber behind the actuator members does not impede free movement of the actuator members. The undulating pattern presents no sharp edges, where blood coagulation could otherwise occur.

Abstract: An actuator device comprises an electroactive or photoactive polymer arrangement having an effective length over which expansion or contraction is induced by actuation. The effective length is greater than the maximum linear physical dimension of the space occupied by the polymer arrangement. In this way, a compact design is provided which can support a large actuation displacement.

Abstract: The present application relates to a cold plasma device (13) for treating a surface (6) with cold plasma. The device (13) has a cold plasma generator (14) adapted to generate cold plasma that produces reactive species for treating the surface (6). The device (13) also includes a treatment head (5) that is positionable relative to the surface (6) such that the reactive species are imparted toward the surface (6) during treatment. The device (13) is also provided with an air flow generator (8) to generate an air flow over the surface (6) and a controller (9) configured to control operation of the air flow generator (8) to generate an air flow over the surface (6) after the treatment has been completed such that remaining by-products of the cold plasma are dissipated.

Abstract: A system for determining a pulse wave velocity comprises a body lumen insertable device with an actuator for providing a pulse in the vicinity of a vessel wall and a sensor for sensing arrival of the pulse. A pulse wave velocity is obtained from the time difference between actuation of the actuator and sensing of the pulse. This system is used to create an artificial pulse which is transmitted along a vessel by a known distance before detection by a sensor.

Abstract: A system for predicting the onset of a physiological condition of a subject combines an in-vitro subject model having input parameters relating to actual or predicted external stimuli to which the subject is or may be exposed and an in-silico model. The in-vitro model outputs subject-specific parameters which are not being monitored, or cannot be monitored, in-vivo. The in-silico subject model uses subject-specific parameters to predict the response of the subject to the actual or predicted external stimuli and thereby predict an onset of a physiological condition of the subject.

Abstract: An actuator device has a temperature sensing means and a controller adapted to apply a high frequency AC signal to stimulate internal self-heating to thereby maintain a temperature of an actuator member of the device at a certain fixed temperature, this temperature being elevated with respect to an initial temperature of the actuator member. This ensures that thermal drift may be mitigated or eliminated by compensating for any changes in environmental temperature through raising or lowering the level of the heating signal.

Abstract: An oral cleaning device comprises a body which carries a set of projections. An actuator device is associated with one or more of the projections in the form of an electroactive polymer structure for adjusting a position of the associated one or more projections. This enables dynamic control of the cleaning function.

Abstract: An actuator member has a body formed of a composite material of electroactive material (EAM) particles and a compliant matrix material. The composite material of the body is materially structured such that it incorporates one or more continuous material paths extending between a first and second major surface of the actuator body, each path including at least one EAM particle, and wherein all material of the path has an electrical resistivity equal to or less than that of the EAM particle(s).

Abstract: A biological cell preservation or culturing arrangement (20) comprises a chamber defining a fluid retaining space (30) for retaining in use a body of fluid (34) and a deformable membrane (36) in communication with the fluid retaining space, and being manipulable by an electroactive polymer actuator arrangement (38) to undergo a defined topology change to induce in the fluid a pattern of fluid flow by which fluid is exchanged between a sub-region (46) immediately proximal the deformable membrane and a sub-region (48) removed from the deformable membrane.

Abstract: An actuator device is provided having a controllable stiffness profile, wherein an actuator member (12) comprises an electroactive polymer material (16) having light absorbing filler elements (20) embedded therein. The filler elements are adapted to absorb and convert incident light (26) to heat energy to therefore heat surrounding sections of the electroactive material. By selectively controlling an intensity level or spectral composition of a light source (24) directed at the actuator member, a specific degree and spread of heating can be achieved across the member and, as a result, a specific desired stiffness or flexibility profile can be realised across the actuator member.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sensor for measuring a physiological parameter of a subject, wherein the physiological parameter sensor is adapted to be worn by the subject; an actuator comprising an electro-active polymer material, EAP, portion for adjusting the position of the physiological parameter sensor relative to the subject; a feedback sensor for measuring movement of the physiological parameter sensor and/or the subject; a controller configured to process the measurements of the feedback sensor and to adjust the position of the actuator based on information from the feedback sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to electroactive material actuators (and combined sensor-actuators) having embedded magnetic particles for facilitating enhanced actuation and/or sensing effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interventional instrument like a catheter comprising an ultrasound unit (41) and a rotation unit (5) for rotating the ultrasound unit, wherein the rotation unit comprises an actuation element (8) being an electroactive polymer or a one-way shape memory alloy for actuating the rotation of the ultrasound unit. Since the rotation unit comprises, as an actuation element for actuating the rotation of the ultrasound unit, an electroactive polymer or a one-way shape memory alloy, the rotation unit with the actuation element can be very compact and small.

Abstract: A flow control device comprises a laminate structure of an electroactive material layer and a non-actuatable layer. An array of orifices is formed in one of the layers wherein the orifices are open in one of the rest state and actuated state and the orifices are closed in the other of the rest state and actuated state. Actuation of the electroactive material layer causes orifices to open and close so that flow control function may be implemented.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to electroactive material actuators (and combined sensor-actuators) having embedded magnetic particles for facilitating enhanced actuation and/or sensing effects.

Abstract: The application relates to a method for detecting a target in a sample suspected of containing the target. The method comprises contacting the sample and a first binding molecule attached to a magnetic particle with a second binding molecule attached to a solid support. The first binding molecule is capable of binding to the second binding molecule, and the target is capable of interfering with this binding. Magnetic force is applied to bring the magnetic particle into close proximity with the solid support. The number of magnetic particles bound to the solid support is detected.

Abstract: An actuator device is provided having a controllable stiffness profile, wherein an actuator member (12) comprises an electroactive polymer material (16) having light absorbing filler elements (20) embedded therein. The filler elements are adapted to absorb and convert incident light (26) to heat energy to therefore heat surrounding sections of the electroactive material. By selectively controlling an intensity level or spectral composition of a light source (24) directed at the actuator member, a specific degree and spread of heating can be achieved across the member and, as a result, a specific desired stiffness or flexibility profile can be realised across the actuator member.