Abstract: A multilayer electrical component including a plurality of parallel plate electrodes embedded in a dielectric body between first and second conductive terminations is disclosed. The plurality of parallel plate electrodes form a stack of electrode layers, which are embedded in the dielectric body, where one or more gaps in each of the respective parallel plate electrodes forms electrically isolated plate portions. The interaction between the electrically isolated plate portions of the parallel plate electrodes in adjacent electrode layers produces a piezoelectric effect, having a corresponding force. The gaps in the parallel plate electrodes are offset relative to a gap in a separate nearby associated parallel plate electrodes, thereby resulting in the associated corresponding forces being directed away from a common boundary.

Abstract: A multilayer electrical component including a plurality of parallel plate electrodes embedded in a dielectric body between first and second conductive terminations is disclosed. The dielectric body and the plurality of parallel plate electrodes form a plurality of capacitive layers each comprising a series of capacitors between the first and second conductive terminations. Each capacitor of the capacitive layers is partly defined by a gap in one of the parallel plate electrodes, wherein a gap of the one capacitive layer is laterally offset relative to a gap of an adjacent capacitive layer and a total capacitance of the adjacent capacitive layers is equivalent.

Abstract: A multilayer electrical component including a plurality of parallel plate electrodes embedded in a dielectric body between first and second conductive terminations is disclosed. The dielectric body and the plurality of parallel plate electrodes form a plurality of capacitive layers each comprising a series of capacitors between the first and second conductive terminations. Each capacitor of the capacitive layers is partly defined by a gap in one of the parallel plate electrodes, wherein a gap of the one capacitive layer is laterally offset relative to a gap of an adjacent capacitive layer and a total capacitance of the adjacent capacitive layers is equivalent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and a method for assessing and monitoring epithelial barrier function in vivo of a subject using electrical impedance measurements. The method comprises initiating an impedance measurement session including passing an electrical current through the skin of the subject to obtain values of skin impedance of a target tissue region, said data comprising at least one impedance value measured in the target tissue region at different tissue layers. Further, an evaluation procedure is applied for analyzing the epithelial barrier function in the target tissue region based on the measured data set of impedance values for the target tissue region at different tissue layers. The procedure evaluates the obtained data set of impedance values to provide an outcome indicating a status of the epithelial barrier function of the subject.