Actuator for delivery of vibratory stimulation to an area of the body and method of application

An actuator for delivering mechanical vibrations to the body of a subject, the actuator comprising:

• a piezoelectric element;
• electrodes in electrical communication with a power source and/or a signal source and the piezoelectric element to drive the piezoelectric element;
• a protective layer encapsulating the piezoelectric element and at least part of the electrodes, the protective layer comprising a polymeric material;
• an enclosure attached to the protective layer and defining a space between the protective layer and the enclosure allowing desired modes of vibration to develop across a surface of the protective layer;
• and
• wherein the protective layer is on all sides of the piezoelectric element in a transverse cross-sectional view, and
• a perimeter in a top view of the protective layer is affixed to a perimeter in a top view of the enclosure thus providing mechanical lip-conditions that prevent and/or minimize motion of the piezoelectric element at its perimeter.