Patent ID: 7613517
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for locating and treating chronic or acute pain in a patient, comprising the steps of: accurately locating an affected nerve of a patient by placing on the skin of the patient a reference electrode in the form of a removable patch, then pressing against the skin of the patient a substantially rounded stimulating electrode of diameter of about 3 to 12 mm, at an end of a rigid stem, and applying between the reference and stimulating electrodes an electrical current; moving the stimulating electrode to points on the skin to locate an affected, pain-causing nerve based on the reaction of the patient; applying pressure to the stimulating electrode against the affected nerve simultaneously with applying between the reference and stimulating electrodes stimulating electrical pulses of frequency 1 to 10 Hz, and current between 0.2 and 12 ma; varying frequency and current of the pulses to optimize pain relief, and maintaining pressure against the affected nerve for a time sufficient to achieve relief of the pain.