Patent ID: 6351674
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A non-invasive method of inducing nerve blocks by using electroanesthesia applied via transcutaneous electrical stimulation, which method comprisesaffixing a first electrode pair to the skin of a patient to be treated in the vicinity of the nerve to be blocked, which electrode pair is associated with a pulse generator such that stimulation at a desired frequency and intensity may be provided to the patient through said electrode pair, affixing a second electrode pair to the skin of a patient either on the opposite side of the body from the location of the first electrode pair or bilaterally of the spine at about C5, said second electrode pair being larger in size than said first electrode pair and also being associated with the pulse generator, and thereafter carrying out the following steps of: (a) providing the patient with a series of intensities at which stimulation may be carried out; (b) choosing an intensity from said series as high as the patient can reasonably tolerate; (c) stimulating at a first high frequency in the range of 60,000 Hz to about 25,000 Hz and at said chosen intensity; and (d) decreasing the stimulation frequency at said chosen intensity to a lower frequency over a time period of at least about 20 minutes by initially lowering the frequency to a level that is still tolerable to the patient and then continuing to gradually decrease the frequency thereafter.