Abstract:
A method and system providing pain relief by applying electromagnetic impulses to nerves which transport the pain signals from the areas effected by pain to the correlated pain receptors in the brain. An array of two or more topical sensors, applied above the pain-conducting nerve read the electro-magnetic waves emitted by the respective nerve duct; one or more pulse generators emit an electromagnetic wave designed to cancel the pain signal by ways of destructive interference.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/195,222, filed Jul. 21, 2015. Priority to the provisional patent application is expressly claimed, and the disclosure of the provisional application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed embodiments relate generally to medical devices and more specifically, but not exclusively, to systems and methods for reducing pain by applied neuromodulation to emit electromagnetic impulses antipodal to a pain signal. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Pain travels as a chemo-electrical signal through the human body. The chemo-electrical signal uses the same nerve-tracts that transport information about temperature, pressure, and/or touch and relays commands regarding motion and contraction or relaxation of muscles. The speed at which nerve signals travel through the nerve-tracts has a maximum velocity of about one hundred twenty meters/second. For example, the average nerve has thermos-receptors registering warmth at about two meters/second. For the purposes of this disclosure, the nerve signal can be considered an electromagnetic wave. 
         [0004]    Application of electricity for pain treatment dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians and later the Greeks and Romans recognized that electric fish are capable of generating electric shocks for relief of pain. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, these natural producers of electricity were replaced by man-made electric devices. The nineteenth century was the “golden age” of electrotherapy—being used for countless dental, neurological, psychiatric and gynecological disturbances. 
         [0005]    The pain relieving action of electricity was explained in particular by two main mechanisms: first, segmental inhibition of pain signals to the brain in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and second, activation of the descending inhibitory pathway with enhanced release of endogenous opioids and other neurochemical compounds (e.g., serotonin, noradrenaline, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine and adenosine). 
         [0006]    Modern electrotherapy of neuromuscular-skeletal pain is based in particular on the following types: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS or electro-acupuncture) and spinal cord stimulation (SCS). In mild to moderate pain; TENS and PENS are somewhat effective methods, whereas SCS is useful for therapy of refractory neuropathic or ischemic pain. In 2005, high tone external muscle stimulation (HTEMS) was introduced. In diabetic peripheral neuropathy, its analgesic action was more pronounced than TENS application. HTEMS appeared also to have value in the therapy of symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Besides its pain-relieving effect, electrical stimulation is of major importance for prevention or treatment of muscle dysfunction and sarcopenia. In controlled clinical studies electrical myostimulation (EMS) has been shown to be effective against the sarcopenia of patients with chronic congestive heart disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ESRD. 
         [0007]    In other words, modern electrotherapy of neuromuscular-skeletal pain emit random electric impulses to the pain afflicted areas. Accordingly, these conventional systems only are effective for a very limited number of patients. In fact, efficacy is statistically significant for all of the above methods; but in clinical studies still only 12-15% of pain patients report an effective reduction in pain levels when treated with TENS devices. 
         [0008]    In view of the foregoing, a need exists for an improved system for electrical stimulation-based pain reduction in an effort to overcome the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies of conventional medical systems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present disclosure relates to a system and method for pain reduction based on electrical stimulation. The pain reduction system and method represents a new paradigm of pain management. The present system not only provides pain patients with a significantly higher pain reducing efficacy than prior systems, but also enables patients to easily treat pain symptoms without undergoing invasive procedures. A user-friendly mobile application, which is connected with the pain reduction system (e.g., wired or wirelessly), allow the patients to efficiently position sensors of the pain reduction system on top of the nerve conducting the targeted pain signal. Furthermore, the mobile application provides functionality to easily identify the pain signal amidst the plethora of sensory and motoric signal transmitted through a nerve duct at any given moment; thus eliminating unwanted side-effects like tremors or numbness 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary top-level block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a pain reduction system cooperating with a nerve cell. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary diagram illustrating one embodiment of an axon with a series of sequential action potential that can be used with the pain reduction system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary top-level block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the pain reduction system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary diagram illustrating another embodiment of the pain reduction system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary diagram illustrating another embodiment of the pain reduction system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary diagram illustrating an embodiment of the pain reduction system of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary diagram illustrating another embodiment of the pain reduction system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8A  is exemplary graph diagram illustrating the one embodiment of constructive and destructive interference principles used by the pain reduction system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8B  is an exemplary graph diagram illustrating one embodiment of an electromagnetic waveform representing a pain signal that can be detected by the pain reduction system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8C  is an exemplary graph diagram illustrating one embodiment of an electromagnetic waveform representing a corresponding cancellation signal generated by the pain reduction of  FIG. 1  for the pain signal shown in  FIG. 8B . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8D  is an expanded view of the pain signal of  FIG. 8B  illustrating one embodiment of a bandwidth of signals for elimination by the pain reduction system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for pain reduction using the pain reduction system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating one embodiment for positioning the topical sensors of the method for pain reduction of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating another embodiment for positioning the topical sensors of the method for pain reduction of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating one embodiment for generating the cancellation signal of the method for pain reduction of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating another embodiment for generating the cancellation signal of the method for pain reduction of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating another embodiment for generating the cancellation signal of the method for pain reduction of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
       [0027]    It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figures do not illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Since currently-available electric nerve modulation-based pain reduction systems are deficient because they emit random electric impulses to the pain afflicted areas and are only effective for a very limited number of patients, an improved system for pain reduction can prove desirable and provide a basis for a wide range of medical applications, such as providing pain relief for patients with chronic diabetic neuropathy, patients with polyneuropathy, or patients with phantom pain after amputation of peripheral extremities. This result can be achieved, according to one embodiment disclosed herein, by a pain reduction system  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , the pain reduction system  100  analyzes the waveform of a nerve signal (e.g., shown in  FIG. 8 ) produced by a nerve cell  105 , then generates a signal that will invert the polarity of the original signal to provide a reduction in pain. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , nerve impulses (or spikes) travel along axons  106 . An axon  106  is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell  105 , or neuron, that typically conducts electric impulses away from the neuron&#39;s cell body. The nerve impulses travel from one nerve cell  105  to the next via a sequence of short-lasting events in which the electric membrane potential of a nerve cell  105  rapidly rises and falls, following a consistent trajectory. 
         [0031]    As an action potential travels down the axon  106 , there is a change in polarity across the membrane. The Na+ and K+ gated ion channels open and close as the membrane reaches the threshold potential, in response to a signal from another nerve cell  105 . At the beginning of the action potential, the Na+ channels open and Na+ moves into the axon  106 , causing depolarization. Repolarization occurs when the K+ channels open and K+ moves out of the axon  106 . This creates a change in polarity between the outside of the cell and the inside. The impulse travels down the axon in one direction only, to an axon terminal  106   a  where the axon terminal  106   a  signals other nerve cells  105 . 
         [0032]    While the physical foundation of this process is fundamentally different from the way an electromagnetic wave travels along, for example, a copper wire, the behavior and properties of the resulting signals are quite similar. So similar, in fact, that the same set of differential equations used by Fourier to describe heat conduction in a wire are still in use to establish mathematical theories of nerve fiber conduction and for modeling the behavior of axons  106 . 
         [0033]    In short and radically simplified: a nerve signal is an electromagnetic wave that travels through the body along conducts (i.e., nerves). 
         [0034]    One embodiment of the pain reduction system  100  is shown in  FIG. 3 . Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a pain reduction system  100   a  includes a topical sensor  101  which reads a pain signal A traveling through the nerve cell  105  and transmits the signal A to a reLeaph processing unit (rPU)  107  via a connector  104 . In order for the sensor  101  to successfully read the pain signal A, the sensor  101  can be positioned right on top of the nerve  105 . As shown, the nerve  105  is illustrated as an arrow for exemplary purposes only to indicate a direction that the pain signal A travels through the nerve cell  105 . However, it should be understand that electromagnetic waves can travel through the body via the nerve  105  in any direction. In some embodiments, the sensor  101  can include one or more electrodes to measure and receive electrical signals through the body. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the pain reduction system  100   a  can operate in a positioning mode via a selector button  108  and the sensor  101  can be positioned across the skin of the patient in roughly the vicinity of the nerve  105 . The pain reduction system  100   a  includes a display  110  to show the nerve signal strength and allow the sensor  101  to be positioned where the highest signal level is shown. The display  110  can use up a significant amount of electricity; a battery pack  109  can be sizeable in order to power both the display  110  and the rPU  107 . 
         [0036]    The rPU  107  creates an opposing cancellation signal B and transmits this signal via a connector  114  to a pulse generator  102 . The pulse generator  102  is positioned topically and close to the sensor  101  (e.g. farther away from the pain afflicted area and closer to the pain receptors than the placement of the sensor  101 ). In a preferred embodiment, the pain signal A, still traveling along the nerve  105 , and the cancellation signal B cancel each other out once they collide, which will be discussed with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0037]    In this embodiment, the patient can calibrate for nerve velocity manually. Stated in another way, the patient can account for any timing that is required for the pain signal A to be received by the rPU  107  in order to provide the cancellation signal B at an appropriate time. The patient selects the appropriate device mode (i.e., via the selector button  108 ) and delays and/or advances the timing of the cancellation signal B via modification buttons (shown in  FIG. 3  as + and −buttons) and the selector button  108 . Furthermore, fat and muscle tissue can distort and weaken the signals A and B. Therefore, the collision of signals initially may not result in a perfect cancellation, but in a reduction of pain intensity. In this embodiment, the patient also can calibrate for distorted and weakened signals manually. The patient can select the appropriate device mode (i.e., via the selector button  108 ) and change the signal intensity (via the buttons + and − and mode selector button  108 ). With successful calibration, the collision of the original pain signal A and the cancellation signal B results in a cancelled pain signal and a patient free of pain. 
         [0038]    Additionally and/or alternatively, the pain reduction system  100  can be water-resistant. Accordingly, the patient can eliminate chronic pain symptoms and take a bath or shower without having to remove any portion of the pain reduction system  100 . 
         [0039]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the pain reduction system  100  is shown. A pain reduction system  100   b  includes the topical sensor  101  which reads the pain signal A traveling through the nerve cell  105  and transmits the signal A to the reLeaph processing unit (rPU)  107  via the connector  104 . The pain reduction system  100   b  also includes a test sensor  103  for receiving a collision signal C (i.e., signals A+B) traveling through the nerve cell  105  and transmits the collision signal C to the reLeaph processing unit (rPU)  107  via connector  106 . In order for the sensors  101  and  103  to successfully read the pain signal A and the collision signal C, respectively, the sensors  101  and  103  can be positioned right on top of the nerve  105 . In some embodiments, similar to the sensor  101 , the test sensor  103  can include one or more electrodes to measure and receive electrical signals through the body. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the pain reduction system  100   b  can operate in the positioning mode via the selector button  108  and the sensors  101  and  103  can be positioned across the skin of the patient in roughly the estimated position (e.g., within 4 square centimeters) of the nerve  105 . The pain reduction system  100   b  includes the display  110  to show the nerve signal strength and allow the sensors  101  and  103  to be positioned where the highest signal level is shown. The battery pack  109  can be sizeable in order to power both the display  110  and the rPU  107 . 
         [0041]    The rPU  107  creates an opposing cancellation signal B and transmits this signal via a connector  114  to the pulse generator  102 . The pulse generator  102  is positioned topically and close to the sensor  101  (e.g. farther away from the pain afflicted area and closer to the pain receptors than the placement of the sensor  101  but positioned between the sensor  101  and the sensor  103 ). In a preferred embodiment, the pain signal A, still traveling along the nerve  105 , and the cancellation signal B cancel each other out once they collide. 
         [0042]    In this embodiment, the rPU  107  calibrates for nerve velocity automatically. In automatic calibration mode, the rPU  107  emits a test signal through the pulse generator  102 , measures the time until this test signal reaches the sensors  101 ,  103  and determines pertaining nerve velocity. According to the determined pertaining nerve velocity, the rPU  107  delays and/or advances the cancellation signal B by a predetermined time in order to match it with the initial pain signal A. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the rPU  107  can automatically calibrate for weakened and distorted signals, such as explained with reference to  FIG. 14 . 
         [0044]    The sensor  103 , positioned near the pulse generator  102  (e.g., about three centimeters from the pulse generator  102  and farther away from the pain afflicted area and closer to the pain receptors than the pulse generator  102 ), reads the resulting collision signal C and sends it back to the rPU  107  via a connector  106 . The rPU  107  determines a delta (Δ) between an optimum collision result and the actual collision signal C and corrects subsequent cancellation signals B for Δ in order to converge to the optimum collision result: a cancelled pain signal and a patient free of pain. 
         [0045]    Another embodiment of the pain reduction system  100  is shown in  FIG. 5 . Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a pain reduction system  100   c  includes the topical sensor  101  which reads the pain signal A traveling through the nerve  105  and transmits this signal to the reLeaph processing unit (rPU)  107  via the connector  104 . The pain reduction system  100   b  also includes the test sensor  103  for receiving the collision signal C and transmits the collision signal C to the reLeaph processing unit (rPU)  107  via connector  106 . In order for the sensors  101  and  103  to successfully read nerve signal A and the collision signal C, respectively, the sensors  101  and  103  can be positioned right on top of the nerve  105 . 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the pain reduction system  100   c  can operate in a positioning mode via a mobile application on a mobile device  113  (e.g., smartphone) which is connected via a wireless connection  112  (e.g., such as via Bluetooth) and a wireless transmitter  111 . As shown, the mobile device  113  is connected via a wireless connection  112 , thereby reducing the number of wires and maintaining a convenient handling by a user; however, it should be understood that a wired connection also is within the scope of this embodiment. The sensor  101  can be moved across the skin in roughly the vicinity of the nerve  105 . The mobile device  113  shows the nerve signal strength and the pain reduction system  100   c  can be positioned such that the sensors  101  and  103  where the highest signal level is shown. 
         [0047]    The rPU  107  creates an opposing cancellation signal B and transmits this signal via the connector  114  to the pulse generator  102 . This pulse generator  102  is positioned topically and close to the sensor  101  (e.g., farther away from the pain afflicted area and closer to the pain receptors than the position of the sensor  101 ). In a preferred embodiment, the original pain signal A, still traveling along the nerve  105 , and the cancellation signal B cancel each other out once they collide. 
         [0048]    In this embodiment, the rPU  107  calibrates for nerve velocity automatically. In an automatic calibration mode, the rPU  107  emits a test signal through the pulse generator  102 , measures the time until this test signal reaches the sensors  101 ,  103  and determines pertaining nerve velocity. According to this value, the rPU  107  delays and/or advances the cancellation signal B by a predetermined time to match it with the initial pain signal A. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, the rPU  107  can automatically calibrate for weakened and distorted signals, such as explained with reference to  FIG. 14 . 
         [0050]    The sensor  103 , positioned near (e.g., within 3 centimeters of) the pulse generator  102  (e.g., farther away from the pain afflicted area and closer to the pain receptors than the pulse generator  102 ), reads the resulting collision signal C and sends it back to the rPU  107  via a connector  106 . The rPU  107  determines a delta (Δ) between an optimum collision result and the actual collision signal C and corrects subsequent cancellation signals B for Δ in order to converge to the optimum collision result: a cancelled pain signal and a patient free of pain. 
         [0051]    As used herein, the signal A has been referred to as the ‘pain signal’ for simplicity. However, the signal A also can include any number of sensory and motor sub-signals; a selected sensory sub-signal being the pain signal. In other words, pain is just one of many signals traveling along a certain nerve  105 . Unfortunately, pain is not easily recognized amongst the multitude of other sensory information. In order to keep side-effects like numbness to a minimum, it is desirable to narrow the cancellation effect close to the actual pain signal and leave as many of the other signals as possible unaffected. 
         [0052]    Accordingly, to minimize side-effects, the rPU  107  can transmit a 2-dimensional mapping of all nerve signals included in the signal A to the mobile device  113  (e.g., shown in  FIGS. 8B-D ). 
         [0053]    Advantageously, the patient can be in control of trimming the cancellation effect as closely as possible around the original pain signal A by narrowing, widening, and moving the cancellation signal B window on the mobile device  113  (also discussed with reference to  FIGS. 8A-D ). The goal is, to narrow the cancellation signal B as much as possible, while still not experiencing any pain. 
         [0054]    Turning to  FIG. 6 , an exemplary design of the pain reduction system  100   c  is shown. The pain reduction system  100   c  includes a housing  124 . The housing  124  includes one or more housing compartments  124   a  which can be mechanically connected by flexible hinged means  125  to allow conforming placement of the housing  124  on a curved portion of the human anatomy. A selected housing compartment  124   a  can house the rPU  107  and the wireless transmitter  111 ; one or more housing compartments  124   a  provide housing for the batteries  109 ; one or more housing compartments  124   a  can provide housing (or carrying via detachable means) for the sensors  101 ,  103  and the pulse generator  102 . 
         [0055]    Although the previous embodiments included wired connections between the topical sensors (e.g., the sensors  101  and  103 ), the pain reduction system  100  can also include wireless connectivity to provide additional versatility. Turning now to  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of the pain reduction system  100  is shown. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a pain reduction system  100   d  includes the topical sensors  101 ,  103  and the pulse generator  102  on a carrier medium  123  (for example, but not limited to, a plastic foil). The carrier medium  123  also includes several wireless transmitters (e.g., carrier wireless transmitters  121  and  122 ) in order to connect the sensors  101  and  103  wirelessly to the rPU  107 . In some embodiments, the pain reduction system  100   c  can include additional batteries  118 ,  119 , and  120  to power the sensors  101 ,  103 , the pulse generator  102 , and the wireless transmitters  121 ,  122 . In some embodiments, the additional batteries  118 ,  119 , and  120  are unique from one another. In some embodiments, the additional batteries  118 ,  119 , and  120  is a single unit that powers all units  101 ,  103 ,  102 ,  121 , and  122  via the carrier medium  123  that can be conductive. A sensor, pulse generator, and wireless transmitter (collectively referred to as sensor array) separate from the rPU  107  is created, therefore, allowing the patient to place a much lighter and smaller sensor array on the skin while carrying the heavier rPU  107  (together with wireless transmitter  111  and the battery  109 ) conveniently in a pocket or anywhere in wireless range. 
         [0056]    The topical sensor  101  reads the pain signal A traveling through the nerve  105  and transmits this signal to the reLeaph processing unit (rPU)  107  via the wireless transmitter  121  and a wireless connection  115  (for example, but not limited to, a Bluetooth connection). In order for the sensor  101  to successfully read nerve signal A, the sensor  101  can be positioned right on top of the nerve  105 . 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, the pain reduction system  100   d  can operate in a positioning mode via a mobile application on a mobile device  113  (e.g., smartphone) which is connected to the rPU  107  via the wireless connection  112  (e.g., such as via Bluetooth) and the wireless transmitter  111 . As shown, the mobile device  113  is connected via the wireless connection  112 , thereby reducing the number of wires and maintaining a convenient handling by a user; however, it should be understood that a wired connection also is within the scope of this embodiment. The sensor  101  can be moved across the skin in roughly the vicinity of the nerve  105 . The mobile device  113  shows the nerve signal strength and the sensor array can be positioned such that the sensor  101  is positioned where the highest signal level is shown. 
         [0058]    The rPU  107  creates an opposing cancellation signal B and transmits this signal via the wireless transmitter  111  and a connection  116  (for example, but not limited to, a Bluetooth connection) to pulse generator  102 . This pulse generator  102  is positioned topically and close to the sensor  101  (e.g., about three centimeters from the sensor  101  and farther away from the pain afflicted area and closer to the pain receptors than the position of the sensor  101 ). In a preferred embodiment, the original pain signal A, still traveling along the nerve  105 , and the cancellation signal B cancel each other out once they collide. 
         [0059]    In this embodiment, the rPU  107  calibrates for nerve velocity automatically. In an automatic calibration mode, the rPU  107  emits a test signal through the pulse generator  102 , measures the time until this test signal reaches the sensors  101 ,  103  and determines pertaining nerve velocity. According to this value, the rPU  107  delays and/or advances the cancellation signal B by a predetermined time to match it with the initial pain signal A. 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, the rPU  107  can automatically calibrate for weakened and distorted signals, such as explained with reference to  FIG. 14 . 
         [0061]    The sensor  103 , positioned in close neighborhood (e.g., within 3 centimeters) of the pulse generator  102  (e.g., farther away from the pain afflicted area and closer to the pain receptors than the pulse generator  102 ), reads the resulting collision signal C and sends it back to the rPU  107  via the wireless transmitter  122  and the wireless connection  117 . The rPU  107  determines a delta (Δ) between an optimum collision result and the actual collision signal C and corrects subsequent cancellation signals B for Δ in order to converge to the optimum collision result: a cancelled pain signal and a patient free of pain. 
         [0062]    Again, to reduce unnecessary side-effects, the rPU  107  can transmit a 2-dimensional mapping of all nerve signals contained in the pain signal A to the mobile device  113 . 
         [0063]    Advantageously, the patient can be in control of trimming the cancellation effect as closely as possible around the original pain signal A by narrowing, widening, and moving the cancellation signal B window on the mobile device  113 . The goal is, to narrow the cancellation signal B as much as possible, while still not experiencing any pain. 
         [0064]    The pain reduction system  100  analyzes the waveform of the nerve signal  105 , then generates a signal that will invert the polarity of the original signal. This inverted signal (in antiphase) is then amplified and a transducer creates a wave directly proportional to the amplitude of the original waveform, utilizing destructive interference. This effectively eliminates the original nerve signal. 
         [0065]    Turning to  FIG. 8A , waves influence each other when they get close or collide; exactly opposite waves even cancel each other out. In physics this phenomenon in which two waves superpose to form a resultant wave of greater or lower amplitude is called interference. 
         [0066]    The principle of superposition of waves states that when two or more propagating waves of the same type are incident on the same point, the total displacement at that point is equal to the sum of the displacements of the individual waves. If a crest of a wave meets a crest of another wave of the same frequency at the same point, then the magnitude of the displacement is the sum of the individual magnitudes—this is constructive interference as shown on the left of  FIG. 8A . If a crest of one wave meets a trough of another wave, then the magnitude of the displacements is equal to the difference in the individual magnitudes—this is known as destructive interference as shown on the right of  FIG. 8A . 
         [0067]    A common application of this principle is noise cancellation: Sound is a pressure wave, which includes alternating periods of compression and rarefaction. A noise-cancellation speaker emits a sound wave with the same amplitude but with inverted phase (also known as antiphase) to the original sound. The waves combine to form a new wave in the above described interference process and effectively cancel each other out. 
         [0068]    Turning to  FIG. 8B , an exemplary electromagnetic wave is shown to represent a complete spectrum of signals recorded from a nerve cell  105 . This electromagnetic wave can, for example, represent the pain signal A that is detected by the pain reduction system  100 . With reference to  FIG. 8C , a corresponding cancellation signal B is shown. For example, the pain reduction system  100  receives the pain signal A shown in  FIG. 8B  and generates a phase shifted cancellation signal B such that a crest of the pain signal A meets a trough of the wave signal B. Accordingly, when the pulse generator  102  emits the cancellation signal B, destructive interference of the two signals can interrupt the pain signal A before it can reach the human brain. 
         [0069]    In some embodiments, and with reference to  FIG. 8D , a complete interruption of signal transmission will be undesirable and only a certain bandwidth of signals (reflecting the actual pain) is to be eliminated. The remaining nerve signal is untouched to minimize side-effects (e.g., unnecessary numbness and involuntary tremors). Accordingly,  FIG. 8D  illustrates an exemplary bandwidth of signals that can be eliminated by the pain reduction system  100  to reduce any undesired side-effects. 
         [0070]    The pain reduction system  100  can reduce pain in any suitable manner discussed above, such as a pain reduction process  9000  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Turning to  FIG. 9 , the pain reduction process  9000  begins when the topical sensor  101  is positioned on or near the nerve cell  105 , at  9001 . The topical sensor  101  reads the original pain signal A from the nerve cell  105  and relays the signal A to the rPU  107  via the connector  104  (or the wireless transmitter  121  and the wireless connection  115 ), at  9002 . Once the original pain signal A has been received, the rPU  107  generates the cancellation signal B by inverting the original pain signal A, at  9003 . For example, the rPU  107  can receive the original pain signal A and perform a phase shift by one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to generate the cancellation signal B. 
         [0071]    The rPU  107  transmits the cancellation signal B via the connector  104  (or the wireless transmitter  111  and the wireless connection  116  to the pulse generator  102 , at  9004 . The pulse generator  102  emits signal B towards nerve cell  105  creating a collision between original signal A and cancellation signal B, at  9005 . In a preferred embodiment, the resulting collision signal C is not transmitting any pain. Factors that can affect the collusions signal C and a method for adjusting these factors are discussed, for example, with reference to  FIG. 14 . 
         [0072]    Now turning to  FIG. 10 , one embodiment for positioning the topical sensor on the nerve cell  105  (i.e., step  9001 ) in relation to the embodiments displayed in  FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 7  is shown in further detail. Initially, the topical sensor  101  is placed in a close vicinity of the nerve  105 . For example, the topical sensor  101  is positioned roughly within a  4  square centimeter area), at  9001 - 1 . The topical sensor  101  reads the signal A from the nerve cell  105 , at  9001 - 2 . At this point the pain reduction system  100  determines the signal strength of the pain signal A and transmits the pain signal A to the rPU  107  via the connector  104  (or the wireless transmitter  121  and the wireless connector  115 ), at  9001 - 2 . The rPU  107  transmits the pain signal A via the wireless transmitter  111  and the wireless connection  112  (or in some cases an equivalent wired connection) to the mobile device  113 , at 9001 - 3 , where a visual approximation of the received signal strength is displayed, at  9001 - 4 . In order to determine the ideal position for sensor  101  where the highest signal strength is received (closest to the nerve cell  105 ), the sensor  101  can be repositioned, at  9001 - 5 , and the above process (steps  9001 - 2 , 9001 - 3 , 9001 - 4 , and  9001 - 5 ) repeats until the ideal position is determined and the sensor  101  is properly positioned, at  9001 - 6 . 
         [0073]    With reference now to  FIG. 11 , another embodiment for positioning the topical sensor on the nerve cell  105  (i.e., step  9001 ) is shown as including a determination of the velocity that the pain signal A travels along the nerve cell  105 . As nerve signals are relatively slow, determination of the velocity allows the pulse generator  102  to emit the cancellation signal B to nerve cell  105  at a predetermined time in order to create a collision. For example, if the pulse generator  102  transmits the pain signal A early, the cancellation signal B will not interfere and the pain signal A is not effected. 
         [0074]    In one embodiment, the rPU  107  provides a generic, but unique, signal T to the pulse generator  102 . The pulse generator  102  emits the signal T towards the nerve cell  105 ; when the signal T reaches the nerve cell  105 , the signal T will travel along the nerve cell  105  towards the test sensor  103 . When the signal T reaches the sensor  103 , the sensor  103  receives the signal T and sends it via the connector  106  (or the wireless transmitter  122  and the wireless connector  117 ) to the rPU  107 . The rPU  107  determines the elapsed time from sending the signal T through the pulse generator  102  to receiving the signal T through the test sensor  103 . This elapsed time is used to calculate any desired waiting period (delay) for subsequent transmissions of the cancellation signal B. 
         [0075]    Turning now to  FIG. 12 , one embodiment for generating the cancellation signal B (step  9003 ) is illustrated in further detail. In one embodiment, the rPU  107  generates the cancellation signal B by inverting the pain signal A (e.g., phase shift 180 degrees). The embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  also provides for dampening effects caused by a patient&#39;s tissue, to allow for transmission velocity of nerve cell  105 , and to eliminate unwanted side effects like numbness or tremors. After creating the ‘raw’ signal B (at  9003 - 1 ), the rPU  107  initiates a bandwidth limitation process, at  9003 - 2 ). As previously discussed, the pain signal A includes many different signals; only one of them is related to a patient&#39;s pain experience. In case the ‘raw’ signal B is sent back to the nerve cell  105 , the resulting collision cancels out not only the pain signal but all other motor and sensory signals that are part of signal A as well. While the main objective—eliminating a patient&#39;s pain—is accomplished, a multitude of unwanted and maybe bothersome side effects can be experienced by the patient. The bandwidth limitation process (step  9003 - 2 ) reduces/eliminates these side effects and will be further described with reference to  FIG. 13 . Note that band limitation process.  9003 -can be invoked after an initial positioning process (shown in  FIG. 10 ) or per user request and is only invoked until the user decides that the bandwidth limits are optimal. In the next step ( 9003 - 3 ), the rPU  107  alters the signal B according to the bandwidth limits determined by the rPU  107  in step  9003 - 2 . The rPU  107  corrects the signal B for tissue dampening effects determined by the process further described in  FIG. 14 . In step  9003 - 5 , the rPU  107  waits for signal A to pass the pulse generator  102 . The waiting period can be determined by the process described in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0076]    Turning to  FIG. 13 , one embodiment for determining the bandwidth limitations for signal B is shown; thus eliminating unwanted side effects like tremors and numbness. Receiving the pain signal A from the sensor  101 , the rPU  107  determines the bandwidth spectrum of signal A (shown in  FIG. 8D ) and sends the upper and lower limit of the spectrum to the mobile device  113  via the wireless transmitter  111  and wireless connection  112 , at  9003 - 6 . The mobile device  113  can display a visual representation of the bandwidth spectrum to the user (including already stored bandwidth limits previously determined by the user) (at  9003 - 7 ). In step  9003 - 8 , the user adjusts the bandwidth limits on the mobile device  113 . In step  9003 - 9 , the mobile device  113  stores the new bandwidth limit values and in step  9003 - 10 , and the mobile device  113  sends the new bandwidth limits to the rPU  107  via the wireless connection  112 . 
         [0077]    Now turning to  FIG. 14 , one embodiment for determining the correction value for dampening effects caused by a patient&#39;s tissue is shown. The sensor  103  reads the collision signal C from the nerve cell  105 . The collision signal C is the result of the collision between original signal A and cancellation signal B. This method, can be non-invasive, advantageously allowing all measurements to be taken topically. The tissue between the nerve cell  105  and the sensor  101  and the pulse generator  102  influences the quality and especially the intensity of readings and also the intensity of the cancellation signal B while it is trying to reach nerve cell  105  through the tissue. Therefore, the collision signal C does not really represent the collision of signal A and signal B, but the collision of weakened signal A and B. Therefore, without further correction the collision between signal A and B would not result in the ideal  0 -amplitude collision signal. In step  9003 - 12  rPU  107  determines the ‘delta’ between the expected and wanted signal C and the real reading of signal C. In step  9003 - 13  rPU  107  calculates a correction value for signal B in order to achieve the ideal result in future collisions. 
         [0078]    The described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the described embodiments are not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.