Patent ID: 7800885

Claim:
A method for passing a current through a circuit that includes tissue of a target, the current to accomplish nerve stimulation for pain compliance or for interfering with skeletal muscle control by the target, the method comprising: after ionization of air in the circuit, generating a first compliance signal of the current, the first compliance signal comprising a first maximum amplitude; and subsequently, generating a second compliance signal of the current, the second compliance signal comprising a second maximum amplitude, the absolute value of the second maximum amplitude being less than the absolute value of the first maximum amplitude; wherein the first compliance signal contributes to accomplishing nerve stimulation; the second compliance signal contributes to accomplishing nerve stimulation; each compliance signal comprises a respective effective duration that ends at a respective time after which that compliance signal's contribution to nerve stimulation is not substantial; the effective duration of the first compliance signal does not in time overlap the effective duration of the second compliance signal; and each respective maximum amplitude is a maximum of amplitudes that occur during the respective effective duration.