Patent ID: 8483832

Claim:
An apparatus for selectively applying energy to a patient comprising: an activating device comprising a source of electrical energy and at least one activating electrode for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and coupled to the source of electrical energy, the activating device being configured for applying a first electrical impulse having a first frequency to a first set of nerves in a first target region in the patient beneath the outer skin surface of the patient; and a deactivating device positioned in close proximity to the activating device and comprising a source of electrical energy and at least one deactivating electrode for contacting the outer skin surface of the patient and coupled to the source of electrical energy, the deactivating device being configured to apply a second electrical impulse to inhibit the effect of the first electrical impulse having a second frequency on a second set of nerves located in a second target region of the patient between the outer skin surface of the patient and the first target region, wherein the first set of nerves are different nerves from the second set of nerves, the first frequency is different from the second frequency and the first target region is in a different location from the second target region.