Patent ID: 8394075

Claim:
A method for suppressing or preventing pain in a patient, the method comprising the steps of: advancing a first electrode, without penetrating the cranium, on or proximate to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, the sphenopalatine nerves, or the vidian nerves on one side of the patient's face; advancing a second electrode, without penetrating the cranium, on or proximate to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, the sphenopalatine nerves, or the vidian nerves on the other side of the patient's face; applying at least one of a medication solution, an analgesic, or an electrical signal to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, the sphenopalatine nerves, or the vidian nerves through the first electrode; applying at least one of a medication solution, an analgesic, or an electrical signal to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, the sphenopalatine nerves, or the vidian nerves through the second electrode; disrupting pain signal generation in, or transmission through, the at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves on the one side of the patient's face; and disrupting pain signal generation in, or transmission through, the at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves on the other side of the patient's face; wherein each of the first and second electrodes is advanced without penetrating the nasal cavity or the palate.