System and method for nerve stimulation

Abstract

A system and method for stimulating a target such as a nerve, wherein the system includes a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a frequency capable of stimulating a predetermined target of the mammal, a second waveform generator adapted to generate a carrier waveform having a frequency capable of passing through tissue of the mammal, a modulation device electrically coupled to the first and second waveform generators and adapted to modulate the first and carrier waveforms to create a modulated waveform, and an electrode electrically coupled to the modulation device and positioned substantially adjacent to skin of the mammal, and adapted to apply the modulated waveform thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrical stimulation device for use in a mammal comprising:
 a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a frequency capable of stimulating a predetermined target of the mammal;   a second waveform generator adapted to generate a carrier waveform having a frequency capable of passing through tissue of the mammal;   a modulation device electrically coupled to the first and second waveform generators and adapted to modulate the first and carrier waveforms to create a modulated waveform; and   an electrode electrically coupled to the modulation device and positioned substantially adjacent to skin of the mammal, and adapted to apply the modulated waveform thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical stimulation device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first waveform has a selected amplitude and frequency capable of stimulating the predetermined target, wherein the generated first waveform is itself incapable of transdermally stimulating the predetermined target;
 the carrier waveform has a selected amplitude and frequency, wherein the frequency of the carrier waveform is greater than that of the first waveform, wherein the carrier waveform is capable of passing through the mammal's skin and tissue to reach the predetermined target, and wherein the frequency of said generated carrier waveform is itself incapable of electrically stimulating the predetermined target; and   the modulation device is configured to multiply the second carrier waveform and the first waveform to create the modulated waveform that maintains the modulation envelope and frequency information of the first waveform and second carrier waveform, and that is capable of transdermally electrically stimulating the predetermined target.   
     
     
         3 . A method for stimulating a predetermined target of a mammal comprising:
 generating a first waveform having a frequency capable of stimulating the predetermined target;   generating a carrier waveform having a frequency capable of passing through tissue of the mammal;   modulating said first waveform with said carrier waveform to produce a modulated signal;   applying the modulated signal to the mammal's skin.   
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the first waveform has a selected amplitude and frequency capable of stimulating the predetermined target, wherein the generated first waveform is itself incapable of transdermally stimulating the predetermined target;
 the carrier waveform has a selected amplitude and frequency, wherein the frequency of the carrier waveform is greater than that of the first waveform, wherein the carrier waveform is capable of passing through the mammal's skin and tissue to reach the predetermined target, and wherein the frequency of said generated carrier waveform is itself incapable of electrically stimulating the predetermined target; and   the modulation device is configured to multiply the second carrier waveform and the first waveform to create the modulated waveform that maintains the modulation envelope and frequency information of the first waveform and second carrier waveform, and that is capable of transdermally electrically stimulating the predetermined target.   
     
     
         5 . A medical treatment device for treating at least first and second medical conditions of a patient, comprising:
 a stimulation device adapted to apply electrical stimulation to a surface of a patient's skin to treat a first neurologically based medical condition of the patient by electrically stimulating a predetermined target; and   biocompatible, implantable mesh adapted for implantation within the patient to mechanically support an internal body organ or tissue to thereby treat a second medical condition of the patient, wherein the implantable mesh has a plurality of incorporated electrically conductive elements adapted to conduct electrical stimulation from the stimulation device that is applied at the surface of the skin through the body tissue within which it is implanted to a position within the body that is closer to the predetermined body, wherein the implantable mesh has a pore size adapted to promote tissue ingrowth.