Implantable temporary nerve conduction blocking method and system

A method of providing an intercostal nerve block to a patient experiencing pain in the abdominal or thoracic region after surgery in the abdominal or thoracic region, the method comprising:

• obtaining an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrical nodes and an electrical wire electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical nodes;
• placing in the abdominal or thoracic region where the patient is experiencing pain an electrical node of the plurality of electrical nodes over each of a plurality of intercostal nerves of the patient's body;
• connecting the electrical wire to a pulse generator;
• applying in the abdominal or thoracic region where the patient is experiencing pain an electromagnetic field to each of the plurality of intercostal nerves after the surgery;
• percutaneously removing the distal portion of the electrode assembly from the patient's body after achieving an intercostal nerve block;
• and thereby
• alleviating the patient's pain in the abdominal or thoracic region where the patient is experiencing pain after achieving the intercostal nerve block.

A method of providing an intercostal nerve block to a patient experiencing pain in the abdominal or thoracic region after surgery in the abdominal or thoracic region, the method comprising:

• obtaining an electrical lead comprising a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion comprising a plurality of electrodes;
• placing in the abdominal or thoracic region where the patient is experiencing pain an electrode of the plurality of electrodes over each of a plurality of intercostal nerves of the patient's body;
• connecting the proximal portion of the lead to a pulse generator;
• applying in the abdominal or thoracic region where the patient is experiencing pain an electromagnetic field to each of the plurality of intercostal nerves after the surgery;
• percutaneously removing the distal portion of the electrode assembly from the patient's body after achieving an intercostal nerve block;
• and thereby
• alleviating the patient's pain in the abdominal or thoracic region where the patient is experiencing pain after achieving the intercostal nerve block.

A method of providing an intercostal nerve block to a patient experiencing pain in the abdominal or thoracic region after surgery in the abdominal or thoracic region, the method comprising:

• obtaining an electrode assembly system comprising:
• an electrical lead comprising:
• a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion comprising a plurality of un-insulated electrically conductive sections and a plurality of opposing insulated sections;
• a plurality of flexible stabilizing tines laterally extending from the distal portion of the lead body
• a sheath comprising:
• a sheath body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the sheath body having a cross-sectional configuration that accommodates the plurality of stabilizing tines;
• and
• a tunneler comprising a tunneler body having a proximal end and a distal end, at least a portion of the tunneler configured to be disposed within the sheath;
• inserting through an incision site in the patient's skin the sheath with the tunneler disposed therein;
• positioning the sheath subcutaneously over a plurality of intercostal nerves;
• withdrawing the tunneler;
• inserting the distal portion of the electrical lead into the sheath;
• orienting the distal portion of the electrical lead such that the plurality of un-insulated
• electrically conductive sections are facing towards the plurality of intercostal nerves in the abdominal or thoracic region where the patient is experiencing pain and away from cutaneous fibers of the patient's body;
• removing the sheath;
• connecting the proximal portion of the electrical lead to a pulse generator;
• applying in the abdominal or thoracic region where the patient is experiencing pain an electromagnetic field to the plurality of intercostal nerves;
• withdrawing the distal portion of the electrical lead after achieving an intercostal nerve block;
• and thereby
• alleviating the patient's pain in the abdominal or thoracic region where the patient is experiencing pain after achieving the intercostal nerve block.