Dermatome stimulation devices and methods

A nerve stimulation device comprising:

• a first system including
• a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a first frequency capable of stimulating nerves within a dermatome,
• a second waveform generator adapted to generate a first carrier waveform having a second frequency capable of passing through tissue of a mammal,
• a first modulator electrically coupled to said first and second waveform generators and adapted to modulate said first waveform, and said first carrier waveform to generate a first modulated waveform;
• a second system including
• a third waveform generator adapted to generate a second waveform having a third frequency that equals said first frequency of said first waveform and that is capable of stimulating the nerves within the dermatome,
• a fourth waveform generator adapted to generate a second carrier waveform having a fourth frequency that differs from said second frequency and that is capable of passing through the tissue of the mammal,
• a second modulator electrically coupled to said third and fourth waveform generators and adapted to modulate said second waveform, and said second carrier waveform to generate a second modulated waveform;
• and
• an electrode electrically coupled to said modulator for applying said first and second modulated waveforms, wherein said first and second modulated waveforms are adapted to pass through the tissue at different depths for stimulating the nerves at different depths within the tissue.

A method of stimulating nerves within a dermatome to different depths comprising:

• generating a first waveform having a first frequency capable of stimulating the nerves within the dermatome;
• generating a first carrier waveform having a second frequency capable of passing through tissue within the dermatome;
• generating a second carrier waveform having a third frequency different than said second frequency and being capable of passing through the tissue within the dermatome;
• combining said first waveform, said first carrier waveform, and said second carrier waveform to generate a modulated signal package capable of stimulating the nerves at two different depths within the dermatome;
• and
• applying said modulated waveform to the dermatome for stimulating the nerves within the dermatome.