Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing pain after surgery in the thoracic or abdominal region and managing chronic nerve pain in the thoracic or abdominal region are provided. Such methods involve an electrode assembly that has a proximal portion and a distal portion with the distal portion including a plurality of electrodes. At least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is placed over each of a plurality of intercostal nerve bundles in the patient's body. The proximal portion of the electrode assembly is connected to a pulse generator. An electromagnetic field is applied to the plurality of intercostal nerve bundles. The plurality of electrodes is removed from the patient's body after an intercostal nerve block sufficient to alleviate the patient's pain has been achieved.

Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing pain after surgery in the thoracic or abdominal region and managing chronic nerve pain in the thoracic or abdominal region are provided. Such methods involve an electrode assembly that has a proximal portion and a distal portion with the distal portion including a plurality of electrodes. At least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is placed over each of a plurality of intercostal nerve bundles in the patient's body. The proximal portion of the electrode assembly is connected to a pulse generator. An electromagnetic field is applied to the plurality of intercostal nerve bundles. The plurality of electrodes is removed from the patient's body after an intercostal nerve block sufficient to alleviate the patient's pain has been achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a tracheal T-tube having transversely extending first and second passages that communicate with each other. The apparatus has a body with a generally tubular shape and a channel extending between distal and proximal ends. The body has cylindrical inner and outer walls that define a wall thickness. The body can be inserted into the first passage so that the distal end lies in the second passage. The apparatus has an inflatable device operatively secured to its distal end, and means for selectively inflating and deflating the inflatable device. The body also has a tube which defines a lumen extending between the ends and fluidly connecting the inflatable device with the means for selectively inflating and deflating the inflatable device.