Nerve regeneration system and method

1. A method for stimulating tissue, comprising:

performing a surgery while utilizing an electrical stimulation device;

placing a lead at or near a target nerve that is proximal to a site of a nerve injury, wherein the lead is operatively attachable to the electrical stimulation device;

stimulating the target nerve with the lead and the electrical stimulation device during the surgery to determine excitability of the target nerve;

determining whether application of electrical stimulation for nerve regeneration therapy is appropriate based on the threshold for excitability;

applying an electrical stimulation pulse having a waveform directly to the target nerve through the lead and the electrical stimulation device before, during, or after the surgery; and

directly activating excitable tissue of the target nerve to alter recovery of the target nerve for a period of time that is one minute or greater but less than 30 minutes.

2. The method for stimulating tissue of claim 1 , wherein placing the lead comprises placing the lead percutaneously.

3. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation device is a handheld electrical stimulation device.

4. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 3 further comprising placing the electrical stimulation device within a container after performing the surgery and for altering recovery of the target nerve.

5. The method for stimulating tissue of claim 4 , further comprising attaching the lead to an external end of a port of the container and attaching the electrical stimulation device to an internal end of the port.

6. The method for stimulating tissue of claim 4 , wherein the electrical stimulation device is placed within the container while in an operating room.

7. The method for stimulating tissue of claim 1 , wherein the application of the electrical stimulation pulse to the target nerve occurs before the surgery.

8. The method for stimulating tissue of claim 1 , wherein the application of the electrical stimulation pulse to the target nerve occurs during the surgery.

9. The method for stimulating tissue of claim 1 , wherein the application of the electrical stimulation pulse to the target nerve occurs after the surgery.

10. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation device is a wearable stimulation device.

11. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse comprises a frequency of 10-100 Hz.

12. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse comprises an amplitude of 0.1-20 mA.

13. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse comprises a frequency of 15-30 Hz.

14. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulation pulse comprises an amplitude of 1-2 mA.

15. A method for stimulating tissue, comprising:

placing a lead at or near a target nerve proximal to a site of suspected injury;

applying a first electrical stimulation pulse having a waveform via a stimulation device to the target nerve;

determining or measuring excitability of the target nerve to identify a site of injury and/or evaluate a degree of injury;

based on the determination or measurement of excitability, applying a second electrical stimulation pulse having a waveform to the target nerve;

directly activating excitable tissue of the target nerve altering recovery of the target nerve; and

performing a subcutaneous surgery before or after applying the second electrical stimulation pulse.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising storing the stimulation device within a container prior to moving out of an operative setting in order to maintain sterility after and stability while moving a patient to another location.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising stimulating the target nerve tissue after performance of the subcutaneous surgery.

18. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 15 , wherein the second electrical stimulation pulse comprises a frequency of 10-100 Hz.

19. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 15 , wherein the second electrical stimulation pulse comprises an amplitude of 0.1-20 mA.

20. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 15 , wherein the second electrical stimulation pulse comprises a frequency of 15-30 Hz.

21. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 15 , wherein the second electrical stimulation pulse comprises an amplitude of 1-2 mA.

22. A method comprising:

applying a first electrical stimulation pulse having a waveform to a target nerve that is proximal to a site of injury or repair through an electrical stimulation device, wherein the first electrical stimulation pulse is configured to assess excitability of the target nerve;

placing a lead at or near the target nerve and based on a determination of excitability of the target nerve applying a second electrical stimulation pulse having a waveform with the electrical stimulation device to the target nerve; and

directly activating the target nerve to enhance nerve function recovery.

23. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 22 , wherein the second electrical stimulation pulse comprises a frequency of 10-100 Hz.

24. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 22 , wherein the second electrical stimulation pulse comprises an amplitude of 0.1-20 mA.

25. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 22 , wherein the second electrical stimulation pulse comprises a frequency of 15-30 Hz.

26. The method of stimulating the tissue of claim 22 , wherein the second electrical stimulation pulse comprises an amplitude of 1-2 mA.