#$%^&*AU2013273851A120140116.pdf#####ABSTRACT An apparatus comprising an electrode, a waveform generator connected to the electrode and a controller configured to control the waveform generator to first apply a direct 5 current (DC) to an axon of a nerve, the DC having a first DC amplitude, the DC having the first amplitude not being sufficient to produce a nerve block in the axon, then control the waveform generator to alter the DC over a first period of time by changing the first DC amplitude to 10 a second DC amplitude, the DC having the second DC amplitude being sufficient to produce a conduction block in the nerve, then control the waveform generator to apply a high frequency alternating current (HFAC) to the nerve, the HFAC having an HFAC amplitude and an HFAC frequency, 15 the HFAC being configured to produce a conduction block in the nerve, then control the waveform generator to alter the DC over a second period of time by changing the second DC amplitude to a third DC amplitude, the DC having the third DC amplitude not being sufficient to produce a 20 conduction block in the nerve, where the combination of the DC and the HFAC and the order in which the DC and the HFAC are applied reduce an onset activity in the nerve associated with producing a conduction nerve block when compared to the onset activity in the nerve if only the 25 HFAC was applied. 4968187_1 (GHMatters) P83987.AU.1
