One aspect of the invention provides a method of stimulating a nerve in
tissue of a patient. The method includes the following steps: applying a
focused ultrasound beam to the tissue; applying a first magnetic field to
the tissue; and applying a second magnetic field to the tissue, the
ultrasound beam and the first and second magnetic fields combining to
stimulate the nerve. Another aspect of the invention provides a nerve
stimulation device having two magnetic coils of opposite polarity each
adapted to generate a magnetic field in a patient's tissue, the coils
being positioned to generate a substantially toroidal magnetic field
within the patient's tissue; and an ultrasound source adapted to transmit
a focused ultrasound beam into the patient's tissue.