Biowave's patented percutaneous electrode array (PEA) is a microneedle patch technology that facilitates the delivery of electronic feed signals through the skin directly into deep tissue encompassing the pain site. The feed signals are composed of a premixed set of high frequency wave forms. As the feed signals pass through the body between an opposing electrode placed opposite the pain site and the PEA located directly over the pain site, polarized structures and in particular, nerve fiber membranes, that lie along the path in the body between the PEA and opposing electrode act like nonlinear devices, causing the feed signals to mix. The result is the formation of a low frequency electric field, which is believed to interrupt transmission of pain impulses by preventing action potential propagation along pain fibers – a similar mechanism to local chemical anesthesia, except without any deleterious side effects. See both diagrams to the right.

The use of different sized pads as well as the percutaneous nature of the PEA, focuses the low frequency electric field in the volume of tissue surrounding and beneath the PEA (see top diagram to the right). The size of the volume of tissue affected can be changed and is dependent upon PEA placement, geometry and materials, as well as the intensity of the Feed Signals. The sensation felt by the patient is a comfortable pressure and tingling sensation without muscle twitching or side effects that are common to other electrotherapy devices.