The neruostimulator is embedded, Electrodes are placed near the origin o f the pain and the generator and battery are placed on one of your buttocks. My spine surgeon recommended the device rather than more surgery or opioids. Battery is supposedly good for ten years. Insurance company requires a one week trial which includes the buried electrodes and a generator taped to your body. You receive and iPod with the device app on it so that you can adjust the level of the pulse. Experience shows that finding the right level and leaving it alone works best.