mechanical force preferably incites a reflex response of a hiccup event by the patient preferably the energy delivery device delivers the mechanical force as an ultrasound pulse the ultrasound pulse is preferably a short duration high intensity signal a resulting pressure wave then momentarily bumps or deforms the phrenic nerve the ultrasound may by a series of pulses a high or low frequency signal or any other suitable ultrasound signal deform the phrenic nerve alternatively the energy delivery system may use a rigid structure that projects outward from the device and that can be used to physically push on tissue locations such as a nerve the rigid structure may additionally serve other purposes such as a wire to act as the axis of rotation an elongated member providing slidable z axis actuation or any other suitable structure of the energy delivery system inquiring step s 210 about a tissue location may also be performed by electrically stimulating the tissue electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve will similarly incite the reflex response of a hiccup event by the patient an exemplary device for electrically or mechanically stimulating the phrenic nerve is discussed below with reference to fig1 b step s 220 which recites monitoring a patient for a reflex response to an inquiry such as a bump or electrical stimulation functions to audibly monitor the patient for a hiccup when the phrenic nerve is bumped the bumping of the phrenic nerve preferably incites an audible hiccup from the patient a nerve signal muscle contraction or any other suitable internal or external reflex response may alternatively be monitored preferably the physician or operator signals to the device through a button or any suitable input device when a hiccup is observed alternatively an audio microphone or any suitable sensor may be used to.