Patent ID: 8868196

Claim:
A system for an electrical neurostimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes implanted within tissue of a patient, comprising: a user-controlled input device configured for generating directional control signals; and control circuitry configured for sequentially defining a plurality of different ideal bipole/tripole configurations relative to the plurality of electrodes in response to the directional control signals, generating a plurality of stimulation parameter sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of ideal bipole/tripole configurations, each stimulation parameter set defining relative amplitude values for the plurality of electrodes that emulate the respective ideal bipole/tripole configuration, and instructing the electrical neurostimulator to convey electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the plurality of stimulation parameter sets, wherein the control circuitry is configured for defining the plurality of ideal multipole configurations relative to the plurality of electrodes, such that a locus of a volume of activation (VOA) will be incrementally displaced along the tissue of the patient when the electrical neurostimulator is instructed to convey electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the plurality of stimulation parameter sets.