Neurostimulation system for defining ideal multipole configurations at lead boundary

A system for an electrical neurostimulator coupled to an array of electrodes having a maximum extent, comprising:

• a user-controlled input device configured for generating directional control signals;
• memory storing a plurality of target configurations, each target configuration having at least one pole that can be emulated with a fractionalized current or voltage applied to the array of electrodes;
• and
• control circuitry configured for defining the plurality of target configurations relative to the electrode array in response to the directional control signals,
• the control circuitry configured for determining a spatial relationship between at least one of the defined plurality of target configurations and the maximum extent of the electrode array, the control circuitry configured for modifying the defined plurality of the target configurations based on the determined spatial relationship, such that the modified plurality of the target configurations is spatially within the maximum extent of the electrode array,
• the control circuitry configured for generating a plurality of stimulation parameter sets respectively corresponding to the modified plurality of target configurations, each stimulation parameter set defining relative amplitude values for the electrode array that emulate the respective modified target configuration, and
• the control circuitry configured for instructing the electrical neurostimulator to convey electrical energy to the electrode array in accordance with the plurality of stimulation parameter sets,
• wherein the electrode array is a linear electrode array, and the maximum extent is coincident with an electrode at the end of the linear electrode array, and the control circuitry is configured for modifying the defined plurality of target configurations by eliminating one or more of the at least one defined target configuration.