Systems and methods for creating stimulation programs based on user-defined areas or volumes

A method for generating a stimulation program for electrical stimulation of a patient using an electrical stimulation lead, the method comprising:

• providing, by processor on a display communicatively coupled to the processor, a portion of a first plane defined along one side by a longitudinal axis of the electrical stimulation lead;
• obtaining, by the processor, a user selection of a first primitive from a plurality of potential-primitive controls and placement of the first primitive onto the first plane for stimulation, wherein each of the potential-primitive controls corresponds to a predetermined regular or irregular shape;
• obtaining, by the processor, a user input of a command to modify at least one feature of the user-placed first primitive for stimulation;
• providing, by the processor on the display, a portion of a second plane, wherein the second plane is different from the first plane and is rotated, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the electrical stimulation lead, by an angle of less than 90 degrees from the first plane;
• obtaining, by the processor, a user selection of a second primitive from the plurality of potential-primitive controls and placement of the second primitive onto the second plane;
• generating, by the processor, a stimulation program based, at least in part, on the modified user-placed first primitive and the user-placed second primitive for stimulation;
• and
• initiating, by the processor, a signal that provides an implantable pulse generator with the stimulation program for producing electrical stimulation using an electrical stimulation lead coupled to the implantable pulse generator in accordance with the stimulation program.