Method and device for displaying predicted volume of influence

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which are stored instructions that are executable by the processor, the instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• obtaining at least one first region in which neuronal activation is desired and at least one second region in which neuronal activation should be avoided;
• for each of a plurality of test electrode locations or test electrode parameters of a stimulation leadwire:
• determining a volume of activation (VOA) based on a neuron model and an electrical potential distribution using the test electrode location or test electrode parameter;
• and
• comparing the VOA to both the at least one first region and the at least one second region;
• selecting a target electrode location or a target electrode parameter from among the test electrode locations or test electrode parameters using the comparisons between the VOAs and both the at least one first region and the at least one second region;
• and
• communicating the selected target electrode location or target electrode parameter to an implanted controller circuit for production of electrical stimulation of patient tissue using an implanted leadwire coupled to the controller circuit at the selected target electrode location or using the selected target electrode parameter.