Use of stimulation pulse shape to control neural recruitment order and clinical effect

An implantable electrical tissue stimulation system, comprising:

• one or more electrical terminals configured for being coupled to one or more stimulation leads;
• output stimulation circuitry capable of outputting electrical stimulation energy to the one or more electrical terminals in accordance with a defined waveform;
• and
• control circuitry configured for modifying a pulse shape of the defined waveform in response to a user input, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical stimulation energy outputted to the one or more electrodes.

A programmer for an electrical tissue stimulator, comprising:

• a user interface capable of receiving an input from a user;
• a processor configured for generating a plurality of stimulation parameter sets defining a plurality of different pulse shapes in response to the user input;
• and
• output circuitry configured for transmitting the plurality of stimulation parameter sets to the neurostimulator.