Programming techniques for stimulation with utilization of case electrode

A device comprising:

• means for receiving, via a user interface of an electrical stimulator programmer device, user input specifying an electrode combination for delivery of electrical stimulation from an implantable electrical stimulator that includes a stimulation generator to a patient, the electrode combination comprising at least a first electrode located on a housing of the electrical stimulator that includes the stimulation generator, and a second electrode and a third electrode carried by one or more implantable leads coupled to the housing;
• means for receiving, via the user interface, user input specifying amounts of electrical stimulation current to be supplied via the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode;
• and
• means for defining a program to control delivery of the electrical stimulation by the stimulator based on the user input.

A system comprising:

• an implantable electrical stimulator;
• and
• a programmer comprising:
• a user interface that:
• receives user input specifying an electrode combination for delivery of electrical stimulation from an electrical stimulator that includes a stimulation generator to a patient, the electrode combination comprising at least a first electrode located on a housing of the electrical stimulator that includes the stimulation generator, and a second electrode and a third electrode carried by at least one implantable lead coupled to the housing;
• and
• receives user input specifying amounts of electrical stimulation current to be supplied via the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode;
• and
• a processor that defines a program to control delivery of the electrical stimulation by the stimulator based on the user input.

A method comprising:

• receiving, via a user interface of an electrical stimulator programmer device, user input specifying an electrode combination for delivery of electrical stimulation from an implantable electrical stimulator that includes a stimulation generator to a patient, the electrode combination comprising at least a first electrode located on a housing of the electrical stimulator that includes the stimulation generator, and a second electrode and a third electrode carried by one or more implantable leads coupled to the housing;
• receiving, via the user interface, user input specifying amounts of electrical stimulation current to be supplied via the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode;
• and
• defining a program to control delivery of the electrical stimulation by the stimulator based on the user input.