Heuristic safety net for transitioning configurations in a neural stimulation system

A method of providing therapy to a patient using a plurality of electrodes, comprising implementing a semiautomatic programming mode to electrically steer the electric current in real-time, wherein implementing the semiautomatic programming mode includes:

• defining an immediate electrode configuration;
• conveying electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the immediate electrode configuration;
• defining a final electrode configuration in response to a user input;
• and
• automatically defining a series of intermediate electrode configurations using a heuristic set of rules based on the immediate electrode configuration and the final electrode configuration, conveying electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the series of intermediate electrode configurations, and conveying electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the subsequent electrode configuration,
• wherein the heuristic set of rules limit shifting of current between the series of intermediate electrode configurations.

A method of providing therapy to a patient using a plurality of electrodes, comprising:

• defining an immediate electrode configuration;
• conveying electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the immediate electrode configuration;
• defining a final electrode configuration;
• defining a series of intermediate electrode configurations using a heuristic set of rules based on the immediate electrode configuration and the final electrode configuration;
• conveying electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the series of intermediate electrode configurations;
• and
• conveying electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the subsequent electrode configuration,
• wherein the heuristic set of rules limit shifting of current between the series of intermediate electrode configurations,
• wherein defining the series of intermediate electrode configurations comprises repeatedly defining a next intermediate electrode configuration based on an immediate previously defined electrode configuration and the final electrode configuration until the next intermediate electrode configuration matches the final electrode configuration,
• wherein repeatedly defining the next intermediate electrode configuration comprises shifting anodic and/or cathodic current from the immediate previously defined electrode configuration to the next intermediate electrode configuration until the intermediate electrode configuration matches the final electrode configuration,
• wherein each of the electrodes has an electrical current transition between the immediate previously defined electrode configuration and the final electrode configuration that is one of the following:
• no current change transition, a cathodic current increase transition, a cathodic current decrease transition, a cathodic current decrease/anodic current increase transition, an anodic current increase transition, an anodic current decrease transition, and an anodic current decrease/cathodic current increase transition, and wherein the heuristic set of rules are applied to the electrical current transitions to define the next intermediate electrode configuration, and
• wherein the heuristic set of rules further comprises:
• determining whether there exists a first electrode having the anodic current decrease/cathodic current increase transition and whether exists a second electrode having either the no current change transition or the anodic current decrease transition;
• and
• if the first and second electrodes exist, shifting anodic current from the first electrode to the second electrode.