Patent ID: 8433422
Filing Date: 2013-04-30
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A process of determining whether a lead that has been operably coupled to an implantable signal generator is an MRI safe lead, wherein the MRI safe lead comprises: wherein the implantable signal generator comprises: i. inserting the lead into the connector block of the implantable signal generator; and ii. measuring at least one characteristic of one of the plurality of electrical contacts; iii. determining whether the at least one measured characteristic of the one of the plurality of electrical contacts is a value that corresponds to the electrical contact being properly electrically connected to the corresponding one of the plurality of electrical connectors; iv. repeating acts ii. through iii. until it has been determined whether the at least one characteristic of each of the plurality of electrical contacts is within a range that corresponds to the electrical contact being properly electrically connected to one of the plurality of electrical connectors; v. determining that the lead is the MRI safe lead by determining that each of the plurality of electrical contacts is properly electrically connected to the corresponding one of the plurality of electrical connectors such that substantially an entire surface area of the electrical contact whose length is different from the other contacts lengths is in contact with substantially an entire surface area of an electrical connector of the plurality; and vi. determining that the lead is the MRI unsafe lead by determining that at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts is not properly electrically connected to the corresponding one of the plurality of electrical connectors such that substantially an entire surface area of the electrical contact whose length is different from the other contacts lengths is not in contact with substantially an entire surface area of an electrical connector of the plurality.