Patent ID: 8260424

Claim:
A connection monitoring system for an implantable medical lead system, the connection monitoring system comprising: an implantable lead with a distal end and at least one proximal end, the lead comprising a plurality of terminals disposed at each proximal end; a first trial system cable having a distal end and at least one proximal end, the distal end of the first trial system cable configured and arranged to electrically couple with the lead, the first trial system cable comprising a first trial system cable connector disposed at the distal end of the first trial system cable, the first trial system cable connector having a longitudinal length, the first trial system cable connector configured and arranged to receive at least one of the proximal ends of the lead, and a pair of conductor pins disposed in the first trial system cable connector, the pair of conductor pins comprising a first conductor pin and a second conductor pin electrically isolated from one another, the pair of conductor pins are configured and arranged to become electrically coupled to one another when the lead is fully inserted into the first trial system cable connector with a first terminal of the plurality of terminals of the lead physically abutting each of the first conductor pin and the second conductor pin, wherein the first conductor pin and the second conductor pin are configured and arranged to remain electrically isolated from one another when the lead is not fully inserted into the first trial system cable connector; an external trial system configured and arranged to electrically couple with the first trial system cable, wherein the external trial system is configured and arranged to electrically connect with the lead when the lead is electrically coupled to the first trial system cable and the first trial system cable is electrically coupled to the external trial system; and a sensor electrically coupled to the external trial system, the sensor configured and arranged for detecting a loss of electrical connectivity between the external trial system and the lead when the lead becomes electrically decoupled from the external trial system, wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to the first conductor pin and the second conductor pin.