Techniques for sensing incorrect lead connection to an implantable stimulator device

A method for assessing a lead comprising a distal end with a plurality N electrodes and a plurality I of proximal terminals each connected to a different port of an implantable stimulator device (ISD), each port comprising a plurality of J=N/I device contacts each coupled to one of the electrodes, the method comprising:

• (a) providing from the ISD stimulation at each of the N electrodes;
• (b) measuring at the ISD a parameter at each of the N electrodes in response to the stimulation of each of the N electrodes thus yielding N*N measured parameters;
• (c) receiving the measured parameters at an external device in communication with the ISD;
• (d) determining at the external device expected parameters for the measured parameters;
• and
• (e) comparing at the external device the measured parameters and the expected parameters to determine which of the proximal terminals is connected to which of the ports on the ISD.

A non-transitory computer readable medium executable on an external device configured to communicate with an implantable stimulator device (ISD) connected to a lead, the lead comprising a distal end with a plurality N electrodes and a plurality I of proximal terminals each connected to a different port of the ISD, each port comprising a plurality of J=N/I device contacts each coupled to one of the electrodes, wherein the medium includes instructions that when executed on the external device cause the external device to:

• (a) instruct the ISD to provide stimulation at each of the N electrodes;
• (b) receive measured parameters form the ISD, wherein the measured parameters comprise a parameter measured at each of the N electrodes in response to the stimulation of each of the N electrodes, thus yielding N*N measured parameters;
• (c) retrieve expected parameters for the measured parameters;
• and
• (d) compare the measured parameters and the expected parameters to determine which of the proximal terminals is connected to which of the ports on the ISD.