Medical Lead Insertion Detection by Monitoring for Electrical Continuity Between Adjacent Electrical Contacts of a Medical Device

An implantable medical device, comprising:

• a header;
• a plurality of electrical contacts within the header, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact being adjacent and electrically isolated from each other where a spacing between the first and second electrical contacts allows for an electrical connector of a medical lead to maintain physical contact with both the first and the second electrical contacts at one time;
• medical circuitry electrically connected to at least one of the electrical contacts of the plurality;
• and
• lead insertion monitoring circuitry electrically connected to the first and second electrical contacts, wherein during lead insertion, the lead insertion monitoring circuitry monitors for electrical continuity between the first and second electrical contacts and provides a notification upon detecting electrical continuity between the first and second electrical contacts.

A medical system comprising:

• an implantable medical device that comprises:
• a header;
• a plurality of electrical contacts within the header, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact being adjacent and electrically isolated from each other,
• wherein the implantable medical device, during lead insertion, monitors for electrical continuity between the first and second electrical contacts and provides a notification upon detecting electrical continuity between the first and second electrical contacts;
• and
• an implantable medical lead that has a proximal end positioned within the header and comprises:
• a lead body;
• a plurality of connectors on the proximal end, wherein one connector of the plurality maintains physical contact with both the first and the second electrical contacts at one time;
• a plurality of electrodes on a distal end;
• and
• electrical conductors within the lead body providing an electrical pathway between the connectors and the electrodes.