Method and apparatus for stimulating a nerve of a patient

An apparatus for stimulating a nerve of a patient through a plurality of leads disposed in a lead set and coupled to electrodes adapted to be applied to the patient, the lead set further having a status flag element and a plurality of leads coupled to the status flag element disposed therein, comprising:

• a handheld control unit;
• a connection site mounted in the control unit for receiving the lead set and providing electrical connections to the leads coupled to the electrodes and to the leads coupled to the status flag element;
• a test mode control mechanism provided on the control unit for initiating test mode, wherein electronics in the control unit provides a test current to the electrical connections to the leads coupled to the electrodes for setting the test current at a final test current level based on response of the patient to stimulation of the nerve by the test current;
• a therapy mode control mechanism provided on the control unit for initiating a therapy mode, wherein electronics in the control unit:
• provides a therapy current to the electrical connections to the leads coupled to the electrodes, the therapy current initially having a level based on the final test current level;
• and
• sets the status flag element to “do not use” through the electrical connections to the leads coupled to the status element flag, while the therapy current is being provided;
• and
• circuitry in the control unit for detecting lead set status as indicated by the status flag element through the electrical connections to the leads coupled to the status flag element, and for disabling initiation of the therapy mode when the status flag element is set at “do not use.”