In vitro Assessment of Electromagnetic Interference due to Low-Band RFID reader/writers on Active Implantable Medical Devices

Abstract

Introduction:The electromagnetic interference (EMI) of active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) due to 125-135 kHz and HF (13.56 MHz) radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader/writers are discussed based on in vitro experiments. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the detailed EMI occurrence conditions of both implantable cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) when used in proximity to commercial lowband RFID reader/writers.Methods and results: A total of 20 types of pacemakers and 7 types of ICDs from 9 manufacturers are used in the experiments. The tested RFID reader/writers are 4 types of 125-135 kHz antennas and 26 types of HF antennas. The test system is newly constructed based on the one previously proposed for the estimation of EMI due to mobile phones. The measured reactions are missing of pacing pulses and generation of asynchronous pulses for pacemaker functions and inappropriate tachyarrhythmia detection and delivery of therapy for ICDs. In addition, measured EMI characteristics strongly depend on intermittent period of RFID signals. However, all AIMDs tested return to normal operation once removed from RFID exposure.Conclusion: The detailed EMI characteristics of AIMDs and low-band RFID reader/ writers are obtained to prevent adverse interactions. (J Arrhythmia 2009; 25: 142-152)

Assessment of Electromagnetic Interference with Active Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (CIEDs) Caused by the Qi A13 Design Wireless Charging Board

“…Our method of measuring the induced voltage and comparison with the performance limits of ISO 14117 is a way of risk assessment which enables a general statement about potential EMI with CIEDs because all manufacturers are well-advised to test their devices according to the product standard to benefit from the presumption of conformity given by harmonized standards. In most other studies only a limited number of CIEDs were investigated which often limits their outcomes to the tested devices [ 7 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…The inhomogeneous field distribution is defined by the design, the geometry and the materials used of the field source which is in case of the Qi-A13-Board one of the three coils. To determine the induced voltage in previous studies phantom models [ 6 , 7 , 22 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], theoretical considerations [ 20 , 31 , 32 , 34 ] or numerical simulations [ 35 , 36 ] are used with different approaches for specific exposure conditions.…”