Electromagnetic Interference of Implantable Unipolar Cardiac Pacemakers by an Induction Oven

Abstract

Induction ovens have been reported to exert electromagnetic interference on implanted cardiac pacemakers. In an attempt to quantitatively investigate the electromagnetic interference caused by an induction oven on implantable unipolar cardiac pacemakers, we measured the distribution profile of the magnetic field intensity, both with and without a pan on the induction oven. We also performed the inhibition test and asynchronous test using four kinds of pacemakers housed in the standardized Irnich human body model, and measured the maximal distance from the induction oven up to which the interference occurred. In the pan-detection mode of the oven in the absence of a pan, the distribution profile of the magnetic field intensity peaked at the center of the cooking plate, and during induction heating of a pan placed on the induction oven, it was the largest at the circular top-edge of the pan. Pacemaker pulses were inhibited by the induction oven, or generated by the reversion mechanism. The maximal interference distance from the oven was 34 cm for one of the pacemakers. Thus, the safe distance from an induction oven of a patient with an implanted cardiac pacemaker is considered to be 50 cm or more. In conclusion, in the pan-detection mode of the oven in the absence of a pan, the distribution profile of the magnetic field intensity peaked at the center of the cooking plate, and during the induction heating of a pan placed on the oven, it peaked at the circular edge of the pan. The induction oven asynchronized or generated pulses in implantable unipolar cardiac pacemakers up to a maximal distance of 34 cm from the induction oven.

Electromagnetic Interference With a Bipolar Pacemaker by an Induction Heating (IH) Rice Cooker

“…The EMI induced by IH (eg, induction ovens) have been tested using a unipolar configuration to create a worst case scenario with respect to magnetic induction, and yielded conflicting results. [1][2][3][4] EMI by induction ovens was not observed in recipients of implanted unipolar pacemakers or cardioverter defibrillators. 1,2) However, in vitro studies using Irnich's model of the human body suggested that patients might be at risk if the implant is unipolar and left-sided, and if the container is positioned eccentrically over the induction coil, increasing the exposure to stray magnetic fields.…”

“…1,2) However, in vitro studies using Irnich's model of the human body suggested that patients might be at risk if the implant is unipolar and left-sided, and if the container is positioned eccentrically over the induction coil, increasing the exposure to stray magnetic fields. 3,4) The maximal interference distance from the ovens was approximately 35 cm in both studies performed in vitro, 3,4) and the safe distance from an induction oven was considered to be 50 cm or more. 4) Since, according to Faraday's law, the induced voltage is proportional to the induction area, pulse generators with left-sided unipolar sensing configurations are more susceptible to several forms of electromagnetic energy than when the sensing configuration is bipolar.…”

“…3,4) The maximal interference distance from the ovens was approximately 35 cm in both studies performed in vitro, 3,4) and the safe distance from an induction oven was considered to be 50 cm or more. 4) Since, according to Faraday's law, the induced voltage is proportional to the induction area, pulse generators with left-sided unipolar sensing configurations are more susceptible to several forms of electromagnetic energy than when the sensing configuration is bipolar.…”

Electromagnetic Interference with Cardiac Implantable Devices by Household and Industrial Appliances

“…Hayes et al 5) detected EMI of cell phones with 25.3% of dual chamber pacemakers, but no EMI when the cell phone was close to the ear in the usual position for use. Hirose et al 6) detected EMI with a unipolar pacemaker at up to 34 cm from an induction oven and proposed that it is only safe to use the oven at a distance of !50 cm. However, our results show that EMI did not occur at a distance of 50 cm from this kind of oven, except for 1 PM (Identity DR 5386, St. Jude Medical) which temporarily switch to DOO due to noise response function distance up to 80 cm.…”

Experimental study on malfunction of pacemakers due to exposure to different external magnetic fields

“…However, studies on lowfrequency electromagnetic fields as a cause of interference are rare, and mainly restricted to a power frequency of 50/60 Hz [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] or to frequencies of some specific device, such as an induction oven [23][24][25]. Studies carried out using Helmholtz coil systems are usually restricted to sinusoidal and pulse waveforms.…”