A new study has shown that electronic devices could interfere with defibrillators and pacemakers. Pacemakers and defibrillators work by sending electric pulses to keep the heartbeat regular. The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that magnets in devices like watches and smartphones could block these devices if not more than six inches apart.
While surgeons can generally pause pacemakers during medical procedures ad surgery where they might be blocked. This is known as a magnetic mode.
Usually, only giant magnets with a magnetic field above 10G, such as those found in electric motors and stereo speakers, can induce magnetic mode. However, the use of rare metals to make electronic devices has become even more common. Devices such as mobile phones, door locks and earphones are now capable of producing a strong magnetic field.
According to Seth Seidman, one study author, a technology improves, it is crucial to ensure the safety of these medical devices. For this reason, the FDA investigated smartwatches, cell phones and other electronic devices to see if they posed a risk to people using pacemakers and defibrillators.
They reviewed a few recently published articles and decided to carry out their testing and find out if an electronic device can temporarily impact the functioning of implantable defibrillators and pacemakers.
The scientists conducted tests on the magnetic field of all Apple Watch 6 and iPhone 12 models at different distances from the medical devices. They found that when closer to the medical devices, the electronics had a higher magnetic field than 10G. They did not have an impact when 6 inches away.
The FDA is now working to ensure healthcare workers and patients know the risks associated with electronic devices. Researchers advise patients to avoid putting their smartphones in pockets near their implants. They also recommend healthcare workers keep smartphones and cell phones at least six inches away from a patient with medical implants.
The risk to patients with pacemakers and defibrillators is still relatively low. However, as technology continues to improve, this is likely to worsen. The FDA plans to keep monitoring the effects of electronic devices on medical devices.