ICD and EMI

Hello there!

I hope this site provides me as much help as everyone else I've seen threads regarding. Its great to see such a valuable resource for people in need.

I'm 32 years old, and had an ICD implanted last August.

I've returned to work, but in a very limited environment as the hygene workers are concerned about consequenses of me moving around our jobsite.

I work at an Oilsands site in Northern Alberta. I am an IS Analyst, so for me to be physically contained in a building is nothing short of a pain in the arse!

I've been trying to find an EMI alarm, similar to a personal gas monitor that I could wear, and it would alert me if the EMI levels change in my environment. Everything I've found was handheld, and seemed too bulky to work in our environment, to wear every day.

I'm wondering if anyone has found something that would work for my environment.

7 Comments

Osun Pace-Alert

by J.B. - 2011-07-14 05:07:01

You need look no further than the lower right side of this PMC home page. There is an a for the Osun Pace-Alert dvice, which I think will do what you need.

Thanks for the comments!

by Cthulhu - 2011-07-16 01:07:08

Thank you very much for the comments. I'm in touch with Osun and likely will be purchasing one of their monitoring devices.

Electric Frank: Your information backs up my understanding of the equipment immensely. Unfortunately, until the H&H people at work have hard numbers to work with, I'm confined to my office.

Our site has a power generation, centerfuges (MASSIVE!) and other electric equipment on site, including a 4x 4kv electric shovels.

I realize the equipment is much better protected than the old school pacemakers, however, its not me that gets to make the decision.

in addition..

by Cthulhu - 2011-07-16 01:07:23

In addition to my last post, I have spoken with Medtronics and I have received their EMI/EMF tollerance guidelines. Unfortunately, none of the H&H individuals on site are trained/confident enough to provide the appropriate readings on site (hence the Osun unit).

EMI

by ElectricFrank - 2011-07-16 02:07:41

I'm an electronic engineer and work around all sorts of equipment with no problem.

There are two main interference issues:
1. Magnetic fields. The pacemaker has an internal reed switch that is used to put it in a safe mode if necessary. It is also used by some pacers to switch it to an interrogation and programming mode allowing the doctors programming device to take control. It takes a fairly strong DC magnetic field to operate the switch. Theoretically a low frequency magnetic field could cause the reed switch to vibrate off/on and create a problem situation for the device.
2. RF EMI fields over a wide frequency range could be picked up by the lead wires to the heart. This could affect the devices ability to detect heart activity. The newer devices have added filtering to the leads and this doesn't seem to be much of a problem. I've been very close to Ham Radio transmitting antennas running in the hundreds of watts and never had a problem

My approach has been to test the effects of any equipment I'm going to be around. If there were to be an effect it would disappear as soon as I move away or it was turned off. My main concern is being in a situation where the effects of interference could cause an accident like falling. If you are working around drilling rigs or pumps this could be and issue.

Finally, I see from your profile that you have a Medtronic ICD. Give them a call at the number on the ID card they gave you. Tell them you are technically savy and ask to talk to one of their engineers. They are very helpful.

welcome to the site,

frank

Sounds good

by ElectricFrank - 2011-07-16 06:07:40

Having worked around government installations over the years I realize there are both engineering and political realities to deal with, and they aren't necessarily in sync. I hope they will believe the Osun unit.

Another thing to take into account is the changing scene as far a power equipment. I'm 81 yrs and grew up around power equipment. In those days the motor/generators were open frame with all the coils showing. Standing 20' from a 100HP 3 phase motor starting I could feel keys in my pocket vibrating from the magnetic field. My grandfather taught me how to handle the manual starting ramp without blowing a fuse or throwing the flat belt. No OSHA in those days.

Anyway, with the emphasis on EMI and efficiency these days the fields are much better contained in closed frame motors, but I've still seen the old ones around field sites.

Hope it works for you,

frank

Tried and failed...

by Cthulhu - 2011-08-10 10:08:49

H&H is not interested in the EMI device from osun because it does not have a 3rd party certification for its accuracy or reliability.

I've basically been told I need to leave my worksite, and likely will need to relocate out of the oilsands as no employer would hire me due to the risks and costs of conducting the survey.

On the bright side, the company I work for is working to find me another position in their office in the city. It just sucks overall that there isn't a device with a reputable certification that meets our needs.

ICD

by Rogue427 - 2014-04-22 10:04:07

Had a ST. Judes ICD implanted on 2-24-14, 49 yrs old.
Yesterday was my first day back at work, they won't let me do anything. I'm a electrician + instrumentation + millwright. Called the tech line and didn't get much of a answer. They don't really know what a industrial electrician does. Doc not sure. I mention 480V 3 phase + transformer for 120V and 24V and they don't know.
Lots of welders. Welders are maybe 5 - 10% of my trouble shooting. ( I know the 2') Much of my trouble shooting is with the power on. We have many different machine from old to new. (one the we took the old drum and cams out to new robots) Looking for answer if I can still do my job. Going round and round with safety, HR, supervisor, and Manager. I asked the to buy a meter so I know where I can go. Meter is cheap as they but all our tools and the cost is not a issue. I think I will need the meter where ever I go or job I take at the company. Trying to stay a electrician until I find a job I want. They hinted that they want me to take a job as a pipe fitter. I went and talked to the other pipe fitters and asked how they felt about doing my welding for me. No problems. We have a good crew. We have two electrical engineers that are very good and they don't know. Looking for some answers. Good, Bad or Ugly.

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

Member Quotes

Pacemakers are very reliable devices.