Device for testing EMI

Contact

by Theknotguy - 2015-05-06 11:05:39

You'll want to contact PJinSC who is a member on this forum. Go to the upper right corner and send a private message. He works in a power plant in voltages over 4000 volts.

There are some indicators out there for pacemakers. You'll have to check the Internet. No one really knows how good or bad they are. Kinda like the microwave sensors Radio Shack used to sell. How could you prove they were or weren't working? You could always contact your PM manufacturer and see if they have something.

Mostly what PJ and I have found is there is a lot more leeway than what is advertised. He's working in the power plant without any problems. If you read Medtronics suggestions, you'd have to be hugging some of the electrical motors while they are running for it to be any problem. I volunteer in a woodshop and operate all the power equipment without any problems. We have some people on the forum who are doing TIG welding. We also had a member on the forum who did have problems with sintering furnaces but that's an extreme situation.

Based upon something I saw on the Internet, it appears the RFI part of the PM is turned off unless it is activated by the reader magnet when they are doing your PM check. So even if you run into an active RFI area, it isn't going react because the "radio" of the PM is turned off.

University of Michigan did some tests. They indicated you had to be within ten feet of an external PM in order to cause interference. For an internal PM you had to be within two inches. They didn't indicate how strong the signal had to be to cause interference but it had to be a pretty strong signal.

PJ and I are interested in what you find out. We're trying to debunk some of the misinformation out there that gets repeated over and over.

Worst case scenario from most of the PM manufacturers is that if you do run into a RFI signal or electromagnetic field that causes a problem, the PM will go into a base or test mode. It will only pace at the base rate. Then when you back out of the field it resets itself and goes back to its programming. Haven't run into it so I don't know.

The only problem I've had so far is from vibration from a Sawzall saw. The vibration kicked of my accelerometer on my PM and boosted my heart rate way up. What a rush! I can still run a sawzall saw, I just have to be careful about the vibration. I have a Medtronic PM and am pretty comfortable with it.

Hope I've given you some insight. I feel you won't have as many problems as anticipated but would be interested to find out what you learn.

My best wishes go out for you.

Osun pace-alert

by Gulf - 2015-05-07 10:05:12

Thanks, very much for the replies.

I probably should have included this info in my op. Although mine is to be a two lead pacemaker difibrillator, I have cardiomyopathy. At the moment, I don't need the pacing. But, I assume that it would kick in if necessary. From what I understand, my implant will be there primarily to shock when/if needed. My consern is being around equipment that could possibly put my device in a mode that would not deliver a shock, if it is needed.

I did a google on the Osun, and it led me right back to this site. I hope that there are others who can give some feedback on the Osun or other pace-alerts that are on the market. I will contact Boston Scientific and see if they have a recommendation.

Again, thanks for any and all replies.

Device for testing EMI

by Tabby - 2015-05-07 10:05:22

I got a pace-alert by Osun from Amazon. I don't know yet how good it is

Device for testing EMI? Look at the App "ERPM" on Googleplay.

by RDL79 - 2017-02-09 05:13:52

Dear all, I want you to know that on Googleplay store there is an Android App named ERPM. 

The acronym stands for “Environmental risks for Pacemaker and ICD” and it is an application for pacemaker and ICD recipients. This application has a list of objects that you can encounter, in the home - or outside - environment, or some diagnostic and therapeutic procedures usually present in healthcare environments. All of these are potentially able to generate an electromagnetic field that can affect the proper function of your pacemaker or ICD. For each area (at home or outside) you will find environments (like kitchen or bank) in which you will see numerous items listed; similarly in the healthcare area. Not all listed items are potentially risky and this will be indicated by a color code. A tutor will always be available to remind you of the meaning of the color codes. The App also has an item search system and moreover, it will give you the opportunity to tell an object not found in order to find it in future updates. 

Try it. Gives you a lot of answers. You do not need a device for testing EMI.

The link is: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=solutions.brama.app.erpm&hl=it

Bye bye..