Medical Devices and Electromagnetic Interference January 24, 2008
Posted by healthyself in Blogroll, Blow Dryers, Electromagnetic Communications, Electromagnetic Forces, Electromagnetic Interference, Electromagnetic pollution, Electromagnetic Radiation, Electromagnetic Signals, Electromagnetic waves, Electrophysiology, Electrosmog, Elevators, ELF, Emergency Medicine, EMF Exposure, EMF Research, EMF's, EMF-induced effects, EMI, Emissions, EMR, Florescent Light Balasts, Health Care, Health Care Facilities, Medical Devices, Noisy Electric Motors, Walkie Talkies, Wireless Technologies.6 comments
“The delivery of health care is an inherently mobile activity, with patients moving though the care delivery process and almost all health care workers in constant motion. So it’s no wonder that wireless technologies have been adopted with gusto.”
“Electromagnetic interference (EMI) has been a concern with medical devices since their inception. This EMI can be divided into intentional and unintentional interference. Intentional interference typically comes from radio frequency (RF) radiators like walkie-talkies, wireless phones, WiFi radios, and cell phones that use frequencies and specified power levels that may interfere with the operation of other radios or electronic devices. Unintentional interference is caused by things like paper shredders, bad florescent light ballasts, and noisy electric motors (from blow dryers to elevators). ”
“Any electronic device can be affected by EMI, including medical devices. The wireless features of medical devices (or any other wireless device, for that matter) can also be affected. The larger medical device vendors have dedicated engineers and techs who do EMI testing and troubleshoot interference problems at customer sites.”
“In an effort to promote best practices regarding the use of mobile wireless communications and computing technologies in health care facilities, standards committees TC 215 and ISO 35.240.80 have created recommendations for electromagnetic compatibility (management of unintentional electromagnetic interference) with medical devices.”
“Here’s the abstract: