Personal medical electronic devices and walk-through metal detector security systems: assessing EMI effects

Abstract

Overview

Concerns have risen around Electromagnetic security systems such as walk-through metal detectors (WTMDs) potentially causing electromagnetic interference (EMI) with active medical devices like implantable cardiac pacemakers and neurostimulators. Ongoing reports of EMI incidents emphasize the urgency in addressing these effects.

Methods

• Magnetic fields from sample WTMD systems were extensively characterized.
• A WTMD simulator designed by the FDA was employed to mimic exposures and study their interaction with personal medical electronic devices (PMED).
• The study included a broad range of PMED such as pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, and insulin pumps, exposed under controlled conditions to ascertain the EMI effects.

Findings

• Exposure to sample WTMD waveforms led to EMI effects in two implantable pacemakers and one neurostimulator at field strengths similar to those from actual WTMDs.
• The effects were transient, with devices returning to normal operation shortly after exposure ended.
• No EMI was detected in the sample implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) or insulin pumps.

Conclusion

The study corroborates previous findings indicating that certain PMEDs are susceptible to EMI from WTMDs. However, more comprehensive studies are required to evaluate the broad spectrum of PMED exposure to different security systems without overlooking the potential clinical implications.