Abstract
Introduction: The electromagnetic interference (EMI) of active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) due to 125–135 kHz and HF (13.56 MHz) radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader/writers are discussed based on in vitro experiments. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the detailed EMI occurrence conditions of both implantable cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) when used in proximity to commercial low-band RFID reader/writers.
Methods and results: A total of 20 types of pacemakers and 7 types of ICDs from 9 manufacturers are used in the experiments. The tested RFID reader/writers are 4 types of 125–135 kHz antennas and 26 types of HF antennas. The test system is newly constructed based on the one previously proposed for the estimation of EMI due to mobile phones. The measured reactions are missing of pacing pulses and generation of asynchronous pulses for pacemaker functions and inappropriate tachyarrhythmia detection and delivery of therapy for ICDs. In addition, measured EMI characteristics strongly depend on intermittent period of RFID signals. However, all AIMDs tested return to normal operation once removed from RFID exposure.
Conclusion: The detailed EMI characteristics of AIMDs and low-band RFID reader/writers are obtained to prevent adverse interactions.
