Journal of Artificial Organs

, Volume 17, Issue 3, pp 243–249 | Cite as

Electromagnetic interference of implantable cardiac devices from a shoulder massage machine

  • Saeko Yoshida
  • Kousaku Fujiwara
  • Satoshi Kohira
  • Minoru Hirose
Original Article Pacemaker
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Shoulder massage machines have two pads that are driven by solenoid coils to perform a per cussive massage on the shoulders. There have been concerns that such machines might create electromagnetic interference (EMI) in implantable cardiac devices because of the time-varying magnetic fields produced by the alternating current in the solenoid coils. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential EMI from one such shoulder massage machine on implantable cardiac devices. We measured the distribution profile of the magnetic field intensity around the massage machine. Furthermore, we performed an inhibition test and an asynchronous test on an implantable cardiac pacemaker using the standardized Irnich human body model. We examined the events on an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) using a pacemaker programmer while the massage machine was in operation. The magnetic field distribution profile exhibited a peak intensity of 212 (A/m) in one of the solenoid coils. The maximal interference distance between the massage machine and the implantable cardiac pacemaker was 28 cm. Ventricular fibrillation was induced when the massage machine was brought near the electrode of the ICD and touched the Irnich human body model. It is necessary to provide a “don’t use” warning on the box or the exterior of the massage machines or in the user manuals and to caution patients with implanted pacemakers about the dangers and appropriate usage of massage machines.

Keywords

Pacemaker EMI Massage machine 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Hiroshi Fujimoto and Katsumi Yokomizo of Medtronic Japan Co. Ltd. for loaning us the implantable cardiac devices used in this study and for offering us their advice.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Copyright information

© The Japanese Society for Artificial Organs 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Saeko Yoshida
    • 1
  • Kousaku Fujiwara
    • 2
  • Satoshi Kohira
    • 3
  • Minoru Hirose
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Medical Safety Engineering, Graduate School of Medical ScienceKitasato UniversitySagamiharaJapan
  2. 2.Clinical Engineering Course, School of Allied Health ScienceKitasato UniversitySagamiharaJapan
  3. 3.Department of Medical EngineeringKitasato University HospitalSagamiharaJapan

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