Wireless charging cellphone may cause the failure of the cardiac defibrillator

Wireless charging cellphone may cause the failure of the cardiac defibrillator

Wireless charging cellphone may cause the failure of the cardiac defibrillator. Can your phone be charged wirelessly? A study in “Heart Rhythm” magazine warned that the latest wireless charging mobile phone may cause the implantable cardiac defibrillator to shut down, which poses a safety risk for this type of patient.

According to Joshua C. Greenberg, the Heart and Vascular Institute of Henry Ford Hospital, Michigan, the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a basic therapy for high-risk heart disease patients to prevent malignant ventricular arrhythmia. The ICD system is composed of batteries, capacitors, sensing/pacing circuits, and wires inside or outside the heart. All ICDs have a built-in switch that can respond to externally applied magnetic fields. When an external magnet is applied to the defibrillator, the high-voltage shock therapy for ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation will be suspended. It is estimated that a magnetic field stronger than 10 Gauss is sufficient to activate the built-in switch.

The latest unlimited charging mobile phone uses a MagSafe technology, which is integrated by a charger, a magnetometer and an NFC reader. It is a magnetic device that is easy to locate and dock. There is a circular magnet array around the wireless central charging coil so that the mobile phone is compatible with “MagSafe” accessories, which can significantly increase the wireless charging speed. In addition to mobile phones, fixed cochlear implants, cable connections, fixed wrist straps, etc. can be widely used in this miniature magnet technology.

So, will this new type of magnet technology affect patients with ICD implants? Researchers tested on a patient and found that the defibrillator will be turned off once the new wireless charging phone is close to the patient’s left chest. In contrast, the use of traditional wireless charging mobile phones without magnetic devices has very little risk of interference with the defibrillator.

Therefore, wireless charging mobile phones equipped with magnetic docking devices have safety hazards. When patients undergoing ICD treatment put them in their shirt pockets or answer the phone, they may turn off the defibrillator. Once an arrhythmia occurs, the cardioversion cannot be activated. At the same time, there are some case reports highlighting the magnetic interference of fitness sports wristbands, which can cause failure when the distance between the wristband and the defibrillator is 2.4 cm.

The author pointed out that doctors and medical equipment manufacturers should be vigilant about this and remind patients to stay away from the latest wireless charging mobile phones or not close to the heart when using them. When using other smart wearable devices, keep it away from the defibrillator.

(sourceinternet, reference only)

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