=0 cellpadding=10 cellspacing=0 width=100%>Yahoo! is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Guide - More Help for Heart Device Patients More Help for Heart Device Patients
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY GUIDE
2
0
0
6
0
2
9
1
8
E
N
_
E
M
C

B
r
o
c
h
_
s
p
r
e
a
d
s

f
o
1



1
200602918EN_EMC Broch_spreads fo1 1
5
/
1
9
/
0
6



1
1
:
2
7
:
4
6

A
M
5/19/06 11:27:46 AM What to do if you think an item
is affecting your heart device
If you feel dizzy, feel rapid or irregular heartbeats,
or receive a shock while using an item, then release
whatever youre touching or move away from it. Any
temporary effect is unlikely to cause reprogramming
or damage to your pacemaker or implantable
defibrillator your heart device should return to
its normal operation. Of course, if your symptoms
continue or do not improve, contact your doctor
as soon as possible.
Answers to the most commonly asked questions
Weve organized this guide to make it helpful and
convenient for you to find the answers youre looking
for. Its divided into four main categories:
1. Household Items/Hobby
2. Telecommunications and Office Equipment
3. Tools/Industrial Equipment
4. Medical/Dental Procedures
Each category is broken into sections, ranging
from no known risk to special considerations,
which provides you with the recommended
minimum distance for the items or products listed.
If the item youre looking for isnt on the list or you
have a specific question about an item, contact
Medtronic Patient Services at 1 (800) 551-5544,
extension 41835, between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm
Central Time, Monday-Friday.
We hope this guide makes it easier to find
answers to your questions about items in your
everyday environment.
When you have a heart device like a pacemaker
or an implantable defibrillator its only natural
that youll have some questions about what kinds of
items could potentially affect its operation.
This is why weve put together this simple guide
to answer your questions and help you feel more at
ease as you live your life with a Medtronic
implantable heart device.
What you should know about
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
First of all, Medtronic heart devices are built with
protective shields, so the majority of items that you
use or come into contact with will not affect the
normal operation of your pacemaker or implantable
defibrillator. However, items that generate, transmit
or use electricity such as a portable generator, cell
phone or a power drill have electromagnetic fields
around them. Some of these fields might affect
the normal operation of your heart device. It is this
relationship between these electromagnetic fields
and your heart device that is called Electromagnetic
Compatibility.
How items may affect your heart device
If the electromagnetic fields surrounding an item
are too close to your pacemaker or implantable
defibrillator and your heart device happens to
detect these fields this could temporarily affect
the normal function of your heart device. This same
effect could occur if the item being touched is not
in good working order or properly wired, causing
electrical current to flow into your body. In either
situation, this may temporarily cause your heart
device to deliver a therapy that is not needed or
withhold a therapy that is needed. This is why we
recommend you only use items that are in good
working condition and you maintain a minimum
distance between certain items and your implanted
heart device. This will help to avoid any temporary
effect on your pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
2
0
0
6
0
2
9
1
8
E
N
_
E
M
C

B
r
o
c
h
_
s
p
r
e
a
d
s

f
o
2
-
3



2
-
3
200602918EN_EMC Broch_spreads fo2-3 2-3
5
/
1
9
/
0
6



1
1
:
2
7
:
4
8

A
M
5/19/06 11:27:48 AM Household Items/
Hobby
Maintain at least the recommended
distance between the item and your
heart device:
12-Inch Distance
Car/Motorcycle from components
of ignition system
Electric Fence
Electric Pet Containment Fence
from buried wire and indoor antenna
Transformer Box (green box in yard)
2-Foot Distance
Beach Comber Metal Detector from
search head
Induction Cooktop Stove
NOT RECOMMENDED
Ab Stimulator
Electric Body Fat Scale
Magnetic Mattress Pad/Pillow
If the item you are looking for is not on the list, please contact Medtronic Patient Services at 1 (800) 551-5544, x41835.
If the item is used as intended and in good
working condition there is no known risk:
Battery Charger for household batteries
Casino Slot Machine
CD/DVD/VHS Player or Recorder
Dishwasher
Electric Blanket
Electric Guitar
Garage Door Opener
Heating Pad
Hot Tub
Ionized Air Filter
Iron
Kitchen Appliances small and large
(blender, can opener, refrigerator,
stove, toaster)
Massage Chair/Pad
Medical Alert Necklace
Microwave Oven
Radio/iPod
�
Remote Control (CD, DVD Player,
TV, VHS)
Salon Hair Dryer
Shaver battery powered
Tanning Bed
TV
Maintain at least a 6-inch distance
between the item and your heart device:
Cordless Headphone Sending Unit
(TV/Stereo)
Cordless Telephone from antenna and
charging base
Electric Grocery Cart/Golf Cart
from motor
Electric Kitchen Appliances hand-held
(electric mixer or knife)
Electric Shaver corded
Electric Toothbrush Charging Base
Hair Dryer hand-held
Home Wireless Electronics
from antenna
Magnetic Therapy Products
Radio-controlled Items from antenna
Sewing Machine/Serger from motor
Small Magnet (household magnet)
Speakers
Treadmill from motor
Vacuum Cleaner from motor
No Known Risk
Minimal Risk
Special Considerations
Household Items/Hobby
Most household and hobby items are unlikely to affect your heart device when the items are in good working condition,
used as intended, and the recommended distances are maintained. For items that transmit power through an antenna, it is
recommended that you follow the noted distances between the antenna and your implanted heart device.
2
0
0
6
0
2
9
1
8
E
N
_
E
M
C

B
r
o
c
h
_
s
p
r
e
a
d
s

f
o
4
-
5



4
-
5
200602918EN_EMC Broch_spreads fo4-5 4-5
5
/
1
9
/
0
6



1
1
:
2
7
:
4
8

A
M
5/19/06 11:27:48 AM If the item you are looking for is not on the list, please contact Medtronic Patient Services at 1 (800) 551-5544, x41835.
Telecommunications and
Office Equipment
If the item is used as intended and in good
working condition there is no known risk:
Copy Machine
Desktop/Laptop Computer
Fax Machine
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Low Voltage Residential Power Lines
Metal Detectors Archway when
walking through normally (airports,
buildings, schools)
Pager receiver only
Printer
Scanner
Theft Detection Systems when
walking through normally
(libraries, stores)
Maintain at least a 6-inch distance
between the item and your heart device:
Airport Screening Wand
Amateur Radios, Ham Radios, Marine
Radios, Walkie Talkies 3 watts
or less from antenna
Cellular Phone 3 watts or less
from antenna
OnStar Technology from antenna
Security Badge Wall Scanner
Wireless Communication Items
(computer, headsets, modem, Palm
�

Pilot, router)
Maintain at least the recommended
distance between the item and your
heart device:
12-Inch Distance
Amateur Radio, Ham Radio, Marine Radio,
Walkie Talkie between 3-15 watts
from antenna
Citizens Band (CB) Radio 5 watts
or less from antenna
2-Foot Distance
Amateur Radio, Ham Radio, Marine Radio,
Walkie Talkie between 15-30 watts
from antenna
No Known Risk
Minimal Risk
Special Considerations
Telecommunications and Office Equipment
Guidelines for safe operation of telecommunications and office equipment include such factors as transmitting power,
frequency, and antenna type. For items that transmit power through an antenna, it is recommended that you follow the
noted distances between the antenna and your implanted heart device.
2
0
0
6
0
2
9
1
8
E
N
_
E
M
C

B
r
o
c
h
_
s
p
r
e
a
d
s

f
o
6
-
7



6
-
7
200602918EN_EMC Broch_spreads fo6-7 6-7
5
/
1
9
/
0
6



1
1
:
2
7
:
4
9

A
M
5/19/06 11:27:49 AM Tools/
Industrial Equipment
If the item is used as intended and in good
working condition there is no known risk:
Calipers battery powered
Flashlight battery powered
Laser Level
Soldering Iron
Stud Finder
Maintain at least a 6-inch distance
between the item and your heart device:
Circular Saw skill saw
Drills battery and electric powered
Grinder (hand-held)