Pacemakers & Biomedical Implant Electromagnetic Interference EMF / EMI Testing – EMF Surveys

NEED A PACEMAKER EMF TESTING SURVEY / MEDICAL DEVICE ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI) ENVIRONMENTAL SITE SURVEY?

214.912.4691

EMF Testing Biomedical Implants Electromagnetic Interference Surveys

Pacemaker and Biomedical Implant  Dangerous Magnetic Field Sign

If your company has an employee with a biomedical implant and needs a return to work medical clearance from either their doctor and / or your EH&S / medico-legal department or company doctor, and / or you have concerns about the EMF exposure in your workplace, then give us a call. ScanTech has extensive experience with pacemaker EMF surveys and other potential EMF / EMI surveys for any type of biomedical implant with respect to the following types of work environments and more:

  • Manufacturing and production facilities
  • Steel mills
  • Petrochemical & Agrochemical production facilities
  • Refineries
  • Power plants
  • Electrical substations or other heavy electrical duty environments
  • Hospitals & Medical Clinics
  • Automotive & Industrial Vehicle Production Lines
  • Foundries
  • Offshore Oil Rigs & Production Platforms
  • Renewable Energy Arrays including Wind Farms and Solar Panel Farms

Types of Biomedical Implants

Implanted pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, EEG, (electroencephalograms) electrocardiograms, neuromodulation devices, neurostimulators including SCS (Spinal Cord Stimulators), ambulatory EKG (Holter Units), ICDs, (Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator) Medtronic Strata CSF valve shunts, PA (Pulmonary Artery) pressure sensors, CRTs (Cardiac Re-Synchronization Therapy devices including CRT-D Defibrillator CRT-P Pacemaker), IPGs, (Implantable Pulse Generators) Vagus Nerve Stimulation / Stimulators, (VNS) Deep Brain Stimulators (DBS) and external medical instruments such as insulin infusion pumps are susceptible to a variety of EMFs, (electromagnetic fields) EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and electrostatic discharge (ESD) events.

TYPICAL PACEMAKER SERVICE AREAS: Houston, Austin, Dallas, Texas, Michigan, Iowa as well as other states and International travel available

NEED A PACEMAKER / BIOMEDICAL EMF SURVEY QUOTE?

Please provide the following information:

1) Physical address of facility and basic layout relevant to employee duties including rough square footage involved (Scope of Work)

2) Contact information including email, best phone number(s)

3) Company name and nature of business

4) Examples of the kinds of equipment used or worked around that employs strong magnetic fields (AC or DC), RF (radio frequency) or high current, high voltage and inversion / conversion / rectification. (AC-DC or DC-AC) It is recommended that an experienced site electrician be put in the loop for this and set up as an onsite escort for ScanTech.

5) Timeline to accomplish

6) Type of biomedical implant including Manufacturer, Model & Serial # as shown below *

7) What are your typical payment terms and what is your vendor vetting process like  (what paperwork needs to be filled out to establish a working relationship)

8) Access logistics such as proper plant entrance, parking, onsite contact information, PPE and any special training required to be onsite

* For biomedical implant surveys, we need the make, model and serial number of the device with the employee’s name “sanitized” out for HIPAA compliance as shown:

Medtronic Boston Scientific Biomedial Implant Model Serial Number Sanitized

Sanitized Pacemaker Biomedical Implant Device Card

 

ScanTech Technical Consulting has had experience in performing EMF testing and EMI surveys for the following manufacturers of implanted biomedical devices:

  • Medtronic
  • Boston Scientific
  • Abbott Laboratories / St. Jude Medical
  • Mortara
  • Nevro
  • Biotronik
  • Tandem Diabetes Care

Abbott Biomedical Implants   St. Jude Medical Pacemaker Surveys   Medtronic Pacemaker Testing and Surveys    Mortara EKG Holter Biomedical Implant EMI Testing and Surveys  Boston Scientific Medical Implant Device Electromagnetic Interference Surveys

Nevro Spinal Cord Stimulators SCS       Insulin Pump Diabetes    Pacemaker EMF EMI Survey

While newer generation designs tend to be more resistant to external influences, I still routinely find sources of EMF interference that exceed the manufacturer specifications, particularly in work and industrial environments. (but residences are not exempt for reasons discussed below)

This is due to a number of reasons:

1) Our electromagnetic spectrum is more crowded than ever and we are constantly adding new electronic devices and spectral intensity to our everyday environment. Examples include:

  • Wireless phone chargers
  • Battery chargers for electric vehicles & power tools
  • WiFi, Wireless Internet and Bluetooth
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
  • Wireless microphones and media systems
  • Smartphones – cell phones, cordless phones (particularly those with inductive charging)
  • Security scanners for weapons detection
  • RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader systems for entry control
  • Portable music devices, Bluetooth Speakers, headphones for iPods and MP3 players
  • Laptops, tablets, desktop computer power supplies
  • Electric scooters, drones, hybrid & electric vehicles including scooters, utility vehicles, golf carts, Segways, Gators, etc.
  • Internet access points, wireless repeaters, amplifier boosters and cellular phone boosters (AWS or Advanced Wireless Systems in the 1.7 GHz range)

2) Many industrial and manufacturing environments have equipment which emits and broadcasts EMFs at relatively high power levels over a broad range of frequencies:

  • Electric welding equipment (MIG, TIG, SMAW, etc.) and welders
  • Corded and cordless power tools
  • Generators, alternators, fan & cooling motors
  • RF clam shell sealers
  • Semiconductor fabrication plant equipment assets
  • UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) banks & DC battery backups
  • Cleanrooms / semiconductor fabrication equipment
  • MCC (Motor Control Centers) Switchgear Rooms and VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) motor drives for AC / DC
  • AC and DC motors found in blower motors / fans, HVAC equipment, pumps
  • Walkie-talkie base stations & 2 Way Radio Microphones
  • Apple iPhones and other phones that use Inductive Charging technology
  • Induction furnaces
  • High powered DC Rectifier arrays
  • Transformers, medium & high voltage power lines & substations
  • Industrial electromagnets & jig fixture permanent magnets
  • High powered industrial CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) and YAG fiber optic lasers in the kW (kiloWatt) range
  • Magnetized structural beams
  • Electrochemical manufacturing cell rooms and buildings

 

EMF from Electric Motor Types

Electric Motor Types (common sources of Electromagnetic Interference or EMI)

3) Some facilities have entire areas that are flooded with electromagnetic energy such as:

  • Electric substation yards
  • Electrical Welding Areas (MIG, TIG, SMAW, Arc, etc.)
  • Manufacturing facilities with inductive heaters
  • Large DC rectifiers carrying heavy current
  • RF Clamshell sealers at 13.56 MHz or 27.12 MHz
  • MCC (Motor Control Center) rooms with 4160 V  & 480 V switchgear panels and power feeds
  • Transformers in switchgear rooms
  • High current wires not shielded by metal conduit
  • VFD – Variable Frequency Drives (AC) and VSD – Variable Speed Drives (AC & DC power)
  • Incorrectly wired infrastructure which can set up unexpected fields in a large area
  • Chemical cell rooms (found in agrochemical, alkali chemical production facilities)
  • Cellular / microwave towers 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and other RF equipment on tall building rooftops
  • MRI Rooms in hospital and medical facilities

and so forth can all cause malfunctions and intermittent operation in nearby mission critical electronics. Significant DC magnetization has even been found in the structural metal of buildings and in ferrous alloy stock.

60 Hz Interference on EKG Holter Unit

60 Hz AC EMI Electromagnetic Interference noise on an ambulatory EKG Holter Unit from an actual ScanTech project

4) There are environments which may have unexpected sources of high magnetic fields. I once did a survey of an exhibit in a museum where one of the plasma display items possessed an unusually high magnetic field that was worth investigating. Hospitals and scientific research centers may have MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) equipment which uses exceptionally strong DC magnets and Radio Frequencies.

5) Even in conventional office buildings you have server rooms, electrical rooms and conventional power transformers next to employee working areas. It is also not unusual for some areas to have “rogue” transmitters for personal wireless or even corporate eavesdropping devices.

The confluence of the above effects may cause unexpected performance issues in even the most sophisticated biomedical devices and equipment through either radiated near field or conducted interference.

RF & wireless interference is a common issue in many mysterious anomaly situations. Computer controlled systems can be highly susceptible to interference from both radiated and conducted sources, and this can include server rooms, A / V equipment, security systems, hospital monitoring systems, etc.

 

Electromagnetic EMI Interference Testing Voltage Noise Frequency Spectrum

                           Electromagnetic Interference EMI Testing Voltage Noise Frequency Spectrum

As more technologies such as WiFi, Wireless Internet, Bluetooth, RFID and other communication linked technologies began to saturate offices and manufacturing plants, the potential for conflicts only increases. An experienced consulting company such as ScanTech can help minimize downtime and frustrating delays by quickly isolating and mitigating such interference problems.

 

EMF-EMI-Survey-Report-Biomedical-Implant-Report-ScanTech-SANITIZED

 

EMF EMI Survey Report Biomedical Implant Report ScanTech Example SANITIZED

 

EMF EMI Survey Guidelines Pacemaker Table Sanitized ReportEMF EMI Survey Guidelines Pacemaker Table Sanitized Report

EMF  EMI Survey Guidelines Pacemaker Table Sanitized Report with DFIL (Distance to Field Intensity Limits)

 

EMF EMI Survey Guidelines Pacemaker Table Sanitized Report

 

ScanTech also has experience in working with child / infant anti-abduction systems by Stanley Healthcare (HUGS) and McRoberts Security Technologies. (MyChild)

 

Stanley Healthcare logo

MyChild McRoberts Security Technologies Logo

Cuddles Infant Protection System         Infant Anti-Abduction

While ScanTech is based in the Dallas – Fort Worth area, we have done numerous EMF & EMI surveys for biomedical devices and bio-instrumentation in the Houston, Austin – San Antonio  area and nationwide / international. (particularly Michigan, Iowa and other states in Midwest where there is a heavy industrial presence)

Biomedical imaging including X-Ray projection radiology, MRIs, (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) CT (Computed Tomography) machines, portable ultrasound and other diagnostic equipment is subject to interference from a variety of sources including the power mains, computer interface, etc. particularly since they can be operated in a variety of modes under varying environmental conditions.

ScanTech has experience in working with bio instrumentation, biomedical sensors, X-Ray equipment, portable MRIs, and taken coursework covering the fundamental physics behind nuclear medicine, radiology, ultrasound and other imaging modalities.


Questions from Clients:
Scott Pearce

Have you had experience resolving newer LED lighting interfering with the Stanley Healthcare Huggs system? We have lights turned off because of that now. I’m trying to work with suppliers/mfg/etc to resolve. I’m out of options short of just replacing all the lights. Even then, who’s to say the replacements won’t interfere as well.

EMF Testing Indoor Air Quality Consultant

Mr. Scott Pearce,

I do have experience with both LED lighting EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) issues and medical / hospital anti-abduction systems such as the Stanley Healthcare Hugs system and McRoberts Security Technologies MyChild system which use short range RFID and wireless technologies as communication mediums. I will get in touch with you to discuss the particulars of your case.

JAG of ScanTech

 


 

Static Magnetic ELF 60 Hz Fields Low Frequency RF Testing PDF Format

EMI Electromagnetic Interference Medical MRI PART 1 PDF Format

MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging eCourse

Hospital Electrical Safety PDF Format

 

Field Strength Calculator

BIOMEDICAL IMPLANT SURVEY LINKS

FDA MAUDE (Manufacturer User Device Experience Database

Boston Scientific Technical Support Lines

IEC 61000-4-8 AC Magnetic Field Standards

Agilent IEC 61000-4-8 AC Magnetic Field Specs – PDF Format

IEC 61000-4-3 RF Standards

Manuals for St. Jude Medical / Abbot Laboratories Biomedical Device Implants

Medtronic Biomedical EMI Testing – PDF Format

Boston Scientific Electromagnetic Compatibility Guide.pdf

Spinal Cord Stimulators (SCS) & MRI Questions

CardioMEMS PA HF EMI Testing Manual – PDF Format

Environmental Electromagnetic EMI Interference Pacemakers ICDs – PDF Format

Implantable Biomedical Devices Pacemakers EMI Testing Electromagnetic Environment – PDF Format

Electromagnetic Interference EMI Pacemakers ICDs Technical Paper- PDF Format

ICNIRP EMF Survey Guidelines – PDF Format

EMI Pacemakers Magnetic Electric Interference – PDF Format

EKG Measurements Noise EMI Electromagnetic Noise PDF Format

EKG ECG Signal EMI Electromagnetic Interference PDF Format

EKG Medical Instrumentation EMI Issues Text 4th Ed PDF Format

 

Pacemaker Interference EMI from Electric Magnetic Sources

Pacemaker Interference EMI from Electric Magnetic Sources

 

EMI Electromagnetic Interference -Typical Magnitudes of Generated Currents

    EMI Electromagnetic Interference -Typical Magnitudes of Generated Currents

 

Low Level Measurements Handbook 7 Ed PDF Format

 

MEDICAL RADIOLOGY & RADIATION LINKS

Ionizing vs. Non-Ionizing Radiation Purdue University

Ionizing vs. Non-Ionizing Radiation Archived Page

Medical X-Rays

MEDICAL IMAGING SOFTWARE

Open Source Medical Imaging Software

(includes a link to 3D Slicer below)

3D Slicer Medical Imaging Software (reads DICOM medical image files)

3D Slicer DICOM Medical Image Tutorial Page

Resource for sample DICOM Medical Image Files

DICOM Image Library

We often serve clients in Texas, Michigan and Iowa. Cities for onsite commercial testing and inspection services include: Plano, Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities, Las Colinas, Arlington, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Shreveport, Grapevine, Frisco, Denton, McKinney, Allen, Lewisville, Irving, Mesquite, Bedford, Euless, Richardson, Coppell, Grand Prairie, Garland, Addison, Farmers Branch, Rockwall, Carrollton, Parker, Rowlett, Lucas, Fairview, Park Cities, Keller, Roanoke, The Colony, Highland Village, Lake Dallas, Corinth, Prosper, Duncanville, Lancaster, Rowlett, Royse City, Princeton, Trophy Club, Southlake, Hurst, Round Rock, Georgetown, San Marcos, Cedar Park, The Woodlands and Spring. Counties served include Dallas, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, Rockwall, Harris and Travis County.

LARGER COMMERCIAL PROJECT SERVICE RANGE – NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | Washington D.C. (District of Columbia)

Countries served include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland) and Western Europe.

 

*LEGAL NOTICE*

All information on this website either written or implied is the express opinion of ScanTech Technical Consulting. ScanTech Technical Consulting and it’s owners are not responsible or liable for any damages arising from the misuse, misinterpretation or other consequences of the content of this website either in part or in whole. This includes all external weblinks, PDF documents, photos or other references (informational or otherwise) to 3rd parties including government agencies, health organizations, etc.

15770 Dallas Pkwy Suite # 900      Dallas, TX 75248   (Not Accepting Visitors due to C19)

Phone: (214).912.4691      https://emfsurvey.com

ScanTech Technical Consulting: Professional Electromagnetic EMF Testing EMF Consulting Pacemaker EMI Testing for Biomedical Implant & Equipment, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing & Environmental Studies and Inspections

COPYRIGHT 2002 – 2024

2 Responses

  1. Scott Pearce says:

    Have you had experience resolving newer LED lighting interfering with the Stanley Healthcare Huggs system? We have lights turned off because of that now. I’m trying to work with suppliers/mfg/etc to resolve. I’m out of options short of just replacing all the lights. Even then, who’s to say the replacements won’t interfere as well.

  2. EMF Testing Indoor Air Quality Consultant says:

    Mr. Scott Pearce,

    I do have experience with both LED lighting EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) issues and medical / hospital anti-abduction systems such as the Stanley Healthcare Hugs system and McRoberts Security Technologies MyChild system which use short range RFID and wireless technologies as communication mediums. I will get in touch with you to discuss the particulars of your case.

    JAG of ScanTech

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *