Assessment of active implantable medical device interaction in hybrid electric vehicles

New technologies tend to heighten public concerns regarding EMF, especially in RF and high power industries. Vehicles with electrical propulsion and assist, such as hybrid electric vehicles, have increased electrical power output compared to non-hybrid electric vehicles. An investigation of nine current production hybrid electric vehicles has been conducted and found no inappropriate interaction between worst-case vehicle operating conditions and active implantable medical devices. The study utilized a human body phantom allowing for realistic device lead routing and placement of the active implantable medical devices. Additionally, all measured continuous magnetic fields in the passenger cabin were beneath ICNIRP Public Guidelines.