Hand-held metal detectors and medical devices: measurements and testing for electromagnetic compatibility

This work examines the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of several priority medical devices, such as implanted cardiac pacemakers and implanted nerve stimulators, with the emissions from 28 different hand-held metal detectors (HHMDs). The HHMD emissions were measured and mapped to assess the waveforms, magnitude, and distribution of emission field strengths. Testing with the sample medical devices was performed using a saline filled torso simulator for the implantable type devices. Emissions from the HHMDs were observed to disrupt the function of some of the sample medical devices. One HHMD exhibited significantly higher emissions than the other metal detectors, and caused significant disruptions on several of the sample medical device. The findings and data from this work are being used to help develop standards for characterizing the performance of medical devices