Recently, Apple issued a warning that the iPhone contains magnets, as well as components and radio devices that emit electromagnetic fields. All MagSafe magnetic accessories also contain magnets, and both the MagSafe Charger and MagSafe Dual Charger contain radio devices. These magnets and electromagnetic fields may cause interference with medical devices such as implantable pacemakers and defibrillators.
So, can people with pacemakers still use cell phones? And if so, what's the proper way to use electronic devices like cell phones?
iPhone 12 contains more magnets than previous models
Medical devices such as implantable pacemakers and defibrillators may contain sensors that respond to magnets and radio devices when in close contact.
Apple says, "To avoid any potential interaction with these medical devices, keep your iPhone and MagSafe magnetic accessories a safe distance from your medical device (more than 15 centimeters apart; or more than 30 centimeters apart when charging wirelessly). Consult your physician and the device manufacturer for specific guidelines."
Apple also said that "while all iPhone 12 models contain more magnets than previous iPhone models, the risk of electromagnetic interference to medical devices is not expected to be higher than with previous iPhone models."
Why the sudden alert?
Why did Apple release a related tip at this time, and recently update its iPhone manual?
Earlier this month, an article appeared in Heart Rhythm, an academic medical journal, suggesting that iPhone 12 models could inhibit life-saving treatment for patients due to magnetic interference with implanted medical devices. Three doctors tested the interaction by placing the iPhone 12 close to a patient's implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, during which the device immediately went into "pause.
The testing physicians added: "We raise an important public health issue here regarding the new iPhone 12, which has the potential to inhibit life-saving treatment for patients, especially when carrying a cell phone in a shirt pocket. Medical device manufacturers and implanting physicians should remain vigilant."
The iPhone 12 takes the use of magnets in cell phones to new heights compared to previous iPhone models. According to media reports, an array of magnets in the form of a ring-shaped wireless charging coil in the center of the iPhone 12's body creates an electromagnetic field as current passes through the coil, enabling the transfer of power from the MagSafe magnetic charging pad to the iPhone 12.
What do medical device manufacturers say?
A pacemaker is an implantable pulse generator that replaces the heart's pacing point and causes the heart to beat at a normal rhythm for the treatment of certain serious arrhythmias (primarily for bradycardia). Pacemakers fall under the umbrella of cardiac rhythm management (CRM), and the CRM market includes regular pacemakers (pacemaker), implantable internal defibrillators (ICDs, used to treat tachycardia), and triple-chamber pacemakers (CRTs), among others.
Three-chamber pacemakers are mainly used to treat heart failure. The principle of action is to implant one electrode lead in each of the right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle, and through the reasonable setting of the pacing sequence and time of the three electrode leads, to make the failing heart muscle contract in a coordinated manner again, so as to achieve the purpose of heart failure treatment.
It is understood that the current CRM market is highly concentrated, with the three giants from the United States, Medtronic, St. Jude and Boston Scientific, accounting for about 80 percent of the market, and Germany's Biotronik and Italy's Sorin, accounting for a combined market share of about 15 percent. Currently 99% of pacemakers implanted in the Mainland are imported.
In response to reports that iphone 12 may affect pacemakers, reporters called Medtronic (Medtronic) patient advice hotline, staff advice is that cell phones do contain magnets, if the phone is charged wirelessly, to be at least 60cm away from the pacemaker; not charging, use the phone is 15cm away from the pacemaker can be used with a cell phone, will not have an impact. 15cm is equivalent to holding a pacemaker, and can be used with a cell phone. 15cm is the equivalent of using a cell phone with the hand on the other side of the pacemaker.
In general, the pacemaker should be used with an induction cooker to maintain more than 60cm. It is understood that the pacemaker market in the mainland is currently monopolized by foreign companies, and the most commonly used dual-chamber pacemakers are priced at more than 50,000 yuan, making it difficult to popularize them in second- and third-tier cities. The incidence rate of heart failure among people aged 35-74 in China is about 0.9%, and has been on the rise year by year. Some data predicts that China can add 540,000 new patients each year, half of whom have the need for pacemakers, which means 270,000 new target patients each year.
What else should pacemaker implantees be aware of?
In fact, all electrical and electronic devices can affect the operation of medical devices implanted in the body.
For example, Huawei also reminds consumers on its website that because the electronic components of wearable devices generate radio waves (as well as the use of magnetic charging bases in some products that contain a magnet component), these electromagnetic fields and magnets may interfere with the proper functioning of implanted medical devices or personal medical equipment, such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, hearing aids, defibrillators, and so on. If these medical devices are used, consult with their manufacturers about the restrictions on the use of the devices in question to ensure that a sufficiently safe distance is maintained from implanted medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, cochlear implants, hearing aids, defibrillators, etc.) when the wearable devices are used.
Patients should still consult with the relevant manufacturers and medical professionals according to the specific characteristics of the pacemaker product they are using. Medtronic, a medical device company, warns on its official website that "electromagnetic fields may have an effect on your pacemaker". For example, the general series of pacemakers prohibit nuclear magnetic *** vibration MRI examination; CT has no effect on pacemakers; electric mixers or knives, decorative refrigerator magnets to keep pacemakers more than 15cm; the use of hand-held massagers or massage chair cushions, please keep pacemakers more than 15cm, and so on.