Electromagnetic interference with electronic medical equipment induced by automatic conveyance systems

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Healthcare Technology

Background:

• Automatic conveyance systems are increasingly used in healthcare settings.
• Potential electromagnetic interference (EMI) from these systems with sensitive medical equipment is a concern.
• Existing international standards address electromagnetic immunity for medical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the electromagnetic interference (EMI) risk posed by automatic conveyance systems to electronic medical equipment.
• To measure electric field intensities generated by self-controlled electric truck systems.
• To assess the potential for EMI with specific medical devices like infusion and syringe pumps.

Main Methods:

• Measured electric field intensities from three different self-controlled electric truck systems.
• Evaluated EMI with infusion pumps and syringe pumps placed 1 meter from the system's rail.
• Compared measured electric field intensities against international electromagnetic immunity standards.

Main Results:

• Two systems with non-contact (inductive) power supply mechanisms exhibited maximum electric field intensities at the supplied current frequency.
• The highest measured electric field intensity was 137.0 dB microV/m, exceeding the international immunity standard for medical equipment.
• Systems with contact power supply mechanisms generated significantly lower electric field intensities, well within the immunity standard.

Conclusions:

• Electronic medical equipment may experience EMI if used within 2 meters of automatic conveyance systems utilizing inductive power supply mechanisms.
• EMI is unlikely to occur with systems employing contact power supply mechanisms, even when medical equipment is placed adjacent to the rail.
• Healthcare facilities must consider the type of power supply in automatic conveyance systems to mitigate potential EMI risks to medical devices.