Electromagnetic interference caused by common surgical energy-based devices on an implanted cardiac defibrillator

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrophysiology
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Surgical energy-based devices generate electromagnetic fields.
• These fields can potentially interfere with implanted cardiac devices like defibrillators.
• Quantifying this electromagnetic interference (EMI) is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the electromagnetic interference (EMI) transferred from surgical devices to an implanted cardiac defibrillator.
• To compare EMI levels across various common surgical energy-based devices.

Main Methods:

• A transvenous cardiac defibrillator was implanted in a porcine model.
• Multiple surgical energy-based devices were activated.
• The average maximum EMI on the implanted device was recorded during activations.

Main Results:

• Monopolar devices, particularly in blend mode (0.92 ± 0.63 mV) and coagulation mode (0.50 ± 0.20 mV), showed higher EMI.
• Plasma energy (3.48 ± 0.78 mV) and argon beam coagulator (2.58 ± 0.34 mV) also exhibited significant EMI.
• Bipolar devices (0.01 ± 0.004 mV) and ultrasonic shears (0.01 ± 0.004 mV) demonstrated the lowest EMI levels.

Conclusions:

• Significant variations in EMI exist among surgical energy devices.
• Surgeons should consider device selection to minimize EMI risk to patients with implanted cardiac defibrillators.
• Preferential use of bipolar and ultrasonic devices can reduce potential interference.