Magnetic field interactions between current consumer electronics and cardiac implantable electronic devices

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electromagnetism
• Cardiology

Background:

• Modern electronic devices like the iPhone 12, Apple Watch Series 6, and AirPods utilize magnets for wireless charging.
• These permanent magnets pose a potential risk to cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), potentially causing asynchronous pacing in pacemakers and suspending arrhythmia detection in defibrillators.
• This research aims to evaluate the impact of static magnetic fields from consumer electronics on CIEDs and inform FDA recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if CIEDs are affected by static magnetic fields from common portable electronics (PE) at any distance.
• To assess the interaction range between PE magnets and CIEDs.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for consumer safety regarding PE and CIEDs.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic field strength of PE was measured using a Gauss meter.
• Ex vivo testing was performed using a body torso model with CIEDs from Boston Scientific and Medtronic immersed in saline.
• PE was placed at the CIED surface and at distances of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 cm to assess magnet mode activation.

Main Results:

• The iPhone 12 exhibited a significantly stronger static magnetic field at its surface compared to the iPhone XR.
• All tested CIEDs exhibited magnet mode activation when PE was placed at the surface of the torso model.
• The maximum distance at which interaction (magnet mode activation) occurred between the tested Apple products and CIEDs was 1.5 cm.

Conclusions:

• The iPhone 12 generates a more potent static magnetic field than its predecessors.
• Portable electronics containing magnets are unlikely to interact with CIEDs beyond a distance of 1.5 cm.
• Given the limited interaction distance, magnet mode activation is improbable during typical daily activities, suggesting consumer safety.