Gentleman, The interference problem between RF sources and medical devices is real, but fortunately a declining one. For many years the medical device industry did not do a good job in their designs but most devices were in a controlled enviroment. However the medical devices have moved to the real world with such devices as pacemakers, etc.
A lot of the intereference has to do with the mode of modulation. The newer digital phones can actually have peak power outputs of 10-12 Watts and indeed could cause some problems with devices like pacemakers. This problem was identified early on and there has been a fix. However the risk can be real. http://www.ou.edu/engineering/emc/ Ed, W9EJB ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim candela" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Discussion of AM Radio" <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 7:12 AM Subject: RE: [AMRadio] Insulin Pump RFI? > > I asked my brother, a diabetic, about radio interference to his insulin > pump. He is a lawyer, and I hoped to get a legal answer to a hypothetical > case where he went into insulin shock as a result of my being on the air > waves: > > > Question: > > John, > > A hypothetical case. Your my neighbor with a > insulin pump, and I am a federally licensed ham radio > operator. I am transmitting within the law on a > licensed frequency, running legal power, etc. Your > pump is susceptible to strong radio waves... One day I > am talking on the air, and while talking, a ambulance > takes you away. Seems your in insulin shock due to a > pump malfunction. Where is the law on this issue? > > Jim > > > > > Answer: > > Jim, > > You are a mad man. Actually, from looking at the manual of this thing the > more likely problem is from the pump interfering with other devices using > radio frequencies. The RFs on the pump are used to transmit readings from a > glucose test meter to the pump. The book says that interference will not > affect the actual pump operation. As to your question the manual says that > the pump must comply with Part 15 of the FCC rules and it must accept any > interference received. That aside, if I survive in your scenario, look out! > > John > > > > Side note: If his insulin pump was creating interference, and causing me > trouble receiving the Collins net this Wednesday, would it be appropriate to > ask my brother to turn that darn thing off? :-) > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 266.5.1 - Release Date: 2/27/2005 > > ______________________________________________________________ > AMRadio mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > Post: mailto:[email protected]
