Ed, I used to work in a EMI lab where we would test military gear for EMC. That was back in the late 80's when the standard test criteria was mil-std 461. We would test in a RF proof chamber (metal walls) and would bombard the unit under test with RF from 14 Khz to 18 Ghz at high field strength. Everything tested failed at some frequency and at some field strength. We would also test by conducting RF into the wiring. This was a ham radio operator paradise where an array of amplifiers, antennas, spectrum analyzers, etc. were used daily. My ham radio knowledge paid off too where sometimes we had to clean up the RF with quarter wave stubs, filters, etc. because the broad band amplifiers often passed on harmonics at only -20 db down.
I guess the point is that although medical devices implanted in our body can be life saving, given the right circumstances they also might do the opposite. I hope that the manufacturers test the heck out of this stuff similar to what I used to do with military gear in the old emi lab. I sure miss that job.. Regards, Jim -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ed Berbari Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 4:16 PM To: Discussion of AM Radio Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Insulin Pump RFI? 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] ______________________________________________________________ AMRadio mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:[email protected] -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 266.5.7 - Release Date: 3/1/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 266.6.0 - Release Date: 3/2/2005
