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. 2022 Sep 8:43:101122.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2022.101122. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Magnetic field interactions of smartwatches and portable electronic devices with CIEDs - Did we open a Pandora's box?

Patrick Badertscher  1 , Céline Vergne  2   3 , Corentin Féry  2 , Diego Mannhart  1 , Thomas Quirin  2   3 , Stefan Osswald  1 , Michael Kühne  1 , Christian Sticherling  1 , Sven Knecht  1 , Joris Pascal  2
Affiliations

Magnetic field interactions of smartwatches and portable electronic devices with CIEDs - Did we open a Pandora's box?

Patrick Badertscher et al. Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. .

Abstract

Introduction: Magnetic interaction of portable electronic devices (PEDs), such as state-of-the art mobile phones, with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has been reported. The aim of the study was to quantify the magnetic fields of latest generation smartwatches and other PEDs and to evaluate and predict their risk of CIED interactions.

Methods: High resolution magnetic field characterization of five smartwatches (Apple Watch 6/7, Fitbit Sense, Samsung Galaxy 3, Withings Scanwatch) was performed using a novel magnetic field camera. Ex vivo measurements of the minimal safety distance (MSD) at which no mode switch can be observed were performed between 11 PEDs and six representative CIEDs.

Results: Maximal 1 mT distances ranged between 10 mm (Withings) and 19 mm (Fitbit and AppleWatch), and 1 mT volumes between 6 cm3 (Withings) and 19 cm3 (Fitbit). All these measures were observed only for the back side of the smartwatches. While most smartwatches with measured 1 mT distance < 15 mm posed low ex vivo interaction within a distance of < 10 mm, PEDs such as electronic pens and in-ear-headphones with measured 1 mT distance > 15 mm showed device interaction up to > 15 mm. Linear regression analysis showed a linear relationship of the MSD with 1 mT distance (B coefficient: 0.46; 95 %-CI: 0.25-0.67, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Smartwatches are safer compared to other PEDs such as electronic pens or in-ear headphones with regards to CIED interaction. With a standardized magnetic field camera, the risk assessment of CIED interaction of novel PEDs is feasible.

Keywords: Apple Watch; CIED; Interaction; Magnetic field; Portable electronic devices; Smartwatch.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Representative picture of a smartwatch (Withings ScanWatch Model HWA09 42 mm) under test. The watch is placed on the HallinSight® magnetic field camera which displays the field strength in G with a spatial resolution of 2.5 mm along × and y directions. The sensing area of the HallinSight is located 2.5 mm underneath the surface of the back side of the smartwatch.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Magnetic field mapping of smartwatches and a wristband using high resolution 3D mapping. The 10 G isogauss lines are displayed in augmented reality together with a 3D view of each device. This highlights a volume where the magnetic field exceeds 1 mT (10 G) and where the CIED shall not penetrate. In the table, the 1 mT volume and and 1 mT distance and the minimal safety distance (MSD) from the ex vivo measurements are listed separately for each smartwatch and a wristband.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Summary of the maximal 1 mT distance over the minimal safety distance for all CIEDs and PEDs with exemplary augmented 1 mT views of the iPhone (A) (highlighted in red), the Microsoft pen (B), the AirPods Pro charging box (C), the (D) Withings watch, and (E) Samsung watch. The volume of the 1 mT field is represented by the area of the spheres (dark blue: measurements of the 5 smartwatches for the S-ICD; bright blue for the 5 intravenous CIEDs). The augmented reality views of the PEDs with their 1 mT volumes are shown for selective PEDs. PEDs = Portable electronic devices, CIEDs = cardiovascular implantable electronic devices, S-ICD = subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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