Electromagnetic interference on medical equipments due to wireless communication devices

In this paper the effects of the radiated electromagnetic interferences produced by some wireless communication devices on medical equipments that monitor or support a patient’s life are presented. First, it was measured the electric field level produced by four cellular phones and one walkie-talkie at different distances from the devices. Afterwards, it was evaluated the behavior of 16 medical equipments when they were exposed to the electric fields measured previously. The results showed that a significant number of the medical equipments tested presented some functional alteration with different levels of severity. Likewise, it was found that some medical equipments were interfered at electric field values below immunity test levels established by the international standard IEC 60601-1-2.