Career help

electromagnetic fields and how they affect an ICD

by muskeg - 2018-12-30 19:30:52

I received my ICD about 15 months ago

I work as an electrical motor systems technician, working on motors from approx. 200 h.p. up to approx. 10,000 h.p. and from 208 volts a.c. up to 13,800 volts a.c.

I was concerned about returning to work after the implant, I discussed the situation with my employer and they agreed to buy a gaussmeter to monitor my work area for electromagnetic issues that might affect my ICD.

I was able to convince Biotronik (ICD manufacturer) to supply a Technical Information Bulletin, a clip of the bulletin follows....

"What is considered a strong magnetic field?
Patients with BIOTRONIK ICDs should avoid static magnetic fields greater than 1.0 millitesla (or 10 gauss) at the implant site. Magnetic fields above this magnitude could temporarily affect the operation of the ICD in patients implanted with these devices. Specifically, the ICD's ability to detect and treat potentially life-threatening arrhythmias could be disabled."

I carried the gaussmeter with me for the first couple of weeks, checking absolutely everything in my path. The only issues are a large induction style bearing heater, about 100 gauss right on the heater, about 2 gauss 1-2 feet away from the heater, so this tells me to  keep the implant site at least two feet from that (i.e. don't bear hug the induction heater) another is a tester which we use that feeds 1000 amps of current into the shafts of the rotors that come out of large electric motors, about 20 gauss right on the rotor when energized, about 2 gauss 1-2 feet away from the rotor,so this tells me to  keep the implant site at least two feet from the rotors when testing (i.e, don't bear hug the rotor when energized either) I could go into a lengthy explanation why these two items are an issue, why they emit excessive lines of electrical force, EMF's/why they provide electromagnetic issues, I'll spare you the details

Those are the only two situations I have come across, running large electric motors transformers etc. are no issue at all.

Normal everyday typical work area in the shop, with motors running, transformers energized, lights, heaters, radios on, much less than 1 gauss at arms legnth and next to no gauss at the implant site.

I've been back at work for over a year, the gaussmeter now sits relatively unused.

These are my experiences, for what they are worth to you, do with this info as you wish.

If you want more data / details about the gaussmeter, I would be happy to supply as requested. 

Al

CDL Varies by state....

by BOBTHOM - 2019-01-01 22:42:37

Commercial drivers license varies by state.  Check your DMV site, should be listed under restrictions.  ICD's and PM's may have different restrictions.  In NC for my ICD and regular drivers license it can be restricted if the ICD fires more than 3 times in 90 days.  A lot  is doctor dependent and there is a limited license that allows travel within 50 miles or so to get to dr appointments and grocery shopping.  But again, each state has thier own regulations and they are alot stricter on CDL's.