power tools

I am a carpenter. I would like to know if anyone has experience using a router with a pacemaker/ defibrilator implanted. Also, is there any way to shield the pacemaker if I want to be closer than recommended.

3 Comments

Power Tools

by SMITTY - 2008-11-29 03:11:00


Hello Router,

While I'm not a carpenter by profession, wood working is my hobby, or as my wife says, I like to take big pieces of wood and make little pieces of them. I have spent untold hours using a router and in the eight years I have had my pacemaker I have used it and about every other wood working power tool you can name and I've never had a problem.

While I'm sure the electric tools create an electromagnetic field, I doubt it would ever be strong enough to affect a PM. However, I would say you should follow the same precaution with the power tools as you would with a cell phone, that is keep it at least 3" to 6" from the PM. Even if you did get close enough for the EMF to affect your PM it will just go into the same mode it would when they place a magnet over it for a checkup which I'm sure you would notice. Then as soon as you get away from the EMF your PM should return to normal operation.

Now, I can't say for certain what would happen to the defibrillator portion of your unit since I don't have one. But if I understand how a defib works, it is in a sense, just a heart rate counter and only goes to work when your heart rate exceeds some preset point. If the defib portion is not activated when a magnet is placed on the unit for a checkup, then I do not think an EMF from wood working tools would set it off.

Again, like I said I don't have one so I've never taken a hard look at what it might take to affect one, but I would think a good question for the checkup technician would be what happens to the defib unit when they place a magnet on it for a checkup on the PM side.

As for a shield to protect the unit from an EMF, I know of none, but possibly some of the others do.

Good Luck,

Smitty

No problem

by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-29 09:11:12

I can't imagine using a router closer than 6" from the pacer anyway, unless you plan on do it yourself surgery.

I use all sorts of power tool, electronic equipment, ham radio transmitters, etc. and have never had a problem. My approach in the early days was to test the source of interference close to the pacemaker while I had someone with me. As Smitty mentioned the effect will stop as soon as the device is turned off or moved away. My only concern would be to get light headed (or in your case have the ICD fire) while I am holding running tool that could injure me.

Enjoy making small pieces of wood out of large ones professionally.

frank

tools

by verger - 2008-11-30 11:11:53

i'm a full time carpenter and never had a problem with tools, and i have had the router as close as 5" away, sometimes there's no getting around that position for the correct grip.
at times while using a drill, electric and cordless, i would find myself unconsciously pushing the drill right against the ICD/pacemaker. when it dawned on me, i realized that that was not the smartest move, but nothing ever happened although i wouldn't advise that practice.
the only thing i'm very careful about these days is playing around with electricity. i almost refuse to touch it unless there's no power, you never know. also i tend to stay away from lifting heavy things. before i found this group i didn't think about it, but then i kept reading about people tearing their leads out and it kind of put the fright into me.
if you want to check out a bad ass router, check out festool tools, they have a single grip way ahead of its time. most of their tools are top quality, but you pay the price, almost double the going rate on american tools, but if you're a serious woodworker and make enough to pay for them, it is well worth the cost.
hang in there chippy

verger

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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