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http://dx.doi.org/10.5573/ieie.2015.52.1.148

Effects of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Emitted by WCDMA Mobile Phones on Pacemakers and ICDs  

Chung, Jai Won (Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University)
Choi, Soo Beom (Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University)
Park, Jee Soo (Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University)
Kim, Deok Won (Department of Medical Engineering, College of Medicine, Yonsei University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers / v.52, no.1, 2015 , pp. 148-154 More about this Journal
Abstract
Reports show that global system for mobile communication (GSM) mobile phones, or two-generation (2G) mobile phones, could affect functions of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). In this study, we evaluated the effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) emitted by wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) mobile phones, which were third-generation (3G) mobile phones, on pacemakers and ICDs. Five pacemakers and three ICDs were subjected to in-vitro test using a ECG simulator. We used a WCDMA module (average power : 0.25 W, frequency band : 1950 MHz) instead of a real WCDMA mobile phone. To assess the effects of the WCDMA module on pacemakers and ICDs, each implantable device was placed in close proximity (within 3 mm) to the WCDMA module for 5 min. As a result, no effects were observed on the five pacemakers and three ICDs for the RF-EMFs emitted by the WCDMA module. Because WCDMA mobile phones have the higher frequency band (1800-2200 MHz) and lower power output (0.01-0.25 W) than GSM moboile phone, the RF-EMFs emitted by WCDMA mobile phones do not affect patients with pacemaker or ICD.
Keywords
WCDMA mobile phone; Pacemaker; Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator; Malfunction;
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