With the iPhone 12 sequence final yr, Apple launched MagSafe on iPhones – a expertise that leverages magnets on the smartphone with a view to make wi-fi charging extra environment friendly and fewer time-consuming. However, with the utilization of magnets, got here a well being concern, particularly for these customers who should stay with implanted medical gadgets like a pacemaker. Shortly after the launch of MagSafe, docs expressed their considerations over MagSafe’s impact on pacemakers in a medical journal. Apple later responded to the report on its assist web page, saying that the magnets and electromagnetic fields would possibly intervene with medical gadgets. Apple mentioned that though the iPhone 12 sequence comes with extra magnets than prior (*12*)iPhone fashions, they’re not anticipated to pose a larger threat of magnetic interference to medical gadgets than prior iPhone fashions. Now, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has had its say on the difficulty, and got here to a conclusion that the danger posed by MagSafe to sufferers with implanted medical gadgets is low.
FDA carried out its personal testing to verify and assist inform about applicable suggestions for sufferers and customers. The FDA mentioned that whereas the danger is low, the variety of client electronics with sturdy magnets is anticipated to extend over time. Therefore, the company really helpful customers to seek the advice of with their well being suppliers to make sure they perceive the potential threat and correct strategies for secure use. “We believe the risk to patients is low and the agency is not aware of any adverse events associated with this issue at this time. However, the number of consumer electronics with strong magnets is expected to increase over time. Therefore, we recommend people with implanted medical devices talk with their health care provider to ensure they understand this potential risk and the proper techniques for safe use,” the FDA said in a statement.
In its report, FDA also said that the magnets in newer cell phones and other consumer electronic devices (like iPhone 12) can affect normal operations of the medical device until the magnetic field is moved. It also said that many medical devices are designed with a “magnet mode” to permit for secure operation throughout sure medical procedures, equivalent to present process an MRI scan. These security options are usually initiated with using a excessive discipline energy magnet that’s positioned close to the implanted gadget inserting it right into a “magnet mode.”
FDA further recommended several precautions that people with pacemakers and implantable defibrillators should follow. These include:
- Keeping consumer electronics, such as certain cell phones and smart watches, six inches away from implanted medical devices.
- Refraining from carrying consumer electronics in a pocket over the medical device.
- Talking to health care provider if you have questions regarding magnets in consumer electronics and implanted medical devices.
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