Impulse Noise Test

Effectiveness of MG Vest in Preventing PM Malfunctions Due to Impulse Noise

Objective

In this experiment, an impulse noise test was conducted that irradiates electromagnetic waves across a wide band from 0 Hz to 1 GHz to evaluate whether the MG Vest can prevent pacemaker (PM) malfunctions.

Method

A human phantom was equipped with a pacemaker (PM), and a 200 mm diameter radiation probe (manufactured by Noise Laboratory Co., Ltd.) was positioned above it at the location most likely to cause malfunction (Figure 1).

A noise simulator (INS-400AX, manufactured by Noise Laboratory Co., Ltd.) (Figure 2) was used to inject repeated rectangular pulses into the radiation probe to observe whether inappropriate operation occurs. (Criteria for detecting inappropriate operation) The pulse characteristics were: rise time < 1 ns, pulse width 1 μs, repetition interval 16 ms, and peak voltage 4 kV.

Figure 1: Human Phantom and Probe Setup

Figure 2: Noise Simulator

Three types of pacemakers were tested in this experiment.

Results

Of the three models tested, one exhibited malfunction without protection, but the malfunction disappeared when the MG Vest was worn. (Table 1)

Discussion

Impulse noise is a source of electromagnetic interference, and the fact that the MG Vest prevented malfunctions suggests that it provides a high level of protection.

Conclusion

This experiment demonstrated that the MG Vest can effectively prevent pacemaker malfunctions caused by impulse noise.