Safety evaluation of smart scales, smart watches, and smart rings with bioimpedance technology shows evidence of potential interference in cardiac implantable electronic devices

Heart rhythm · 2023 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 536

Study snapshot

PublicationHeart rhythm · 2023

Study typeengineering

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Safety evaluation of smart scales, smart watches, and smart rings with bioimpedance technology shows evidence of potential interference in cardiac implantable electronic devices Ha GB, Steinberg BA, Freedman R, Bayés-Genís A, Sanchez B. Safety evaluation of smart scales, smart watches, and smart rings with bioimpedance technology shows evidence of potential interference in cardiac implantable electronic devices. Heart Rhythm. 2023 Apr;20(4):561-571. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2022.11.026. Abstract Background: Smart scales, smart watches, and smart rings with bioimpedance technology may create interference in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine interference at CIEDs with simulations and benchtop testing, and to compare the results with maximum values defined in the ISO 14117 electromagnetic interference standard for these devices. Methods: The interference at pacing electrodes was determined by simulations on a male and a female computable model. A benchtop evaluation of representative CIEDs from 3 different manufacturers as specified in the ISO 14117 standard also was performed. Results: Simulations showed evidence of interference with voltage values exceeding threshold values defined in the ISO 14117 standard. The level of interference varied with the frequency and amplitude of the bioimpedance signal, and between male and female models. The level of interference generated with smart scale and smart rings simulations was lower than with smart watches. Across device manufacturers, generators demonstrated susceptibility to oversensing and pacing inhibition at different signal amplitudes and frequencies. Conclusions: This study evaluated the safety of smart scales, smart watches, and smart rings with bioimpedance technology via simulation and testing. Our results indicate that these consumer electronic devices could interfere in patients with CIEDs. The present findings do not recommend the use of these devices in this population due to potential interference. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeengineering

Effect directionharm

PopulationPatients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) (evaluated via computable human models and benchtop testing of representative CIEDs)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Simulations showed evidence of interference with voltage values exceeding ISO 14117 threshold values, with interference varying by bioimpedance signal frequency/amplitude and between male and female models. In benchtop testing, CIED generators from different manufacturers showed susceptibility to oversensing and pacing inhibition at different signal amplitudes and frequencies; the authors conclude these consumer devices could interfere with CIEDs and do not recommend their use in this population due to potential interference.

Outcomes measured

Electromagnetic interference at pacing electrodes (simulated voltage vs ISO 14117 thresholds)
CIED susceptibility outcomes in benchtop testing (oversensing, pacing inhibition)
Variation in interference by bioimpedance signal frequency and amplitude
Differences in interference between male and female computable models
Differences across CIED manufacturers

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "consumer electronics with bioimpedance technology (smart scales, smart watches, smart rings)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) (evaluated via computable human models and benchtop testing of representative CIEDs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electromagnetic interference at pacing electrodes (simulated voltage vs ISO 14117 thresholds)",
    "CIED susceptibility outcomes in benchtop testing (oversensing, pacing inhibition)",
    "Variation in interference by bioimpedance signal frequency and amplitude",
    "Differences in interference between male and female computable models",
    "Differences across CIED manufacturers"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Simulations showed evidence of interference with voltage values exceeding ISO 14117 threshold values, with interference varying by bioimpedance signal frequency/amplitude and between male and female models. In benchtop testing, CIED generators from different manufacturers showed susceptibility to oversensing and pacing inhibition at different signal amplitudes and frequencies; the authors conclude these consumer devices could interfere with CIEDs and do not recommend their use in this population due to potential interference.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "bioimpedance",
    "smart watch",
    "smart ring",
    "smart scale",
    "electromagnetic interference",
    "CIED",
    "pacemaker",
    "oversensing",
    "pacing inhibition",
    "ISO 14117"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "medical-implants-interference",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Study evaluates potential electromagnetic interference from consumer bioimpedance devices on cardiac implantable electronic devices using simulations and benchtop testing."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2022.11.026
PubMed: 36997272

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