A 14-year-old student discovered that Apple's iPad 2 can interfere with life-saving heart devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. Magnets built into the iPad 2 can disrupt the functions of cardiac devices.
Gianna Chien's science-fair project was presented in Denver Colorado at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting in Denver, Colorado to over 8,000 doctors. The high school freshman from Stockton, California said that she wants to inform people about her iPad 2 discovery.
Chien, whose dad is a doctor, explained that someone's pacemaker or defibrillator may "accidently" turn off due to the magnets located inside the cover of the iPad.
"I definitely think people should be aware. That's why I'm presenting the study," Chien said.
Although the magnets in the iPad 2 are not powerful enough to cause issues when someone is holding the device normally, it poses a great risk when held close to the body. As a safety precaution, defibrillators are designed to be shut off using magnets. The iPad 2 has 30 magnets built into the design of the tablet to hold its cover securely in place.
Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller did not comment on the study; however there is an online product guide that does reference the iPad 2's safety. Apple's online safety guide cautions about radiofrequency interference, which is used in most mobile devices for connection to cell phone towers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Patients with pacemakers or defibrillators must keep the iPad at least six inches away from the body.
The study involved 26 volunteers who had defibrillators. When placed on the chest, it was found that the defibrillators went into "magnet mode" 30 percent of the time. Leading defibrillator manufacturer, Medtronic said that it does tell patients to avoid placing magnets near their cardiac implants.
"The presentation at Heart Rhythm 2013 is a good reminder for patients to remain vigilant on new technology and its accessories and maintain a distance of six inches between an iPad and an implanted pacemaker or ICD," Medtronic said in a statement.
