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

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.