EEVblog #656 - Pacemaker Monitor Teardown

What's inside a dial-in pacemaker monitor system?
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[builtlast]

the coil inductor turns the pacemaker on to put it in data transmit mode and the flat copper piece on top of the inductor coil is the antenna that picks up the data from the pacemaker i know as a fact because i have one of these in my chest!!

[DesNIN]

Dave,
I work with these, this is a telephonic reader of the pacemaker's memory and settings/speakerphone for the patient to communicate with the pacemaker clinic during the session. There is a simple ECG telemetry receiver also to send a live tracing during the session. Good one Dave.

[CatCow]

I have a Medtronic pacemaker and was given a similar remote monitoring device - some people require check-ins more often, but I only get checked out twice a year - one office visit, and one telephone. The Medtronic runs on 4 AA batteries and does not have the wrist straps. The inductor is basically a RFID type reader that will trigger the pacemaker to transmit data, the monitoring device then sends the data to a central Medtronic database that the doctors can access. The whole process of reading from the pacemaker and dialing into the Medtronic computer and transmitting the data takes about 5 minutes.

I once came across something slightly more exciting to tear down - a Physio-Control Lifepak 5 EKG/defibrillator in working condition with the defib paddles! It had been discarded in a dumpster, was full of water from recent rain, and had not been calibrated/certified in a LONG time according to the sticker on it - but the internal circuit boards were well sealed and it was not damaged. I have not obtained the correct EKG leads for the machine, but using the defib paddles confirmed that it does indeed pick up a heartbeat just fine. Truly some impressive construction inside that thing.

[kalhana_photography]

I remember Conexant chips were quite common on dial up modem PCI cards back in the early 2000's.

[JacobJonesy]

I've just started my first electronics class! Thanks to your videos Dave for making EE so interesting!

[williefleete]

Stick the scope on the output of the wrist band amps if they are powered or if you can get them powered, you'll have your own heart monitor and measure your internal oscillator

[brianhilligoss]

The inductor is used to charge the pacemaker. the other part is a antenna that reads the data the pacemaker has to offer.

[jamesgrimwood]

This is a bit of a serious device if you think about it. It's designed to connect the heart of a patient who has heart defects to both AC mains and the telecom system.

Not the kind of thing you'd want to buy from China with a "CE mark" PSU ;-)

[martijn]

Nice work dave always enjoy the teardowns
my father oin low uses the newer versions those comunicate wireless over 433 mhz and back to the hospital over the phone line
but no leeds are needed anymore all the data is send over 433mhz

[SpringDivers]

Very nice. I've got a Medtronics version for my pacemaker. Saves a trip to the doctor every 3 months.

[darrenjacobson]

It must be a joy to teardown medical equipment, so professional.

[MrCarlsonsLab]

Hey Dave. You didn't throw a magnet on that little reed bulb in the back. Maybe that's the reason for no action? I would think that the shield of the cable is attached to that finger array to be compliant to grounding regulations. They sure went through a lot of protection with the line isolation. Behind those 2 watt 330k resistors are also some SOT-23 diodes, back to back too. (time 7:30). Probably more so to protect the circuit from spikes. Crack the wall-wart open when you get a chance, it would be interesting to see the medical grade and all.(very quick tear down.)  Looks like Panasonic FC caps in the base unit? Possibly the same in the wall-wart?
Always enjoy the tear downs! You must have been on a video holiday, seems like a long time since the last.

[OneBiOzZ]

It would have been nice to see that medical grade wall wart torn down! 

[hendrikhendrikson]

I had a constant urge to clear my throat from the 4 minute mark on...

[redshift]

State of the art electronic, but we want to see this medical power supply teardown. Please do a short second part :-)

[ANTALIFE]

Suspect the electrode input amplifier section would be some sort of active band pass filter. I recall when I was making my EMG amplifier the frequency range of interest was 50Hz to 200Hz, anything outside this you would want attenuated

[Gunbudder]

My grandpa uses one of these, but it actually just looks like a regular phone. You can talk with the hand piece like normal, and then you also hold the hand piece up to your chest. I assume the induction coil is just in the hand piece.

[andiyladdie]

Nice job, have been waiting for this teardown, interesting stuff!

[redtails]

3:06 the pacemaker itself sits near your shoulder, the leads go inside your arteries into your heart.

[vuckho]

Thank you for posting such great content. I can't wait to see what you're going to tear apart next week.