Magnets in iPad discovered to be strong enough to shut off implanted defibrillators

Magnets are bad for implanted defibrillators, this isn't a new discovery. The iPad 2 onwards contains magnets, those little ones around the edges to hold down the Smart Cover and the top of the Smart Case. Combining these two pieces of information, a science project by 14-year-old Gianna Chien has determined that the iPad might not be the best thing to hold close to your chest if you have one of these devices implanted. Bloomberg reports:

If a person falls asleep with the iPad2 on the chest, the magnets in the cover can “accidentally turn off” the heart device, said Chien, a high school freshman in Stockton, California, whose father is a doctor. “I definitely think people should be aware. That’s why I’m presenting the study.”

Implanted defibrillators are designed to turn off in the presence of magnets as a safety precaution, with most turning back on once the magnets have been removed. The ones in the iPad aren't strong enough to cause any issues during regular use, but during the study 30% of participants showed effects when the iPad was held close to their chest.

Initially a project for a county Science Fair, Chien's findings are now being presented to 8,000 doctors at the Heart Rhythm Society in Denver. We're not sure it poses huge cause for widespread medical concerns, as most patients will be aware of the risks surrounding magnets and their implant. If you fall into this category though, maybe don't fall asleep with your iPad on your chest.

Of course, we're not doctors, so if anyone who reads this knows more about it, do please share with us.

Source: Bloomberg