Electrical Question

[Rowdy]

Tink is gonna get an electronic gizmo inserted into her back with leads going into her spine. The idea is that this thing will send an impulse into her spine,interrupting the pain signal to the brain. This gizmo has a remote that works off of an RF signal. The manufacturer says to stay away from strong RF interferance,such as arc welders and other things. Do any of you know if there's anything to be worried about in a bowling alley? I figure theres gotta be an electrical wizard or three amongst all us HammerHeads. Tinks really bummed that she may not be able to keep on bowling. Can anyone help her out? Thanks in advance.

[TenPinSniper]

Some of these old automatic scoring machine or maybe the ball returns... both of these thing should be okay. Guess we would need to know what frequencies and signal strength that is needed to mess this up.

Do you have a website for this impulse shock deal? Happy to check it out for her.

Here is my background...
AAS Electronics... DeVry University
About 8 years of Telecom Experience.
Switch, Transport (The Big Pipes)

[bluerrpilot]

She shouldn’t worry too much. There are regulations in the amount of RF or EMI interference a device can output.

In a bowling alley, the biggest thing to worry about would be motors in the ball returns that use brushes. The reason for avoiding an arc welder and other devices is they produce a significant electrical spark, which is an RF generator. It’s very difficult to avoid RF interference because it’s pretty much everywhere.

[Lightning1]

microwave oven - especially those older than 10 years old (may be some in the alley) easy to steer away from

high power electrical transmission lines - they are the worst...if the alley is under a set, don't take her to that alley

old cell phones....energy coming off of them would cause problems with hard wired cable networks...

radio stations nearby - if there are any, be careful....they can emit a rather high level of RF waves..

high power audio systems (especially car systems) capacitors store a lot of energy that burst.....just keep away from subwoofers and amplifiers, otherwise OK

my guess is that the doctor advised that stray RF interference either can cause sudden intense pain or could damage the device, rendering the pain killing impulses ineffective...

[Rowdy]

It's made by a company called Medtronic. I do know that stray RF could change the setting of the unit. It would result in either no pain relief or too much juice going into her spine.Zap! Under warnings:Stay away from defibrilators,diathermy,electroautery(???),MRI's,R F ablation and theraputic ultrasound.Results:Unexpected changes in stimulation,serious patient injury or death! It also says to avoid activities that stress the implanted neurostimulation system,EMI,postural changes(oh,boy) and other activities that may cause shocking/jolting. Damn,I KNOW they're not gonna put one of those in ME! Now I just have to talk Tink out of getting one!