Home >Unlabelled > Magnets in iPad2 May Alter Settings on Brain Shunt Devices: Study
Magnets in iPad2 May Alter Settings on Brain Shunt Devices: Study
Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 by Health and Wellness News
TUESDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Magnets embedded in the Apple iPad 2 can interfere with the settings of magnetically programmable shunt valves, which are critical devices to drain excess fluid from the brains of those with hydrocephalus and other conditions, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the University of Michigan decided to investigate the phenomenon after a 4-month-old patient with hydrocephalus was found to have a shunt malfunction three weeks after getting one implanted. The baby's mother had fed the child and used the iPad simultaneously, inadvertently placing the baby's head close to the tablet computer.
"Most times, technology has helped medical care significantly. This is one case . . . where we have to be concerned about these things," said Dr. Salvatore Insinga, a neurosurgeon at the Cushing Neuroscience Institute in Manhasset, N.Y., who was not involved in the study. "We do know programmable shunts are susceptible to magnetic field fluctuations -- MRIs, for instance, can change the settings of the shunts. [But] I don't think we know all of the devices that have a magnetic influence on these things."
The study is published online June 26 in advance of the August print issue of Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics.
Hydrocephaly, brain swelling caused by the build-up of cerebrospinal fluid, can occur in children and adults due to a variety of medical conditions. Medical-grade magnets are used to change the settings on programmable shunt valves that allow the passage of extra fluid to other parts of the body.
Study author Dr. Cormac Maher, a pediatric neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan, and his colleagues tested the iPad 2 with and without an Apple Smart Cover, which contains additional magnets and is the most frequently used cover for the tablet.
Exposing 10 programmable shunt valves to the iPad/cover for 10 seconds at five different distances, Maher found that the settings changed in 58 percent of the valves at distances between 0 and 1 cm (about 0.4 inches); the settings changed in 5 percent of valves when the exposure distances lengthened to between 1 and 2.5 cm (up to 1 inch). After exposure at distances between 2.5 and 5 cm (1 to 2 inches), the settings changed in just 1 percent of shunt valves; no changes were observed at higher distances.
"Once we know a valve is dialed to an incorrect setting, it's easy to set back," Maher said, noting that his infant patient suffered no lasting effects. "The impact could potentially be serious if [the changed setting] is not recognized -- there could be complications from overdraining or underdraining."
Repeated calls to Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., for comment on the findings were not returned.
Maher and other experts cautioned that those with programmable shunt valves, as well as their parents and/or caregivers, should be aware that an iPad placed within a couple of inches of patients' heads could produce such an effect.
"If a child uses an iPad, that's OK; they just shouldn't hold it near their head or sleep with it," Maher advised. "Routine use should be OK, people just need to be smart about it."
Dr. Jonathan Zhang, a neurosurgeon at Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston, recommended that more research be done to confirm a cause-and-effect between the iPad and programmable shunt valves.
"This is certainly a very intriguing and interesting finding," Zhang said. "As we use more and more technology, the world is changing and we certainly need to incorporate new findings into clinical practice. This is a cautionary tale."
Via: Magnets in iPad2 May Alter Settings on Brain Shunt Devices: Study
Popular Posts
-
Deciding not to step out into the Black Friday foray, Julianne Hough and Ryan Seacrest opted for a post-Thanksigivng vacation in...
-
Rodrigo Cid Cynthia Nixon has an Emmy and a Tony, and she also has flawless skin. But that hasn't always been the case. After strugg...
-
FRIDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- The public's common image of a Botox patient is a middle-aged woman hoping to look more youthful th...
-
TUESDAY, July 17 (HealthDay News) -- Restrictions on young people's use of indoor tanning have been introduced by several countries in...
-
Featured wedding by Wedding 64, My Simply Perfect Weddings ...
-
THURSDAY, July 5 (HealthDay News) -- As many as one in five Americans has to deal each day with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a di...
-
Wedding dresses that give you two looks for the price of one...
-
QUILL/TAXI/GETTY IMAGES The first new weight-loss drug in 13 years was approved Wednesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Th...
-
WEDNESDAY, July 25 (HealthDay News) -- Rates of esophageal cancer have surged due to a lack of awareness about what causes the disease and...
-
MONDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- The new blood-thinning drug Brilinta should be considered along with older drugs to treat patients wit...
Blog Archive
-
▼
2012
(1044)
-
▼
June
(281)
- Use Caution When Exercising in Hot Weather
- Gene Boosts Tomato's Color, But May Make It Less T...
- Asthma Rates Higher Near Busy Highway
- Hot Flashes Don't Signal Poor Heart Health for Mos...
- Summertime Is Tonsillectomy Time
- Shorter Arms May Explain Why Women Need Glasses So...
- Residents as Good as Fully Trained Docs if Properl...
- Study of Retired NFL Players Finds Evidence of Bra...
- Minorities Less Likely to Use Hospice Care: Study
- Supreme Court Ruling Sets Stage for Full Rollout o...
- Court's Verdict on Health-Care Reform Holds Surpri...
- Is Court's Health-Care Ruling a Wise Decision? It ...
- Eating Vegetables May Protect Pancreas, Study Sugg...
- Newer 'Second-Line' Diabetes Drug May Outperform O...
- U.S. Mammography Rates Drop Following Task Force R...
- Supreme Court Backs Much of Controversial Health R...
- Greater L.A. Heating Up, Climate Experts Predict
- Plus Size My Fat Ass! Size 6 Is Not Now, Nor Will ...
- New Weight-Loss Drug Approved by FDA
- College Athlete Deaths in Workouts Spur New Guidel...
- Annual Beaches Report Finds Water Quality Lacking ...
- Early Surgery May Benefit Some With Heart Infection
- Supreme Court Expected to Rule Thursday on Health ...
- Fossilized Teeth Hold Clues to Early Human Species...
- Smoking, Pesticides Might Spur Rare 'Sleep-Kicking...
- FDA Approves First New Weight-Loss Drug in More Th...
- Military Wives Flash Skin for PTSD Awareness
- Surgeons Seek Repeal of Transplant Ban Between HIV...
- To Improve School Nutrition, Involve Teachers and ...
- Weight Loss May Increase Testosterone Levels
- Pictures of Fatty, Sugary Foods May Spur Cravings
- Exercise Program Boosts Health After Lung Transpla...
- FDA Probing Safety of Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
- 'Atkins'-Type Diets May Raise Risk of Heart Proble...
- Limited Radiation May Help Some Kids With Lymphoma
- Certain Diets May Help Body Burn More Calories: Study
- Coffee Might Actually Help Your Heart
- Clot-Busting Stroke Drug Safe for Many Who Take Wa...
- Bacterial Vaginosis Increases Female-to-Male HIV T...
- Can Eating Cake with Breakfast Help You Lose Weight?
- Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Weight Gain in Olde...
- U.S. Blood Supply at Dangerously Low Levels: Red C...
- Magnets in iPad2 May Alter Settings on Brain Shunt...
- Even Some Scientists Are Math-Challenged
- Wednesday Is National HIV Testing Day
- Lung Cancer Deaths Rise Among 'Boomer' Women in South
- Hormone 'Ratio' May Show Which Dieters Will Keep W...
- Pandemic H1N1 Flu Killed Far More Than Reported: S...
- Sleep Can Sharpen Your Memory
- Are Statins Less Helpful for Women?
- E-Records Linked to Fewer Malpractice Claims
- Intuitive 'Number Sense' Makes Daily Life Easier
- Even Brief Ozone Exposure May Raise Fatal Heart Ri...
- Screen All Adults for Obesity: U.S. Panel
- One-Fifth of Nursing Home Residents Fall in First ...
- 'Dessert' With Breakfast Boosts Weight Loss: Study
- New Melanoma Drug May Extend Survival
- Employment Key to Helping Veterans Adjust to Life ...
- Even Moderate Exercise Might Cut Breast Cancer Ris...
- Supreme Court's Ruling on Health Care Reform Could...
- Metformin Outperforms Common Class of Diabetes Dru...
- Some Diabetics May Not Benefit From Daily Aspirin
- Secondhand Smoke Linked to Raised Diabetes Risk
- Plastics Chemical Linked to Obesity in Kids
- Diabetes Can Make a Comeback After Weight-Loss Sur...
- Sleep May Ease Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease: Study
- Germ Culprits in Moldy, Water-Damaged Buildings Id...
- Young Men Taking HIV Meds May Be at Risk for Bone ...
- Money Really Can't Buy Happiness, Study Finds
- 1 in 10 Fibromyalgia Patients Uses Marijuana to Ea...
- Skin Cell Transplant May Offer New Hope to Vitilig...
- Effects of High Blood Pressure Drug May Mimic Celi...
- Tracking Love, Lust in the Brain
- Red Wine, Weather May Trigger Migraines
- Who Has the Most Sway on Facebook?
- Once-Banned Bird Flu Study Yields Sobering Findings
- Travel and Other Adventures Can Boost Happiness
- Rare Drug-Resistant Bacteria Spotted in U.S. Hospital
- Anti-Smoking Ads Have Increased Quit Attempts: CDC
- Better Health Screening Urged for Female College A...
- Gene Studies Support 'Queen of Sheba' Legend
- Cancer Survivors Call in Sick to Work More Often, ...
- Eating Disorders Hitting Women Over 50, Study Finds
- What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
- Quick-Reversal Method May Be at Hand for New Blood...
- Deep Brain Stimulation May Offer Longer-Term Relie...
- 'Absentminded' Errors Common in Older Adults: Study
- As Heat Builds, Take Steps to Protect Yourself
- Genes May Influence Reactions to Painkillers
- Weight-Loss Surgery May Improve Diabetes-Related K...
- Weight-Loss Surgery Cuts Heart Risk 7 Years Later:...
- Indoor Tanners Rationalize Risky Behavior, Study F...
- Race Might Play Role in Success of Weight-Loss Sur...
- Headaches Worse With Mild Head Trauma Than More Se...
- Few Migraine Sufferers Referred for Behavioral Tre...
- For Combat Vets, Brain Injury Symptoms Can Last Years
- 'Moderate' Drinking During Pregnancy Has No Effect...
- 'Moderate' Drinking During Pregnancy Has No Effect...
- New Therapies Show Some Promise Against Pancreatic...
- More Mental Health Woes in College Kids Who Abuse ...
-
▼
June
(281)
Fishing Tips And Techniques For Beginners
FEMININE INFINITY TATTOO DESIGNS
CUTE DORM ROOM IDEAS
ABC Party Ideas For Girls
Greenpois0n Jailbreak
What Is Best Treadmill
HOW TO GAIN WEIGHT FOR WOMEN
Blogroll
- Rocky Mountain Road Bikes
- What Is Sterling Silver Plated
- Black Gold Dogs Food
- Dining Rooms Paint Colors
- Parents Choices Diapers
- Best K Cups Coffees
- Arts And Crafts For Toddlers
- Healthy Skin Makeup Reviews
- Refurbished Androids Phones
- Techno Gadgets For Kids
- Weddings Makeup Looks
- Womens Fashions Boots
- SSD vs HDD
- Beyonce
- Bluray Disc
- Laptop Bag
- Kokowaah Torrent
- Best Seller Baby Furniture
- Golf Instruction Tips Free
- Camping Tips And Tricks For Beginners
- Best Sports Car In The World
- Smallyard Landscaping Ideas
- Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas
- Hairstyles For Medium Length Hair
- What Is Best Treadmill
- How To Gain Weight For Women
- Technology Green Energy
- Fishing Tips And Techniques For Beginners
- Feminine Infinity Tattoo Designs
- Greenpoisons
- Coal Trading
- Boss Tambang
- Lactoses Intolerance
- Fashion And Beauty Trends
- How To Grow Facial Hair Faster
- Samsung News
- Coal Mining And Geology
- Childs Craft
- Best iPads Apps
- iPhone iPad iPod
- Gtrend
- iPhone 4G
- Gadgetz News
- Facial Hair
- Constant Diarrhea
- Grosir Baju Muslim
- Unlock iPhone Store
- Greenpois0n Jailbreak
- Cute Dorm Room Ideas
- ABC Party Ideas For Girls