E3 testing of implantable medical devices-past and present

Electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) testing of implantable medical devices began about 30 years ago but is still expanding into new arenas today. The initial issues and concerns led to an E3 test protocol that evolved into the test procedures in the first published "standard". E3 tests based on these test procedures, adapted to accommodate the characteristics of additional electromagnetic environments, are still being performed. Also, they formed the basis for the establishment of the EAS/Medical Device E3 Test Center at GTRI and the recently defined EAS Test Protocol for Cardiac Pulse Generators. Trends of the E3 test results show a marked improvement in implantable medical devices since the tests began.