Method and apparatus for controlling an implantable medical device in response to the presence of a magnetic field and/or high frequency radiation interference signals

A method for controlling a pacemaker, the method comprising:

• detecting the presence of a magnetic field proximate to the pacemaker so as to exceed a first preselected magnetic field threshold;
• determining if a strength of the detected magnetic field exceeds a second preselected magnetic field threshold, the second preselected magnetic field threshold being greater than the first preselected magnetic field threshold;
• and
• adjusting a stimulation rate in which the pacemaker stimulates a heart providing that the strength of the detected magnetic field exceeds the second preselected magnetic field threshold.

A method for controlling an implantable medical device, the method comprising:

• detecting if a magnetic field is proximate to the implantable medical device;
• determining if a strength of the magnetic field exceeds a preselected magnetic field threshold providing the magnetic field is detected;
• detecting if a high frequency (HF) radiation interference signal is proximate to the implantable medical device;
• determining if a strength of the HF radiation interference signal exceeds a preselected HF radiation threshold providing the HF radiation interference signal is detected;
• and
• adjusting a heart stimulation rate provided by the implantable medical device providing that either the strength of the detected magnetic field exceeds the preselected magnetic field threshold or the detected HF radiation interference signal exceeds the preselected HF radiation threshold.

An implantable medical device, comprising:

• a first detector for detecting the presence of a magnetic field;
• a second detector for detecting the presence of a high frequency (HF) radiation interference signal;
• and
• a processor for adjusting a heart stimulation rate provided by the implantable medical device in response to determining that the strength of the detected magnetic field exceeds a preselected magnetic field threshold or the strength of the detected HF radiation interference signal exceeds a preselected HF radiation threshold.