Comprehensive electromagnetic “check-up” on a new Operating Room
Last November, a team of engineers changed the comfort of their controlled labs for surgical scrubs to perform a different kind of operation at the Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) in Enschede. The objective was to conduct a comprehensive electromagnetic “check-up” on a new Operating Room (OR) of the hospital.
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) in hospitals is an ever-growing challenge. In a modern OR, the air is crowded. There are robotic X-ray arms moving along with operating tables, life-support monitors, and electrosurgery units sparking into action. As more digital devices are incorporated into routine clinical workflows, the risk of EMI grows. If these devices don’t work properly, patient safety could be at stake.
To ensure the stability of the room’s electromagnetic environment, the MST Medical Engineering team, in collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), University of Twente (UT), and Philips, conducted an extensive electromagnetic measurement campaign. José Andrés (DC12) actively participated in this campaign, contributing to measurement execution and data interpretation.
The campaign focused on characterizing the EM environment of the operating room using multiple complementary techniques. A spectrum analyzer was used to determine the noise floor, identify environmental profiles, and perform spatial EM mapping across the room. Time-domain snapshots were captured using an oscilloscope to analyze transient behavior, switching events, and specific emissions generated by equipment. In addition, the room’s resonant characteristics were measured using a vector network analyzer (VNA), providing knowledge on how the physical space itself influences electromagnetic behavior and signal propagation.
Beyond ensuring safe operation of the OR’s equipment, the collected data is extremely valuable for advancing the broader understanding of medical electromagnetic environments, which is a core objective of the iSense Doctoral Network. Such real-world measurements help bridge the gap between laboratory EMC testing and the complex realities of clinical practice.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the MST Team for their openness, collaboration, and support. This campaign allowed us to gather invaluable data that will enhance the global understanding of medical electromagnetic environments for years to come.
