Pacemaker hacked, researchers tell med tech conference
May 29th, 2008 joshua
A Harvard cardiologist, along with researchers from the University of Massachusetts and University of Washington, have successfully hacked an implantable defibrillator device.
The research team, however, said this should not serve an immediate concern to patients with these implanted devices.
“We just want the industry to be thoughtful about where we as a society are going with these devices,” Dr. William Maisel, the Harvard heart doctor, said to The Baltimore Sun.
The devices are susceptible to a remote intrusion which could cause a mistimed, potentially lethal shock to a patient, or also cause a device to miss its necessary shock treatment.
The information is relevant as more heart devices in hospitals operate on wireless networks, allowing doctors to monitor patients from afar.
More than just pacemakers, some more implantable devices more commonly used are devices to control a fluttering heart, nerve stimulation devices and pain medication delivery devices.












