tersoftware, that many patients rely on. Some critical biomedical devices are pacemakers,fetal monitors, Magnetic Resonance Imaging machines (MRIs), and heart defibrillators. One of the most important biomedical devices that could be affected by the Y2K problem is the pacemaker. A pacemaker is a biomedical, electronic device implanted inthe wall of the heart designed to detect irregular heartbeats and provide regular, mild,electric shocks that restore normalcy to the heartbeat. The pacemaker then records thetime an electric shock was administered; this information can then be downloaded to acomputer system and analyzed by medical personnel. Cardiologists use this information todetect patterns and irregularities in the patients heart rhythms. If the software were torecord faulty times for the shock deliveries, the cardiologist could misinterpret the resultsand administer improper medical care. The results could be deadly for some patients.The Veterans Administration interviewed the top five pacemaker manufacturers togauge their awareness of the potentially hazardous Y2K problem. One company said theproblem would be corrected by mid-year; two companies stated the problem was alreadyunder control; and the final two companies were behind schedule in eradicate the problem.In addition to the pacemaker, there are several other biomedical devices that maycontain faulty software. One such type of device is an anesthesia monitor. An anesthesiamonitor regulates the anesthesias effect on the patient during surgery. Another criticalbiomedical device is a fetal monitor. A fetal monitor helps examine the condition of thebaby while it is still being carried by the mother. Incubators, critical to a newborn babyssurvival, could also be adversely affected by the Y2K problem. Other biomedical devices(and their functions) include MRIs (produce computer-generated views of arteries,nerves, tendons, and tumors), infusion pumps (used in intravenou...
