Various components can be used to implement embodiments of the protection mechanism 100. In one embodiment, a commercially available hot swap power management integrated circuit is used. A sense sensor 110 includes a resistor to sense the current drawn by the protected device. A processor circuit 210 compares the sensed current with a threshold and controls a gate of FET current switch 120 to open the FET in accordance with the comparison. The resistive/capacitive time delay 130 delays opening the current switch for a preselected duration commensurate with normal current surges drawn by the device. In one embodiment, a warning signal is sent to a warning device 220, such as a light or tone generator, to warn technicians that the device has stopped working. The warning signal can also be sent to a host system 230. In one embodiment, the current switch stays open until reset by one of the technicians. In another embodiment, the current switch closes after a selected duration to check if the device is still trying to draw too much current.

The warning signal can be terminated when the current flow to the device resumes. This signal notifies the caregiver of the interruption of power to the protected device, and that the device is in danger due to the high magnetic field. The caregiver can move the device to a point far enough way for the signal to terminate and power to resume to the protected device.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be constructed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.