Drones and drones in medicine

2024: Spread of mosquitoes with drones to treat disease

At the end of February 2024, it became known that in Brazil began to use unmanned aerial vehicles to spread hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes to combat diseases. The project involves the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation and drone manufacturer BirdView. Read more here.

2023

On Sakhalin, industrial drones began to deliver medicines

Doctors of the Federal Center for Disaster Medicine of the Russian Ministry of Health began to use Stork drones to deliver medicines. This project was told in the company "Drone Solutions," which is the developer of these drones. Read more here.

The Ministry of Health told about the use of drones in the medical field in Russia

In October 2023, comprehensive tests of drones were carried out at the Volosovo airfield in the Moscow Region as part of the work of the All-Russian Disaster Medicine Service. The events were led by Deputy Minister of Health RFAndrei Plutnitsky.

With the help of domestic UAVs, medical cargo was delivered, the situation was monitored to assess the number of victims, including using thermal imagers, and communication with medical teams in the conditional emergency zone.

comprehensive UAV tests were carried out at the Volosovo airfield

As part of these exercises, colleagues from the disaster medicine service, together with a team of our engineers, jointly worked out the solution of a number of problems in the emergency zone using the AIST UAV, including dropping the FPV drone to a specific point, "said Vyacheslav Barbasov, a representative of the Drone Solutions development company.

In the test zone, the work of the headquarters of the disaster medicine service was organized on the basis of the mobile satellite communication complex of the territorial center of disaster medicine of the Moscow region. In addition, a teleconference was organized with the Crisis Management Center of the Federal Center for Disaster Medicine, located in Moscow.

According to Andrei Kilnik, Deputy Director of the Federal Center for Disaster Medicine, by October 2023, the use of unmanned aircraft, which is designed to solve a number of important problems in situations, is being actively worked out in the healthcare sector, including in the disaster medicine service. First of all, this is a tool that will make it possible to establish logistics in difficult geographical and weather conditions, to reduce some risks when working in an emergency zone.

In October 2023, the head of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Murashko, said that the department was going to conduct tests on the topic of unmanned aerial vehicles in medicine and added "But this is still being developed as a scientific and practical part."^[1]

Russia has created a system for finding wounded soldiers on the battlefield using UAVs

The development team from Novosibirsk presented its own development at the design and educational intensity "Archipelago 2023," which will help find wounded soldiers during the battle using beacons. This technology in mid-August 2023 was told in the press service of the platform of the National Technological Initiative (NTI).

As conceived by the developers, each fighter will receive a miniature beacon weighing only a few grams, which will be able to receive an incoming signal from search engines and respond briefly to it. Similar GPS-based systems are used by rescuers in the mountains when looking for lost or in trouble tourists. The difference is that here the beacon will respond to a request over a radio channel, which is hidden for enemy surveillance. In this case, the search can be carried out using a UAV.

Each fighter will receive a miniature beacon weighing only a few grams, which will be able to receive an incoming signal from search engines and briefly respond to it

Two devices of 16 and 10 grams are attached to the drone, one of which is a repeater of the search device, and the other is a beacon for the aircraft itself, if it is lost, the NTI press service noted.

The beacon will also be used in civilian life - with their help you can find a lost drone. By mid-August 2023, the developers have already conducted a number of tests in a wooded area, in the near future the device will be checked at the landfill.

The Ministry of Defense plans to strengthen army medical units with drones, sources in the military department told Izvestia. Also, this special equipment can be used during the elimination of the consequences of man-made disasters or natural disasters. New items will be included in the medical units of special purpose, as well as individual medical units. In the future, drones will not only find victims, but also deliver medicines and medical equipment under enemy fire. At the same time, drones can assist not only in military, but also in peacetime, which will save lives.^[2]

Israeli Defense Ministry unveils UAV to evacuate wounded from battlefield

On August 7, 2023, the Israel Defense Ministry's Office of Research and Development Programs announced the creation of the world's first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of safely and quickly evacuating wounded soldiers from the battlefield. Read more here.

2022: China creates drone that delivers and injects first aid drugs itself

At the end of December 2022, it became known that Chinese researchers developed an advanced first aid system through an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). We are talking about targeted delivery of drugs.

The project is being implemented by scientists at Zhejiang University. It is noted that the timely administration of drugs to patients with sudden diseases or exacerbations is crucial for saving life. At the same time, the delayed transportation of first aid and the potential absence of trained people for the use of drugs always lead to serious consequences or even death. But sometimes it is impossible to carry out prompt delivery of drugs for a number of reasons - for example, if the patient is in a hard-to-reach area. In this case, a new system can help out.

China has created a drone that itself delivers and injects drugs

The solution proposed by Chinese researchers provides for the use of a drone for delivery to a patient and automatic application of a transdermal patch with microneedles. Conventional transdermal patches contain drugs that gradually enter the body through absorption through the skin. In the case of a patch with an array of microneedles, the administration of the drug can be accelerated, which is extremely important in the case of emergency care.

The authors of the development demonstrated the capabilities and safety of the new system on the example of pigs with severe hypoglycemia: during experiments, an automatic delivery of glucagon was carried out using a drone. The results of the work are expected to find application in other areas. These can be wearable devices for physiological monitoring, a system for detecting or analyzing a patient's health, as well as advanced devices for administering drugs.^[3]

2021

Drone drug delivery network launched across US

In early August 2021, the German manufacturer drones Wingcopter entered into a strategic partnership with the company Air Methods to create a drug delivery network throughout the territory. USA More. here

In Malaysia, drones began to look for people with COVID-19

In early June 2021, Malaysia announced that it had begun using drones to identify signs of COVID-19 infection among its population. However, this is far from the first country to use drones to combat the pandemic.

In response to an increase in the number of new cases in May 2021, the Malaysian authorities reintroduced strict self-isolation measures. These rules significantly limit the number of people who can go out. Drones will help enforce these restrictions while monitoring the health of people who appear outside the home. In particular, Malaysian drones use sensors that identify people with abnormally high temperatures from a height of 6 meters. When a potential COVID-19 coronavirus infection is detected, the drone sends a red signal, warning the ground authorities.

Drones in cities began to look for people with coronavirus COVID-19

Similarly, India used drones to control self-isolation in certain areas (however, Indian drones did not measure temperature). India also continues to test the use of drones to deliver vaccines and other medicines to remote regions, including for flights outside line of sight.

Dozens of other countries in Africa and Europe also rely on drones to deliver medical supplies and vaccines against COVID-19. In the West, however, drones were barely used to track restrictions because of concerns about encroachments on privacy and civil liberties.

However, such fears definitely did not bother the Chinese authorities, who used drones in various ways to combat the pandemic. China even operated speaker-equipped drones that warned and reproached citizens caught missing masks or violating social distancing rules on the street.^[4]

2020

US police use drones to identify COVID-19 patients

At the end of April 2020, police in Westport, Connecticut, announced the start of the use of "pandemic drones," which will allow assessing people's temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate at a distance of up to 60 m, as well as detecting sneezing and coughing. Read more here.

Launching drones in Udmurtia to alert the population

On April 22, 2020, the Main Directorate MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS Russia for the Republic of Udmurtia announced the start of use drones with loudspeakers to notify residents about the need to observe self-isolation. Unmanned aerial vehicles are used in the Grakhov and Alnash regions of the region as part of the fight against the spread of coronavirus. COVID-19 More. here

Drones with night vision and loudspeakers launched in California to catch quarantine violators

In mid-April 2020, it became known that police in Chula Vista (California, USA) began using drones to monitor citizens during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic after state governor Gavin Newsom asked residents to stay at home. Read more here.

Drones began to identify infected people on the streets

In late March 2020 University of South Australia , in collaboration with a Canadian company Draganfly , introduced unmanned aerial vehicle Pandemic Drone to remotely monitor and identify people with infectious respiratory diseases, in particular c. coronavirus Read more. here

Launch of DJI drones disinfecting streets in the fight against coronavirus

In February 2020, while the Chinese authorities are trying to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus, COVID-19 the manufacturer drones DJI is helping to disinfect the streets. According to local MEDIA, volunteers, the company processed 3 million square meters in just four days. Spraying with the disinfectant solution was carried out from February 7 to 10 in the southern city of Shenzhen, where DJI is headquartered. The drones covered a wide area including factories, residential areas, hospitals and treatment plants.

In UAE, Dubai, drones handle streets, March 2020

In January and February 2019, local authorities and owners of agricultural drones already used drones to spray disinfectants, but drones found other uses. Some owners use drones to disperse public meetings and spread warnings through speakers. Drones also helped with the creation of additional hospital facilities in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, providing lighting at the construction site when urgently needed facilities were being erected.

Drone maker DJI helps disinfect streets

Still, not all Shenzhen residents agree that spraying disinfectant across the city is a good way to stop a virus that has already claimed more than 900 lives and infected tens of thousands of people. Public health experts cited by Business Insider believe the city-wide attempt to eliminate microorganisms is ineffective and suggest that disinfection efforts be focused on emergency departments and other hospital and quarantine areas.

Drone manufacturer DJI itself previously closed its offices in China to prevent the spread of the virus.

DJI is closely monitoring the situation and complies with the relevant recommendations. We will introduce precautions for all employees who return to the office on February 10.[5]

Launching drones that define people without protective masks

In early February 2020, China launched special drones with loudspeakers that remind citizens of security rules, compliance with which should contain the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Weibo microblogging platform shows the drone scanning passers-by for violations, such as a lack of a protective mask. After finding the intruder, the drone politely but firmly warns the man to wear a mask or go home. Footage released by the Global Times shows the drone publicly chastising people without masks.

China launches special drones with loudspeakers that remind citizens of safety rules

Thus, China is trying to stop the spread of the coronavirus, which has already infected more than 20,000 people. Many residents appreciated the touch of humour the drone clips brought to this hectic time, as well as the practical application of technology to remote parts of the country. Yet skeptics see such drone use as another example of individual freedoms being eroded.

However, drones do not only work as a patrol. According to Chinese media reports, they are used in all areas. Agricultural drone maker XAG is already working to create a fleet of drones that could spray disinfectants on affected areas: bus and rail stations and other public places. The manufacturer believes that patrol drones are a good PR move, but not as effective as real disinfection.

Meanwhile, state media People's Daily posted photos on Twitter showing a drone measuring the temperature of residents of a multi-storey residential building in Jiangxi province. Many citizens fear infection through contact with health workers, and the use of drones should calm their suspicions and ensure careful monitoring in quarantine zones.^[6]

2018: Global Market Insights: Medical Drone Market Size - $40M

In 2018, the market for medical unmanned aerial vehicles reached $40 million, according to the analytical company Global Market Insights. The data was released on July 2, 2019.

According to experts, revenue in the market under consideration will grow by more than 24% annually from 2019 to 2025. and will reach $399 million by the end of this segment.

Medical drones deliver medicines to remote areas and help quickly assess the situation in emergency cases

The highest growth rates - by 25% - are expected in the segment of equipment and services used for the transportation of medicines. In addition, drones are increasingly used to provide emergency assistance.

Thanks to the video cameras built into the drones, you can take informatively important images that help to deal with the situation on the spot, make a decision for specialists that will most effectively help determine further actions to save the victims. The UAV allows reconnaissance of the area near an emergency, to determine dangerous local areas, due to which less time will be spent in such situations.

The study notes that lack of access to medication in critical cases is one of the leading causes of deaths in underdeveloped regions. Medical drones effectively deliver drugs to rural areas, recognizing obstacles in their path and avoiding collisions with them. In some countries, drones have begun to be used to deliver donated blood.

Global Market Insights is confident that the growth of the medical drone market will be facilitated by new technologies that can increase the efficiency of these devices and the frequency of their use for emergencies. Manufacturers are actively investing in research and development to create innovative drones for medical purposes, the report says.^[7]

2017

Remote determination of the pulse rate and breathing rate of people

At the end of September 2017, Phys.Org announced the creation and successful testing of a remote measurement system for the pulse and respiratory rate of people based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).^[8]

The development belongs to scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSA). A flying drone uses a camera to record the slightest changes in skin color and head movement, and a complex image processing system and specialized algorithms evaluate vital signs.

Drones taught to remotely determine the heart rate and breathing rate of people

Led by project curator Professor Javaan Chahl, UniSA University students conducted a series of trials involving 15 healthy people aged 2 to 40 years. During test flights, which took place both indoors and outside, drones took measurements from a distance of three meters.

The results showed that the UAV system allows you to determine the frequency of heartbeats and breathing with the same accuracy as traditional contact methods, using ECGs, pulse oximeters and breathing monitors. Scientists intend to improve the system and increase the distance from which it will be possible to register vital signs.

The developers call the technology a breakthrough and see many options for its use. Such UAV systems can be used to assist victims of car accidents, natural and man-made disasters, for remote monitoring of patients in hospitals for the elderly and in neonatological departments for monitoring newborns, as well as in war zones.

Another promising area is security. A remote pulse system will help identify potential terrorists in public places.

A person preparing a terrorist attack is likely to have behavioral and physiological abnormalities. Terrorists can behave too excitedly, or vice versa, unnaturally calmly. They are also often under the influence of drugs. Our system is capable of identifying people with such anomalies with a high degree of probability, "said Professor Chal.[9]

Drones will reach patients faster than doctors

Patients with a stop hearts need urgent care - doctors should get to them as quickly as possible. An ambulance can travel in an emergency, neglecting some traffic rules, but Swedish researchers suggested using drones to provide urgent assistance to such patients. With their help, they offer to quickly deliver defibrillators to patients, Vesti writes in June 2017.^[10]

In order to prove that such delivery would indeed be faster, scientists even staged competitions between ambulances and drones - in all 18 cases, octocopters (eight-engine devices) loaded with defibrillators reached a hypothetical patient faster than a car. The average vehicle travel time was 20 minutes, while the drone covered the test distance in five minutes.

However, despite the fact that the delivery of defibrillators using drones can be an excellent alternative to the departure of the ambulance team, it is necessary that people next to the victim know how to use this device and would not harm the patient. Before the system really begins to be used in hospitals, it is necessary to test it in real time to find out if passers-by are really ready to use the equipment that arrived on the drone.

The idea of ​ ​ using drones for medical purposes is not new - they already deliver drugs and even donated blood to remote regions where it is problematic to get to a doctor.

Notes