Airborne! UAV delivery of blood products and medical logistics for combat zones

Abstract

Background Innovative solutions to resupply critical medical logistics and blood products may be required in future near‐peer conflicts. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly being used in austere environments and may be a viable platform for medical resupply and the transport of blood products. Methods A literature review on PubMed and Google Scholar up to March of 2022 yielded a total of 27 articles that were included in this narrative review. The objectives of this article are to discuss the current limitations of prehospital blood transfusion in military settings, discuss the current uses of UAVs for medical logistics, and highlight the ongoing research surrounding UAVs for blood product delivery. Discussion UAVs allow for the timely delivery of medical supplies in numerous settings and have been utilized for both military and civilian purposes. Investigations into the effects of aeromedical transportation on blood products have found minimal blood product degradation when appropriately thermoregulated and delivered in a manner that minimizes trauma. UAV delivery of blood products is now actively being explored by numerous entities around the globe. Current limitations surrounding the lack of high‐quality safety data, engineering constraints over carrying capacity, storage capability, and distance traveled, as well as air space regulations persist. Conclusion UAVs may offer a novel solution for the transport of medical supplies and blood products in a safe and timely manner for the forward‐deployed setting. Further research on optimal UAV design, optimal delivery techniques, and blood product safety following transport should be explored prior to implementation.

Emerging Research Topics in Drone Healthcare Delivery

“…The topic 'Blood and Organ Transport' examined the efficacy, reliability, cost, and feasibility of using UAVs for transporting time-critical biomedical materials [18,30]. This research scrutinised the quality, stability, and integrity of biological time-sensitive materials like blood and organs under certain factors, such as vibration, temperature variations, and transport duration [31][32][33][34][35][36]. Studies involved rigorous laboratory testing to assess the impact of flight conditions on clinical specimens, evaluating parameters that affect the viability of organs and the quality of blood samples for transfusion purposes.…”

A Robust Decision-Making Model for Medical Supplies via Selecting Appropriate Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

“…Additionally, drones are highly resistant to wind, making them suitable for delivering packages even in challenging weather conditions while ensuring the safety of the items being transported [10]. The authors discussed the limitations of prehospital blood transfusion in military settings, and the potential uses of UAVs for medical logistics [11]. Comparisons were made and it was proven that using UAVs to transport medical supplies to healthcare facilities is more costeffective and environmentally friendly than using traditional techniques has been demonstrated [12].…”