Drone transportation of FFP maintained frozen using a vaccine refrigerated transport box

Abstract

Background: In cases of emergency injury, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is necessary to compensate for the consumption of clotting factors. The emergent delivery of FFP can be critical to survival and reduction of complications. We hypothesize that drone transport of FFP under appropriate conditions below -30°C would be possible if we used a BioBox Cell® normally employed for COVID-19 vaccine transport. Method: We transported FFP packs inside a BioBox Cell® that was continuously chilled by dry ice by an automobile-transport, to Tomi where a test location at a distance of approximately 200 km away from our laboratory. We transported FFP packs inside a BioBox Cell® by a drone (M1000) and, back to the laboratory by an automobile. For about a day, the FFP was transported car transport, and drone transport under low-temperature without power. Results: The influence of drone flight on FFP clotting factor activity, such as fibrinogen, factors II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, XIII, and von Willebrand factor (vWF), was minimal. Conclusion: We transported FFPs at an adequate temperature using a drone and confirmed that there was little reduction in clotting factor activity. FFP can be transported easily and quickly using a drone using a low-temperature refrigerator.