Abstract
Long-distance transoceanic transport of blood using drones has never been reported. This study aimed to prove that blood transportation via drones can meet the rapid demand for blood transfusions anywhere in Japan, including remote islands. We demonstrated the transport of red blood cells (RBCs) packs using a drone over the sea from Sasebo to Arikawa port. Drone operations were conducted visually only at take-off and landing. Cruise flights were conducted via satellite-based remote control from Tokyo. The RBC solutions were transported at 2–6 °C to avoid hemolysis. Hemolysis was assessed visually and by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels before departure and upon arrival at Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital to evaluate whether RBCs were transfusable. LDH levels of the RBC solutions before and after transport were 57.5 ± 3.1 vs. 64.0 ± 2.9. RBC solutions were transported via air and land from Tokyo to Sasebo and showed no remarkable signs of hemolysis. Remote RBC solution transport by uncrewed helicopters with temperature control is feasible and allows RBC transportation in emergencies involving disrupted land transportation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
red blood cell (RBC) solution transportation by small, unmanned aerial vehicles was first performed in the United States by Amukele et al [1] and has been an ongoing practice in Rwanda [2,3,4]
We previously reported that RBC solution had hemolytic activity after filtration, which was mainly due to poor temperature control during vehicle transport that may increase the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in RBC
We succeeded in the transportation and quality control of the RBC solution for transfusion to a remote island using UHs
Summary
RBC solution transportation by small, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) was first performed in the United States by Amukele et al [1] and has been an ongoing practice in Rwanda [2,3,4]. Long-distance transport experiments have been conducted in the United States [5] with fixed-wing drones, where a pack of red blood cell (RBC) solution is dropped from the drone at the destination site. There have been no conclusive reports about the condition of blood in Rwanda following drone transport. We and Okada et al have previously conducted basic experiments on blood transport using multi-copters but were limited to visual flights and did not involve unseen flights [7,8]. This is not feasible for transoceanic transport without terrestrial cable installation. There have been no reports of successful RBC solution transportation using multi-copters or autonomous helicopters
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
