Drones Being Tested To Carry Blood To Emergencies
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- They've been surrounded by controversy, but drones could soon save lives, thanks to a new study by a Johns Hopkins doctor. The impact could be worldwide.
Rick Ritter explains how drones are being tested to carry blood to emergencies.
Experts say we need faster and cheaper ways to transport blood, and using drones could do just that.
It's fragile, known for saving lives and could soon be in the hands of a drone.
Dr. Timothy Amukele with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine spearheaded the study, packing up the devices with samples of blood and seeing how they fare when traveling thousands of feet into the air.
"The experiment was designed to answer the question--if you put a blood sample on a drone, does the blood sample come out the other end with its integrity," said Dr. Amukele.
Amukele says it could be crucial for rural areas and countries without navigable roads, and it's faster than someone waiting to get to the hospital for blood—especially after traumatic accidents.
"In case of an emergency, every minute is crucial and every minute saves an extra life," Dr. Amukele said.
Researchers say they were worried about the acceleration of the drones and possible crashes, which could destroy the blood cells. But their study shows none of the samples were damaged.
Eleven years ago, Brian Boyle shattered his entire body in a heart-wrenching accident.
"I'd say it was around 50 blood donors helped to keep me alive," said Boyle.
Technology--like drones--could have gotten him blood on the scene.
"To have that blood available, it would have helped me even more in my time of need and that golden hour. It would have made a world of difference," said Boyle.
But as cutting edge as the idea is, it's still a long way from reality.
Researchers say they expect to continue the study for at least two more years.
Researchers say the next step could be a pilot study in Africa.