Teams from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), NASA Langley Research Center and LifeNet Health have successfully transported human kidneys by drone beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
UNOS said that the June 5 flights highlight the potential for drone technology to support future innovations in organ transportation, with the goal of improving reliability, reducing transit times and helping save more lives through transplantation.
During the study, research kidneys were biopsied and placed on preservation pumps before and after the flights to assess whether drone transportation affected organ integrity. Temperature, pressure and altitude were monitored throughout the approximately 15-minute flights. Preliminary findings showed no evidence that the flights negatively affected the organs. The kidneys used in the study were donated for research by a donor family working with LifeNet Health after it was determined the organs would not be transplanted.
UNOS, NASA, and LifeNet Health will work together to further evaluate drone transportation in operational environments, including transporting research organs between hospitals and airports.
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Image: NASA Langley Research Center (NASA)