Researchers successfully transported a human kidney by drone earlier this year, according to a newly released study. The trial involved the use of a kidney that wasn’t healthy enough for transplantation. A team, led by Dr. Joseph Scalea of the University of Maryland Medical Center, equipped a DJI M600 Pro with a wireless biosensor to measure temperature, barometric pressure, and other data from the kidney while it was airborne. The results, published in the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine on Nov. 6, showed that the kidney’s temperature was stable and it was not damaged during 14 drone flight missi
ons. The research team believes drones could be a viable way to deliver organs between hospitals.
Nothing particularly groundbreaking in terms of tech… but quite an interesting application that definitely is faster than transporting via bike or ambulance.