ENGL 210 502

Improving Emergency Healthcare Accessibility

Using Medical Drones

Zeinab Ataya UIN: 425001224

Ahmad Al-Sadi UIN: 724006589

Yamen Zaza UIN: 924007663

Ali Al-Ansari UIN: 324006534

Submission Date: 2nd of February 2017

Professor: Amy Hodges

 Table of Contents

1.0 Overview............................................................................................................ 3
2.0 - Significance of Problem...................................................................................... 4
3.0 - Proposed Solution............................................................................................... 5
3.1 - How it works?.................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Procedure.......................................................................................................... 5
3.3 - Specialized Drones.......................................................................................... 6
3.4 - Key Features of the Medical Drones:...............................................................7
i) Auto-Pilot.......................................................................................................... 7
ii) GPS Flight Assistance....................................................................................... 7
iii) Coming Home.................................................................................................. 7
iv) Motion Detector.............................................................................................. 7
v) Electric Powered............................................................................................... 7
vi) Weather Adaptability....................................................................................... 8
3.5 - Target Market.................................................................................................. 8
4.0 - Design Constraints............................................................................................. 9
4.1 - Battery............................................................................................................ 9
4.2 - Weather conditions......................................................................................... 9
4.3 - Privacy............................................................................................................ 9
5.0 - Current Drones in the Market...........................................................................10
5.1- Allied Drones HL48 "Chaos"...........................................................................10
5.2 - DJI Matrice 600 Pro (M600 Pro)......................................................................10
5.3 - Flytrex Sky..................................................................................................... 11
6.0 - Benefits of Emergency Medical Drones............................................................11
6.1 - Efficiency:...................................................................................................... 11
6.2 - Convenience:................................................................................................ 12
6.3 - Accessibility:.................................................................................................. 13
7.0 - Conclusion........................................................................................................ 13
8.0 References....................................................................................................... 14

1.0 Overview
Like many places which use transportation vehicles as the main method of
transport, Qatar is commonplace to frequent road accidents. The Ministry of
Development Planning and Statistics released monthly statistics of road
violations in the first half of 2016 and highlighted that fatal road accidents
claimed the lives of 80 people across Qatar over the first half of the year
(Qatar Scoop, 2016). Referring to Dr. Rafael Consunji, a Trauma Surgery
Section Injury Prevention director from Hamad General Hospital (HGH), 71%
of these deaths happen on the scene of the accident, (Gulf times, 2013). As
a result, to reduce the number of these fatal deaths yet acknowledging some
of these deaths are instant; medical drones are the next step towards
improving emergency healthcare accessibility and resolving a serious and
ongoing issue in Qatar.

Another issue which has caught the attention of international news outlets
and safety organizations such as International Amnesty, is the increasing
number of accidents and deaths which occur at construction sites. By the
implementation of medical drones, we can ensure that the number of fatal
accidents will decrease due to a faster response rate to emergencies. In
addition, medical drones can be very useful when being sent to construction
sites where the accident happens at elevated locations which would take
longer to reach if pursued by other methods.

Improving healthcare accessibility through the use of medical drones can

help progress the industry and improve its efficiency when dealing with fatal
accidents that could save seconds of an individuals life. Medical drones are
revolutionary and this report is just the beginning towards developing smart
technologies that can benefit and improve our lives.
2.0 - Significance of Problem

Technology has been developed extensively in order to satisfy one of three

needs: to facilitate, destroy, or save lives. In this report, our group embarks
on the challenge of using the available technology in order to bring forward
new methodologies of saving lives in an efficient and relatively cheap
manner.

The two most popular methods of reacting to an urgent or non-urgent

medical attention that is requested through 911 are van-based ambulances
and helicopter ambulances, each of which poses their own flaws over time.
Van-based ambulances suffer from severe traffic congestion, especially
during the day. This is especially true for the areas in the Gulf. According to
Gulf News, the ignorance of many motorists on the street is becoming a
larger problem every day, which in turn has led to the start of many
campaigns in Qatar and Dubai. They explain further, The sight of an
ambulance with its siren on and flickering red and blue lights stuck on a busy
road is a recurring scene, signaling how some lives are put in danger due to
mere traffic.

On the other hand, Air Ambulance services can only be dispatched to reach
otherwise isolated areas or to aid patients that are in extremely urgent
cases. Also, the topic of when to dispatch a helicopter ambulance remains a
highly debated topic among the various emergency medical service (EMS)
providers, as pointed out and studied extensively by the American College of
Emergency Physicians. Not only that, but the request for immediate
assistance through 911 is not always justified.
Too often, many resources are invested in cases that wouldve easily been
dealt with were there other forms of service. Karen Auge, a The Denver Post
reporter, talks about this conflict in great detail. According to Auge,
Paramedics and emergency medical technicians here and around the
country say a substantial number of emergency calls arent emergencies at
all but medical situations best handled in a doctors office. Yet again, we
see this trend not only evident in the more Western part of the world, but
right in the heart of the Gulf region. The Peninsula, in a very recent post,
claims that the Qatari EMS receives 5,000 to 6,000 calls per day, 80% of
which are non-urgent. Although Qatar has taken steps to resolve such arising
issues, such as introducing special ambulances that are meant to take care
of patients mobility and non-urgent use, the conflict with traffic in this small
country still hinders many of those well-intentioned programs.

Also, most of those vehicles are used to transport patients that are already
being taken care of in one hospital or to offer pre-registered assistance.
There is no success to be found of a service that offers simultaneous and
immediate medical assistance to patients throughout the country.

The problems of cost, traffic, drivers ignorance, and non-urgent assistance

requests remain unsolved problems in an increasingly technological world.

3.0 - Proposed Solution

3.1 - How it works?
The first few minutes after a casualty/accident are critical and it is vital to
provide the correct medical attention to thwart further complications. Cases
such as head injury, bone fracture and heart failure are some of the most
notable life-threatening injuries which need immediate care (Car Accidents: 6
Major Life Threatening Injuries). Thus, accelerating the response rate is one
of the core goals of our project.
3.2 Procedure
The image below shows the operation cycle of an emergency medical drone.
It follows through all the necessary steps when responding to an emergency.

When the emergency department is notified with a serious accident, the

appropriate medical drone would be sent out to the specified location within
8-10 minutes travelling at speeds up to 45 mph, 400ft above the ground. The
specifications of our drones are designed to be similar to match those which
are currently competitive in the market such as the Allied Drones HL48
"Chaos" and the DJI Matrice 600 Pro.

3.3 - Specialized Drones

To enhance the functionality of the medical drones, different medical drones
can be manufactured to serve specific cases. For example, an individual
suffering from cardiac arrest can be sent a drone containing a CPR kit. The
advantage towards having specialized drones is reducing the load of the
drone so that it could travel at a faster velocity.

Each of the medical drone could carry up to 12 Kg of aid which can include
lifesaving technologies such as:
 Specific medication
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Emergency Allergy Shots
General First-Aid Kit

3.4 - Key Features of the Medical Drones:

i) Auto-Pilot
The medical drones are autonomous, which means that they can operate
freely without the need for human interaction. This gives way for multiple
drones to be flown at once without worrying about having an active team
flying all the drones which reduces costs on human resources and training.

Autonomous drones are also free from human error which can significantly
reduce the chances of accidents. However, when needed, an operator can
choose to control the drone when problems arise such as a fault with the
navigation system.

ii) GPS Flight Assistance

The advanced navigation software allows the drone to take the most optimal
route towards the desired location in order to reduce the flight time. The
system also instructs the drone where to fly (avoiding passing over private
property), at what height and what speed.

iii) Coming Home

The feature allows the drone to automatically fly back directly to the medical
center through radio control after it has delivered the necessary aid.

iv) Motion Detector

The motion detector analyzes the drones surroundings around a five-meter
radius to avoid any mid-air collisions that would disrupt the flight or
damage any of the components.
v) Electric Powered
This is a resourceful method of powering the drone without causing much
harm to the environment. The batteries are rechargeable (have a 50-minute
battery life) and contain fiber-optic like wires to ensure efficient energy
transfer and immediate responses to the operator. In addition, there is a
secondary battery pack plugged to the drone incase the drone was flying for
a longer period of time.

vi) Weather Adaptability

The carbon fiber material covering the drone is waterproof so that it could
tolerate rainy conditions as well as being able to withstand strong winds and
to some extent, lighting strikes.

3.5 - Target Market

Since our product is strictly focused on the healthcare sector, our ideal target
market will be the various emergency medical centers scattered across
Doha, Qatar. Medical drones will be a beneficial addition to the emergency
team as they are more effective and have a faster response rate (8-10
seconds response time) when compared with ambulances (10-15 minutes)
and medical personnel (Emergency Calls, Doha News)
 The Medical Centers Which Offer Emergency Services

Our initial aim is to provide 5 drones to the main medical center (Hamad
Medical Center) and study how much they are used and how effective they
are. Once a full analysis has been conducted for a period of 6 months, a data
report can be produced and shared with the rest of the medical centers to
potentially convince them to buy the product. Hamad Medical Center was
chosen as the likely candidate for our study because it is the main healthcare
center in Qatar and it receives the most emergencies per day (Emergency
Department, Hamad Healthcare Cooperation)

Our product would be showcased in the next Healthcare Convention to

attract and convince the medical centers that medical drones are next step
towards improving emergency healthcare accessibility while also looking for
potential investors and suppliers.

The market for this product not only serves for emergency circumstances but
the scope can range to medical deliveries (blood supplies) and search and
rescue missions whereby the drones can be used to aid firefighters and
emergency personnel to rescue people in danger.
4.0 - Design Constraints

4.1 - Battery
A team of electrical and chemical engineers developed a highly durable lithium
polymer battery that can last up to 50 minutes. However, the voltage and current of
the batteries varies according to the range and weight load capacity of the drone.
The voltage and the current can go up to 22.2 V and 22,000 mAh

4.2 - Weather conditions

The drones are made of carbon fiber which protects their body from corrosion and
different weather conditions such as rain or dust. Also, the course of the drone is not
affected by severe weather changes such as dust, rain, or wind as they are
controlled by a GPS system that accurately leads them to the right destination.

4.3 - Privacy
Although the drones are equipped with cameras, they do not pose any threat on the
privacy or safety of citizens as the drone cameras are monitored by the government
and can only be used for medical purposes and improving the accuracy of the
location of patients.

5.0 - Current Drones in the Market

Below are three drones are which acquire the best specifications in the current
market. Our aim is to develop technologies that would compete with these drones.
Since our drones are non-commercial and will be used for medical purposes, the
specifications can be improved further to satisfy our main goal.
 5.1- Allied Drones HL48 "Chaos"

Maximum Flight Time Connection Range

Weight Load Capacity
Feature Specification
Price $ 20,000
Dimensions 1574.8 x 1574.8 x
457.2 mm
45 minutes 6.8
Body Carbon Fiber
20 Km
Kg
Material
Speed 13.4 m/s
GPS Yes
Compatibility

5.2 - DJI Matrice 600 Pro (M600 Pro)

Feature Specification
Maximum Flight Time Price
Weight Load Connection$ Range
Capacity 5000
Wingspan 1668 x 1518 x 727
mm
Body Carbon Fiber
Material
32 minutes 6Speed 5 Km17 m/s
Kg
GPS Yes
Compatibility

5.3 - Flytrex Sky

Maximum Flight Time

Weight Load Capacity
Connection Range
Feature Specification
Price $ 999
Dimensions 273 223 107 mm
Body Carbon Fiber
2Material
Kg 2 Km
Speed 15 m/s
29 minutes GPS Yes
Compatibility
6.0 - Benefits of Emergency Medical Drones

6.1 - Efficiency:
Integrating the drone system into the current medical structure will push
Qatar one step closer to fulfilling its 2030 vision where improving healthcare
is a main priority. Our goal is to provide a better alternative to the standard
healthcare solutions using drones.

Having a sleek body design, the drones are less restricted when
maneuvering compared to current transportation means due to the fact that
the drones aerodynamics along with the quadrotors provide enough thrust
power to lift the payload without degrading the speed factor. This aspect
comes in handy when dealing with situations in which the patient is stuck in
traffic or trapped inside a building. Nevertheless, the medical drone will be
able to land and move on ground thanks to the special wheels that will be
attached to its base to prevent unnecessary damage to the body and expand
the range of motion to include on and off ground movement. In other words,
drones will not only save time rather it will save much more lives than
common methods used.

One of the drones main functions is autonomous piloting in which the drone
will make use of its built-in GPS system and navigation system to arrive to its
destination. A main control center will also track and provide the drones
coordinates with respect to other drones. Thus, the likelihood of errors is very
low when compared to human errors which have very commonly.
Notwithstanding, the drones will offer a manual control option in which
professional operators will take control if the situation requires so.

The complexity of the drone allows it to perform multiple tasks at a time

without disrupting its responsiveness. In the context of this project, drones
can act as surveillance drones that can recognize accidents and traffic flow
to provide such crucial information to the operations center in order to act
accordingly, making drones more helpful in many scenarios. Moreover, the
technology revolving around drones is very affordable and continues to grow
every day which is very promising as software and hardware upgrades can
be installed to deliver heavier duty performance.

6.2 - Convenience:
Synchronizing Hamads Medical Hospital (HMC) systems and services with
what drones are capable of will result in smoother operation and faster
feedback to reach the patient. Consequently, the patient will suffer from less
anxiety as he knows that help will arrive in time. Drone stations will be
available in multiple locations to ensure a better service. The stations will be
equipped with the essential medical tools in a form of medical crates that are
pre-assembled to aid common incidents. The drones will have an integrated
bar code reading system to identify and pick up the prescribed crate to be
delivered. Drone stations will also have recharging landing pads that will
automatically start charging the drone once it lands on it leading a more
relatively shorter charging time of the drones. Different drones will have
different landing pads that will categorize drones with respect to the specific
usage of that drone. Drones that fly longer distances will a special landing
pad to supply power that matches the drones battery.

The drone station will be built in a way that will insure a takeoff from a higher
altitude. The reason being is that the earths lowest atmosphere layer,
known as the Troposphere, is home to most of the atmospheric changes
which will result in a poor performance and an increase in software/hardware
errors. For instance, taking off from a higher altitude in case of a foggy
weather will ensure better vision from the drones built-in cameras.
Furthermore, drone stations will be located in accident-heavy areas which
will provide medical services in an agile manner leaving no patients left
behind around the clock.

6.3 - Accessibility:
Thriving to make Doha a smart city, easy operating mechanisms along with
automated functionality is required to achieve that goal. Drone stations are
easy to operate and will immediately function accordingly. This is very crucial
because even though Doha has a relatively quick medical transportation
system in Qatar, statistics from police departments show that it takes an
ambulance 15-17 minutes to reach its destination through the fastest route
possible. The more advancements done within the city, the more people will
live there and more challenges will arise that will make the traditional
medical system inefficient.

7.0 - Conclusion
8.0 References
80 People Killed Fatal Road Accidents in Qatar. (2016). Qatar Scoop.

Website: http://www.qatarscoop.com/news/80-people-killed-fatal-road-
accidents-in-qatar-473-accidents-in-madinat-khalifa-303-road-crashes-
in-al-maamoura/

911 non-emergencies a growing problem nationwide. (2009). The Denver

Post.

Website: http://www.denverpost.com/2009/12/28/911-non-
emergencies-a-growing-problem-nationwide/

Construction accidents on the rise in Qatar. (2013) Construction Week Online.

Website:

http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-20865-construction-
accidents-on-the-rise-in-qatar/#.UYea_LVTDms

Emergencies. (2017). Gulf News.

Website: http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/emergencies/ambulance-
service-every-second-counts-in-saving-a-life-1.765059

Emergency Department. (n.d.). Hamad Medical Cooperation.

Website: https://www.hamad.qa/EN/Patient-Information/Emergency-
Departments/Pages/default.aspx

Guidelines for Air Medical Dispatch. (2016). American College of Emergency

Physicians and

National Association of EMS Physicians.

 Website:
https://www.acep.org/uploadedFiles/ACEP/Practice_Resources/issues_by
_category/Emergency_Medical_Services/GuidelinesForAirMedDisp.pdf

HMC introduces special ambulances. (2016). The Peninsula

Website:
https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/15/11/2016/HMC-
introduces-special-ambulances

Pedestrian deaths on the rise in Qatar. (2013). Gulf Times

Website: http://www.gulf-times.com/story/351636/Pedestrian-
deaths-on-the-rise-in-Qatar