“Grille” medicopter: Rescue drone for transporting injured soldiers

In the event of severe injuries, time – as a rule – is the deadliest opponent.  But especially in the face of military conflicts it is often impossible to take the wounded where medical equipment and doctors are available for optimal treatment. If Bavarian company Avilus had its way, “Grille”, the flying stretcher, would render valuable services here in future – and what’s more – without endangering the lives of rescue staff.  

In the United States of America a scientific study looked at mortality rates after severe gunshot wounds. The results were unambiguous: the faster the wounded could be treated and operated on by sufficient medical professionals in fully equipped hospitals the better. Survival rates significantly rise when the wounded are taken to a hospital direct rather than having to wait for an ambulance to arrive on site. However, under the conditions of ongoing combat operations, there is often no possibility of improvised transport (Load and Go) – or CasEvac (Casualty Evacuation) in the technical jargon. And even stabilising first aid (Stay and Play) is rarely an option in combat situations.  In addition, there is often a lack of capacities for such targeted rescue missions (Medical Evacuation) with specially equipped ground or air vehicles. 

DronEvac

Avilus is a company aiming to close this capacity gap. They follow on from the RasVac concept (robotic, autonomous systems for evacuation operations) increasingly discussed by experts with their DronEvac: it comprises the multi-copter “Grille” for transporting the wounded, a mobile control centre as well as a trailer platform for air handling, service and logistics. Once an emergency call is received, this air system is ready to take off in no time and autonomously travels to the deployment site. Following the medical concept developed by the renowned expert Prof. Dr. med. Peter Biberthaler, Head of Accident Surgery Munich’s “Klinikum Rechts der Isar”, a stretcher is carried in the transport box below the drone to which the injured person is strapped for the flight. At the pick-up site the patient’s companions are only expected to perform the minimum live-saving measures needed to prevent the injured from bleeding to death.

Once the “Grille” is on its way to the emergency treatment unit with a patient on board the physicians receive key vital data such as heart and respiratory rates live via telemetric monitoring devices and can communicate with the wounded via a speaker to have a calming effect or also obtain additional information. A monitor on the ceiling displays the route and remaining flight time to landing so the patient knows exactly how long it will take for them to finally receive concrete assistance.  

> This feature was written in cooperation with Drones, the magazine for the drone economy. www.drones-magazin.de