Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) as Delivery Vehicles for Imaging Pharmaceuticals

1245 Objectives The learning objectives will be: 1. Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), its fundamental technology and how those systems are being considered for express delivery of goods 2. A review of the fundamental legal and regulatory environment in the US for UAS and current trends as regulations are still evolving 3. Capabilities of current compact UAS such as camera drones 4. A critical path overview of components that will have to be addressed in order to enable the use of UAS for rapid, just in time, point to point delivery of imaging pharmaceuticals Methods As distribution of imaging pharmaceuticals is highly time critical and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are even considered for delivery of non-essential goods to residential locations, we embarked upon a system engineering analysis of all aspects relevant for the potential point to point delivery of time critical imaging pharmaceuticals. Having extensive experience in the use of camera drones for recreational purposes as well as the in house challenges of rapid delivery of imaging pharmaceuticals to multiple locations, we initiated an exploratory project to assess the challenges that would have to be overcome to use UAS for such deliveries. Subsequently, we decided to use a system engineering analysis. Today, commercial plane based flights already transport imaging pharmaceuticals point to point, so that the use of UAS is not a fundamentally new transport approach. It is however moving from an airport to airport transportation approach to a pharmacy direct to user point to point approach. UAS technology is already driven by precision technology guided by GPS and real time video feedback. Even recreational UAS systems can fly based on GPS routing with constant 3D location mapping. The mounting of payload, in this case imaging pharmaceuticals, can be readily accomplished by robotics at both points. Today, the technical realization is not a challenge anymore as UAS are already being used to deliver just in time medications to remote geographic locations. It is today’s reality that how we accomplish a safe, coordinated and legally compliant transportation process remains the challenge. As the potential benefits for the field of imaging pharmaceuticals are enormous, it is a challenge we have to tackle and a vision worthwhile to pursue. Results Having a Center for Imaging Pharmaceutical Research and Production that is within the neighborhood but separate from our outpatient and hospital facilities, an efficient, fast, just in time capable point to point delivery system would be highly desirable. With the precision GPS and live video-surveillance available, a UAS flight to and from an enclosed, garage type location combined with robotics to handle and place the payload into an appropriate on the ground carrying device is readily achievable as we have been proving already with non-payload camera drones. Conclusions While the utilization of UAS for the efficient, just in time and safe transport of imaging pharmaceuticals might still sound futuristic, the technology is already in place. In order to benefit from this truly revolutionary transport technology for point to point air transport, we have to be at the forefront to envision use and help guide the evolution of regulatory policies and laws. RESEARCH SUPPORT: This work is supported by the Wright Center of Innovation development fund.