Revolution in healthcare: Start the first drone transport in Zollernalb!

Revolution in healthcare: Start the first drone transport in Zollernalb!

The Zollernalb Clinic, which is known for its innovative approaches in medical care, has made a groundbreaking decision. In the near future, the transport of laboratory samples between the two clinic locations Albstadt and Balingen will be shifted to air paths. The aim is to introduce an automated drone service that is considered a nationwide premiere. The test operation starts in the next few days and could potentially revolutionize the transport processes in everyday clinical practice.

A spokeswoman for the clinic said that the Federal Aviation Office granted approval for the first time to let drones fly with dangerous fabrics outside the visibility of the taxer over densely populated areas. This approval is the result of considerable efforts and preparations to ensure security and reliability. The drones are provided by the company Diaven UG and are now ready to be used as part of a test operation.

Additional security measures and training

The approval of the Federal Aviation Office brings strict requirements. Employees of the clinic must successfully complete training at specialized external providers in order to be safe to deal with dangerous substances. In addition, the packaging and laboratory containers must correspond to the high standards of aviation. In order to be secured in the event of an accident, special liability insurance is required.

The upcoming test operation will serve to check the technology through its paces. Two drones are used. These are used to test the flight route between Albstadt and Balingen and install the required charging infrastructure. In addition, precise starts and landings are planned according to the RTK standard and flights with payload, with a third drone being provided in the training phase.

Planning for the future: Regular flight operations from 2025

Regular flight operations are scheduled for February 1, 2025. Before this date there will be a comprehensive introductory phase that will last until August 1, 2025. In this phase, the clinic employees are trained and regular flights are planned. The frequency of these flights is gradually increased to enable smooth transition to regular operation.

The drone used for transport with the name "Labfly" represents significant technological progress. According to the clinic, it is an environmentally friendly, environmentally friendly solution for the safe transport of medical samples. The "Labfly" has a range of up to 30 kilometers, can transport up to 500 grams of payload and reaches a speed of 60 km/h. The integrated battery offers a capacity of 260 Wh and only takes 30 minutes to be charged.

Another outstanding feature of the "Labfly" is its isolated usable space, which protects the samples from external climatic influences such as heat or rain. In addition, the temperature inside is continuously monitored and displayed in an app. Access to the transport capsule takes place exclusively via this app to ensure that unauthorized persons do not receive access. In addition, the drone is equipped with a special rescue system that ensures highest flight safety.

These developments in the Zollernalb Clinic could serve as a model for other clinics and show how modern technology can improve medical care. With an innovative approach and a clear vision, the clinic shows that it is ready to break new ground. For more information on this interesting development, see the report on www.nrwz.de .