The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) on Delivering Biological Samples for COVID-19 and Tuberculosis Diagnosis: A Scoping Review.

IF 1.9 4区 医学 Q4 MEDICAL INFORMATICS
Olga Maíra Machado Rodrigues, Izabela Gimenes Lopes, Mariah Eduarda Ferreira de Oliveira, Mônica Angélica Carreira Fragoso, Maria Regina Fernandes de Oliveira, Raquel Santos Silva, Glaura Regina de Castro E Caldo Lima, Amílcar Sabino Damazo, Wagner de Jesus Martins
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: To identify and review scientific evidence from experimental studies utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to transport samples for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB). This exploratory study aims to support the future development of UAVs for transporting biological samples within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).

Methods: This scoping review defined its eligibility criteria using the PECO acronym, focusing on: Population: biological samples for diagnosing COVID-19 or TB; Exposure: UAV transportation; Comparator: land transportation; Outcomes: Cost, effectiveness, methods for sample preservation, flight parameters (time, altitude, speed, distance), and quality of transported samples. Eligible studies were identified through searches in Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. Grey literature was explored via Google Scholar.

Results: Of the 2,052 articles initially found, 797 were duplicates, 1,247 were screened by title and abstract and excluded, eight were retrieved (and fully read) of which five met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. These studies provided diverse evidence regarding cost, operational performance, safety, and sample integrity.

Conclusion: The reviewed studies demonstrate promising applications of UAVs in healthcare logistics. However, regulatory and legal frameworks require adaptation to ensure operational safety. Further experimental studies are necessary, particularly involving beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, to evaluate scalability and potential cost reductions.

使用无人机(UAV)递送COVID-19和结核病诊断的生物样本:范围综述。
目的:确定和审查利用无人机运输COVID-19和结核病(TB)诊断样本的实验研究的科学证据。这项探索性研究旨在支持无人机在巴西统一卫生系统(SUS)内运输生物样品的未来发展。方法:本综述使用PECO首字母缩略词定义了其资格标准,重点是:人群:用于诊断COVID-19或结核病的生物样本;曝光:无人机运输;比较国:陆路运输;结果:成本、有效性、样品保存方法、飞行参数(时间、高度、速度、距离)和运输样品的质量。通过PubMed、Scopus、Embase和Web of Science在Medline中搜索确定符合条件的研究。灰色文献通过b谷歌Scholar进行探索。结果:在最初发现的2052篇文章中,797篇是重复的,1247篇通过标题和摘要筛选并被排除,8篇被检索(并被完全阅读),其中5篇符合资格标准并被纳入综述。这些研究提供了关于成本、操作性能、安全性和样品完整性的各种证据。结论:综述了无人机在医疗保健物流中的应用前景。然而,需要调整监管和法律框架以确保运营安全。进一步的实验研究是必要的,特别是涉及超视距(BVLOS)操作,以评估可扩展性和潜在的成本降低。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Therapeutic innovation & regulatory science
Therapeutic innovation & regulatory science MEDICAL INFORMATICS-PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY
CiteScore
3.40
自引率
13.30%
发文量
127
期刊介绍: Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science (TIRS) is the official scientific journal of DIA that strives to advance medical product discovery, development, regulation, and use through the publication of peer-reviewed original and review articles, commentaries, and letters to the editor across the spectrum of converting biomedical science into practical solutions to advance human health. The focus areas of the journal are as follows: Biostatistics Clinical Trials Product Development and Innovation Global Perspectives Policy Regulatory Science Product Safety Special Populations
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