Automated pilotless air ambulance

• US 10,137,047 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2017
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph C. Difrancesco
• Original Assignee: Joseph C. Difrancesco
• Inventors: DiFrancesco, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kan, Yuri
• Application Number:
  US15/469,329
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2220/10 Aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/001 Vehicles provided with medical equipment to perform operations or examinations
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/1017 Pivoting arms, e.g. crane type mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/80 in association with aircraft, e.g. for braking thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/61 for transporting passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/40 foldable or retractable
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0039 Modification of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0069 specially adapted for an unmanned aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0086 for monitoring terrain radar or analogous systems specially adapted for terrain avoidance G01S13/935

Abstract

An automated pilotless air ambulance system. The system includes an air vehicle (AV) having a fuselage coupled to a stretcher for carrying a patient. The system is configured to fly the patient from a point of injury to a medical treatment facility. The system also has a plurality of air lift motors for vertically lifting the air vehicle. The system further includes a plurality of air-lift motors coupled to the fuselage forming a low profile. The air lift motors are centralized motors or de-centralized motors for vertically lifting the AV. The system also has an automated life support and monitoring patient suite having a plurality of life support and monitoring devices, including medical supplies. The system additionally has a bidirectional datalink coupled to the air vehicle for executing various functions such as communicating with a patient'"'"'s or a first responder'"'"'s mobile device.

Claims

1. An automated pilotless air ambulance system comprising:

an air vehicle (AV) having a fuselage, the fuselage having a stretcher mounted thereon for carrying a patient, the air vehicle configured to be dispatched to a point of injury of the patient and further configured to transport the patient to a medical treatment facility;

a plurality of air-lift motors coupled to the fuselage for vertically lifting the air vehicle, each air lift motor being coupled to a mounting arm such that the air lift motors are disposed substantially in the front and back of the fuselage, thereby enabling the stretcher to be transported with the patient thereon into and out of the AV, and wherein each mounting arm is securely coupled to the fuselage to form a low-profile configuration, whereby the patient is nested in the AV such that each air lift motor is disposed substantially on the same plane as the patient;

an automated life support and monitoring patient suite having a plurality of life support and monitoring devices and medical supplies; and

a bidirectional datalink coupled to the air vehicle, the datalink configured to execute the following functions;

receive and send signals to a patient'"'"'s or first responder'"'"'s mobile device or a networked device having geolocation capabilities, thereby enabling the air vehicle to obtain a geographic earth location of the patient;

receive and send signals to the patient'"'"'s or first responder'"'"'s mobile device for allowing the air vehicle to be autonomously dispatched when contacted by the patient'"'"'s or the first responder'"'"'s mobile device or the networked device;

receive and send signals to at least one medical health provider or physician who is using another air vehicle (AV) system to provide guidance to the first responder; and

receive and send signals to the at least one medical health provider or physician in order to allow the at least one medical health provider or physician to monitor the patient'"'"'s vitals and to prepare the medical treatment facility for the patient'"'"'s arrival.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the AV includes a plurality of onboard decentralized powerplants or a plurality of onboard centralized powerplants or an onboard power supply for power generation, each powerplant providing energy to the plurality of air-lift motors for vertically lifting the AV.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the stretcher is coupled to a pivotal arm, thereby enabling the stretcher to be transported with the patient thereon into and out of the fuselage, and wherein the stretcher is configured to remain horizontal with respect to the ground as the pivotal arm is rotated.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of decentralized or centralized powerplants include a pylon mounted powerplant, and wherein each powerplant further includes a plurality of powered generator motors configured to function in cooperation with each air-lift motor for power generation.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the patient suite is configured to measure various patient parameters and to execute the following functions:

monitor and provide commands to a plurality of medical-vital systems and sensors connected to the patient, the medical-vital systems and sensors configured to be remotely monitored and controlled;

communicate with the medical treatment facility via a datalink;

provide remote treatment options to the first responder or the physician for treating the patient;

provide real time vital statistics of the patient to the first responder or the physician; and

administer medical aid and treatment to the patient at the point of injury.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the bidirectional datalink is further configured to execute the following functions:

receive and send signals to a medical record device or a medical record database having the patient'"'"'s medical identifying records and information;

receive and send signals via a network configured to allow patients and insurance companies to subscribe to an ambulatory service offering access to the air vehicle, the ambulatory service providing the subscribers with priority access to the air vehicle;

receive and send signals for providing instructions to the AV to remotely dispatch via IT connected devices or manually dispatch to the point of injury;

receive and send signals to instruct the AV to autonomously navigate to the point of injury, utilizing uncontrolled or controlled air space and e-filed flight plans;

receive and send signals to instruct the AV to stay within UAS designated airspace in compliance with local aviation statues and rules; and

receive and send signals to instruct the AV to control basic air vehicle functions including command landing, takeoff and modification of flight path/destination.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the air vehicle further includes a terrain and motion sensing device for allowing the air vehicle to map at least one landing zone to land safely.

8. The system according to claim 1, further including navigation and terrain sensors coupled to the air vehicle for identifying terrain obstacles, thereby enabling the air vehicle to navigate to a destination point, avoid obstacles and to safely land.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the air vehicle is suitably configured to carry at least one patient and at least one first responder.

10. The system according to claim 1 further including a two-way video intercom coupled to the air vehicle, thereby enabling the medical treatment facility to visually observe and to verbally communicate with the patient and first responder via the bidirectional datalink.

11. The system according to claim 5, wherein the measured parameters being monitored via the medical sensors include ECG, blood pressure, blood saturation, blood chemistry, heart rate, temperature and breathing.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the automated life support and monitoring patient suite includes oxygen administration, saline and IV drug administration, defibrillation, localized pressure and thermal regulation.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the powered air-lift motors include AC or DC electric motors, propellers, at least one rocket engine, thruster or turboshaft engine, gas engine, or ionic thruster.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the patient'"'"'s or the at least one first responder'"'"'s mobile device is a tablet computer, a smartphone or a handheld computer, wherein said mobile device further includes an application program configured to provide location or navigation services.

15. The system according to claim 1 further including a redundant avionics suite, wherein the avionic suite further includes redundant navigation hardware.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the air vehicle further includes a ballistic parachute configured to eject under force, thereby enabling the parachute to open rapidly in emergency situations with a steerable lifting body to control a descent of the AV to a suitable and safe landing area.

17. A method of transporting a patient to a medical facility or treatment center using an automated pilotless air ambulance, the method comprising the steps of:

notifying a medical treatment facility or a first responder of an injured patient;

deploying the automated pilotless air ambulance (AV) to pick up the patient at a point of injury, the AV having a plurality of air lift motors coupled to the fuselage in a low-profile configuration, each air lift motor having at least one variable pitch blade for allowing the AV to land and maneuver safely, each air lift motor also being coupled to a mounting arm such that the air lift motors are disposed substantially in the front and back of the fuselage, thereby enabling a stretcher to be transported with the patient thereon into and out of the AV, and wherein each mounting arm is securely coupled to the fuselage to form the low-profile configuration, whereby the patient is nested in the AV such that each air lift motor is disposed substantially on the same plane as the patient, and wherein the AV is configured to deploy from a ground vehicle or an air drop assembly to the point of injury;

receiving and sending signals through a bidirectional data link to instruct the AV to autonomously navigate to the point of injury, utilizing uncontrolled or controlled air space and e-filed flight plans;

loading the patient in the AV via at least one operator;

providing guidance to a medical responder at the point of injury through the bidirectional datalink to ensure medical sensors and leads are properly applied to the patient, ensure the patient is properly loaded and to ensure first aid is properly administered;

selecting the medical treatment facility for treating the patient;

monitoring the patient'"'"'s vitals through the data link, thereby enabling the treatment facility to be properly prepped for the patient'"'"'s arrival;

transporting the patient to the medical treatment facility selected using GPS or other navigation techniques;

receiving and sending signals through the data link to instruct the AV to stay within UAS designated airspace in compliance with local aviation statues and rules; and

receiving and sending signals through the data link to instruct the AV to control basic air vehicle functions including command landing, takeoff and modification of flight path/destination.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the stretcher is coupled to a pivotal arm, thereby enabling the stretcher to be transported with the patient thereon into and out of the fuselage, and wherein the stretcher is configured to remain horizontal with respect to the ground as the pivotal arm is rotated.

19. A method of transporting a patient to a medical facility or treatment center using an automated pilotless air ambulance, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving and sending signals via a network configured to allow patients and insurance companies to subscribe to an ambulatory service offering access to the air vehicle (AV), the ambulatory service providing the subscribers with priority access to the air vehicle;

notifying a medical treatment facility or a first responder of an injured patient;

deploying the automated pilotless air ambulance (AV) to pick up the patient at a point of injury, the AV having a plurality of air lift motors coupled to the fuselage, each air lift motor being coupled to a mounting arm such that the air lift motors are disposed substantially in the front and back of the fuselage, thereby enabling a stretcher to be transported with the patient thereon into and out of the AV, wherein the stretcher is coupled to a pivotal arm and configured to remain horizontal with respect to the ground as the pivotal arm is rotated, and wherein each mounting arm is securely coupled to the fuselage to form a low-profile configuration, whereby the patient is nested in the AV such that each air lift motor is disposed substantially on the same plane as the patient;

loading the patient in the AV via at least one operator;

providing guidance to a medical responder at the point of injury through a data link to ensure medical sensors and leads are properly applied to the patient, ensure the patient is properly loaded and to ensure first aid is properly administered;

selecting the medical treatment facility for treating the patient;

monitoring the patient'"'"'s vitals through the data link, thereby enabling the treatment facility to be properly prepped for the patient'"'"'s arrival; and

transporting the patient to the medical treatment facility selected using GPS or other navigation techniques.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the bidirectional datalink is further configured to execute the following functions:

receive and send signals to a medical record device or a medical record database having the patient'"'"'s medical identifying records and information;

receive and send signals via a network configured to allow patients and insurance companies to subscribe to an ambulatory service offering access to the air vehicle, the ambulatory service providing the subscribers with priority access to the air vehicle;

receive and send signals to instruct the AV to remotely dispatch via IT connected devices or manually dispatch to the point of injury;

receive and send signals to instruct the AV to autonomously navigate to the point of injury, utilizing uncontrolled or controlled air space and e-filed flight plans;

receive and send signals to instruct the AV to stay within UAS designated airspace in compliance with local aviation statues and rules; and

receive and send signals to instruct the AV to control basic air vehicle functions including command landing, takeoff and modification of flight path/destination.