Canadian Healthcare Technology Logo
  • Issues
    • Current Print Issue
    • Print Archive
  • Advertise
    • Publishing Schedule
    • Circulation
    • Unit Sizes and Rates
    • Mechanical Requirements
    • Electronic Advertising
    • White Papers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Edition
    • e-Messenger
    • White Papers
  • Events
  • Vendors
  • About Us

Philips

AGFA 1400x150

Petal Health

Petal Health 1400x150

Innovation

Drone delivery project will deliver medical isotopes

October 26, 2022


DroneHAMILTON, Ont. – McMaster University is partnering with Halton Healthcare, Drone Delivery Canada (DDC), Air Canada Cargo and DSV Canada to develop a drone delivery system that will revolutionize how medical goods – including medical isotopes made at McMaster – reach hospitals and patients across Halton Region.

The first of its kind in Canada, the Care by Air project will assess the use of an autonomous drone delivery system as a safe, reliable and efficient method for transporting medical supplies and products directly to hospitals.

The project launched Oct. 13 with a test flight demonstration at DSV Global Transport and Logistics in Milton. Using DDC’s Sparrow drone, its DroneSpot takeoff and landing zones and its proprietary FLYTE software, the technology will transport healthcare goods, including medical isotopes, to Halton Healthcare’s Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital for on-site patient diagnosis and treatment.

McMaster is one the world’s leading suppliers of iodine-125 — a medical isotope made at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor and used to treat prostate cancer. McMaster’s medical isotopes provide cancer treatments for more than 70,000 patients each year.

Andrea Armstrong, research scientist at the reactor and adjunct professor of chemistry and chemical biology, says Care by Air will enhance McMaster’s ability to secure quick and efficient transportation of its nuclear medicines.

“McMaster is a recognized leader in the discovery and commercialization of medical isotope technologies – some of the most time-critical medical supplies in the world,” Armstrong said.

“McMaster is incredibly excited to be working with our partners in healthcare, technology and transportation to develop innovative delivery solutions that will transform access to life-saving nuclear medicines and make medical goods more readily available to hospitals, healthcare professionals and the patients that need them,” said Dave Tucker, assistant vice-president, Research (Nuclear) at McMaster.

The pilot project is the first step to realizing the partners’ vision of using the drone technology to connect hospitals across Halton, said DDC chief executive Steve Magirias.

“We are very proud to commence operations and look forward to supporting other hospitals in Ontario as well as in Canada,” he says. “Our proprietary drone logistics platform is a perfect fit for delivering high-value and high-risk cargo, as is typical in the health-care market.

 Source: Andrea Armstrong, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University.

PreviousNext

CHT print

CHT print

e-Messenger

  • Niagara Health to deploy top-flight CT scanners
  • BC extends cost-reduction search to regional authorities
  • Osler uses Sectra’s AI service to enhance patient care
  • Waypoint Centre to deploy A4i platform
  • Island Health brings virtual psychiatry to rural communities
More from e-Messenger

Subscribe

Subscribe

Weekly blasts are sent each month, via e-mail, to over 7,000 senior managers and executives in hospitals, clinics and health regions. Learn More

Infoway

Infoway

Zebra

Zebra

Zebra

Zebra

Advertise with us

Advertise with us

Sectra KLAS

Sectra KLAS

Stratford Group

Stratford Group

Pure Storage

Pure Storage

Medirex

Medirex

NIHI

NIHI

CHT print

CHT print

Advertise with us

Advertise with us

Sectra KLAS

Sectra KLAS

Stratford Group

Stratford Group

Pure Storage

Pure Storage

Medirex

Medirex

NIHI

NIHI

Contact Us

Canadian Healthcare Technology
1118 Centre Street, Suite 204
Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L4J 7R9
Tel: 905-709-2330
Fax: 905-709-2258
info2@canhealth.com

  • Quick Links
    • Current Print Issue
    • Print Archive
    • Events
    • Vendors
    • About Us
  • Advertise
    • Publishing Schedule
    • Circulation
    • Unit Sizes and Rates
    • Mechanical Requirements
    • Electronic Advertising
    • White Papers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Edition
    • e-Messenger
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • White Papers
    • Writers’ Guidelines
    • Privacy Policy
  • Topics
    • Administrative Solutions
    • Clinical Solutions
    • Companies
    • Continuing Care
    • Diagnostics
    • Education & Training
  •  
    • Electronic Records
    • Government & Policy
    • Infrastructure
    • Innovation
    • People
    • Privacy and Security

© 2025 Canadian Healthcare Technology

The content of Canadian Healthcare Technology is subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Send all requests for permission to Jerry Zeidenberg, Publisher.

Search Site

Error: Enter a search term

  • Issues
    • Current Print Issue
    • Print Archive
  • Advertise
    • Publishing Schedule
    • Circulation
    • Unit Sizes and Rates
    • Mechanical Requirements
    • Electronic Advertising
    • White Papers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Edition
    • e-Messenger
    • White Papers
  • Events
  • Vendors
  • About Us