Airbus Helicopters recently celebrated the official hand-over of the EC145-T2 to DRF Luftrettung. This was the green light for Bucher Leichtbau to begin the first installation in an EC145-T2 of their totally redesigned and developed helicopter emergency medical system (AC70). It is the culmination of two years of intensive collaboration with our customers and partners, the air rescue organizations ADAC Luftrettung and DRF Luftrettung, who both have more than 40 years of experience.

Thanks to the consistent involvement of different specialists, the user expertise was directly incorporated into the development of the equipment. This has led to new standards of ergonomics, operability and usability.

The modular and flexible structure of the new generation of HEMS equipment means it can be converted from one mission profile to another within minutes. The following mission profiles show the range considered during development:

HICAMS – patient transportation between hospitals with full intensive care equipment (maximum configuration)
HEMS – emergency mission with the equipment for emergency care (similar to a mbula nce)

SAR – winch lift missions in the mountains or over water; equipment is further reduced to create space for mountain rescuers, rescue divers etc.

Disaster Management – major incidents; two stretchers are fitted for the transportation of a second patient.

The standard equipment is flexible and extensible to allow easy adaptation to the various mission profiles listed above. Among other things, a so-called Center Cabinet provides storage space for the emergency backpack that used to be affixed to either a seat or the stretcher. In the past, the removal of material and medication was awkward, but the new location means that handling the emergency backpack is now more ergonomic and getting material out of the backpack is also easier. As a result, weight can be saved, as you no longer need to take additional material simply for accessibility reasons.

At the rear of the helicopter, a modular cabinet is also installed, which can be assembled according to the specific application. It provides room for oxygen tanks, consumables, bags of modules and medical equipment etc.

For patient transport, various stretcher configurations are available that can be adapted to different patients and mission requirements. The seats can be rotated and positioned at various positions in the cabin.

In addition to connections for low voltage medical devices, there is also a 230V socket available on board. An engine-independent air heating system keeps the temperature in the stationary helicopter comfortable during the winter months. Similarly, infusions can be preheated in a special compartment. Modern CANBus architecture provides for power and control of modules in the cabin — such as the modern LED lighting. Data transfer is also possible.

Another progressive feature is the “Roof-Rail” system. Medical devices attached to standard brackets can slide and swivel on the rail system, allowing the flexibility to meet any need. So for example, you can load a patient with their upper body upright without having to first remove some equipment.

Last but not least, the interplay of the various innovations and the associated usability of the medical facilities, means that safety has been improved for the user and the patient.

All in all, the following areas have been carefully considered:

Ergonomics and hygiene for the work processes

Flexibility for different mission profiles Modularity of the individual equipment parts Safety of the crew and the patient
Functionality of the overall equipment

If you would like to learn more about this modern and unique HEMS equipment, then visit us in Amsterdam at the Helitech on October 14-16th, 2014 where we will be presenting a full scale mockup.

You can reach us any time, via our homepage and our customer service
representatives.

About Bucher:

Experience Innovation, Quality & Reliability. Experience Leichtbau.
Flying with a minimum of weight and a maximum of stability. This was the idea that shaped Heinrich Bucher’s thinking when he founded the company in 1953. Today, we continue to apply his vision with our unique lightweight construction principle. And thanks to our years of experience working with aluminium and plastics, we are able to offer a diverse range of products, in which you can sense and feel what drives our company — an innovative spirit and an unwavering commitment to meeting specific customer requirements. Our goal is to develop more efficient solutions that achieve cost advantages for the customer. We do this at our sites in Fa Ila nden (Switzerland), Everett (USA) and in Sinn-Fleisbach (Germany).

Our range of products is divided into four different application areas:

Catering
Galleys for single aisle and long range aircraft

Cabin
Stowage and front row monuments
Seat components / furnishing (video systems, tables, consoles etc.)

Medical Systems
Complex interior solutions for air rescue and air ambulance aircraft
Stretcher systems for passenger aircraft

VIP / Automotive
Interior solutions for VIP aircraft and vehicles (folding tables, on-board lockers etc.)