Versatile drones are used in many businesses -- from aerial photography to stock-taking in warehouses. But they are relatively untapped tools in health care, until now. CGTN's Dan Williams reports on one company using drones to save lives.

It is a nightmare scenario for any rapid response team. An accident causes a huge traffic jam, blocking the path of emergency vehicles. Help though could soon be at hand. Medical Express Ambulance Service or MedEx is developing a concept 'drone ambulance' that aims to carry emergency medical supplies direct to the scene.

MICHAEL PIERONI DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, MEDEX "In our world, I like to say minutes equal brain cells or heart cells. The faster that we get oxygen into a patient, whether that is to their brain or their heart or both depending on the circumstances, the better it is for that patients recovery. So every second counts."

MedEx is partnering with drone maker Lockheed Martin to develop a much larger drone that can carry heavier supplies. But given most medical supplies require specialized training, questions remain as to whether such a system is worth it. MedEx believes there are a host of scenarios whereby a medical drone could be vital.

MICHAEL PIERONI DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, MEDEX "I call it like having a little super hero in the back of the ambulance that can go fly anywhere and get you what you need. We envision a world where that drone could carry an automatic external defibrillator to someone on scene already and try and start treating the patient before the ambulance even gets there."

And then there is the possibility of drones flying medical supplies to emergency workers attending patients at large-scale accidents. But barriers remain. Current U.S. regulations do not allow drones to fly beyond the visual line of sight. The industry hopes that legislation will change within the next few years.

DAN WILLIAMS CHICAGO "Although a number of hurdles remain before a medical drone becomes a reality, the potential remains. And in the future, the idea of an autonomous drone coming to the rescue is no longer a far-fetched fantasy."

ANDY OSANTOWSKE SENIOR UNMANNED SYSTEMS ANALYST, PROPELUAS "I think there is a reality somewhere down the road where there could be autonomous unmanned ambulances. If they really need to get someone to a hospital quick in a trauma situation, you can load a patient into a drone, it can vertically take off and take them right to a hospital. Again cheaper than a traditional manned aircraft but quicker than transporting that person on the ground." 

In the meantime, the focus for this drone project is on the accidents and emergencies of today. It might not be long before a drone comes to your rescue. Dan Williams CGTN Chicago.