NO20230753A1

NO20230753A1 - Method of providing a medical assistance device for use by a non-medically trained person, and device and network thereof

Info

Publication number: NO20230753A1
Application number: NO20230753A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Trond Lauritsen; Synnøve Rogne
Original assignee: Aidency As
Priority date: 2023-07-05
Filing date: 2023-07-05
Publication date: 2025-01-06
Also published as: WO2025009980A1

Description

METHOD OF PROVIDING A MEDICAL ASSISTANCE DEVICE FOR USE BY A NON-MEDICALLY TRAINED PERSON, AND DEVICE AND NETWORK

THEREOF

Background

Ambulance services play a crucial role in modern society by providing emergency medical care to people who are in urgent need of assistance. However, there are several problems associated with ambulance services that can have negative consequences, including waiting times to get to the scene of an incident.

One of the main issues with ambulance services is the long waiting times that people often experience when they call for emergency medical assistance. Some medical emergencies and injuries are such that the longer a patient is experiencing the medical emergency/injury the odds of permanent damage or loss of life are dramatically increased.

Thus, early intervention in these situations is imperative. The goal for an ambulance service is to arrive at the scene of an emergency within a short timeframe to increase the chances of patient survival and/or reduced patient suffering and permanent damage. For example, in Norway the target for an ambulance to arrive on scene is within 12 minutes in densely populated areas, and 25 minutes for rural areas, of receiving a call. However, this target is often missed due to delay.

This delay can be caused by a range of factors, including a shortage of ambulances, insufficient staff, heavy traffic, challenging landscape topography creating poor accessibility, and a high volume of emergency calls. Insufficient medical professionals is a growing problem, especially in western countries experiencing an ageing population.

Delays in ambulance response times can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. For example, it has been investigated that for every minute of delay in ambulance response time, the odds of survival for patients with a cardiac arrest decreased by 7.5%.

Furthermore, it has been investigated that delays in ambulance response times can also result in permanent damage or disability for patients. For example, it has been investigated that patients who experienced a stroke and were delayed in receiving appropriate medical care had a higher risk of long-term disability and a poorer quality of life.

The negative consequences of these problems can be significant, and may include delayed medical treatment, increased morbidity and mortality rates, and decreased patient satisfaction. In order to address these issues, new technologies and equipment are required to improve response times and patient outcomes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method, device and system to address the above-outlined problem associated with the waiting time for an ambulance service to arrive on scene and in particular reduce a loss of life probability as a result of said waiting times.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a medical assistance device for use by a non-medically trained person at a scene of an accident or incident to a person in need of medical attention, comprising: providing a medical assistance device network, the network comprising: a plurality of medical assistance devices stowed at various locations across a predetermined geographical area, wherein the medical assistance device comprises a selection of medicines; and a control centre for the medical assistance device network; wherein a data connection between each of the medical assistance devices in the network and the control centre is periodically activated; and establishing a communication connection with an emergency services operator by a user; locating a medical assistance device in the network that is closest to the person in need of medical assistance and establishing a data connection between said closest medical assistance device and the control centre; transporting the closest medical assistance device to the person in need of medical assistance; making the closest medical assistance device accessible when it arrives at a scene of the accident or incident; based on an analysis of the medical assistance required of the person in need of medical attention, providing instruction on a use of the medical assistance device.

The medical assistance device may comprise augmented reality glasses that overlay a simulation of direction of use of a selected medicine in the selection of medicines, removed from the device upon instruction on the use of the medical assistance device.

The method may further comprise providing a personal computer application, said application comprising instructions for use of each of the selection of medicines in the medical assistance device; and wherein the application is enabled with augmented reality functionality such that the instructions for use of the selected medicine are in the form of a superimposed simulation of the use of the selected medicine of a video feed of the user’s personal computer device.

Wherein the medical assistance device further comprises a location tracking device, the method may further comprise: locating by the emergency services operator and/or the control centre, a geographical location of the scene of the accident or incident; receiving, by the control centre, location data from the device to track the transportation of the device to the person in need of medical assistance in order to determine when the device arrives at a scene of the accident or incident.

Activating the closest medical assistance device when it arrives at a scene of the accident or incident may further comprise putting the device into an unlocked state by remotely unlocking a remote control lock such that the user can access a contents of the medical assistance device.

Wherein each of the plurality of medical assistance devices in the network have a control module and at least one sensor for gathering use-related data; the method may further comprise uploading said use-related data from each of the plurality of medical assistance devices in the network to the control centre during periodic activation of the data connection.

Locating a medical assistance device in the network that is closest to the person in need of medical assistance may comprise: selecting an area around the scene of the accident or incident determined by a predetermined radius; identifying all of the medical assistance devices falling within the selected area; and analysing, by the control centre, a transport time from a stowage location to the scene for each of the identified medical assistance devices falling within the selected area, wherein analysing the transport time comprises adjusting for at least one of live traffic conditions, landscape topography, and route configuration.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a medical assistance device comprising: an external housing comprising: a lid part; and a base part; a device lock; an internal housing for storing medicine to be stored in the device; and a control module for enabling data communication.

The internal housing may comprise a plurality of recesses each recess configured to individually house one of a plurality of separate medicines.

The device may further comprise a location tracking device.

The device may further comprise one or more anti-tamper devices.

The selection of medicines stored in the recesses of the internal housing may comprise one or more of nitro-glycerine; at least one epinephrine auto-injectors, at least one glucagon nose injector and at least one insulin pen.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a medical assistance device network comprising: a plurality of the medical assistance devices according to the second aspect of the invention, each medical assistance device having a stowage location in a publicly accessible area, said stowage locations distributed across a predetermined geographical area; and a control centre; wherein each of the plurality of medical assistance devices in the network are data-connectable to the control centre.

The network may further comprise at least one allocated caretaker for each medical assistance device in the plurality of medical assistance device in the network.

The network may further comprise a personal computer device associated with each caretaker in the network, wherein each personal computer device is enabled with an application which is data-connectable to the control centre for receiving notifications about the network and/or a respective medical assistance device.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a use of the medical assistance device network of the third aspect, in the method of the first aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a method for providing medical assistance at a scene of an accident or incident;

Fig. 2 is a medical assistance device network;

Fig. 3a is a perspective view of an example preliminary medical assistance device; Fig. 3b is a top-down view of an example medical assistance device;

Fig. 3c is a side on view of an example medical assistance device;

Fig. 3d is a perspective view of an example medical assistance device;

Fig. 4 is an internal view of an example medical assistance device;

Fig. 5a shows an example lock for use with the medical assistance device of the invention;

Fig. 5b is a side on view of the example lock in a partially open position; and Fig. 5c is a perspective side view of the example lock in a partially open position.

Definitions

Unless otherwise defined, all terms of art, notations and other scientific terms or terminology used herein are intended to have the meanings commonly understood by those of skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art.

In this text, the term ‘scene’ refers to the location where a person is in need of medical attention, for example after an accident or due to a medical emergency such as a heart attack, stroke, hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, shock, to name a few non-limiting examples.

In this text, the term ‘a person at the scene’ refers to any person assisting the person in need of medical attention such as a passer-by, a first responder or an acquaintance of the person in need of medical assistance and includes the person in need of medical attention themselves.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a method 100 of providing medical assistance at the scene of an accident or incident before an ambulance or paramedics arrive on scene.

At step 101, a medical assistance device network is provided. The network has a plurality of medical assistance devices spread across a predetermined geographical location, wherein the medical assistance device comprises a selection of medicines. The network also has a control centre for the medical assistance device network. A data connection between each of the medical assistance devices in the network and the control centre is periodically activated to check for a status update and/or to transfer use-related data from the respective device to the control centre. Said control centre may comprise real-time information regarding the status and location of all Pre-aid devices in the network. The status of each Pre-aid device in the network can include: its contents, history of use, history of checks, to name a few non-limiting examples. In some examples of the Pre-aid device, said device includes a thermometer. In this case the control centre may further comprise real-time and historic temperature data. Logging a temperature over time of the Pre-aid device may be carried out for a quality control of the contained medication, as described further below. The control centre may further gather and store data relating to usage of the Pre-aid device. Examples of usage data include: number of usages of each of the available drugs within the Pre-aid device, number of use occasions of each location. The usage data can be used in data analysis to improve the device network, and optimise device availability and contents. In addition, a data connection may also be established between the Pre-aid device and the mobile phone of the PAS.

A person in need of medical attention (PMA) is identified after which an emergency services is called, step 102. Normally the emergency services will be the national medical emergency service, for example 113 can be called in Norway to reach the Norwegian ambulance service. Once a connection with the emergency services has been established, a person at the scene (PAS) can talk to the emergency services operator (ESO) for instructions, step 104. In some instances, and where the national emergency services infrastructure supports it, a video connection between an ESO and the PAS can be established, for example on a personal computer device (mobile phone) of the PAS. The PAS may receive an SMS, step 105, containing a link to establish a video connection, step 106. Via audio description of a state and symptoms of the PMA and/or from visual information via the video link, the ESO can diagnose a medical issue of the PMA, step 108. The ESO may also access a medical history of the PMA and use this in combination with the description of the state and symptoms of the PMA to diagnose a correct medical issue.

At this stage 110, a location of a medical assistance device (Pre-aid device) in proximity to the PMA is located. Preferably a Pre-aid device out of a plurality of possible Pre-aid devices that are geographically nearest to the PMA is identified. The device may be enabled with location finding aids such as audio and/or visual indicators, for example the device may make a sound and/or have flashing lights which are activated when said device is located as the nearest device in the network to the scene. Optionally, the ESO may start an automated process wherein several contact persons are contacted by an Application or by text message on a personal computer device of said several contact persons. The Preaid device can then be located using direction provided by the Application. These several contact persons may be described as a network of device caretakers and is described further below. Preferably, the Pre-aid device is configured to remain in a locked state until it arrives on scene. The Pre-aid device may be enabled with an alarm function such that, prior to activation of the Pre-aid device, an alarm will trigger in response to detecting a potential tampering with the device. The alarm may be audible, and may have escalating steps. In the arrangement wherein there is a network of caretakers associated with the network of Pre-aid device, a caretaker of the particular Pre-aid device may receive an alert notification, via notification on the Application or via a text message, warning that the caretaker that a potential tampering of their respective device is occurring.

The Pre-aid device may comprise a control module to enable the periodic data connection to be established between the Pre-aid device and the control centre, such as an online platform. The control module of the Pre-aid device may also provide phone connectivity. After the closest Pre-device is located, a connection to said device is established via its control module, step 112. Preferably, this data connection is secure and continuous.

At 114, the Pre-aid device removed from its secured location, and transported to the PMA.

At 116, the Pre-aid device is made accessible and/or activated, for example the device is changed from a locked state to an unlocked state. As will be explained in more detail below, the Pre-aid device preferably contains medicines, such as essential and/or lifesaving medicines. These lifesaving medicines may be nonprescription or prescription. Some examples of medicines to be kept in the Pre-aid device include adrenalin, insulin, and nitro-glycerine. In some instances, changing the Pre-aid device from a locked state to an unlocked state comprises unlocking a lock of an external housing of the device. The lock may be remotely unlocked by the emergency services when they identify that the device has arrived at the scene. This may be achieved by a location tracker device incorporated into the Pre-aid device or simply by visual indication through the established video feed.

In a first example of the method, at step 118a, the PAS is guided by oral instructions by the ESO. The oral instructions comprise which medicine from the selection of medication in the Pre-aid device to select based on the symptoms of the PMA and direction of use of said medicine. Each of the selection of medication contained within the Pre-aid device may be stored in packaging with clear identifiable numbering as well as the medical name of the product. In an example of oral instructions, the ESO may instruct the user to select medicine number one, followed by requesting the user to read the medical name and/or further information on the medicine packaging for confirmation that the correct medication has been selected by the user.

In a second example of the invention, at step 118b, a pair of AR glasses are activated upon activation of the Pre-aid device into an unlocked state. The AR glasses are controllable by the control centre via the ESO and are programmed to overlay a simulation of a use of the identified correct medicine onto the PMA. This provides the benefit that both of the user’s hands are free to administer the medicine.

In a third example of the invention, at step 118c, an App on the PAS’s mobile phone may be activated, said App enabled with augmented reality (AR) capabilities to overlay a simulation of a use of the identified correct medicine onto a video stream of the PMA from the PAS’s personal computing device’s camera.

Preferably, the PAS stays with the PMA and the Pre-aid device until an ambulance crew arrives.

After an ambulance crew arrives, the Pre-aid device is preferably subjected to a decommissioning procedure. For example, the device is collected, brought to a management centre where a safety check is performed on the device, any used medication is replaced and then the device is deployed back into the network. In the meantime, an alert may be triggered on the platform indicating that one of the devices in the network has been removed, and this triggers instructions for a replacement device to be deployed to said location.

Preferably the ambulance crew have instructions that a Pre-aid device is on scene and they should close the kit on arrival. As a fail-safe, the Pre-aid kit may be configured with an automatic closing and locking mechanism which is activated upon removal of a medicine, is programmed to close after a predetermined elapsed time of first opening of the device, or can be actuated by the ESO.

Figure 2 shows an illustration of a Pre-aid device network 200 in a particular geographical area 202. The Pre aid device network comprises a plurality of Preaid devices P1-P11 distributed at various locations across a public space, for example across an urban area in a similar manner to the current public distribution of defibrillators. Some of the devices may also be installed in office buildings and public transport hubs such as train stations and metro stations. Also, the Pre-aid device network 200 may include mobile situations where Pre-aid devices are stowed on public transport vehicles, such as trains, trams, busses, ferries, to name a few non-limiting examples. The density of Pre-aid devices in a network for a particular network area may depend on the population density of the area and/or a particular demographic of said area. In an example, the device density in a particular urban-type area may be in the region of a device every 500m. Along with a network of devices 200, the invention may include a network of device caretakers. Each device caretaker is responsible for one or more Pre-aid devices in the network. Their responsibilities may include one or more of regularly manually checking a state of the Pre-aid device, being generally responsible for ensuring a Pre-aid device is present and operational at each device location, and in its optimum state, and to be on call to be alerted that a PMA requires the Preaid device to deliver the device to the scene. Preferably, there is more than one device caretaker for each Pre-aid device in the network. The control centre may track a location and status of each device caretaker to optimise a logistics of carrying out method 100 when it has been identified that the Pre-aid device is required at a scene of an accident.

With further reference to figure 2, when a person experiences an energy or injury within a particular network area 204, the location is available from the location data from the past phone or by an oral description of the location to the ESO. A computer program associated with the control centre sets a predetermined radius 206 from the scene, for example 500 meters. The program identifies each Pre aid device falling within the set radius P1-P8. Using location data of each device in the area defined by the predetermined radius, the distance between each device P1-P8 and the scene is determined. The devices are ordered by distance. The status of each device P1-P8 is checked in sequential order. The first device in the sequential order deemed in an operational state becomes the target device to be fetched and brought to the scene.

In the example of figure 2, P3 is the closest device “as the crow flies”. However, it can be observed that the actual route from the scene to device P3 crosses a river. Thus, the actual walking distance may be much greater to incorporate crossing over a bridge such as bridge 208. The program may utilize a mapping application, such as Google Maps® or Apple maps® and incorporate real journey time into the calculation of distance to each device falling within the area determined by the radius from the scene.

Figures 3a to 3d show an example Pre-aid device 300. The Pre-aid device 300 has an external housing 302 comprised of a lid part 308a and a base part 308b, a pair of handles 304a, 304b, and a device lock 306. The external housing 302 may be fabricated from a stiff plastic or other hardwearing material. Preferably, the external housing comprises at least one handle for transporting the device. In the example of figures 3a to 3b, the pair of handles comprise a left handle 304a and a right handle 304b perpendicular to a length of the device 300 and inset into grooves in the lid part 308a. This handle arrangement encourages a carrying of the device in a flat position which may be important for some medicines stored within. The external housing 302 houses and protects all the internal elements of the Pre-aid device 300 including the medicine.

Figure 4 shows the Pre-aid device 300 in an open state. The Pre-aid device further has an internal housing 402, a selection of medicines 404a-404i, and a location tracking device (not shown). The internal housing 402 has a plurality of recesses to individually house each separate medicine 404a-404i in the device 300. The internal housing 402 may be fabricated from a foam which fills an internal cavity of the external housing with cut-outs for housing the corresponding medicine. This may provide the benefit of protecting the medicine from impacts whilst the Pre-aid device is being transported and/or used. Alternatively, the inner housing may be fabricated from plastic. The Pre-aid device may have a control module.

The Pre-aid device may further comprise one or more anti-tamper devices. A first example anti-tamper device is incorporated into the external housing. A second example anti-tamper device is incorporated into the internal housing. For example, each recess is covered by a breakable cover such as a paper cover or thin plastic cover. To access the medicine, the cover must be torn open thus providing an instant visual indication that the Pre-aid device has been tampered with and the corresponding medicine may have been tampered with. The breakable cover tamper device has the advantage that it is a simple, mechanical solution which does not significantly increase cost, complexity or weight of the Pre-aid device. It may be important to keep these qualities low in order to create a feasible system in some jurisdictions.

The contents of the Pre-aid device is determined by choosing medicines which effectively treat common medical emergency/injuries having a time critical factor. There are several medical emergencies and injuries wherein response time is critical. Some examples of medical emergencies include: cardiac arrest wherein the heart of a patient suddenly stops beating; stroke wherein blood flow to the brain is interrupted; anaphylaxis resulting from a severe allergic reaction; and hyperglycaemia wherein a person’s blood sugar levels drop too low. In a particular example the content of the Pre-aid device is: nitro-glycerine; at least one epinephrine auto-injectors such as EpiPen® and Adrenaclick®, and at least one insulin pen.

However, the contents of the Pre-aid device may be location dependent and reflect the most frequent emergency medical need in said location. For example, the Pre-aid device network in Australia may include anti-venom injectors for the most common poisonous spiders, to name a non-limiting illustrative example.

In some examples, the Pre-aid device 300 has at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of each medicine’s environment. Many medicines are temperature sensitive and can spoil when subjected to temperatures outside an acceptable predetermined range. For example, nitro-glycerine and epinephrine should be kept at a temperature between 15°C to 30°C, whilst insulin should be stored at 2°C to 8°C. The temperature sensor may be in data-communication with the control module which itself is in data communication with a heating/cooling element such that the internal temperature of the device can be controlled to keep it within the predetermined acceptable medicine temperature ranges.

Alternatively, or additionally, if it is detected by the temperature sensor that one of the medicines has been exposed to a temperature outside of an acceptable range, an alert is provided signalling that this medicine should be deposed of and replaced. The temperature data from the sensor may be provided to the control module of the Pre-aid device 300 and the alert may be a physical signal displayed on the device, such as a LED lighting up, flashing, or changing colour.

Alternatively, or in addition, real time data from the temperature sensors may be uploaded to the control centre and monitored.

An arrangement of temperature protection features, such as the temperature sensors, heating/cooling elements, and untenable temperature exposure alerts may depend on the location of the Pre-aid device network. For example, for a Preaid network system based in Norway, excessively cold temperatures may need to be managed. In this case the device may be incorporated with a heating element. Alternatively, in countries where temperatures regularly exceed 40°C such as countries in the middle east e.g., Saudi Arabia, countries in South Asia e.g., India, countries in North Africa and Australia, the device may be arranged to protect the contents from extreme heat. This arrangement may include a cooling element or a local or remote alert to indicate that the device has experienced untenably high temperatures. In lieu of a heating/cooling element, the internal and/or external housing of the Pre-aid device 300 may have insulating properties in order to aid the maintenance of a stable temperature within the device 300. This arrangement has the benefit that it does not require a power source for the cooling/heating protection element and may reduce the cost of manufacture and maintenance of the device 300.

In a particular example arrangement of the Pre-aid device 300, there may be a warm portion and a cool portion. The warm portion may be configured to be subjected to temperatures between 15°C to 30°C and the cool portion may be configured to be subjected to temperatures between 2°C to 8°C. The warm portion may house nitro-glycerine; and the at least one epinephrine auto-injectors, and the cool portion may house the insulin pen.

In some examples of the invention, the Pre-aid device further comprises an internal weight sensor. For example, the internal weight sensor may be incorporated into the internal housing and configured to sense a total weight of the medicine contents of the device. The scales are sensitive enough to distinguish between removal of different medicines based on the reduction of total weight. In another example, the tamper device measures a weight across an area. For example, a piezo-electric plate can be positioned between the internal and external housings. Removal of a medicine reduces a measured weight in a particular area across the piezo electric plate. Correlating the area of reduced weight with the known locations of the medicines within the Pre-aid device, the removed medicine can be sensed remotely.

In a simplified arrangement of the device with reduced additional power-operated features – such as cooling/heating element, temperature sensors, electronic scales – the device requires only a small, rechargeable battery. With the addition of temperature sensors and/or electronic scales a medium size rechargeable battery may be required. In some cases, wherein the device further includes a heating/cooling arrangement, the device may be plugged into a mains power outlet whilst stowed. In all embodiments of the Pre-aid device, the device should be of a size and weight to be carried by a person of average physical strength for a distance of up to 500m. Thus, the device has a weight between 5kg and 25kg, a length between 30cm and 70cm, a width between 10cm and 30cm and a height between 30cm and 70cm.

The invention may further comprise a data analytics module associated with the Pre-aid device 300, device network 200 and/or control centre and a computer program. In a first example, the data analytics module is in data communication with all of the Pre-aid devices in the network and is configured to receive information from the devices such as: a frequency of use of each device in each location, and/or a frequency of use of each medication in the Pre-aid devices, and/or at the particular locations. The data analytics can be used to improve the Pre-aid system, method and/or network, for example, by modifying an amount of medicine in the Pre-aid device, and/or modifying a density of devices in the network.

Figures 5a to 5c show an example lock 306 for use with the Pre-aid device 300. Preferably, the lock 306 is configured to be remote controlled to be openable by the ESO. This is to prevent misuse of the medicines in the Pre-aid device 300 since the device will likely be located in a public location. The lock may further comprise a further tamper-proof device which indicates when the lock 306 has been attempted to be opened by an unauthorised user. This tamper device may be digital, mechanical or both. In some examples of the invention, a user of the Pre-aid device may only have access to a relevant compartment of the device. Thus, the individual compartments housing medicines will be individually secured by a remote-controlled lock. It is important to restrict access to the medicines since their use can cause harm from improper use. Moreover, the medicines are expensive so should be protected from theft.

The invention herein provides a method, system and device which allows nonmedically trained members of the public to offer critical, potentially life-saving medical assistance to persons experiencing a medical emergency. When a person is experiencing a medical emergency, time is critical with every passing minute increasing a likelihood of permanent damage or even death. There may be a number of people available to assist but the sick person needs particular expert assistance based on their condition. However, getting the required medicine and/or medical experts to the injured or sick person requires the person to be located, the closest available ambulance to be located, said ambulance to be directed to the injured/sick person’s location, and the paramedics deployed from the ambulance to the person with required medicine and/or equipment. This procedure can take valuable time and is dependent on the demand on the emergency service. This has been a growing problem in modern societies as the population ages and thus a larger percentage of the populous may require the emergency service at some point. The present invention provides a solution to the above-described problem by having a network of distributed secured boxes filled with essential medicines (Pre-aid devices) and a control centre in data communication with the network of Pre-device to organize logistics to bring the Pre-aid device to the injured/sick person in the shortest possible time. The invention further alleviates the problem of the sick/injured person suffering permanent, severe health consequence, and in some cases death, since the system comprising the network of device and the control centre acts as a live data gathering tool to make improvements to the system according to location, density and contents of the Pre-aid devices.

Having described preferred examples of the invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments incorporating the invention may be used. These and other examples of the invention illustrated above are intended by way of example only and the actual scope of the invention is to be determined from the appended claims.

Claims

P ATENT CLAIMS

1. A method of providing a medical assistance device for use by a nonmedically trained person at a scene of an accident or incident to a person in need of medical attention, comprising:

providing a medical assistance device network, the network comprising: a plurality of medical assistance devices stowed at various locations across a predetermined geographical area, wherein the medical assistance device comprises a selection of medicines; and

a control centre for the medical assistance device network; wherein a data connection between each of the medical assistance devices in the network and the control centre is periodically activated; and establishing a communication connection with an emergency services operator by a user;

locating a medical assistance device in the network that is closest to the person in need of medical assistance and establishing a data connection between said closest medical assistance device and the control centre;

transporting the closest medical assistance device to the person in need of medical assistance;

making the closest medical assistance device accessible when it arrives at a scene of the accident or incident;

based on an analysis of the medical assistance required of the person in need of medical attention, providing instruction on a use of the medical assistance device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical assistance device comprises augmented reality glasses that overlay a simulation of direction of use of a selected medicine in the selection of medicines, removed from the device upon instruction on the use of the medical assistance device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing a personal computer application, said application comprising instructions for use of each of the selection of medicines in the medical assistance device; and wherein the application is enabled with augmented reality functionality such that the instructions for use of the selected medicine are in the form of a superimposed simulation of the use of the selected medicine of a video feed of the user’s personal computer device.

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the medical assistance device further comprises a location tracking device, the method further comprising:

locating by the emergency services operator and/or the control centre, a geographical location of the scene of the accident or incident;

receiving, by the control centre, location data from the device to track the transportation of the device to the person in need of medical assistance in order to determine when the device arrives at a scene of the accident or incident.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein activating the closest medical assistance device when it arrives at a scene of the accident or incident further comprises putting the device into an unlocked state by remotely unlocking a remote control lock such that the user can access a contents of the medical assistance device.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of medical assistance devices in the network have a control module and at least one sensor for gathering use-related data, the method further comprises:

uploading said use-related data from each of the plurality of medical assistance devices in the network to the control centre during periodic activation of the data connection.

7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein locating a medical assistance device in the network that is closest to the person in need of medical assistance comprises:

selecting an area around the scene of the accident or incident determined by a predetermined radius;

identifying all of the medical assistance devices falling within the selected area; and

analysing, by the control centre, a transport time from a stowage location to the scene for each of the identified medical assistance devices falling within the selected area, wherein analysing the transport time comprises adjusting for at least one of live traffic conditions, landscape topography, and route configuration.

8. A medical assistance device comprising:

an external housing comprising:

a lid part; and

a base part;

a device lock;

an internal housing for storing medicine to be stored in the device; and a control module for enabling data communication.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the internal housing comprises a plurality of recesses each recess configured to individually house one of a plurality of separate medicines.

10. The device of claim 8 or 9, further comprising a location tracking device.

11. The device of any of claims 8 to 10, further comprising one or more antitamper devices.

12. The device of any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the selection of medicines stored in the recesses of the internal housing comprises one or more of nitro-glycerine; at least one epinephrine auto-injectors, at least one glucagon nose injector and at least one insulin pen.

13. A medical assistance device network comprising:

a plurality of the medical assistance devices according to any of claims 8 to 12, each medical assistance device having a stowage location in a publicly accessible area, said stowage locations distributed across a predetermined geographical area; and

a control centre;

wherein each of the plurality of medical assistance devices in the network are data-connectable to the control centre.

14. The network of claim 13, further comprising at least one allocated caretaker for each medical assistance device in the plurality of medical assistance device in the network.

15. The network of claim 14, further comprising a personal computer device associated with each caretaker in the network, wherein each personal computer device is enabled with an application which is data-connectable to the control centre for receiving notifications about the network and/or a respective medical assistance device.

16. Use of the medical assistance device network of any of claims 13 to 15, in the method of claims 1 to 7.