A joint effort between Washington University School of Medicine and Northwestern University has led to the development of an implantable device that can autonomously detect opioid overdoses and quickly administer naloxone to prevent death, potentially saving thousands of lives.
In a groundbreaking development, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Northwestern University have created an implantable device capable of autonomously detecting an opioid overdose and rapidly delivering a life-saving dose of naloxone. This innovation could revolutionize the opioid overdose response and save thousands of lives annually.
The opioid crisis remains a severe public health issue in the United States, claiming over 70,000 lives each year. Traditional naloxone treatments, though effective, often rely on the presence of a knowledgeable bystander to administer the drug promptly. This limitation leaves many individuals vulnerable during solitary overdose episodes.
Addressing this gap, the research team has devised a pioneering device, named the Naloximeter, which can detect an overdose through a drop in oxygen levels in the body’s tissue and automatically deliver naloxone, an opioid antagonist, to reverse the overdose effects. In animal tests, the device successfully identified overdose symptoms and administered naloxone swiftly, ensuring full recovery within minutes.
“Naloxone has saved many lives,” Robert W. Gereau, a professor of anesthesiology and director of the WashU Medicine Pain Center, said in a news release. “But during an overdose, people are often alone and unable to realize they are overdosing. We identified an opportunity to save more lives by developing a device that quickly administers naloxone to at-risk individuals without human intervention.”
Opioids, including prescription painkillers like oxycodone and synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, are central contributors to the opioid epidemic due to their highly addictive nature. The need for immediate and autonomous intervention is critical as synthetic opioids continue to cause a substantial proportion of overdose deaths.
Collaborating with materials science and engineering experts at Northwestern University, led by John A. Rogers, a professor of materials science and engineering, biomedical engineering and neurological surgery, the team has designed the Naloximeter to monitor oxygen levels and send alerts to a paired mobile application if thresholds drop dangerously low. If the user does not cancel the alert within 30 seconds, the device administers naloxone and notifies emergency responders.
“An additional benefit of calling first responders is that it helps people re-engage with health care providers,” co-author Jose Moron-Concepcion, a professor of anesthesiology at WashU Medicine, said in the news release. “We want to save people from dying from an overdose and also reduce harm from opioids by helping people access the resources and treatments to prevent future overdoses from occurring.”
The revolutionary device is poised to undergo further developments and testing, including preparation for human clinical trials. The intellectual property for the Naloximeter is safeguarded under a recently awarded patent, while the team seeks industry partners to aid in large-scale deployment.
“The Naloximeter is a proof-of-concept platform that isn’t limited to the opioid crisis,” added Joanna Ciatti, a graduate student in Rogers’ lab. “This technology has far-reaching implications for those threatened by other emergent medical conditions such as anaphylaxis or epilepsy. Our study lays important groundwork for future clinical translation.”
This study is a significant step forward in autonomous medical intervention devices, potentially heralding a new era in emergency medical response.