A device for addicts

Wearable device saves life in case of drug overdose

Georgy Golovanov, Hi-tech+

The drug naloxone can save a person from death as a result of an overdose of heroin or other opioids, but it should be taken immediately, otherwise it will be too late. The new wearable device is designed just for such cases — it is the first to react to an overdose and inject naloxone. In addition, the miniature device transmits patient data to the nearest smartphone.

The injector, which was invented in Washington State University, exists so far in the form of a prototype. It is attached to the patient's abdomen, close to the skin, and with the help of accelerometers and microprocessors constantly monitors body movements and respiratory rate. If he notices immobility and at the same time a characteristic pattern of breathing preceding the respiratory function disorder characteristic of an opioid overdose, he automatically gives a naloxone injection.

In addition, the patient's medical indicators are transmitted via Bluetooth to the nearest smartphone to alert the patient or medical staff, according to a press release, Wearable injector can detect and reverse opioid overdose.

Article by Chan et al. Closed-loop wearable naloxone injector system is published in the journal Scientific Reports – VM.

"The opioid epidemic worsened during the pandemic and continues to be a serious health problem," said Justin Chan, one of the developers. "We have created an algorithm for a wearable injector that recognizes when the wearer stops breathing and automatically injects him with naloxone."

To train the overdose detection algorithm, the developers recruited 25 volunteers with opioid addiction who wore the device during visits to the injection point in Vancouver (Canada). As a result, when 20 healthy subjects simulated respiratory distress in hospital conditions, the device injected them with naloxone injection. 

Now engineers are working on miniaturizing the device so that it is less conspicuous and interferes with movement, and then they will move on to commercializing the technology.

A similar device, but for wearing on the hand, is being developed in Purdue University.

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