The opioid crisis results in over 70,000 fatalities annually in the U.S., highlighting a critical need for life-saving measures. Naloxone, available as an over-the-counter nasal spray or injectable, can swiftly reverse the effects of an overdose and restore breathing, but its effectiveness is hindered by the necessity of a person knowledgeable enough to administer it.
Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Northwestern University in Chicago have created an innovative device that can save individuals from overdose without needing assistance from others. Their animal studies demonstrated that this implantable device can detect an overdose situation, quickly deliver naloxone to thwart death, and also notify emergency personnel.
The results of their research were published on October 23 in Science Advances.
“Naloxone has proven to be life-saving,” explained Robert W. Gereau, PhD, the Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology and director of the WashU Medicine Pain Center. “However, during an overdose, many people find themselves alone and may not even recognize they are in danger. If someone nearby is present, they must have access to naloxone—commonly known as Narcan—and know how to use it quickly. We saw a chance to enhance life-saving efforts by creating a device that can autonomously deliver naloxone to individuals who are at high risk.”
Prescription opioids, like oxycodone, provide relief for those dealing with chronic pain. However, their addictive nature can lead to misuse, significantly fueling the opioid epidemic. Additionally, easily obtainable synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl, have infiltrated the illegal drug market, exacerbating overdose deaths in the U.S., with these potent substances accounting for up to 70% of overdose fatalities in 2023.
The research team collaborated with specialists in engineering and material sciences, under the guidance of John A. Rogers, PhD, a professor at Northwestern University, to develop the Naloximeter. This device utilizes a decrease in oxygen levels as an indicator of a potential overdose. An opioid overdose typically results in slow and shallow breathing; this impaired respiratory function can lead to breathing cessation within minutes. The Naloximeter is implanted under the skin, where it monitors surrounding tissue oxygen levels. It sends a warning to a mobile app if the oxygen drops below a certain level. If the user does not respond within 30 seconds, the device automatically administers naloxone.
In their experiments, the researchers implanted this device in the neck, chest, or back of both small and larger animals. The device successfully identified signs of overdose within a minute of oxygen levels dropping, and all subjects fully recovered within five minutes after receiving naloxone from the device.
Naloxone works by displacing dangerous opioids from brain cell receptors, thereby altering their activity. However, since the effects of naloxone are temporary, the risk of overdose symptoms returning remains if opioids occupy the receptors again. As an additional safeguard, the device can send an emergency alert to first responders.
“Another key advantage of notifying first responders is that it opens up avenues for individuals to reconnect with healthcare services,” noted Jose Moron-Concepcion, PhD, the Henry E. Mallinckrodt Professor of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine and a co-author of the research. “Our goal is to prevent overdose deaths and also mitigate opioid harm by helping individuals access the necessary resources and treatments to prevent future incidents.”
The team has secured a patent for their device, with support from the Office of Technology Management at WashU, to protect their innovation. They are in the process of developing the technology further and are seeking industry partners to prepare for broader deployment and clinical trials with human participants.
“The Naloximeter serves as a pioneering model that goes beyond just addressing the opioid issue,” stated Joanna Ciatti, a graduate student in Rogers’ lab. “This technology holds promise for addressing other severe medical emergencies, including anaphylaxis or epilepsy. Our research sets the stage for future clinical applications, and we hope it encourages others in the field to help bring autonomous rescue devices to fruition.”
Ciatti JL, Vazquez-Guardado A, Brings VE, Park J, Ruyle B, Ober RA, McLuckie AJ, Talcott MR, Carter EA, Burrell AR, Sponenburg RA, Trueb J, Gupta P, Kim J, Avila R, Seong M, Slivicki RA, Kaplan MA, Villalpando-Hernandez B, Massaly N, Montana MC, Pet M, Huang Y, Morón JA, Gereau IV RW, Rogers JA. An autonomous implantable device for the prevention of death from opioid overdose. Science Advances. Oct. 23, 2024.
This research received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative, grant numbers UG3DA050303 and UH3DA050303; the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, grant number DGE-2234667; North Carolina State University, grant number 201473-02139; the NIH, grant number T32GM108539. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the NIH.
Ciatti JL, Vazquez-Guardado A, Brings VE, Ruyle B, Morón JA, Gereau IV RW, Rogers JA have been granted a patent (number: WO2022261492A1) based on the study detailed in this paper.
