A team of Northwestern Medicine investigators has engineered an implantable device capable of automatically reversing opioid overdoses. The device, dubbed the Naloximeter, monitors oxygen levels under the skin and releases naloxone, a life-saving drug that reverses opioid effects, in response to detected signs of an overdose. This innovation addresses a critical gap in overdose intervention, as current naloxone treatments require administration by a bystander.
The Naloximeter is designed to function autonomously. "The device is a compact, fully implantable system – about the size of a conventional pacemaker – that operates in a purely automatic fashion to detect signs of opioid overdose, initiate fast release of a life-saving dose of naloxone, and transmit an emergency 911 call with geolocation data from a wirelessly paired smartphone," explained John A. Rogers, PhD, the Louis Simpson and Kimberly Querrey Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Neurological Surgery at Northwestern University, and senior author of the study.
Device Functionality and Study Results
The device continuously monitors oxygen levels in the body. If these levels drop below a pre-set threshold, indicating a potential overdose, the Naloximeter sends a warning notification to a paired mobile app. If the user does not abort the rescue process within 30 seconds, the device automatically releases a dose of naloxone and contacts 911, transmitting the person's location for rapid assistance.
In preclinical studies, the device was implanted in the neck, chest, or back of small and large animals. Results showed that the Naloximeter detected signs of an overdose within one minute of oxygen levels dropping. Following naloxone administration, all animals fully recovered within five minutes.
Addressing the Opioid Crisis
The development of the Naloximeter comes at a crucial time, as opioid overdose deaths continue to surge. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 100,000 people died from an opioid overdose in 2022. Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are major contributors, accounting for approximately 70% of all overdose deaths in the U.S. The implantable device offers a potential solution to reduce these fatalities by ensuring timely naloxone delivery, even in the absence of a bystander.
Future Directions
Rogers and his team are now focused on advancing the technology towards clinical use. "The next step is to explore options for translating the technology out of our academic laboratory setting into a form that can be put through the FDA regulatory process, ultimately leading to a device that can be used for any interested individual in need," Rogers stated. This includes further testing in clinical trials to evaluate the device's safety and efficacy in humans.
The study was supported by the National Science Foundation and the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, highlighting the collaborative effort to combat the opioid crisis through innovative technological solutions.
