Creating a wearable device to detect opioid overdoses
Official title: Developing a wearable medical device to detect opioid overdose
Funded at Resilient Lifescience, INC. · NIH-11268256 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new wearable device that helps keep people safe from opioid overdoses by monitoring their breathing and sending alerts to loved ones or emergency services if there's a problem, making it a helpful tool for anyone at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Resilient Lifescience, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $54,944 |
| NIH project number | 3R44DA060643-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11268256 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) who are at risk of overdose.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Opioid Use Disorder or are not at risk of opioid overdose may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a wearable medical device that can continuously monitor individuals at risk of opioid overdose. The device aims to detect signs of Opioid Induced Respiratory Depression (OIRD) and send emergency alerts to friends, family, or emergency services when an overdose is detected. By addressing the critical issue of overdose deaths occurring without bystanders present, this technology seeks to improve response times and save lives. The project also involves validating the business model for marketing this device to families and healthcare providers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the number of fatal opioid overdoses by enabling timely intervention.
How similar studies have gone: While wearable devices for health monitoring are becoming more common, this specific approach to detecting opioid overdose is novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Resilient Lifescience, INC.
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holden, Bradford a — Resilient Lifescience, INC.
- Study coordinator: Holden, Bradford a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Wearable patch to detect opioid overdose and trigger emergency alerts
A wearable patch is being developed to detect opioid overdose and automatically trigger an alarm to get help.
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Creating a wearable device to detect opioid overdoses
This study is testing a new wearable device that helps keep an eye on your health to spot signs of an opioid overdose, so it can alert caregivers or emergency services quickly to help save lives.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.