Neck stimulation to restore breathing during opioid overdose
Transcutaneous Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Treating Opioid Overdose
A portable, AED-style device that uses small neck patches to keep someone breathing when they have an opioid overdose.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Coridea, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11063619 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is building an Automated External Respiratory Support (AERS) device that bystanders can place on the neck to send gentle pulses to the phrenic nerve and maintain breathing during an opioid overdose. The team will design and prototype the device, optimize electrode placement and stimulation settings, and run safety and effectiveness tests in lab and clinical settings. The device is intended to be as easy to use as an AED so untrained people can help prevent brain injury from lack of oxygen until naloxone or emergency care arrives. The research includes human-focused testing steps to confirm the device keeps ventilation going and is safe for public use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk of opioid overdose or who experience opioid-induced respiratory depression would be the primary candidates for this device and related clinical studies.
Not a fit: People whose breathing problems are caused by non-opioid conditions or who cannot safely use neck electrodes (for example due to neck injury or certain implants) may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could save lives and reduce permanent brain injury by keeping people breathing until emergency treatment is available.
How similar studies have performed: Diaphragm and phrenic nerve stimulation have been used for chronic respiratory support, but an AED-like, transcutaneous device for opioid overdose is a novel and only partly tested application.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Coridea, LLC — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levin, Howard — Coridea, LLC
- Study coordinator: Levin, Howard
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 below.