Noncontact Monitoring for Opioid-Related Breathing Problems

Noncontact Monitoring for the Detection of Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression

NIH-funded research Autonomous Healthcare, INC. · NIH-11169624

This project is creating a new non-contact system to help detect dangerous breathing issues caused by opioid medications in patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAutonomous Healthcare, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Santa Clara, United States)
Project IDNIH-11169624 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Opioid medications can sometimes slow down breathing to a dangerous level, which is called opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD). If not caught quickly, this can lead to serious complications like brain injury. This project aims to develop a new monitoring system that uses non-contact sensors, like radar and depth imaging, to keep an eye on a patient's breathing rate and how much air they take in. This system is designed to be private, work through clothing, and could eventually be used both in hospitals and at home to keep patients safer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This technology is being developed for a wide range of patients, including those recovering from surgery, individuals taking high-dose opioid medications for chronic pain at home, and patients with opioid use disorder.

Not a fit: Patients not taking opioid medications or those without a risk of respiratory depression would not directly benefit from this specific monitoring system.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could provide an early warning for life-threatening breathing problems caused by opioids, potentially preventing serious harm like anoxic brain injury and improving patient safety.

How similar studies have performed: While non-contact monitoring is an emerging field, this specific approach combining radar and depth imaging for OIRD detection is a novel development.

Where this research is happening

Santa Clara, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anoxic Brain Injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.