Using a device to help people breathe during opioid overdoses
Official title: Transcutaneous Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Treating Opioid Overdose
Funded at Coridea, LLC · NIH-10681111 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new device that helps people breathe better during an opioid overdose, making it easier for anyone to assist someone in need until help arrives.
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 start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $927,319 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3DA058439-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10681111 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk of opioid overdose or those who have experienced respiratory depression due to opioid use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use opioids or have no risk of respiratory depression from drug use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a device called the Automated External Respiration System (AERS) that can help individuals who are experiencing respiratory depression due to opioid overdose. The device works by stimulating the phrenic nerve to maintain adequate breathing until medical help can arrive or the effects of the opioids wear off. The research will involve testing the device's safety and effectiveness in human volunteers after initial successful trials in animal models. The goal is to create a community-friendly device that can be used by anyone, similar to how Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are used today.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a life-saving tool for individuals experiencing opioid overdoses, potentially reducing the number of deaths from respiratory failure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar approaches in animal models, but this specific device is novel and has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Coridea, LLC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levin, Howard — Coridea, LLC
- Study coordinator: Levin, Howard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Automated External Respiratory Support for opioid overdose (AERS)
A portable device idea to help people who overdose on opioids by gently stimulating the neck to keep breathing until medical help or opioids wear off.
-
ENT-guided cervical nerve stimulation for central sleep apnea
A new, less invasive outpatient procedure to stimulate the phrenic nerve could help people with central sleep apnea breathe better at night.
-
Cooled Radiofrequency Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction for Emphysema
A new, minimally invasive therapy uses cooled radiofrequency to reduce lung volume in adults with advanced emphysema-related COPD.
-
Percutaneous stellate ganglion stimulation to support blood pressure in septic shock
A small, portable neuromodulation device would be tested to help people with septic shock maintain blood pressure while doctors adjust medicines.
-
Neck nerve stimulation to restore breathing during opioid overdose
This project is creating a portable AED-like device that uses neck electrode patches to stimulate the phrenic nerve and keep people breathing during an opioid overdose until help arrives.
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Neck stimulation to restore breathing during opioid overdose
A portable, AED-style device that uses small neck patches to keep someone breathing when they have an opioid overdose.
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.