Wearable patch to detect opioid overdose and trigger emergency alerts
Official title: Developing a wearable medical device to detect opioid overdose
Funded at Resilient Lifescience, INC. · NIH-11579934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A wearable patch is being developed to detect opioid overdose and automatically trigger an alarm to get help.
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 | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,018,701 |
| NIH project number | 4R44DA060643-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11579934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of opioid overdose or in settings where timely emergency response is critical.
✕Less likely to help
People without access to the wearable or in settings where the device cannot be worn may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to turn a torso-worn patch into a reliable overdose detector that can alert caregivers or EMS when someone overdoses. It focuses on measuring oxygen levels from the abdomen and using breathing rate to power an early-warning algorithm. The work combines sensor tech, user acceptance testing, and plans for eventual commercialization to help people at risk of overdose and their support networks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could provide faster overdose detection and quicker life-saving responses.
How similar studies have gone: Prior phases showed promise in torso-based SpO2 measurement, supporting further development.
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.
-
Creating a wearable device to detect opioid overdoses
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.
-
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.