Wearable respiratory monitor to prevent opioid-related breathing problems
Official title: Wearable Wireless Respiratory Monitoring System that Detects and Predicts Opioid Induced Respiratory Depression
Funded at Rtm Vital Signs, LLC · NIH-11237086 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A wearable, wireless sensor system with a smart algorithm that detects and predicts opioid-induced breathing depression to help hospital patients and others stay safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rtm Vital Signs, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,252,788 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DA059491-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237086 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Hospitals’ general-floor patients receiving opioids and individuals at risk of opioid-related breathing problems, including those with chronic opioid use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without opioid exposure or those not needing respiratory monitoring may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a wearable device that continuously tracks breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, movement, and more to spot early signs of opioid-related breathing problems. It uses a unique acoustic sensor and software to compute a Risk Index Score every 20 seconds, so clinicians can act before severe events occur. The goal is to reduce hospital stays, complications, and deaths due to OIRD by providing timely alerts to care teams. The device is designed for use on general hospital floors and for people who chronically use or misuse opioids. The team has FDA breakthrough designation, signaling potential real-world impact if successful.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients on opioid therapy could receive timely alerts that prevent life-threatening breathing problems.
How similar studies have gone: Previous monitoring tools have struggled to reliably predict OIRD, making this approach potentially novel and impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Rtm Vital Signs, LLC
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dicciani, Nance Katherine — Rtm Vital Signs, LLC
- Study coordinator: Dicciani, Nance Katherine
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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.