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| Tech Startups Revolutionize Opioid Addiction Treatment with Innovative Biometric Monitoring, Nerve Stimulation, and Autonomous Drug Delivery Systems Image credit: IEEE Spectrum |
Introduction to the Opioid Crisis and Tech Startups’ Role
In response to the growing global opioid crisis, tech startups are rising to the challenge by developing innovative solutions to support the 60 million people worldwide who use opioids, approximately 1 percent of the world’s adult population. The United States has seen a staggering 1,040 percent increase in deaths involving synthetic opioids from 2013 to 2019, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread availability of fentanyl, with an estimated 81,083 fatal overdoses in 2023 alone.
Helping Patients Get the Dosage They Need
Determining the correct medication dosage for opioid addiction treatment is crucial for patient retention in recovery programs, especially with the rise of potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl. A North Carolina-based startup, OpiAID, is addressing this challenge by developing a predictive algorithm to help clinicians tailor treatment protocols using biometric data. The company recently launched a research pilot with Bicycle Health, where patients wearing a Samsung Galaxy Watch6 monitor heart rate, body movements, and skin temperature to track stress levels and withdrawal symptoms. This innovative approach aims to optimize medication-assisted therapy, which remains underutilized despite being a primary treatment tool.
Nerve Stimulators Provide Opioid Withdrawal Relief
Beyond monitoring, some tech companies are focusing on active interventions, such as electrical nerve stimulation devices designed to relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms. These behind-the-ear wearables deliver electrical pulses to block pain signals and alleviate symptoms like anxiety and nausea. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared several devices in this category, including DyAnsys’ Drug Relief, Spark Biomedical’s Sparrow system, and Masimo’s Bridge. In clinical trials, Masimo’s Bridge significantly reduced withdrawal symptom severity, demonstrating the potential of nerve stimulation technology in helping patients transition into or taper off medication-assisted treatment.
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| Masimo Bridge behind-the-ear wearables deliver electrical pulses to block pain signals and alleviate symptoms Image credit: Masimo |
Devices Monitor Blood Oxygen to Prevent Overdose Deaths
To combat the leading cause of overdose deaths—opioid-induced respiratory depression—Masimo introduced the Halo device in 2023. Halo monitors blood oxygen levels and alerts emergency contacts if it detects dangerous drops in oxygen saturation. Using advanced signal extraction technology, Halo distinguishes between arterial blood and low-oxygen venous blood, reducing the likelihood of false alarms. This over-the-counter device, priced at $250, is gaining traction as healthcare providers recommend it to high-risk patients, offering a potentially life-saving tool for those vulnerable to overdose.
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| Halo monitors blood oxygen levels and alerts emergency contacts if it detects dangerous drops in oxygen saturation Image credit: Masimo |
Autonomous Delivery of Overdose Medication
Autonomous drug delivery systems represent a cutting-edge approach to preventing overdose deaths. One such project, the A2D2 system, involves a wrist-worn sensor that detects low blood oxygen levels and triggers the release of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, via an implanted capsule. Developed by Purdue University researchers, this system has shown promise in early studies, consistently detecting low-oxygenation events and activating the antidote release mechanism. The Rescue Biomedical team, responsible for this innovation, plans to conduct further tests to refine this closed-loop system.
An Ingestible Sensor to Watch Over Patients
Last year, researchers achieved a significant breakthrough with the development of an ingestible sensor capable of monitoring vital signs from within the stomach. In a clinical study involving sleep study patients, this device accurately tracked breathing patterns and heart rates, potentially identifying episodes of central sleep apnea, a condition linked to opioid-induced respiratory depression. The sensor’s creators, including Celero Systems CEO Benjamin Pless, aim to commercialize a version of this device that can release an opioid antagonist when respiratory depression is detected. This ingestible format, known as Rescue-Rx, is designed to remain in the stomach for up to a week, offering a cost-effective and accessible alternative to wearable autoinjectors or implants.
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| CND Rescue-Rx Image credit: CND Rescue-Rx |
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