An implantable sensor could prevent opioid-related deaths

“The most challenging aspect of developing a technical solution to prevent overdose deaths is simultaneously addressing patient compliance and willingness to adopt new technology, combating stigmatization, minimizing false-positive detections and ensuring the rapid delivery of antidotes,” said the paper’s lead author, Hen. -Wei Huang, a former visiting scholar at MIT and assistant professor of electrical and electronic engineering at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. “Our proposed solution addresses these unmet needs.”

The researchers hope to test the device on humans within three to five years. They are now working on miniaturizing it further and optimizing the built-in battery, which can currently provide power for about two weeks.