A new software system for smartphones can quickly and unobtrusively detect early signs of opioid overdoses, according to a new study. The software successfully identified respiratory depression (a hallmark symptom of overdose) in opioid users in an injection facility and during simulated overdoses (mimicked by anesthesia) in an operating room (OR). Although further optimization is needed, the smartphone system holds potential as a cost-effective tool for identifying early-stage overdoses, which require prompt medical attention.
Every day in the U.S., 115 people die from opioid overdoses, and the annual death toll continues to climb. High doses of fentanyl or other drugs contribute to the opioid crisis because they cause apnea (a temporary cessation in breathing) and death due to respiratory failure.
In search of an earlier intervention strategy, researchers created algorithms that run on commercially available smartphones and detect precursors to opioid overdose. Their software converts the smartphone's speaker and microphone into a short-range sonar device that continuously sends out acoustic signals, which bounce off surfaces such as a moving chest and return to the phone. The system then analyzes these signals and detects changes in breathing and movement patterns that indicate the beginning of an overdose.
The authors first tested the platform in a supervised, approved injection facility with 194 participants who injected heroin, fentanyl or morphine. The software - installed on a Galaxy S4 smartphone placed within one meter of the participants - identified 97.7% of post-injection apnea events and 89.3% of post-injection respiratory depression events (overdosed participants were resuscitated by staff without issue). It also correctly detected 19 out of 20 simulated overdose events in an OR, where patients underwent anesthesia to mirror overdose symptoms such as loss of consciousness.
The authors envision that an optimized version of the platform could be linked with emergency services or family members and alert them of developing opioid overdoses in real time.
http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/11/474/eaau8914
Smartphones to detect opioid overdose!
- 1,059 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Abusive drugs hijack natura…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Mechanism of action of the…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Role of fat in rare neurolo…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
How protein synthesis in de…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Apr
Atlas of mRNA variants in d…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Apr
Other Top Stories
Single-shot COVID-19 vaccine protects non-human primates
Read more
The Gut Microbiome Regulates Psychological-Stress-Induced Inflammation
Read more
Mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 recapitulating all aspects of human disea…
Read more
Why your brain parasite isn't making you sick?
Read more
Zika virus mutation responsible for quick spread and microcephaly i…
Read more
Protocols
A programmable targeted pro…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
MemPrep, a new technology f…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
A tangible method to assess…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
Stem cell-derived vessels-o…
By newseditor
Posted 06 Apr
Single-cell biclustering fo…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Apr
Publications
Exploiting pancreatic cance…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Structure of antiviral drug…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Type-I-interferon-responsiv…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Selenium, diabetes, and the…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Long-term neuropsychologica…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Apr
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar