Overdose victims could be revived with automatic drug release

A new device that detects symptoms associated with overdose could be used to rescue drug users.
Developed by scientists and engineers at Purdue University, the device uses electrocardiography (EKG) signals to detect a decrease in a person’s respiration rate. Once it reaches a certain decreased level, drug naloxone is realised, and clocks the opioid from attaching to brain receptors.
The device need to be worn on your arm to work, and is similar to wearing an insulin pump. Once the EKG sensor detects a decrease, the magnetic field generator that heats the drug capsule that has been pre inserted into the body will activate and releases that naloxone in 10 seconds. The naloxone would give the patient an hour before relapse would occur, but this could potentially allow paramedics to treat the overdose.
Hyowon “Hugh” Lee, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Purdue said “ The goal was to create a device that was unobtrusive. The device works without human intervention, but you will always have an antidote with you in case it’s needed, keeping you table long enough for help to arrive. “
The team plan to expand the device by building in a communications system that would be able to automatically contact emergency services when a patient has overdoses, and the range of drugs in which the capsule will be able to administer – which could change the way those with diabetes administer insulin.