Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed an innovative implantable device designed to detect and reverse opioid overdoses using naloxone.

The iSOS device incorporates multiple sensors, including an electrocardiograph and blood oxygen monitor, coordinated by a 64 MHz ARM CPU to accurately detect overdose symptoms.

Once an overdose is detected, the device can rapidly administer naloxone, an opioid antagonist that restores normal breathing within minutes.

Initial animal studies have shown that the device successfully reversed overdoses 96% of the time, indicating its potential effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

In tests on pigs, the iSOS was able to differentiate between rapid and slow-onset overdoses, enhancing its utility in emergency situations.

Implanted under the skin, the iSOS allows for more accurate monitoring of vital signs compared to existing wearable devices.

The research team aims to tackle challenges such as patient adherence, stigma, and false positives with their miniaturized robotic implant.

Users can cancel the device's operation within 10 to 30 seconds via a smartphone app if a false positive is detected, adding a layer of user control.

The iSOS administers a subcutaneous dose of 10mg naloxone, significantly higher than typical intranasal doses, to effectively combat fentanyl overdoses.

Future plans include human testing within the next three to five years, alongside efforts to further miniaturize and optimize the device.

The urgency of this innovation is underscored by the fact that over 100,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2023, highlighting a critical public health issue.

Funding for the research has been provided by Novo Nordisk, the McGraw Family Foundation, and the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering.