Wearable smart patch could automatically deliver aid during a fentanyl overdose
A patch smaller than a penny could one day save the lives of people experiencing a fentanyl overdose—even when no one else is there to help. Researchers in Virginia Tech's Department of Biological Systems Engineering have developed a wearable microneedle patch that can detect fentanyl in the body and automatically release naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a wearable patch capable of automatically delivering naloxone to reverse a fentanyl overdose. The patch, smaller than a penny, uses microneedles to detect fentanyl in the body and release the medication. This innovation could provide lifesaving intervention without relying on a bystander.
The patch, known as the iNal patch, was created by a Virginia Tech research team led by Wujin Sun, assistant professor of biological systems engineering. Sun emphasized the importance of the patch as a harm-reduction tool, allowing for immediate intervention when a bystander may not be available. The technology relies on an array of 121 microscopic needles that penetrate the skin to reach fluid beneath, releasing naloxone when fentanyl is detected.
The researchers faced challenges in designing the patch to ensure reliable drug release while maintaining biocompatibility. In testing, the patch successfully released naloxone in response to increasing fentanyl levels in laboratory settings and mouse trials, showing potential for broader applications in harm reduction.
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