A clinical trial of the new PneumoWave wearable device is set to take place to help combat the growing number of fatal opioid overdoses in Scotland.

John Dillon, Professor of hepatology and gastroenterology at the University of Dundee and consultant hepatologist at NHS Tayside, will lead the RESCU trial of the biosensor.

The sensor, which is worn by the user, alerts emergency services to overdoses to enable them to deliver a life-saving antidote.

The remote monitoring device is being provided by digital health company PneumoWave, who are developing technology capable of real-time detection of life-threatening respiratory emergencies.

PneumoWave, as part of wider clinical research programme, is currently working alongside the Dundee researchers to study the physiological effects of opioid use.

Captured data will allow for accurate detection of the onset of respiratory depression and alert first responders.

Professor Dillon carried out previous work that led to Tayside becoming a world leader in Hepatis C elimination, which is commonly contracted by patients with Opioid Use Disorder.

He said he hopes the trial will demonstrate that the respiratory monitoring technology in the PneumoWave wearable device has the potential to save many lives.

Commenting on the trial, Professor Dillon said: “Working in the field that I do, I see first-hand the devastation that opioid overdoses bring. Large numbers of my patient group die from overdoses every year and this is a major issue everywhere, but one that we in Scotland need to address particularly urgently.

“The bare statistics about drug-related deaths are there for everyone to see, but these do not tell the whole story – that of the many tragedies and lost opportunities that lie behind them and the heartbreak that they bring to families and loved ones.

“I am hopeful that this device will become a tool to contribute to the efforts to prevent these senseless losses.”

Recommended

• Edinburgh to host inaugural Scottish AI Summit
• Filament STAC adds to company cohort at Scottish IoT Accelerator
• Shetland Spaceport plans approved for launch

Deaths from opioids occur due to respiratory depression, an unpredictable side effect of both prescription and illicit opioid use.

Scotland currently has the worst rates of overdose deaths in Europe with 1,339 deaths in 2020, a 5% increase from 2019. Nearly all these deaths are preventable when a highly effective antidote, naloxone, is administered early enough.

There is also currently no ability to detect an overdose and use of naloxone relies on coincidental discovery of those affected.

Dr Bruce Henderson, CEO and founder of PneumoWave and a physician working with patients at risk of overdose, said: “The RESCU study is critical in the development of this potentially life-saving technology.

“Professor Dillon, and the rest of the R&D team, have a proven record in improving outcomes for this difficult to reach group of patients and we are pleased to be working with them as we aim to be part of attempts to stop deaths from overdose.”

The RESCU trial is part of a wider programme of clinical research that includes trials in King’s College London and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow.

Professor at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Jason Grebely added: “The prevention of drug-related opioid overdose is a major public health priority globally.

“Understanding the benefit of novel technologies to improve our responses and prevent opioid-related deaths, such as Pneumowave, will be critical for improving the health of people who use and inject drugs into the future.”

Get the latest news from DIGIT direct to your inbox

Our newsletter covers the latest technology and IT news from Scotland and beyond, as well as in-depth features and exclusive interviews with leading figures and rising stars.

To subscribe, click here.