133777Toxicity Alert Biosensor (TAB)ClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UK"Opioids are a class of drug prescribed for pain relief or used illicitly for their euphoric effect. In 2016, 23 million prescriptions were issued for opioids in the UK. In that same year, 2,893 people died from accidental opioid overdose. In the USA, there were more than 42,000 deaths. Opioid overdose is now the largest cause of accidental death in most developed countries- far greater than road traffic accidents. Nearly all of these deaths are preventable, either through safer use of opioids or early detection of overdose and administration of a life-saving antidote. Harm from overdose isn't restricted to deaths. For every fatal overdose, there are 20-30 non-fatal overdoses resulting in ambulance call outs, hospital admissions, hospital treatment, loss of productivity and temporary or permanent disability. The estimated annual costs in the UK are in the region of £3.5bn. In the US, the estimated cost is in excess of $500bn. Closely linked to the extent of harm from opioids is the potential for misuse. Opioid users quickly develop tolerance and doses have to be increased rapidly to gain beneficial effects. As the population ages, and with rising health problems, many more patients require the need for pain relief. This has created unprecedented demand for long-term use and an explosion in rates of opioid misuse. Altair Medical Ltd is a health technology start-up company spun out of successful healthcare and IT companies based in Scotland. Our innovative technology continuously monitors patients taking opioids using a small, wireless wearable sensor paired to a smartphone. Data collected by the sensor is analysed by artificial intelligence which monitors drug usage and advises on safe timing of doses, tailored to each individual patient, to reduce the risk of overdose. Should this fail, it detects overdose and alerts first responders to administer naloxone, the powerful opioid antidote. By continuously monitoring high risk opioid users, our technology can also: * identify signs of opioid misuse and facilitate treatment * improve pain control and reduce the risk of side effects * reduce the risk of opioid interactions with other types of medication * send reports to the prescribing doctor to assist in clinical decision making * assist in determining safety for driving. All of which have the potential to dramatically lower the risk of harm from opioid use."