Responding to the opioid crisis with dove: a standalone opioid overdose detection and alert device

The National Institute on Drug Abuse awarded $403,307 to Altrumed LLC on September 1, 2026, under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279) to develop and clinically validate the DOVE device, a wearable opioid overdose detection and alert system.

DOVE is a shoulder-worn device smaller than a smartwatch that uses next-generation pulse oximetry and shoulder-based reflectance optical spectroscopy to detect opioid-induced respiratory suppression. Upon detecting an overdose, the device automatically alerts first responders and nearby bystanders. Altrumed has completed a 100-patient user preference study and sensor feasibility study demonstrating high acceptance and effectiveness; 71 percent of surveyed high-risk opioid users expressed strong interest in a sense-and-alert system. The award funds optimization and clinical testing of the sensor across diverse populations, with technical refinements to enhance optical penetration depth, sensor arrangement, and luminosity while normalizing biomarker readings across skin tones.

Altrumed LLC, a for-profit medical device company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the recipient. The performance period runs through August 31, 2027, with work occurring in Philadelphia.

The project addresses the gap in current overdose response: approximately 52 percent of opioid overdose deaths occur when patients are alone, and fatal outcomes often result when naloxone administration does not occur within five minutes. The device aims to reduce brain damage and mortality by enabling rapid autonomous alert and intervention independent of bystander presence or action.

Abstract

/ project summary despite the wide availability of the antidote naloxone, fatal opioid overdoses still occur at a rate of 84,000 / year in the US. The problem is that naloxone requires a bystander to find and diagnose the overdose, find someone who has naloxone, and then properly administer IT. Unfortunately, if this does not occur within 5 minutes, the patient will suffer from brain damage, which is often considered a "hidden epidemic" within the opioid epidemic. Additionally, ~52% of opioid overdose deaths occur when the patient is totally alone, without nearby bystanders around. To solve this, we built the dove device: smaller than a smartwatch, IT sticks to the shoulder and uses our next-GEN pulse oximeter to detect an opioid overdose. Dove automatically alerts first responders and local bystanders using a novel shoulder-based reflectance optical spectroscopy sensor we have already published a 100-patient in-depth user preference study and a sensor feasibility study with people who use opioids. Dove has demonstrated high acceptance and effectiveness in detecting respiratory suppression. We will optimize and clinically test IT based on our FDA pre-submission feedback to get dove to patients as fast as possible. 71% of surveyed high-risk opioid users have a strong desire for a sense-and-alert system. Our innovation includes refinements to existing optical sensor technologies, enhancing penetration depth, sensor arrangement, and luminosity to improve the accuracy and reliability of biomarker readings, which are normalized across skin tones. By addressing these technical challenges, our device not only advances the state of the art in overdose prevention but also opens new applications in other areas of health monitoring. The project encompasses two primary phases over four years. Phase I focuses on clinically validating the sensor's accuracy across diverse skin tones and integrating alert mechanisms, ensuring the device's efficacy and standalone operation. This phase aims to establish a clinically valid shoulder pulse oximeter that meets FDA guidelines. Phase II will address the redesign and refinement of dove, focusing on manufacturability, usability, and functionality of its alert systems in various environments, culminating in an FDA 510K submission.