THE IMPLANTABLE FIRST RESPONDER

 Current methods of reversing opioid overdose require administration of opioid antidotes from a second party.  If the victim is alone during the overdose, or not alone but no antidote is available, it is likely that death or severe disability will occur. 

Implantation of a device in at-risk individuals that can detect the overdose as it occurs and release a life-saving dose of naloxone*.

Lazarus, LLC is developing and has patented an implantable device to detect opioid overdose as it occurs, thus creating the opportunity to significantly reduce deaths and severe disabilities caused by this rapidly escalating public health crisis. According to recent data, opioid overdose contributed to over 80,000 deaths in the United States in 2021. The ensuing devastation to families and communities is immeasurable.

Decreased respiratory rate due to depression of the respiratory center in the brain is the physiological mechanism which causes death or permanent brain damage in opioid overdoses. Attempts to lower the risk of death and disability have involved increasing the availability of naloxone for use by first responders for opioid overdose victims. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can rapidly reverse respiratory depression and prevent death if administered in a timely fashion.

Unfortunately, many opioid overdoses occur when an individual is alone. Currently naloxone cannot be administered by the person who is overdosing, as they are unconscious.  Additionally, it is more than likely that if the victim is in company, there is no naloxone available. The Lazarus device addresses both of these problems.

The Lazarus device is an “implanted first responder”. A healthcare provider can subcutaneously insert this small device into patients at risk for opioid overdose. This life-saving minor procedure would be performed in a few minutes under local anesthesia. The device will continuously monitor the patient’s respirators and administer a therapeutic dose of naloxone if respirations decrease below a certain threshold.

Health insurance industry feedback has been positive with payers indicating that they would cover the device in both chronic pain and opioid substance use disorder patients. Lazarus, LLC has secured intellectual property protection, completed initial design prototype specifications, performed market analysis, and is in negotiation with contract design and manufacturing companies for prototype production.

*Naloxone is the generic name for the trademarked name Narcan.

Lazarus, LLC is developing and has patented an implantable device to detect opioid overdose as it occurs, thus creating the opportunity to significantly reduce deaths and severe disabilities caused by this rapidly escalating public health crisis. According to recent data, opioid overdose contributed to over 80,000 deaths in the United States in 2021. The ensuing devastation to families and communities is immeasurable.

Decreased respiratory rate due to depression of the respiratory center in the brain is the physiological mechanism which causes death or permanent brain damage in opioid overdoses. Attempts to lower the risk of death and disability have involved increasing the availability of naloxone for use by first responders for opioid overdose victims. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can rapidly reverse respiratory depression and prevent death if administered in a timely fashion.

Unfortunately, many opioid overdoses occur when an individual is alone. Currently naloxone cannot be administered by the person who is overdosing, as they are unconscious.  Additionally, it is more than likely that if the victim is in company, there is no naloxone available. The Lazarus device addresses both of these problems.

The Lazarus device is an “implanted first responder”. A healthcare provider can subcutaneously insert this small device into patients at risk for opioid overdose. This life-saving minor procedure would be performed in a few minutes under local anesthesia. The device will continuously monitor the patient’s respirators and administer a therapeutic dose of naloxone if respirations decrease below a certain threshold.

Health insurance industry feedback has been positive with payers indicating that they would cover the device in both chronic pain and opioid substance use disorder patients. Lazarus, LLC has secured intellectual property protection, completed initial design prototype specifications, performed market analysis, and is in negotiation with contract design and manufacturing companies for prototype production.

*Naloxone is the generic name for the trademarked name Narcan.