Skip to main content

You make this possible. Support our independent, nonprofit newsroom today.

Give Now

This smartphone app could detect in opioid overdose

caption: A smartphone app being developed at the UW could save the lives of opioid users who are experiencing an overdose
Enlarge Icon
A smartphone app being developed at the UW could save the lives of opioid users who are experiencing an overdose

Kim Malcolm talks with Dr. Jacob Sunshine about the smartphone app "Second Chance."

The app, which measures respiration using inaudible sound waves, is designed to detect an opioid overdose and call for emergency help.

A study published in Science Translational Medicine found the app could detect overdose-related symptoms with 90 percent accuracy.

The app was designed by Dr. Sunshine, Dr. Shyam Gollakota, and Rajalakshmi Nandakumar at the University of Washington.

Listen to the interview by clicking the play button above.

Why you can trust KUOW