S4 E4: Can a patch reverse a drug overdose?

Wujin Sun joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about a device he’s working on that will automatically detect opioid overdoses and administer life-saving medication. He explained how the device works, the motivations behind it, and the need for an intervention that doesn’t require a bystander’s assistance.00:00 — A Patch That Could Reverse Overdoses01:10 — Introducing the iNAL Patch02:17 — How the Patch Detects Fentanyl and Releases Naloxone03:17 — Why Overdose Prevention Needs to Work Without a Bystander04:34 — Protecting Patients Who Need Opioid Pain Relief05:44 — The Origin of the Research07:26 — Engineering the Sensor and Drug-Release System08:33 — How the Patch Controls Naloxone Delivery10:17 — Testing, Regulation, and the Road to Human Use11:22 — What a Human-Scale Patch Could Look Like12:28 — The Vision for Broad Public Access13:03 — Turning a Lab Innovation Into a Life-Saving ToolSun is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. His research interests include cell and biomaterial engineering, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and precision medicine.