Covers for vial containers are described. The cover can include at least one side and an end. The at least one side and the end can form a cavity configured to receive a portion of a vial. The cover further includes an identifier located on the end of the cover. The identifier can include a shape associated with a particular medication. Such arrangements can assist visually impaired users in quickly and easily identifying the types of medication in a particular vial.

The invention generally relates to medical kits, e.g., an immunotherapy treatment and testing kits, and more particularly to a method of using the kits and system for treating allergies.

Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In embodiments, an item-management system comprises a container defining plural cells, a docking station configured to receive the container, sources of visible information to indicate the cell(s) into which an item is to be loaded, and at least one controller operable to control the visible information sources to indicate the cell into which the item is to be received.

Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In embodiments, an item-management system comprises a container defining plural cells, a docking station configured to receive the container, sources of visible information to indicate the cell(s) into which an item is to be loaded, and at least one controller operable to control the visible information sources to indicate the cell into which the item is to be received.

There is provided an apparatus for monitoring compliance, facilitating automatic dispensing and childproofing strip packaged medication. In one embodiment a dispenser advances a packet, controls advancement of the packet and detects the presence and absence of the packet, including electronic circuitry for recording events. A replicate for strip package medication can have packets with an open conductive trace, each packet being rupturable at a location to interrupt conductivity of the conductive trace. When the conductive trace of one of the packets completes an external circuit, the circuit is interrupted when the packet is ruptured. In another aspect, each packet has a tuned antenna that is tuned to an external transceiver which detects the detuning of each antenna. In a method of making a replicate for strip package medication, conductive ink is printed on a surface of each packet of the replicate and longitudinal edges of the replicate are reinforced.

A smart sticker for determining the current state of raw meat for safe human consumption is provided. The smart sticker indicates the quality or decomposition of the meat by changing color. The smart sticker employs a cupric nitrate solution mixed with a polymeric silicon substrate that forms a complex with the valence electrons on the nitrogen atom of an amino acid residue. After this interaction occurs, the smart sticker changes color from, for example, light blue to purple.

A pill dispenser (10) has a core (12) with outward-facing compartments (14) arranged in rows and layers about a central axis. A first sleeve (22) overlying the core has an elongated slot (24) extending parallel to the central axis, and is rotatable relative to the first sleeve to align the slot with one of the rows of compartments. A second sleeve (26), coaxial with the first sleeve, has a pattern of staggered openings 28 positioned in an axial direction to align with a corresponding one of the layers. The second sleeve is rotatable relative to the first sleeve to bring each of the staggered openings into alignment with the elongated slot, thereby providing access to one of the compartments of the core. Preferably, the core includes a number of axially removable cartridges (30), each including a row of compartments, that can be inserted while the compartments contain pills.

A warming sleeve for an intravenous fluid bag includes a heating element. The warming sleeve can include an elastic materially at least partially surrounding the heating element. The warming sleeve can include a layer of a material disposed between the heating element and an intravenous fluid bag. The layer of material can exchange heat between the heating element and a fluid within the intravenous fluid bag.

A portable medical kit is for treatment of at least one medical condition having first and second levels of severity and includes a portable case having an interior chamber and at least two medicine holders each configured to retain a separate one of a first medicine and a second medicine within the chamber or at least one medicine holder configured to retain both of the first and second medicines within the chamber. A sheet retainer is configured to couple at least one treatment instruction sheet with the case. Further, a first visual indicator is attachable to the first medicine and a second visual indicator is attachable to the second medicine, the second indicator being readily visually distinguishable from the first indicator. Alternatively, the kit includes instructions to form the first indicator and the second indicator.

A fluid connector for selectively establishing fluid communication between a first medical container and a second medical container is provided. The fluid connector includes an adapter configured to removably attach to the first container. The adapter includes an access port and a cap. The connector further includes an outer sleeve connected to the adapter and a tubular body retained at least partially within the outer sleeve. The body has a proximal end connected to the adapter and a distal end connected to the second container. The fluid connector is transitionable from a first position in which the first container and the second container are in fluid isolation to a second position in which the first container and the second container are in fluid communication. At least a portion of the cap of the adapter is retained within the outer sleeve.