A notification system includes a database network, the database network configured to store a medication schedule of a patient; a voice translation service in communication with the database network; and a notification device comprising a processor configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one of database network and the voice translation service, the processor contained in a housing, the housing configured for attachment to the patient, a portion of the housing comprising a display panel; and a memory in communication with the processor, wherein the memory stores executable instructions for causing the processor to provide a visual reminder, at the display panel, of a medication event in the patient's medication schedule, transmit to the voice translation service a voice signal corresponding to an utterance of the patient; and receive from the voice translation service a verbal response to the utterance.

A method and apparatus for monitoring drug-regimen compliance is disclosed. Systems in accordance with the present invention enable automatic monitoring of the state of medicine content of a blister card. Each tablet location on the blister card is operatively coupled with a different sensor that detects whether the tablet location is occupied and/or a dispensing event at a tablet location. In some embodiments, capacitive sensing is employed, where the capacitance of each sensor is based on the physical state of a dispensing region of the lidding film of the blister pack, which is located at the tablet location being monitored. Alternative sensing approaches are based on optical, acoustic, and tactile sensors that interrogate either the dispensing region at each tablet location or the tablets themselves to determine whether tablets have been dispensed. The sensors interface with a mobile app that provides the user instructions to help improve drug-regimen compliance.

A portable medicine dispensing apparatus includes a housing supporting a dispenser, a controller, and separate medicine storing and dispensing units, each of the units when activated is for automatically depositing a pill of medicine therefrom into the dispenser; and the controller for independently and automatically activating each of the units at pre-determined times.

Methods and systems are described for monitoring medication use with a home automation system. An example medication monitoring system includes a medication storage device, a proximity device, and a dispenser module. The medication storage device is configured to hold a plurality of medications. The proximity device is configured to detect an activity of a user relative to the medication storage device. The dispense module is configured to detect a pattern of the activity based on data received from the proximity device, and generate a notice. The notice may be generated if the pattern is broken. The notice may include a summary report on usage of the medication storage device. The notice may include an alarm if the medication storage device is, for example, tampered with or moved.

Disclosed herein are patient-side medical devices comprising a plurality of drawers adapted to receive or dispense a medication, at least one visual display, and at least one biometric sensor for acquiring biometric data of a subject. Further the patient-side medical device can comprise a processor configured to change, based at least in part on a measurement: a medication dispensing schedule: a medication: or a dosage of a medication. In some embodiments, a biometric sensor can be a fingerprint reader, a retinal scanner, or facial recognition reader. In some embodiments, a biometric sensor can be a fingerprint reader.

Embodiments are generally directed to systems and apparatuses for tracking usage of an item. For example, an apparatus may be provided for tracking use of a packetized item. The apparatus may include a microprocessor, a power source, and a structural layer to which the microprocessor and power source are coupled. The structural layer may include a container that is configured to hold various items. The container may also include an opening that allows access to the items. The apparatus may further include a cover layer that is configured to cover the opening of the container. The cover layer may include at least one bendable sensor placed over the opening of the container. The microprocessor may be configured to determine, using detected movements in the bendable sensor, whether the container has been opened.

A drink container with torque-limiting lid is provided. The drink container includes a lid that can be threadably coupled to a container body having a volume to hold fluids. The lid can include an inner lid assembly concentric with an outer lid assembly. The inner lid assembly can include a multiple ratchet teeth along an outer perimeter and the outer lid assembly can include one or more ratchet pawls along an inner perimeter and configured to engage the ratchet teeth. Rotational force on the outer lid assembly can be transferred to the inner lid assembly from the ratchet pawls to the ratchet teeth to threadably couple the inner lid assembly to the container body. Once a torque limit is reached, the ratchet pawls can slip along the ratchet teeth preventing further tightening of the inner lid assembly to the container body.

A modular dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles includes a hub containing electronics and have a plurality of side walls, with each side wall having a first coupling member that faces outward. The apparatus further includes a plurality of cartridges for holding the articles to be dispensed. Each cartridge has an inner wall that includes a second coupling member that is configured to mate with the first coupling member for detachably attaching the cartridge to a respective side wall of the hub. The cartridges are disposed radially beyond the hub such that the plurality of cartridges surround the hub. Each cartridge has an openable lid to provide access to an interior compartment of the cartridge for holding the articles.

New devices for providing an indication to a nursing mother as to whether a baby is receiving milk during a breastfeeding session. Milk expressed from the mother's breast is caused to flow through a transparent passageway part of a nipple shield, disposed in in a position where it visible to the mother or a third party, before being supplied to a nipple of the device, from which the baby is enabled to suck. The device therefore provides an indication that the infant is receiving milk from the mother's breast. The visibility of the passageway is achieved by routing the passageway through a region of the device whose line of sight with the mother is not obscured by the baby when feeding, such as towards the periphery of the base layer of the device. The device passageway may also comprise a valve, and details of such valves are disclosed.

In a medication dispensing system, pills of different medications are stored in different chambers of a pill bottle. An assembly of a non-moving disc having holes corresponding to each chamber, a rotatable disc having a hole for dispensing pills therethrough, and a motor, dispenses the pills according to a prescribed schedule. The motor controls the rotations of the rotatable disc according to a user-specified schedule.