Abstract: A fundus imaging system comprises: a reflection mirror that reflects a light beam incident on the reflection mirror after passing through a first focus so as to cause the light beam to pass through a second focus; a two-dimensional scanning unit that is disposed at a position that coincides with a position of the first focus of the reflection mirror and that reflects a light beam incident on the two-dimensional scanning unit so as to perform scanning with the light beam in two-dimensional directions; and a compensating unit that compensates for illuminance ununiformity of a light beam illuminating the retina, the illuminance ununiformity resulting from unevenness of a ratio of an angular change of a light beam emitted from the first focus during scanning of the two-dimensional scanning unit to an angular change of a light beam incident on the second focus resulting from being reflected by the reflection mirror.

Abstract: A fundus analysis apparatus includes a storage, an area setting unit, and a morphological information generating unit. The storage is configured to store OCT information acquired by applying optical coherence tomography to the fundus of an eye. The area setting unit is configured to set a front area corresponding to a front surface of the lamina cribrosa and a rear area corresponding to a rear surface of the lamina cribrosa in the OCT information. The morphological information generating unit is configured to generate morphological information indicating the morphology of the lamina cribrosa based on at least the front area and the rear area.

Abstract: A system includes one or more sensors to detect activities of a mobile object; and a processor coupled to the sensor and the wireless transceiver to classify sequences of motions into groups of similar postures each represented by a model and to apply the models to identify an activity of the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing registration of medical images includes mapping a virtual coordinate system used by a first medical apparatus and a virtual coordinate system used by a second medical apparatus to one another. The coordinate systems are associated with a real-time medical image captured by the first medical apparatus and a three-dimensional (3D) medical image previously captured by the second medical apparatus, respectively. The method further includes detecting a position of a probe of the first medical apparatus from a coordinate system used by the second medical apparatus, based on a result of the mapping, determining a volume image corresponding to the detected position of the probe from the previously captured 3D medical image, and extracting from the determined volume image a cross-sectional image corresponding to the real-time medical image, where the real-time medical image changes according to a patient's physical movement.

Abstract: A device and method for guided insertion of microelectrodes into tissue is provided. The device includes a flexible optical fiber for optical coherence tomography imaging, a metal layer coating the optical fiber for recording electrical signals and an outer insulation layer coating the metal layer along the optical fiber length. The method includes inserting an optical fiber coated with a metal layer and further coated with an insulation layer into a tissue, collecting intraoperative image data through the optical fiber by optical coherence tomography, receiving the image data on a computer and displaying the image on a monitor, using the image data to determine a location in the tissue, receiving an electrical nerve signal through the metal layer and measuring the electrical nerve signal on a electrophysiological recording system.

Abstract: An overlay of anatomy is created for a fluoroscopy image. Anatomy detected in angiographic images is used to locate anatomy in the fluoroscopy image. For each cardiac phase, the anatomy is detected multiple times from different cardiac cycles using angiographic images. The fluoroscopic overlay for each cardiac phase is formed from a combination of angiographic candidates fit from the different cardiac cycles to the fluoroscopic image. To further enhance the combination, prediction of the anatomy position from one phase to the next phase is used.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a light source configured to emit light that penetrates into a portion of a user's body, a plurality of light sensors configured to detect a pattern of diffusion of the emitted light, and a controller configured to detect a gesture made by the user based on the detected pattern of diffusion of the emitted light. The controller may be configured to control the light source and the plurality of light sensors to detect the gesture made by the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for ascertaining a time-dependent blood pressure curve. Time- and volume-dependent blood flow values are detected in a noninvasive manner in a tissue section with a good blood flow as photoplethysmography values P(t) using a photoplethysmography sensor. A data processing unit transforms the photoplethysmography values P(t) into blood pressure values B(t) by carrying out a transformation rule. An output and storage unit at least temporarily stores the transformed blood pressure values B(t) as time-dependent blood pressure values and transfers said values to an external or internal display and/or storage unit arranged downstream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a cardiovascular pressure signal in a medical device that includes determining whether the sensed pressure signal is greater than a first pressure threshold, determining a first metric of the pressure signal in response to the sensed pressure signal being greater than the first pressure threshold, determining whether the sensed pressure signal is greater than a second pressure threshold not equal to the first pressure threshold, determining a second metric of the pressure signal in response to the sensed pressure signal being greater than the first pressure threshold, and determining at least one of a systolic pressure or a diastolic pressure, wherein the at least one of a systolic pressure or a diastolic pressure is determined based on the first metric in response to the pressure signal not being greater than the second threshold, and based on the second metric in response to the pressure signal being greater than the second threshold.

Abstract: A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to an external device. In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna, pressure sensor, and/or connector are hermetically sealed, e.g., by the catheter and/or a coating, to prevent the antenna, pressure sensor, and connector from coming into contact with fluid, thereby allowing the catheter to be permanently implanted or otherwise used for long term use. Exemplary methods for manufacturing and using pressure sensing catheters are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and devices for combining multiple signals from multiple sensing vectors for use in wearable or implantable cardiac devices. Signals from multiple vectors may be combined using weighting factors and/or by conversion to different coordinate systems than the original inputs, which may or may not be normalized to patient anatomy. Signals from multiple sensing vectors may be combined prior to or after several analytical steps or processes including before or after filtering, and before or after cardiac cycle detection. Cardiac cycle detection information may be combined across multiple sensing vectors before or after analysis of individual vectors for noise or overdetection. Cardiac cycle detection information may also be combined across multiple sensing vectors to identify noise and/or overdetection.

Abstract: An automatic extraction of disease-specific features from Doppler images to help diagnose valvular diseases is provided. The method includes the steps of obtaining a raw Doppler image from a series of images of an echocardiogram, isolating a region of interest from the raw Doppler image, the region of interest including a Doppler image and an ECG signal, and depicting at least one heart cycle, determining a velocity envelope of the Doppler image in the region of interest, extracting the ECG signal to synchronize the ECG signal with the Doppler age over the at least one heart cycle, within the region of interest, calculating a value of a clinical feature based on the extracted ECG signal synchronized with the velocity envelope, and comparing the value of the clinical feature with clinical guidelines associated with the clinical feature to determine a diagnosis of a disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure facilitates the evaluation of wide-band phase gradient information of the heart tissue to assess, e.g., the presence of heart ischemic heart disease. Notably, the present disclosure provides an improved and efficient method to identify and risk stratify coronary stenosis of the heart using a high resolution and wide-band cardiac gradient obtained from the patient. The patient data are derived from the cardiac gradient waveforms across one or more leads, in some embodiments, resulting in high-dimensional data and long cardiac gradient records that exhibit complex nonlinear variability. Space-time analysis, via numeric wavelet operators, is used to study the morphology of the cardiac gradient data as a phase space dataset by extracting dynamical and geometrical properties from the phase space dataset.

Abstract: The present disclosure uses physiological data, ECG signals as an example, to evaluate cardiac structure and function in mammals. Two approaches are presented, e.g., a model-based analysis and a space-time analysis. The first method uses a modified Matching Pursuit (MMP) algorithm to find a noiseless model of the ECG data that is sparse and does not assume periodicity of the signal. After the model is derived, various metrics and subspaces are extracted to image and characterize cardiovascular tissues using complex-sub-harmonic-frequencies (CSF) quasi-periodic and other mathematical methods. In the second method, space-time domain is divided into a number of regions, the density of the ECG signal is computed in each region and inputted into a learning algorithm to image and characterize the tissues.

Abstract: A catheter for diagnosing and ablating tissue is disclosed that has a stabilized spine electrode assembly. The stabilized spine electrode assembly has at least two spines secured to the catheter body at their proximal ends and at least one tether, secured between locations distal of the proximal ends of adjacent spines. The spines have a collapsed arrangement in which the spines are arranged generally along a longitudinal axis of the catheter body and an expanded arrangement in which at least a portion of each spine bows radially outwards from the longitudinal axis and the at least one tether exerts tension on the adjacent spines.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a catheter with an electrode array formed by an interconnected framework. The framework may have a plurality of elements interconnected by a plurality of junctions at locations intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the electrode array assembly. The electrodes may be printed on a polymeric layer of the interconnected framework.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include a flexible catheter tip. The flexible catheter tip can comprise an inboard understructure that defines a tip longitudinal axis, wherein the inboard understructure is formed from a first continuous element that includes a first rectangular cross-section. In some embodiments, an outboard understructure can extend along the tip longitudinal axis, wherein the outboard understructure is formed from a second continuous element that includes a second rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for graphically indicating aspects of rotors (such as pivot points of rotors) associated with atrial or ventricular fibrillation. Embodiments can include receiving, using a processor, an electrogram for each of a plurality of spatial locations in a heart, each electrogram comprising time series data including a plurality of electrical potential readings over time. Embodiments can also include generating, from the time series data, one or more of multi-scale frequency (MSF), kurtosis, empirical mode decomposition (EMD), and multi-scale entropy (MSE) datasets, each dataset including a plurality of respective values or levels corresponding to the plurality of spatial locations in the heart.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for detecting a rotor at a location of a heart that experiences cardiac fibrillation. This generally involves obtaining a plurality of bipolar EGMs for a recording duration using a circular bipolar electrode array positioned at the location of the heart; detecting a dominant periodicity Cycle Length (CL) and identifying periodic activations for each bipolar EGM associated with the dominant periodicity CL; tracking the identified periodic activations across each bipolar EGM to define rotational activations and determining when a path taken by the tracked rotational activations corresponds to a rotational activation pattern of a rotor; and detecting the rotor when a number and completeness of the tracked rotational activations meet predefined rotor criteria.

Abstract: A system and methods for performing neurophysiologic assessments during surgery, such as assessing the health of the spinal cord via at least one of MEP and SSEP monitoring and assessing bone integrity, nerve proximity, neuromuscular pathway, and nerve pathology during spine surgery.

Abstract: Systems, articles, and methods for surface electromyography (“EMG”) sensors that combine elements from traditional capacitive and resistive EMG sensors are described. For example, capacitive EMG sensors that are adapted to resistively couple to a user's skin are described. Resistive coupling between a sensor electrode and the user's skin is galvanically isolated from the sensor circuitry by a discrete component capacitor included downstream from the sensor electrode. The combination of a resistively coupled electrode and a discrete component capacitor provides the respective benefits of traditional resistive and capacitive (respectively) EMG sensor designs while mitigating respective drawbacks of each approach. A wearable EMG device that provides a component of a human-electronics interface and incorporates such capacitive EMG sensors is also described.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing proximity between an electrode and tissue is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to acquire values for first and second components of a complex impedance between the electrode and the tissue, and to calculate an electrical coupling index (ECI) responsive to the first and second values. The ECU is further configured to process the ECI to determine the proximity of the electrode to the tissue. The ECU may be configured to calculate an electrical coupling index rate (ECIR) based on the calculated ECI and information relating to the change in location of the electrode, and to assess proximity based on the ECIR. Alternatively, the ECU may be configured to assess the proximity using the calculated ECI, as opposed to the ECIR.

Abstract: An embodiment of system for intrabody treatment of a treatment location in a body of a treated patient is disclosed. The system may include deploying at least two transmission points of a multi point probe to a proximity with the treatment location in the body. A transmission pattern may be selected that defines, for each of the transmission points, a respective signal of a plurality of transmission signals. The transmission pattern may form at least one interaction between the respective signals. The interaction may form a hot spot at the treatment location. A plurality of transmission signals may be delivered from the transmission points.

Abstract: Systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”), in which accurate and conspicuous visualization of vascular calcifications and other bony structures can be achieved. An MRI system is operated to perform a pulse sequence that generates substantially similar signal intensity from soft tissues (e.g. muscle, fat, blood) within the body. For instance, blood can be rendered to have a signal intensity that is substantially similar to the vessel wall, while fat and muscle are rendered to appear substantially similar to the vessel wall. With this “neutral” contrast, arterial calcifications, which appear dark due to their low proton density, can be more readily and efficiently visualized by an interpreting physician.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including, while an endoluminal data-acquisition device is being moved through a lumen of a subject, acquiring a plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen using the endoluminal data-acquisition device. It is determined that, at least one location, no endoluminal data point was acquired. An output is generated using at least a portion of the plurality of endoluminal data points of the lumen acquired using the endoluminal data-acquisition device, the output including an indication that no endoluminal data point was acquired at the location. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating a medical device within a body are provided. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to determine operating positions for electrical and magnetic position sensors on the medical device within corresponding first and second coordinate systems. The first and second coordinate systems are defined by an electric field based positioning system and a magnetic field based positioning system, respectively. The magnetic position sensor is disposed proximate the electrical position sensor. The ECU is further configured to apply a mapping function correlating the operating positions which generates a mapped position for the magnetic position sensor in the first coordinate system responsive to the operating position of the magnetic position sensor in the second coordinate system. The ECU determines an adjusted operating position for the electrical position sensor in the first coordinate system responsive to the mapped position of the magnetic position sensor.

Abstract: A method of providing a medical image by using a medical imaging apparatus includes: acquiring blood vessel information indicating information about a blood vessel, the blood vessel being included in a medical image; and displaying the medical image. The blood vessel information includes at least one of a first diameter of the blood vessel, a first angle of the blood vessel, and a presence of at least one of bifurcation and crossover, in a first region of interest (ROI) with respect to a first position in the medical image. The acquiring of the blood vessel information includes acquiring blood vessel information corresponding to a second ROI with respect to a second position, based on the blood vessel information corresponding to the first ROI.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a guide tube, and a wire. The handle assembly includes a body and an actuator. The guide tube extends distally from the handle assembly and includes a distal end. The wire is slidably disposed in the guide tube. The wire has a distal end including a sensor. The sensor is configured to cooperate with a navigation system to generate a map of anatomical structures within a patient. The wire is coupled with the actuator. The actuator is movable relative to the body to move the wire relative to the guide tube.

Abstract: A method for incorporating tomographically obtained image data from a patient into a system for surgical planning and/or intraoperative navigation involves tomographic image data or image data obtained by X-ray recordings from at least one defined body area of the patient by at least one first recording appliance, wherein a first reference body having at least one surface is arranged on the patient and is recorded by the first recording appliance at the same time. The recorded image data representing the first reference body are compared with known geometric data from the first reference body in order to obtain distortion information. The recorded image data are equalized by a computation unit based on the distortion information to obtain equalized image data which have further image data from the same body area superimposed to obtain superimposed image data that is presented on a display.

Abstract: This disclosure describes improved systems and methods for displaying respiratory data to a clinician in a ventilatory system. Respiratory data may be displayed by any number of suitable means, for example, via appropriate graphs, diagrams, charts, waveforms, and other graphic displays. The disclosure describes novel systems and methods for determining and displaying ineffective patient inspiratory or expiratory efforts or missed breaths in a manner easily deciphered by a clinician.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for measuring the circumference of a limb of an individual, e.g., the individual's arm and/or calf. The apparatus uses one or more magnetic strips which surround the limb and contain magnetic coding of length information. Tension is applied to the magnetic strip by a tensioning assembly, which can be a pressure cuff or a stepping motor, and a magnetic read head reads the magnetic coding of length information from the strip. When used in a bioimpedance analysis procedure, the length information can be used to convert measured voltage differences into normalized bioimpedance values, e.g., resistivity values.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a condition of a subject includes imaging an abdominal area of the subject to obtain one or more images of the abdominal area. Separation between rectus abdominis muscles in the abdominal area is located from the one or more images. Distance of the separation between the rectus abdominis muscles is quantified. The results of the quantified distance and one or more images are outputted on one or more display units.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a signal that includes a plurality of cycles and generating a map that maps motion phases to the signal based on both an amplitude and a slope of the signal. A system includes a processor that identifies a set of motion signal timestamps, for a plurality of motion cycles in a motion signal indicative of cyclic motion of a moving object, based on a predetermined motion phase of interest and a phase-to-amplitude/slope mapping, wherein the set of motion signal timestamps correspond to a common signal amplitude. A method include identifying a peak of a plurality of peaks in a motion cycle of a noisy cyclic signal having irregular periodicity, wherein the peak corresponds to a point lying between two points with amplitudes below a predetermined threshold, comparing points before and after the peak with the peak, and identifying the peak as a local maximum when the peak is greater than the points.

Abstract: Process for producing powdered polycyanoacrylate polymer by charging a reaction vessel with an aqueous mist, dripping a 2-cyanoacrylate into the reaction vessel, allowing the resulting reaction mass (polycyanoacrylate polymer) to cool, removing the polycyanoacrylate polymer from the reaction vessel, drying it, and pulverizing the dry solid into a powder. Powdered polycyanoacrylate polymer having a particle diameter in the range of from 1 to 200 microns. The particle size and shape herein contribute to uniform distribution of fumes during fingerprint capture. A high level of accuracy in fingerprint detection is provided among three distinct levels which include: (a) first level detection from ridge flow patterns such as whorl or loop; (b) second level detection from ridge flow singularities such as ridge endings and bifurcations; (c) and third level detection from pore configuration.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing an integrated analyte sensor and data processing unit assembly is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyte monitoring, particularly systems and methods for monitoring and managing life of a battery in an analyte sensor system worn by a user, are provided.

Abstract: Light reflected from a pregnant woman's abdomen and fetus contained therein that has been received by a detector and converted into a reflected electronic signal may be received by a processor. A portion of the reflected electronic signal that is reflected from the fetus may be isolated and the isolated portion of the reflected electronic signal may be analyzed to determine a fetal hemoglobin oxygen saturation level of the fetus. The isolation may be achieved by synchronizing the reflected electronic signal with a fetal heartbeat signal and multiplying the synchronized reflected electronic signal by the synchronized fetal heartbeat signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide for a “factory-calibrated” sensor. In doing so, the systems and methods include predictive prospective modeling of sensor behavior, and also include predictive modeling of physiology. With these two correction factors, a consistent determination of sensitivity can be achieved, thus achieving factory calibration.

Abstract: Various technologies presented herein relate to sterile transport, storage and operation of fluid collection tubes. A plurality of sterile sample tube packages are presented, wherein each package comprises a tray (having a recessed cavity formed therein), one or more fluid collection tubes and a cover. Each cavity includes at least one compartment, wherein a collection tube can be respectively stored in each compartment. The tray and cover can be formed from medically sterile materials.

Abstract: There is provided herein a motion-based evaluation of reaction time that utilizes motion detection hardware of a mobile device to determine auditory and visual stimulated reaction time. In an embodiment, the subject holds a mobile computing device equipped with built-in triaxis accelerometer and gyroscope with both hands at arms length away from the face. A visual or auditory stimulus is then presented on screen via a software application that also records the response time for the individual to initiate a movement of the device. A simple reaction time test could include the movement of the device in any direction that exceeded a threshold of movement beyond what would be expected from static holding. An embodiment of a choice reaction time test would provide for specific directional movements as it related to an instructed stimulus.

Abstract: According to some aspects, disclosed methods and systems may include having a user input one or more speech commands into an input device of a user device. The user device may communicate with one or more components or devices at a local office or headend. The local office or the user device may transcribe the speech commands into language transcriptions. The local office or the user device may determine a mood for the user based on whether any of the speech commands may have been repeated. The local office or the user device may determine, based on the mood of the user, which content asset or content service to make available to the user device.

Abstract: FIG.

Abstract: A method for predicting an arousal level used by a computer of an arousal level prediction apparatus that predicts an arousal level of a user includes obtaining current biological information regarding the user detected by a first sensor, calculating a current arousal level of the user on the basis of the current biological information, obtaining current environment information indicating a current environment around the user detected by a second sensor, predicting a future arousal level, which is an arousal level a certain period of time later, on the basis of the current arousal level and the current environment information, and (i) issuing a notification to the user or (ii) controlling another device, on the basis of the future arousal level.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a body malfunction is provided. At least one change in urinary parameter values, being indicative of the body malfunction, is monitored and detected. A volumetric urinary output of kidneys is monitored using a urine flow monitoring apparatus having a low flow metering device. It is determined whether a change exists in at least one of a volume value of the volumetric urinary output, and a trend of the corresponding urinary parameter value during a predetermined period. Signals are received from a plurality of electrodes, representing the urinary parameter values. The body malfunction is detected based on the determination of the change in at least one of the volume value and the trend.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a link having a first surface and a second surface connectable with a spinal construct. The spinal construct is attachable with one or more vertebral levels. A plurality of electrodes includes at least one electrode disposed with the first surface and at least one electrode disposed with the second surface such that the electrodes conduct an electric current to stimulate tissue growth adjacent the spinal construct. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A rectal near infrared (NIR) scanning polarization imaging system uses NIR Photonic Prostatoscopy Analyzer (NIRPPA) for prostate cancer detection using light. The NIRPPA consists of a portable rectal NIR scanning polarization imaging unit and an optical fiber-based rectal probe capable of recording sets of 2D images of a prostate through rectum at different wavelengths and depths and obtaining a three dimensional (3D) image of the prostate and 3D locations of abnormal tissue inside the prostate. Diode lasers/light emission diodes (LEDs) with selected emitting wavelengths are used in the NIR spectral range from 650 nm to 2,400 nm corresponding to the four tissue optical windows (#I, 650 nm-950 nm; #II, 1,100 nm-1,350 nm; #III, 1,600 nm-1,870 nm; and #IV, 2,100 nm-2,300 nm). The fingerprint absorptions of water (H2O), Oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) in the prostate are used as native biomarkers for prostate cancer detection.

Abstract: Kits, diagnostic systems and methods are provided, which measure the distribution of colors of skin features by comparison to calibrated colors which are co-imaged with the skin feature. The colors on the calibration template (calibrator) are selected to represent the expected range of feature colors under various illumination and capturing conditions. The calibrator may also comprise features with different forms and size for calibrating geometric parameters of the skin features in the captured images. Measurements may be enhanced by monitoring over time changes in the distribution of colors, by measuring two and three dimensional geometrical parameters of the skin feature and by associating the data with medical diagnostic parameters. Thus, simple means for skin diagnosis and monitoring are provided which simplify and improve current dermatologic diagnostic procedures.

Abstract: A method can be used for analyzing digital images of skin lesions. The images include pixels distributed over a lesion area. Sets of values including a first discrimination value indicative of a weighted average of the image pixels with weighing at the border of the lesion, a second discrimination value indicative of skewness and kurtosis of the distribution of the image pixels, a third discrimination value indicative of the ratio of symmetry and gray-level power of the distribution of the image pixels and calculated. A total additive score of the values in the sets of values is provided and compared with a total score threshold. The first, second and third discrimination values are compared with respective first, second and third discrimination threshold values. An output classification for the image analyzed is provided as a function of the results of the comparing.

Abstract: A sleep monitoring system includes an ECG device and a respiration inductance plethysmogram which monitor cardiac activity and physical respiration respectively and feed representative signals to a digital data processor. Operations process the beat interval data, while in a second thread, operations independently process the amplitude modulation of the ECG data caused by the respiratory motion of the subject. The inductance plethysmogram device provides an input to the processor which represents respiration as directly monitored independently of the ECG. Operations process this direct respiration data independently and in parallel, in a third thread. All extracted features are fed to a classifier which in step combines selected combinations of features to make decisions in real time.

Abstract: In accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for monitoring a medication-taking status is disclosed. The apparatus is configured as part of or coupled with a medication container. The apparatus includes a first sensor that is disposed inside the apparatus, activated upon a detection by a second sensor of a motion of the medication container, or a non-motion of the medication container for a predefined time period, and configured to measure medication pills stored in the medication container. The apparatus also includes a control module configured to determine the medication-taking status based on the measurement of the medication pills. The apparatus further includes a communication module that is disposed inside the apparatus and configured to transmit at least one of a report and a warning message based at least in part on the medication-taking status to at least one remote subscriber.