Picture this. You come down with a horrible case of some horrible diarrhea inducing disease. Now imagine being able to take a pill that literally detects the illness, builds a custom remedy, and then delivers the drug to the necessary areas in need of healing. The University Of Maryland is working on a similar method in which magnetic nanofactories would literally build their own medication for whatever ailment was found.

We admit, the diagram above really doesn’t provide much in sight into the process unless you happen to be a molecular biologist, which odds are you are not. Though one ultra cool benefit of these nanofactories would be no side effects, since the process would target specific areas of disease, rather than circulating through your entire body. — Andrew Dobrow

Link [via]

IntelliDrug, an IST Program project for creating a medicine dispenser the size of a tooth. The device would be able to be implanted in the mouth of the patient, where it would be able to gradually give a measured dose of medicine to fit the patient’s needs.

Not the first body “robot” to be mentioned, the medication tooth worries us for a few reasons. This thing would have to be tested to the max before anyone decides to put this in their mouth. If something were to malfunction and spray a constant spurt of medicine, overdosing could be a huge problem.

A fully working tooth medical dispensing system would of such specifications as a built-in microprocessor for decision making and program schedules, micro sensors for determining the amount of medicine in the bloodstream, micro-actuators to release a specific amount of medication, a reservoir of the medication, all while still allowing ample space for an adequate chewing surface and will all be controlled through remote control, which will warn of impending low amounts of medicine left in the reservoir.

The device will be able to either mix the medicine with the patients saliva to be swallowed, or inject the medication directly into the bloodstream. Evil dentists everywhere are already plotting their plans of world domination. — Andrew Dobrow

Medication ‘robot’ fits inside tooth [LiveScience]

Many complications of illness and in some occurrences, even death, could of been stopped if someone had not forgotten to take their medication. The effects of missing your medication can sometimes be just as bad as overdosing. The importance of this fact is one that is extremely under publicized. Though, with the advent of the MD.2 Pill Dispenser, remembering medication becomes easier for those who tend to have issues with their memory, such as the elderly.

It’s understandable how pills can be forgotten with the massive amount of medications some people are prescribed to take. The MD.2 is capable of delivering medicine up to six times a day, depending on what time medications need to be taken. Even more ingenious, the MD.2 will automatically call the caregiver if the medicine is not taken at the correct time. The chance of missing a dose is very slim because of the loud voice and bright flashing light reminders that the Dispenser displays to catch the medicated patients attention.

The MD.2 machine itself is available at a cost of $749.95, but a monthly subscription fee is added for the extra call feature. But more importantly, why is there a Lemon Coke displayed prominently in the photo? — Andrew Dobrow

Product Page [ePill, via Coolest Gadgets]