Patents by Inventor Philip H. Spano, Jr.

Philip H. Spano, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8738383
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product are provided for enabling a user to remotely and interactively control, using voice commands, the processing tasks of multiple pieces of equipment, such as semi-automatic medication storing, dispensing and packaging devices. In particular, an apparatus may be configured to provide a user with a voice prompt associated with a dynamically prioritized task. In response, the apparatus may further be configured to receive, a voice command from the use and to transmit an instruction associated with the voice command to one of the multiple pieces of equipment for performance of the prioritized task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph C. Schuck, Philip H. Spano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8170714
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a tool that can be used to order, dispense, locate, request and administer medications as well as locate, issue and administer medical items and supplies for patients from a plurality of entry points into the system, e.g. handheld devices, mobile cart, etc. New workflows and functionality for various devices such as dispensing devices (automated dispensing cabinets) and issuing devices (e.g. open shelving) are also disclosed. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: McKesson Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Spano, Jr., Eric J. Switalski
  • Publication number: 20110071667
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a tool that can be used to order, dispense, locate, request and administer medications as well as locate, issue and administer medical items and supplies for patients from a plurality of entry points into the system, e.g. handheld devices, mobile cart, etc. New workflows and functionality for various devices such as dispensing devices (automated dispensing cabinets) and issuing devices (e.g. open shelving) are also disclosed. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Philip H. Spano, JR., Eric J. Switalski
  • Patent number: 7865263
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a tool that can be used to order, dispense, locate, request and administer medications as well as locate, issue and administer medical items and supplies for patients from a plurality of entry points into the system, e.g. handheld devices, mobile cart, etc. New workflows and functionality for various devices such as dispensing devices (automated dispensing cabinets) and issuing devices (e.g. open shelving) are also disclosed. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: McKesson Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Spano, Jr., Eric J. Switalski
  • Publication number: 20080306740
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product are provided for enabling a user to remotely and interactively control, using voice commands, the processing tasks of multiple pieces of equipment, such as semi-automatic medication storing, dispensing and packaging devices. In particular, an apparatus may be configured to provide a user with a voice prompt associated with a dynamically prioritized task. In response, the apparatus may further be configured to receive, a voice command from the use and to transmit an instruction associated with the voice command to one of the multiple pieces of equipment for performance of the prioritized task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: MCKESSON AUTOMATION INC.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Schuck, Philip H. Spano, JR.
  • Patent number: 7085621
    Abstract: A method of operating a dispensing cabinet to identify the locations where items to be dispensed are located is comprised of a login step in which user information is entered into a processor controlling the dispensing cabinet. The processor unlocks certain doors of the dispensing cabinet in response to the user information. Assuming that a locate mode of operation has been chosen, the locations of the items to be located are determined by the processor. An alpha-numeric display positioned on a shelf within the cabinet begins flashing with the number of items to be located that are held by that shelf. After the user identifies the shelves having flashing alpha-numeric displays, the user may enter a dispense mode or may logoff causing the unlocked doors to lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: McKesson Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Spano, Jr., Robert B. Meek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6985797
    Abstract: A method of operating a dispensing cabinet to identify the locations where items to be dispensed are located is comprised of a login step in which user information is entered into a processor controlling the dispensing cabinet. The processor unlocks certain doors of the dispensing cabinet in response to the user information. Assuming that a locate mode of operation has been chosen, the locations of the items to be located are determined by the processor. An alpha-numeric display positioned on a shelf within the cabinet begins flashing with the number of items to be located that are held by that shelf. After the user identifies the shelves having flashing alpha-numeric displays, the user may enter a dispense mode or may logoff causing the unlocked doors to lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: McKesson Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Spano, Jr., Robert B. Meek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6895304
    Abstract: A method of operating a dispensing cabinet to identify the locations where items to be dispensed are located is comprised of a login step in which user information is entered into a processor controlling the dispensing cabinet. The processor unlocks certain doors of the dispensing cabinet in response to the user information. Assuming that a locate mode of operation has been chosen, the locations of the items to be located are determined by the processor. An alpha-numeric display positioned on a shelf within the cabinet begins flashing with the number of items to be located that are held by that shelf. After the user identifies the shelves having flashing alpha-numeric displays, the user may enter a dispense mode or may logoff causing the unlocked doors to lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: McKesson Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Spano, Jr., Robert B. Meek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6671579
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of dispensing or administering medications which requires prompting the user for a reason if the user wants to dispense or intends to administer a medication that is not on the patient's medication profile. For example, a patient may be in severe discomfort, or some other condition exists, that requires dispensing and administration of a medication not approved by a pharmacist for the patient. The method prompts the user to supply a reason (exception) for the dispensing or administering that can be used to create an audit trail. The method may include identifying a patient, accessing a medication profile for the identified patient, selecting a medication for the identified patient, the selected medication not having been reviewed against the patient's medication profile, prompting the user to identify an exception, and reviewing the exception to determine its acceptability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: McKesson Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Spano, Jr., Robert B. Meek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6650964
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method, preferably practiced on a computer controlled dispensing apparatus, comprising: accessing (normally by logging on) the dispensing apparatus; identifying a patient; identifying a medication to dispense for the identified patient, the medication not having been reviewed against the patient's medication profile; prompting the user to identify an exception; and either dispensing the medication or storing the request to dispense in response to the identified exception. The method may further include transferring the plurality of override requests and override events into a database of pharmacy orders. The requests, events, and orders may be sorted according to a predetermined criterion, and presented to a pharmacist for review.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: McKesson Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Spano, Jr., Robert B. Meek, Jr.