Patents by Inventor Brian Ricks

Brian Ricks 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).

  • Converting biomass to gaseous fuel hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 9090833
    Abstract: A method for producing a C1-5 hydrocarbon from a solution containing a C2-6 carboxylic acid or a C2-6 carboxylate which is derived from biomass by contacting the solution with a solid catalyst to decarboxylate the C2-6 carboxylic acid or the C2-6 carboxylate, thereby forming a C1-5 hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tufts University
    Inventors: Maria Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, Branko Zugic, Brian Ricks, Gregory Stephanopoulos
  • Threadable knot soft tissue defect repair system
    Patent number: 8608758
    Abstract: A soft tissue defect repair system for approximating defects, such as defects in the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, includes a cannulated rod through which is disposed a suture retrieval device. A strand of suture includes a locking or ratcheting knot pre-tied around the outside of the cannulated rod and a free end that is guided in and out of the soft tissue. A knot pusher fits around the cannulated rod, which is used to push the knot off of the cannulated rod after the stitching of the tissue is accomplished. The defect is approximated by tensioning the free end. Various suturing methods or patterns are disclosed for defect approximation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Wamis Singhatat, Jamie Manos, Brian Rick Delamarter, Dominique Messerli, Brian Schmidt, William Miller, James Talbot, Garland Fussel, Nigel G. Smith
  • CONVERTING BIOMASS TO GASEOUS FUEL HYDROCARBONS
    Publication number: 20120035403
    Abstract: A method includes providing a solution containing a C2-6 carboxylic acid or a C2-6 carboxylate that is derived from biomass; and contacting the solution with a solid catalyst to form a C1-5 hydrocarbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Tufts University
    Inventors: Maria Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, Branko Zugic, Brian Ricks, Gregory Stephanopoulos
  • THREADABLE KNOT SOFT TISSUE DEFECT REPAIR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100249809
    Abstract: A soft tissue defect repair system for approximating defects, such as defects in the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, includes a cannulated rod through which is disposed a suture retrieval device. A strand of suture includes a locking or ratcheting knot pre-tied around the outside of the cannulated rod and a free end that is guided in and out of the soft tissue. A knot pusher fits around the cannulated rod, which is used to push the knot off of the cannulated rod after the stitching of the tissue is accomplished. The defect is approximated by tensioning the free end. Various suturing methods or patterns are disclosed for defect approximation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Wamis Singhatat, Jamie Manos, Brian Rick Delamarter, Dominique Messerli, Brian Schmidt, William Miller, James Talbot, Garland Fussell, Nigel G. Smith