Patents by Inventor William E. Brewer

William E. Brewer 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: 12629610
    Abstract: A device for automated or manual group separations of complex biological mixtures and methods of use are described. The device is a gel filtration pipette tip having a size exclusion media therein and held in place by a filter at the distal end of the pipette tip and an optional removable or pierceable barrier at the proximal end of the pipette tip. The size exclusion media is wetted by aspirating a solvent from the bottom of the pipette tip and equilibrating the solvent with the size exclusion media. The solvent is then allowed to gravity drain from the pipette tip, allowing the size exclusion media to settle and reproducibly pack into a homogenous gel. Gel filtration separations can then be performed with the gelled size exclusion media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: DPX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: William E. Brewer, Matthew G. Fitts
  • Patent number: 12458925
    Abstract: A device for filtration or extraction using at least one filtration membrane is disclosed. The device is shaped like a Buchner funnel, but small enough to fit with wide bore pipette tips, slip tip syringes or an adaptor of a robotic liquid handler or pipettor. It also houses one or more filtration membranes and or a separation resin. A reservoir adaptor can be added to the top in a fluid tight manner to provide a removable large volume container where needed for larger samples, and a gasket adaptor allows the reservoir to be connected to other devices in a fluid tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: DPX Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Brewer, Matthew G. Fitts
  • Publication number: 20250314675
    Abstract: A device for automated separations of complex biological mixtures and methods of use are described. The device is a size exclusion chromatography pipette tip (SEC tip) having a size exclusion media therein and held in place by a filter at the distal end of the pipette tip and an optional removable or pierceable barrier at the proximal end of the SEC tip. The size exclusion media is wetted by aspirating a solvent from the bottom of the pipette tip and equilibrating the solvent with the size exclusion media. Aspiration and dispensing of excess solvent are at 5-25 ?L/sec, thereby avoiding the creation of any bubbles in the resulting SEC column. Once excess solvent drains from the pipette tip, the size exclusion media settles and reproducibly pack into a homogenous gel. Separations can then be performed with the gelled SEC column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2025
    Publication date: October 9, 2025
    Applicant: DPX Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. BREWER, Matthew G. FITTS, Kaylee MASTRIANNI, John DROHEN, Paul MEEH
  • Publication number: 20250242343
    Abstract: A pipette tip for extracting nucleic acid, said pipette tip containing a glass plug made of a porous silica material with porosities of 5 to 20 ?m and having a diameter of at least 0.8 mm and a thickness of at least 0.2 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2025
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Applicant: DPX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: William E. BREWER, Matthew G. FITTS, Paul MEEH
  • Patent number: 12287333
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing pre-analysis sample processing of biological and chemical samples using robotic liquid handlers are disclosed. Methods for solid phase extraction, protein precipitation and filtration of biological and chemical samples using automation and the devices in a rapid and convenient way are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: DPX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: William E. Brewer, Kaylee R. Mastrianni
  • Publication number: 20240418684
    Abstract: A device for automated or manual separations of complex chemical or biological mixtures and methods of use are described. The device is a chromatography pipette tip or column having a size exclusion media therein and held in place by a hydrophilic filter at the distal end of the pipette tip and an optional removable or pierceable barrier at the proximal end of the pipette tip. The size exclusion media is wetted by simply placing the tip into solvent and allowing capillary action to flow through the filter and into the SEC resin. The solvent is then allowed to gravity drain from the pipette tip, allowing the size exclusion media to reproducibly pack into a homogenous gel. Separations can then be performed with the gelled size exclusion media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: DPX Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William E. BREWER, Matthew G. FITTS, Kaylee R. MASTRIANNI
  • Publication number: 20240230488
    Abstract: A process and system for automated extractions using a vacuum system is disclosed. The process includes the use of the robotic liquid handler's pipetting head for performing the elution step, thereby minimizing potential cross-contamination and improving throughput. The various disposable devices are designed to meet with each other at an angle of 7-90° from vertical to provide an air-tight, yet easily reversible seal. They are designed to fit together with minimal wobble, ensuring placement to allow a vacuum seal. An optional protective sheath is also provided to protect columns from tip contamination, the sheath not requiring the vacuum seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: DPX Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William E. BREWER, Arthur ILLINGWORTH, Paul MEEH
  • Publication number: 20230075131
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing pre-analysis sample processing of biological and chemical samples using robotic liquid handlers are disclosed. Methods for solid phase extraction, protein precipitation and filtration of biological and chemical samples using automation and the devices in a rapid and convenient way are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: DPX technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William E. BREWER, Kaylee R. MASTRIANNI
  • Patent number: 11567067
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing pre-analysis sample processing of biological and chemical samples using robotic liquid handlers are disclosed. Methods for solid phase extraction, protein precipitation and filtration of biological and chemical samples using automation and the devices in a rapid and convenient way are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: DPX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: William E. Brewer, Kaylee R. Mastrianni
  • Publication number: 20220184525
    Abstract: A device for automated or manual group separations of complex biological mixtures and methods of use are described. The device is a gel filtration pipette tip having a size exclusion media therein and held in place by a filter at the distal end of the pipette tip and an optional removable or pierceable barrier at the proximal end of the pipette tip. The size exclusion media is wetted by aspirating a solvent from the bottom of the pipette tip and equilibrating the solvent with the size exclusion media. The solvent is then allowed to gravity drain from the pipette tip, allowing the size exclusion media to settle and reproducibly pack into a homogenous gel. Gel filtration separations can then be performed with the gelled size exclusion media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: William E. BREWER, Matthew G. FITTS
  • Publication number: 20220088537
    Abstract: A device for filtration or extraction using at least one filtration membrane is disclosed. The device is shaped like a Buchner funnel, but small enough to fit with wide bore pipette tips, slip tip syringes or an adaptor of a robotic liquid handler or pipettor. It also houses one or more filtration membranes and or a separation resin. A reservoir adaptor can be added to the top in a fluid tight manner to provide a removable large volume container where needed for larger samples, and a gasket adaptor allows the reservoir to be connected to other devices in a fluid tight manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: William E. BREWER, Matthew G. FITTS
  • Patent number: 11193930
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing pre-analysis sample processing of biological and chemical samples using robotic liquid handlers are disclosed. Methods for solid phase extraction, protein precipitation and filtration of biological and chemical samples using automation and the devices in a rapid and convenient way are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: DPX TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William E. Brewer, Kaylee R. Mastrianni
  • Publication number: 20210373006
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing pre-analysis sample processing of biological and chemical samples using robotic liquid handlers are disclosed. Methods for solid phase extraction, protein precipitation and filtration of biological and chemical samples using automation and the devices in a rapid and convenient way are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: William E. BREWER, Kaylee R. MASTRIANNI
  • Publication number: 20200025755
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing pre-analysis sample processing of biological and chemical samples using robotic liquid handlers are disclosed. Methods for solid phase extraction, protein precipitation and filtration of biological and chemical samples using automation and the devices in a rapid and convenient way are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: William E. BREWER, Kaylee R. MASTRIANNI
  • Patent number: 9733169
    Abstract: A pipette tip device for use in dispersive SPE. The device includes a pipette tip having a lower barrier, loose sorbent that is freely moveable during the extraction process, and a baffle system that is shaped to disrupt the flow of liquid sample that is aspirated into the pipette tip. The baffle system includes an insert that may be separate from or monolithic with the interior of the pipette tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: William E. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20150011016
    Abstract: A pipette tip device for use in dispersive SPE. The device includes a pipette tip having a lower barrier, loose sorbent that is freely moveable during the extraction process, and a baffle system that is shaped to disrupt the flow of liquid sample that is aspirated into the pipette tip. The baffle system includes an insert that may be separate from or monolithic with the interior of the pipette tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: William E. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20020009809
    Abstract: The present invention is a disposable apparatus for the rapid, low-volume solid phase extraction of analytes from a variety of sources. The apparatus of the present invention is configured as a pipette tip and contains a loosely confined stationary phase. The mobility of the stationary phase particles enables rapid mixing and equilibration with a sample solution during agitation. The analyte may thereby be extracted in less time with less solvent, removing the need for a separate concentration step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: William E. Brewer
  • Patent number: 5762877
    Abstract: The present invention advances a chemical concentrating device for use with thin layer chromatographic, gas chromatographic, high pressure liquid chromatographic, and capillary electrophoresis analysis. The concentrating device has a T-shaped member having a first and second annular branch in axial alignment and a third branch perpendicular to the first and second branches. When used in thin layer chromatographic analysis, the T-shaped member is placed over the syringe needle with the end of the needle extending below the second branch. A gas source in fluid communication with the third branch forwards gas in an annular pattern about the end of the needle, thereby evaporating the solvent within the sample and confining the sample to a particular geometrical area on the thin layer chromatography plate. When used with other chromatographic techniques, the T-shaped member is removably affixed to a syringe needle having a beveled end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: William E. Brewer
  • Patent number: 4062195
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controlled density fill material and a method of using such fill material in, for examples, the backfilling of sewers, embankments, structures and utility trenches. The material includes Portland cement, fly ash and aggregates. The material, while having some properties of both, is neither a soil nor a concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: K-Krete, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Brewer, Franklin V. Zimmer
  • Patent number: D782693
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DPX Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William E. Brewer, Robert S. Earnhardt, Jr., Lim Andrew Lee