Abstract: Tube and float systems for analyzing target materials of a suspension include in which at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective are described. The target material particles can be conjugated with fluorophores. In order to identify the target material, the material between the float and tube is illuminated with one or more channels of excitation radiation, which causes the fluorophores to become excited and emit radiation at longer wavelengths. The reflective surface of the float reflects the excitation radiation and the emitted radiation.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a cap for obtaining a target analyte from a suspension. The cap introduces a magnetic field or a magnetic gradient to the tube to draw the target analyte bound to a particle to the cap. In one aspect, a cap includes a magnetic insert and a receiving piece. The magnetic insert includes a stopper and a magnet extending from the stopper; and, the receiving piece, which is configured to hold the magnetic insert, includes a receiving stopper and a sheath. The sheath may include imaging slides on opposite sides of the sheath. In another aspect, the cap may include a stopper and an embedded magnet. The cap may include an analysis piece on a bottom end of the stopper. In yet another aspect, the cap may include a fluid compartment and a filter at a bottom end of the stopper.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a cap for obtaining a target analyte from a suspension. The cap introduces a magnetic field or a magnetic gradient to the tube to draw the target analyte bound to a particle to the cap. In one aspect, a cap includes a magnetic insert and a receiving piece. The magnetic insert includes a stopper and a magnet extending from the stopper; and, the receiving piece, which is configured to hold the magnetic insert, includes a receiving stopper and a sheath. The sheath may include imaging slides on opposite sides of the sheath. In another aspect, the cap may include a stopper and an embedded magnet. The cap may include an analysis piece on a bottom end of the stopper. In yet another aspect, the cap may include a fluid compartment and a filter at a bottom end of the stopper.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems for separating a target analyte from a suspension. A suspension is added to a tube. A float is also added to the tube, and the tube, float, and suspension are centrifuged together, causing the constituent components of the suspension to separate into different layers along the axial length of the tube according to their specific gravities. The float has a specific gravity that positions the float at approximately the same level as a layer containing the target analyte, when the tube, float and sample are centrifuged. Prior to isolation, the material may be located between an outer surface of the float and an inner surface of the tube, or within a central bore that extends longitudinally through the float. The target analyte may then be drawn into a compartment within the float, thereby isolating the target analyte from the other suspension constituents.

Abstract: Tube and float systems for analyzing target materials of a suspension include in which at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective are described. The target material particles can be conjugated with fluorophores. In order to identify the target material, the material between the float and tube is illuminated with one or more channels of excitation radiation, which causes the fluorophores to become excited and emit radiation at longer wavelengths. The reflective surface of the float reflects the excitation radiation and the emitted radiation.