Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for immunomagnetic separation of a target analyte of a suspension from the other component materials of the suspension. The system may be composed of a tube, a float, and a magnet. The magnet introduces a magnetic field or a magnetic gradient to the system. The system may also include a solution containing a particle to conjugate the target analyte to form a target analyte-particle complex. The particle is capable of being attracted by the magnetic field or magnetic gradient introduced by the magnet. The target analyte-particle complex may be attracted to the sidewall of the tube after the suspension undergoes density-based separation, such as by centrifugation.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for immunomagnetic separation of a target analyte of a suspension from the other component materials of the suspension. The system may be composed of a tube, a magnetizable float, and a magnet. The magnetizable float is configured to propagate or introduce a magnetic field. In one aspect, the magnet is included in the magnetizable float. In another aspect, the magnet is external to the magnetizable float. The system may also include a solution containing a particle to conjugate with the target analyte to form a target analyte-particle complex. The particle is capable of being attracted by the magnetic field or magnetic gradient introduced by the magnet. The target analyte-particle complex may be attracted to the magnetizable float.

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: This disclosure is directed to systems for analyzing target materials of a suspension. In one aspect, the systems include a tube and a float that is at least partially coated with a coating having a high affinity for target analytes of a suspension. The coating provides an adhesion or an attraction force with the target analytes through chemical means. In another aspect, the coating can be a changeable material that when stimulated by application of an appropriate stimulus attracts and/or attaches the target analytes to the coated surface of the float. In another aspect, a coating applied to the float may also be used to form a sealing engagement between the float and the inner surface of the tube in order to inhibit fluids from flowing past the coated float in the tube.