Tube and float systems and methods of using the same

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.