# US 2013/0153784 A1 · Tube and reflective float systems for analyzing suspensions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153784 A1 - Document ID: US20130153784A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/437,616 - Filed: 2012-04-02 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: RareCyte, Inc. - Inventors: Jackie Lynn Stilwell; Arturo Bernardo Ramirez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153784A1 ## CPC - G01N 21/6428: {Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" (in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53)} - B01L 3/50215: {using a float to separate phases} - G01N 21/03: Cuvette constructions - B01L 2300/0636: Integrated biosensor, microarrays - B01L 2300/168: Specific optical properties, e.g. reflective coatings - G01N 21/645: {Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters} - G01N 2021/6439: {with indicators, stains, dyes, tags, labels, marks} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for analyzing a target material of a suspension, the system comprising: a tube with a closed end to hold the suspension; and a reflective float to be added to the tube, wherein the float is to trap the target material between the float and an inner wall of the tube and at least a portion of an outer surface of the float is reflective with respect to excitation light to illuminate fluorophores to be attached to particles of the target material and to light emitted from the fluorophores. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective further comprises an entire outer surface of the float is reflective. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective further comprises a main body portion of the float is reflective. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective further comprises a main body portion of the float is reflective except for the structural elements that protrude from the main body portion of the float. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective float is composed of a reflective material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the reflective material further comprises one of a metal, a ceramic, or a white pigmented polymer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective further comprises a reflective coating applied to the outer surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective further comprises a reflective plating attached to the outer surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective further comprises reflective particles attached to the outer surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective further comprises reflective particles embedded within the outer surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective portion of the outer surface is functionalized to attract or attach particles of the target material to the float. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein a self-assembled monolayer comprising a head, a tail, and a functional group is used to functionalize the reflective surface. ### Claim 13 A float to be inserted into a tube with a closed end to hold a suspension, wherein the float is to trap a target material of a suspension between the float and an inner wall of the tube and the float includes a reflective outer surface to reflect excitation light used to illuminate fluorophores attached to target particles of the target material and to reflect light emitted from the fluorophores. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The float of claim 13, wherein the reflective outer surface is an entire outer surface of the float. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The float of claim 13, wherein the reflective outer surface is a main body portion of the float. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The float of claim 13, wherein the reflective outer surface is a main body portion of the float except for structural elements that protrude from the main body portion of the float. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The float of claim 13, wherein the float is composed of a reflective material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The float of claim 17, wherein the reflective material further comprises one of a metal, a ceramic, or a white pigmented polymer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The float of claim 13, wherein the reflective outer surface is a reflective coating applied to the outer surface of the float. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The float of claim 13, wherein the reflective outer surface is a reflective plating attached to the outer surface of the float. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The float of claim 13, wherein the reflective outer surface further comprises reflective particles attached to the outer surface of the float. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The float of claim 13, wherein the reflective outer surface further comprises reflective particles embedded within the outer surface of the float. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The float of claim 13, wherein the reflective outer surface is functionalized to attract or attach particles of the target material to the float. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The float of claim 23, wherein a self-assembled monolayer comprising a head, a tail, and a functional group is used to functionalize the reflective outer surface.