Operating system and method for use in a flow cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuation device and method for use with a flow cell. The device includes a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet, and a flow cell assembly including a gasket assembly operably fluidically connected to the flow cell, the gasket assembly having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket. The device further includes a reagent cartridge, the reagent cartridge adapted to receive the flow cell assembly and including a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket. The device further includes a reagent cartridge receptacle and a lift plate assembly including a lift plate, a system plunger assembly carried by the lift plate and including multiple system plungers, and a lift plate drive assembly operably connected to the lift plate, the reagent cartridge including a reagent cartridge plunger assembly having multiple reagent cartridge plungers, each reagent cartridge plunger adapted to align with a corresponding system plunger of the system plunger assembly and a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly when the reagent cartridge is received in the reagent cartridge receptacle. The device and method can be used to sequence nucleic acids.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 946,361, filed December 10, 2019, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Background Art

[0002] Fluid cartridges and flow cells that hold reagents may be used in connection with fluid systems. The fluid cartridge may be fluidly coupled to the flow cell. The fluid cartridge includes a fluid line through which the reagent flows to the flow cell.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first implementation form, the method comprises or includes linearly moving a lift plate and a system plunger assembly held by the lift plate towards a reagent cartridge plunger assembly of a reagent cartridge. The system plunger assembly comprises or includes at least one system plunger. The reagent plunger assembly comprises or includes at least one reagent cartridge plunger. The method includes actuating at least one reagent cartridge plunger by a first predetermined distance in response to at least one system plunger contacting at least one reagent cartridge plunger, and contacting a gasket assembly of a flow cell assembly. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. A first fluid fitting is fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet, and a second fluid fitting is fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet. The gasket assembly is fluidly connected to the first and second fluid fittings, and comprises or has an inlet gasket having a through bore and fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet via the first fluid fitting, and an outlet gasket having a through bore and connected to the flow cell outlet via the second fluid fitting. The method comprises or includes enabling fluid communication between a reagent cartridge port and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet by fluidly connecting the inlet gasket to a first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge and fluidly connecting the outlet gasket to a second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge in response to at least one system plunger actuating at least one reagent cartridge plunger by a second predetermined distance.

[0004] According to a second implementation form, the apparatus comprises or includes a system, the system comprising or including a reagent cartridge receptacle and a lift plate assembly, the lift plate assembly comprising or including a lift plate, a system plunger assembly held by the lift plate and comprising or including a plurality of system plungers, and a lift plate drive assembly operably coupled to the lift plate. The apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell assembly comprising or including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a fluid fitting fluidly connected to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet, and a gasket assembly fluidly connected to the fluid fitting and having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket. The flow cell inlet gasket comprises or has a through bore and is fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet via the fluid fitting. The flow cell outlet gasket comprises or has a through bore and is fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet via the fluid fitting. The apparatus comprises or includes a reagent cartridge receivable within the reagent cartridge receptacle. The reagent cartridge comprises or includes a reagent cartridge plunger assembly having a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers. Each reagent cartridge plunger is adapted to align with a corresponding system plunger of the system plunger assembly and a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly when the reagent cartridge is received within the reagent cartridge receptacle. The reagent cartridge includes a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket.

[0005] According to a third implementation form, the apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell assembly comprising or including a flow cell having at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a gasket assembly operably fluidly connected to the flow cell and having or including a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket. The flow cell inlet gasket has or includes a through bore and is fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet. The flow cell outlet gasket has or includes a through bore and is fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet. The apparatus comprises or includes a reagent cartridge, which is adapted to receive the flow cell assembly and has a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket.

[0006] According to a fourth implementation form, the method comprises or includes linearly moving a lift plate and a system plunger assembly held by the lift plate towards the reagent cartridge plunger assembly of a reagent cartridge. The system plunger assembly comprises or includes a plurality of system plungers. The reagent plunger assembly comprises or includes a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers. The method comprises or includes engaging the reagent cartridge plunger and the system plunger. The method comprises or includes moving the reagent cartridge plunger towards the gasket assembly of the flow cell assembly based on the engagement and movement of the reagent cartridge plunger and the system plunger, and the lift plate and the system plunger assembly. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. The fluid connector is connected to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. The gasket assembly is connected to the fluid connector and comprises or includes a plurality of flow cell gaskets. One of the flow cell gaskets comprises or includes a through bore and is connected to the flow cell inlet via the fluid connector. The other of the flow cell gaskets comprises or includes a through bore and is connected to the flow cell outlet via the fluid connector. The method comprises or includes engaging the reagent cartridge plunger and the flow cell gasket. The method comprises or includes moving the flow cell gasket having a through bore towards a pair of reagent cartridge ports of the reagent cartridge based on the engagement and movement of the lift plate and the system plunger assembly. The method comprises or includes engaging the flow cell gasket and the reagent cartridge port to enable fluid communication between the pair of reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet.

[0007] According to a fifth implementation form, the device comprises or includes a system, a flow cell assembly, and a reagent cartridge. The system comprises or includes a reagent cartridge receptacle; a lift plate assembly including a lift plate, a system plunger assembly held by the lift plate and including a plurality of system plungers, and a lift plate drive assembly operably connected to the lift plate. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes fluid joints connected to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a gasket assembly, the gasket assembly being connected to the fluid joint and comprising or including a plurality of flow cell gaskets. One of the flow cell gaskets comprises or includes a through bore and is connected to the flow cell inlet via the fluid joint. The other of the flow cell gaskets comprises or includes a through bore and is connected to the flow cell outlet via the fluid joint. The reagent cartridge is receivable within the reagent cartridge receptacle. The reagent cartridge comprises or includes a flow cell receptacle adapted to receive the flow cell assembly. The reagent cartridge comprises or includes a reagent cartridge plunger assembly comprising or including a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers. When the reagent cartridge is received within the reagent cartridge receptacle and the flow cell is received within the flow cell receptacle, each reagent cartridge plunger is positioned to correspond to a corresponding system plunger of the system plunger assembly and a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly. The reagent cartridge comprises or includes a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly connected to a flow cell gasket having a through bore.

[0008] According to the sixth implementation form, the device comprises or includes a flow cell assembly and a reagent cartridge. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes fluid joints connected to the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet respectively. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a gasket assembly, and the gasket assembly is connected to the fluid joint and comprises or includes a plurality of flow cell gaskets. One of the flow cell gaskets comprises or includes a through bore and is connected to the flow cell inlet via the fluid joint. The other one of the flow cell gaskets comprises or includes a through bore and is connected to the flow cell outlet via the fluid joint. The reagent cartridge is receivable within a reagent cartridge receptacle. The reagent cartridge comprises or includes a flow cell receptacle adapted to receive the flow cell assembly. The reagent cartridge comprises or includes a reagent cartridge plunger assembly comprising or including a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers. Each reagent cartridge plunger is adapted to align with a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly when the flow cell is received within the flow cell receptacle. The reagent cartridge comprises or includes a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly connected to a flow cell gasket having a through bore.

[0009] Furthermore, in the aforementioned first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and / or sixth implementation forms, the device and / or method may further comprise or include any one or more of the following.

[0010] In one implementation form, the first fluid joint and the second fluid joint of the flow cell assembly are respectively FlexibilityA fluid joint, and thus the flow cell, is movable in at least one of a direction perpendicular, longitudinal, or transverse to the gasket assembly, during which the inlet gasket is fluidly connected to a first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge and the outlet gasket is fluidly connected to a second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge.

[0011] In another implementation, the method comprises or includes moving the system plunger in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the lift plate and against the spring force.

[0012] In another implementation, the lift plate applies a first compressive force to the reagent cartridge body, while the spring force and the system plunger apply a second different compressive force to the inlet gasket and the outlet gasket.

[0013] In another implementation, the first fluid joint and the second fluid joint are combined.

[0014] In another implementation, the fluid joint comprises or includes a first fluid joint and a second fluid joint.

[0015] In another implementation, the lift plate drive assembly linearly moves the lift plate and the system plunger such that the system plunger engages the reagent cartridge plunger and moves the reagent cartridge plunger to engage the gasket assembly, enabling fluid communication between a pair of reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet.

[0016] In another implementation, the system plunger comprises or includes a pair of system plungers, and the reagent cartridge plunger comprises or includes a pair of reagent cartridge plungers.

[0017] In another implementation, the flow cell assembly further comprises or includes a leveler gasket.

[0018] In another implementation, the system plunger comprises or includes a lever system plunger. The reagent cartridge plunger further comprises or includes a lever reagent cartridge plunger, and the reagent cartridge comprises or includes a reagent cartridge engagement surface.

[0019] In another implementation, the lift plate drive assembly is adapted to linearly move the lift plate and the lever system plunger to engage with the lever reagent plunger and move the lever reagent plunger to engage with the gasket assembly to enable engagement between the lever gasket and the reagent cartridge engagement surface.

[0020] In another implementation, the lever gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket, and the flow cell outlet gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern.

[0021] In another implementation, the flow cell assembly comprises or has a flow cell housing that holds the flow cell, the fluid fitting, and the gasket assembly.

[0022] In another implementation, the flow cell housing comprises or has a dimensional envelope, and the gasket assembly is disposed within the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing.

[0023] In another implementation, the flow cell housing comprises or includes openings corresponding to each flow cell gasket.

[0024] In another implementation, the openings are arranged such that after the reagent cartridge plunger moves the gasket assembly a predetermined distance, the flow cell gasket can protrude from the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing.

[0025] In another implementation, the flow cell gasket has or includes a flat surface, and the reagent cartridge has or includes a reagent cartridge engagement surface that faces the flow cell receptacle of the reagent cartridge.

[0026] In another implementation, the flat surface of the flow cell gasket is arranged to engage with the reagent cartridge engagement surface to fluidly couple a pair of reagent cartridge ports to the flow cell.

[0027] In another implementation, the reagent cartridge has or includes an alignment receptacle that faces the flow cell receptacle of the reagent cartridge, and the gasket assembly has or includes an alignment protrusion that is adapted to be received by the alignment receptacle.

[0028] In another implementation, the gasket assembly has or includes a plurality of engagement protrusions that have or include corresponding plunger receptacles. Each plunger receptacle is adapted to engage or surround the distal end of a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger.

[0029] In another implementation, the lift plate has or includes a plunger bore, and each system plunger is slidably disposed within a corresponding plunger bore.

[0030] In another implementation, springs are disposed in each of the plunger bores.

[0031] In another implementation, the springs act on the system plungers, imparting momentum to the distal ends of the system plungers to engage with corresponding reagent cartridge plungers.

[0032] In another implementation, the device has or includes a seal held by the system plunger.

[0033] In another implementation, the reagent cartridge comprises or includes a flow cell receptacle adapted to receive a flow cell assembly.

[0034] In another implementation, Flexibility The fluid connector connects the flow cell inlet and the flow cell inlet gasket, and connects the flow cell outlet and the flow cell outlet gasket.

[0035] In another implementation, the reagent cartridge plunger assembly comprises or has a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers. Each reagent cartridge plunger is adapted to be aligned with a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly.

[0036] In another implementation, the flow cell assembly further comprises or includes a leveler gasket, and the reagent cartridge comprises or includes a reagent cartridge engagement surface adapted to be engaged by the leveler gasket.

[0037] In another implementation, the flow cell inlet gasket, the flow cell outlet gasket, and the leveler gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern.

[0038] It should be understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts, to be described in more detail below (assuming such concepts are not mutually inconsistent), are considered to be part of the subject matter disclosed herein and / or can be combined to achieve particular benefits of particular aspects. Specifically, all combinations of the claimed subject matter that appear at the end of this disclosure are considered to be part of the subject matter disclosed herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] The following text discloses detailed descriptions of implementations of methods, apparatuses, and / or products. It should be understood that the legal scope of ownership is defined by the claims described at the end of this patent. Therefore, the following "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention" should be construed as illustrative only, and it is neither possible nor practical to describe all possible implementations. Many alternative implementations can be implemented using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent. Such alternative examples are still assumed to be within the scope of the claims.

[0063] The implementations disclosed herein are directed to a flow cell cartridge having fluid connectors. The fluid connectors are movable to be in fluid communication with corresponding reagent cartridge ports of a reagent cartridge via a lift plate assembly of a system (sequencing system). In one implementation, the lift plate assembly includes a lift plate that holds a system plunger assembly including at least one system plunger. The reagent cartridge includes a reagent cartridge plunger assembly including at least one reagent cartridge plunger. The reagent cartridge plunger is adapted to align with a corresponding system plunger and a corresponding flow cell gasket of a flow cell assembly.

[0064] When the lift plate of the system moves linearly towards the reagent cartridge via a drive assembly, the system plunger engages with the reagent cartridge plunger, moves the reagent cartridge plunger, and enables the reagent cartridge plunger to move a gasket assembly including a flow cell gasket. The flow cell gasket is Flexibility connected to the flow cell, such as via a fluid connector. By moving the flow cell gasket, FlexibilityFluid communication can be established between a pair of reagent cartridge ports and a flow cell, such as via a fluidic joint. The spring can bias the system plunger. The spring can be adapted to prevent the system plunger from compressing the flow cell gasket by more than a threshold amount.

[0065] FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of an implementation of a system 100 according to a first example of the present disclosure. Using the system 100, an analysis can be performed on one or more target samples. The sample can include one or more DNA clusters linearized to form single stranded DNA (sstDNA). In the illustrated implementation, the system 100 includes a reagent cartridge receptacle 101 adapted to receive a reagent cartridge 102. The reagent cartridge 102 holds a flow cell assembly 103.

[0066] In the illustrated implementation, the system 100 partially includes a lift plate assembly 104, a drive assembly 106, a controller 108, an imaging system 110, and a waste reservoir 112. The controller 108 is electrically and / or communicatively coupled to the lift plate assembly 104, the drive assembly 106, and the imaging system 110, and is adapted to cause the lift plate assembly 104, the drive assembly 106, and / or the imaging system 110 to perform various functions as disclosed herein. The waste reservoir 112 may be selectively receivable within a waste reservoir receptacle 113 of the system 100 or may be part of the reagent cartridge 102.

[0067] The reagent cartridge 102 and / or the flow cell assembly 103 can hold one or more samples of interest. The lift plate assembly 104 interfaces with the reagent cartridge 102 to load the reagent cartridge 102 into the system 100. The drive assembly 106 interfaces with the reagent cartridge 102 to flow one or more reagents (e.g., A, T, G, C nucleotides) that interact with the sample through the reagent cartridge 102 and / or the flow cell assembly 103.

[0068] In one implementation, reversible terminators are attached to the reagents to allow a single nucleotide to be incorporated by sstDNA for each cycle. In some such implementations, one or more of the nucleotides have a unique fluorescent label that emits color when excited. The color (or its absence) is used to detect the corresponding nucleotide. In the illustrated implementation, the imaging system 110 is adapted to excite one or more of the distinguishable labels (e.g., fluorescent labels) and then acquire image data of the distinguishable labels. The labels can be excited by incident light and / or a laser, and the image data can include one or more colors emitted by the respective labels in response to the excitation. The image data (e.g., detection data) can be analyzed by the system 100. The imaging system 110 can be a fluorescence spectrophotometer that includes an objective lens and / or a solid-state imaging device. The solid-state imaging device can include a charge coupled device (CCD) and / or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS).

[0069] After the image data is acquired, the drive assembly 106 interfaces with the reagent cartridge 102 to flow another reaction component (e.g., reagent) through the reagent cartridge 102 and / or the flow cell assembly 103, and then the reaction component is received by the waste reservoir 112 and / or discharged by the reagent cartridge 102 in other ways. The reaction component performs a flushing operation that chemically cleaves the fluorescent label and reversible terminator from the sstDNA. Then, the sstDNA is prepared for another cycle.

[0070] Referring to the lift plate assembly 104 in the illustrated implementation, the lift plate assembly 104 includes a lift plate 114, a system plunger assembly 116, and a lift plate drive assembly 118. The system plunger assembly 116 may be referred to as an operating system and / or may be part of an operating system. The system plunger assembly 116 is held by the lift plate 114 and includes a plurality of system plungers 120, 121. The system plungers 120, 121 may be referred to as system pins or system actuators. One or more seals 119 may surround the system plungers 120, 121. The seal 119 may be adapted to sealingly engage with the lift plate 114 and / or other components of the lift plate assembly 104 to prevent fluid from entering the system 100 and / or the lift plate assembly 104. In some implementations, the lift plate assembly 104 includes one or more sheets into which the corresponding seals 119 can fit.

[0071] The lift plate drive assembly 118 is operably coupled to the lift plate 114. In another implementation, the system plungers 120, 121 can be combined into a single wide plunger having one or more contact points. For example, the system plungers 120, 121 can be implemented as a single plunger with three equally spaced protrusions. Other configurations and / or arrangements of spacing may be found to be suitable.

[0072] The flow cell assembly 103 includes a flow cell 122, fluid joints 124, 125, and a gasket assembly 126. In some implementations, the fluid joints 124, 125 may be omitted, the flow cell 122 may be integrated with the gasket assembly 126, and / or in other ways, one or more components of the gasket assembly 126, such as the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 described herein, may be directly integrated with the flow cell 122. The flow cell 122 includes at least one channel 128, a flow cell inlet 130, and a flow cell outlet 132. The channel 128 may be U-shaped or may be linear and extend across the flow cell 122. Other configurations of the channel 128 may be found to be suitable. If two or more channels 128 are provided, each of the channels 128 may have a dedicated flow cell inlet 130 and a dedicated flow cell outlet 132. Alternatively, a single flow cell inlet 130 may be fluidly connected to two or more channels 128, for example, via an inlet manifold. Alternatively, a single flow cell outlet 132 may be connected to two or more channels, for example, via an outlet manifold.

[0073] The fluid joints 124, 125 are each connected to the flow cell inlet 130 and the flow cell outlet 132. The fluid joint 124 may include a first fluid joint 124 and a second fluid joint 125. The fluid joints 124, 125 can be combined. For example, the fluid joints 124, 125 may be formed of a single substrate or may be attached in other ways. Alternatively, the fluid joints 124, 125 may be separate (see, for example, FIG. 4).

[0074] In one implementation, the fluid joints 124, 125 are FlexibilityIt is a fluid joint. For example, the fluid joints 124 and 125 can be formed by a laminated structure. The laminated structure can define corresponding flow paths. The fluid joints 124 and 125 can be relatively fragile. Therefore, when a force exceeding a threshold is applied to the fluid joints 124 and 125, the fluid joints 124 and 125 may be damaged. Further, when a force exceeding the threshold is applied, a seal may not be constructed between the reagent cartridge 102 and the flow cell assembly 103. In some implementations, the fluid joints 124 and 125 may be omitted, and the flow cell 122 may be directly connected to the gasket assembly 126 and / or the flow cell gaskets 134 and 136 described herein.

[0075] The disclosed examples can be adapted to construct a fluid connection between the reagent cartridge 102 and the fluid joints 124 and 125 of the flow cell assembly 103 without damaging the fluid joints 124 and 125. The fluid joints 124 and 125 Flexibility may be of this kind, but may be formed in other ways. For example, the fluid joints 124 and 125 may be fixed, or Flexibility may be low. In other implementations, the fluid joints 124 and 125 can be removed and the gasket assembly 126 can be directly connected to the flow cell 122. When the fluid joints 124 and 125 are not provided, or when it can be confirmed that the approach is suitable, the lift plate assembly 104 can apply a compression different from the compression applied to the gasket assembly 126 to the reagent cartridge 102 and / or the flow cell assembly 103. In that way, the reagent cartridge 102 / flow cell assembly 103 can be fixed and the gasket assembly 126 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0076] In the illustrated implementation, gasket assembly 126 is coupled to fluid joints 124, 125. Gasket assembly 126 includes a plurality of flow cell gaskets 134, 136. Flow cell gaskets 134, 136 can be elastic gaskets. One of the flow cell gaskets 134 (which may be referred to as a flow cell inlet gasket) has a through bore 138 and is coupled to flow cell inlet 130 via fluid joint 124. The other of the flow cell gaskets 136 (which may be referred to as a flow cell outlet gasket) includes a through bore 138 and is coupled to flow cell outlet 132 via fluid joint 125. Flow cell gasket 136 having through bore 138 can be adapted to selectively fluidly communicate with a pair of reagent cartridge ports 140 of fluid interface 142 of reagent cartridge 102.

[0077] The other of the flow cell gaskets 136 may be referred to as a leveler flow cell gasket. Leveler flow cell gasket 136 can be adapted to engage reagent cartridge engagement surface 144 of fluid interface 142. Reagent cartridge engagement surface 144 faces flow cell receptacle 146 of reagent cartridge 102. Flow cell gasket 134 can be arranged in a triangular pattern (see, e.g., FIG. 2). The triangular pattern may enable a repeatable fluid connection to be constructed between flow cell gasket 134 and reagent cartridge port 140. Also, the triangular pattern may enable flow cell gaskets 134, 136 of gasket assembly 126 to be planar with or flat with respect to reagent cartridge engagement surface 144. The triangular pattern may enable gasket assembly 126 to evenly distribute and / or consistently apply force to reagent cartridge engagement surface 144. Leveler flow cell gasket 136 may enable flow cell gasket 134 to engage in the same plane as reagent cartridge port 140.

[0078] In the illustrated implementation, the reagent cartridge 102 includes a flow cell receptacle 146, a reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148, and a pair of reagent cartridge ports 140. The reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148 may be referred to as an actuation system and / or may be part of an actuation system. The flow cell receptacle 146 is adapted to receive the flow cell assembly 103. The reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148 includes a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151. The reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 may be referred to as reagent cartridge pins or reagent cartridge actuators. In some implementations, the reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148 may be omitted, such that the system plunger assembly 116 engages directly with the gasket assembly 126.

[0079] When the reagent cartridge 102 is received within the reagent cartridge receptacle 101 and the flow cell assembly 103 is received within the flow cell receptacle 146, as shown, each reagent cartridge plunger 150, 151 is aligned with a corresponding system plunger 120, 121 and a corresponding flow cell gasket 134, 136. The pair of reagent cartridge ports 140 are adapted to be fluidly coupled to a flow cell gasket 134 having a through bore 138. In other implementations, the reagent cartridge 102 may not include a reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148.

[0080] During operation, the lift plate drive assembly 118 is adapted to linearly move the lift plate 114 and the system plungers 120, 121. The lift plate assembly 104 and / or the lift plate drive assembly 118 may be adapted to synchronize / coordinate the movement of the various components of the reagent cartridge 102 and the flow cell assembly 103. The lift plate assembly 104 and / or the lift plate drive assembly 118 may be adapted to synchronize / coordinate, for example, the clamping force applied to the reagent cartridge 102 to clamp the reagent cartridge 102 within the reagent cartridge receptacle 101 and / or to clamp the flow cell assembly 103 within the flow cell receptacle 146.

[0081] By moving the lift plate 114, the system plungers 120, 121 engage with the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 and move the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 to engage with or otherwise interface with the gasket assembly 126. In implementations where the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 are removable, the system plungers 120, 121 can be arranged to contact the gasket assembly 126 directly or otherwise interface therewith. Engagement between the reagent cartridge plunger 150 and the gasket assembly 126 imparts force to the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 to engage with the reagent cartridge ports 140. Engagement between the reagent cartridge plunger 150 and the gasket assembly 126 enables fluid communication between the pair of reagent cartridge ports 140 and the flow cell 122 via the flow cell inlet 130 and the flow cell outlet 132. Thus, the system plungers 120, 121 are adapted to actuate the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151. The reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 are adapted to actuate the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 to establish a fluid connection with the reagent cartridge ports 140. In some examples, a sealing seal is formed between the flow cell gasket 134 and the reagent cartridge port 140. The sealing seal may allow for fluid communication between the reagent cartridge 102 and the flow cell assembly 103.

[0082] The system plunger 120 includes a pair of system plungers 120, the reagent cartridge plunger 150 includes a pair of reagent cartridge plungers 150, and the flow cell gasket 134 includes a pair of flow cell gaskets 134 having a through bore 138. The pair of system plungers 120, the pair of reagent cartridge plungers 150, and the pair of flow cell gaskets 134 are associated with fluidly connecting the flow cell 122 and the pair of reagent cartridge ports 140. The pair of system plungers 120, the pair of reagent cartridge plungers 150, and the pair of flow cell gaskets 134 are shown on the left and right sides of the system plunger assembly 116, the reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148, and the gasket assembly 126 in the schematic diagram of FIG. 1A. However, the pair of system plungers 120, the pair of reagent cartridge plungers 150, and the pair of flow cell gaskets 134 can be in different arrangements.

[0083] In the illustrated implementation, the system plungers 120, 121 include the leveler system plunger 121, and the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 include the leveler reagent cartridge plunger 151. The lift plate drive assembly 118 is adapted to linearly move the lift plate 114 and the leveler system plunger 121 to engage the gasket assembly 126 and to move the leveler reagent cartridge plunger 151 to engage the gasket assembly 126. Engagement between the leveler reagent cartridge plunger 151 and the gasket assembly 126 enables the leveler flow cell gasket 136 to engage the reagent cartridge engagement surface 144 and obtain the stability of the gasket assembly 126 with respect to the reagent cartridge 102.

[0084] Also, the lift plate assembly 104 includes a biasing plate 153. The biasing plate 153 is adapted to engage the reagent cartridge 102. Engagement between the biasing plate 153 and the reagent cartridge 102 enables the reagent cartridge 102 to be fixed within the reagent cartridge receptacle 102.

[0085] In the illustrated implementation, the lift plate assembly 104 includes a heater 154. The controller 108 is electrically and / or communicatively coupled to the heater 154 to perform various functions disclosed herein. The lift plate drive assembly 118 is adapted to linearly move the lift plate 114 and the heater 154 toward the flow cell 122. The heater 154 can interface with the flow cell 122 to control the temperature of the flow cell 122 during one or more operations of the system 100 and / or the analysis being performed.

[0086] Returning to the reagent cartridge 102, in the illustrated implementation, the reagent cartridge 102 includes a reagent reservoir 155, a reagent cartridge body 156, one or more valves 158, and a fluid line 160. The reagent reservoir 155 may contain a fluid (e.g., a reagent and / or another reaction component), and the valve 158 may be selectively actuable to control the flow of fluid through the fluid line 160. One or more of the valves 158 may be implemented by a rotary valve, a pinch valve, a flat valve, a solenoid valve, a check valve, a piezoelectric valve, etc. The reagent cartridge body 156 may be formed of solid plastic using injection molding techniques and / or additive manufacturing techniques. In some implementations, the reagent reservoir 155 is integrally formed with the reagent cartridge body 156. In other implementations, the reagent reservoir 155 is formed separately and coupled to the reagent cartridge body 156.

[0087] The reagent cartridge 102 can be in fluid communication with the flow cell assembly 103, for example, via the interaction between a pair of reagent cartridge ports 140 and the flow cell gaskets 134, 136. In the illustrated implementation, the flow cell assembly 103 can be inserted into and held by the reagent cartridge 102 and received in the flow cell receptacle 146. Alternatively, the flow cell assembly 103 can be integrated with the reagent cartridge 102. In such an implementation, the flow cell receptacle 146 may not be included, or at least the flow cell assembly may not be removably receivable within the reagent cartridge 102.

[0088] Referring now to the drive assembly 106, in the illustrated implementation, the drive assembly 106 includes a pump drive assembly 162 and a valve drive assembly 164. The pump drive assembly 162 is adapted to interface with one or more pumps 166 to pump fluid through the reagent cartridge 102. The pump 166 can be implemented by a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump, or the like. The pump 166 may be positioned between the flow cell assembly 103 and the waste reservoir 112, although in other implementations, the pump 166 may be positioned upstream of the flow cell 122 or may be completely omitted.

[0089] The valve drive assembly 164 is adapted to interface with one or more valves 158 to control the position of the valves 158. In one implementation, the valve 158 is implemented by a rotary valve having a first position that blocks flow to the flow cell 122 and a second position that allows flow from the reagent reservoir 155 to the flow cell 122. However, the valve 158 can be positioned at any number of positions to allow any one or more of a first reagent, a buffer reagent, a second reagent, etc. to flow to the flow cell 122. In such an implementation, the valve drive assembly 164 can include a shaft that actuates the valve 158 to perform an operation in which a reagent from one or more of the reagent reservoirs 155 flows through the flow cell 122.

[0090] Referring to the controller 108, in the illustrated implementation, the controller 108 includes a user interface 168, a communication interface 170, one or more processors 172, and a memory 174 that stores instructions executable by the one or more processors 172 to perform various functions including the disclosed implementations. The user interface 168, the communication interface 170, and the memory 174 are electrically and / or communicatively coupled to the one or more processors 172.

[0091] In one implementation, the user interface 168 is adapted to receive input from a user and provide information related to the operation of the system 100 and / or the analysis being performed to the user. The user interface 168 can include a touch screen, a display, a keyboard, a speaker, a mouse, a trackball, and / or a voice recognition system. The touch screen and / or the display can display a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0092] In one implementation, communication interface 170 is adapted to enable communication between system 100 and a remote system (e.g., a computer) via a network. Examples of the network include the Internet, an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a coaxial cable network, a wireless network, a wired network, a satellite network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, a cellular network, a Bluetooth connection, a near field communication (NFC) connection, and the like. Some of the communication provided to the remote system may be associated with analysis results, imaging data, etc. generated by system 100 or obtained in another way. Some of the communication provided to system 100 may be associated with fluid analysis operations, patient records, and / or protocols executed by system 100.

[0093] One or more processors 172 and / or system 100 may include one or more of a processor-based system or a microprocessor-based system. In some implementations, one or more processors 172 and / or system 100 include one or more of a programmable processor, a programmable controller, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a reduced-instruction set computer (RISC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a field programmable logic device (FPLD), a logic circuit, and / or another logic-based device that performs various functions described herein.

[0094] The memory 174 can include one or more of a semiconductor memory, a magnetically readable memory, an optical memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical storage drive, a solid-state memory device, a solid-state drive (SSD), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory, a compact disc (CD), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) system, a cache, and / or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored over any duration (e.g., permanently, temporarily, over a long term, for buffering, for caching).

[0095] Figure 1B shows a schematic diagram of another exemplary implementation of the system 100 of Figure 1A. In the implementation shown in Figure 1B, the system 100 includes a reagent cartridge receptacle 101 and a lift plate assembly 104. The lift plate assembly 104 includes a lift plate 114, a system plunger assembly 116, and a lift plate drive assembly 118. The system plunger assembly 116 is held by the lift plate 114 and includes a plurality of system plungers 120. The lift plate drive assembly 118 is operably coupled to the lift plate 114.

[0096] The flow cell assembly 103 includes a flow cell 122 that includes at least one channel 128, a flow cell inlet 130, and a flow cell outlet 132. The flow cell assembly 103 also includes fluid fittings 124, 125 coupled to the flow cell inlet 130 and the flow cell outlet 132, respectively. The flow cell assembly 103 includes a gasket assembly 126 coupled to the fluid fittings 124, 125. The gasket assembly 126 includes a flow cell inlet gasket 134 and a flow cell outlet gasket 134. The flow cell inlet gasket 134 includes a through bore 138 and is coupled to the flow cell inlet 130 via the fluid fittings 124, 125. The flow cell outlet gasket 134 includes a through bore 138 and is coupled to the flow cell outlet 132 via the fluid fittings 124, 125.

[0097] In the illustrated implementation, the reagent cartridge 102 is receivable within the reagent cartridge receptacle 101 and includes a reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148 and a pair of reagent cartridge ports 140. The reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148 includes a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers 150. Each reagent cartridge plunger 150 is adapted to align with a corresponding system plunger 120 of the system plunger assembly 116 and a corresponding flow cell gasket 134 of the flow cell assembly 103 when the reagent cartridge 102 is received within the reagent cartridge receptacle 101. The pair of reagent cartridge ports 140 are adapted to be fluidly coupled to the flow cell inlet gasket 134 and the flow cell outlet gasket 134.

[0098] FIG. 1C shows a schematic view of another exemplary implementation of the flow cell assembly 103 and the reagent cartridge 102 of the system 100 of FIG. 1A. In the illustrated implementation, the flow cell assembly 103 includes a flow cell 122 and a gasket assembly 126. The flow cell 103 includes at least one channel 128, a flow cell inlet 130, and a flow cell outlet 132. The gasket assembly 126 is operably coupled to the flow cell 103 and includes a flow cell inlet gasket 134 and a flow cell outlet gasket 134. The flow cell inlet gasket 134 includes a through bore 138 and is coupled to the flow cell inlet 130. The flow cell outlet gasket 134 includes a through bore 138 and is coupled to the flow cell outlet 132. The reagent cartridge 102 is adapted to hold the flow cell assembly 103 and includes a pair of reagent cartridge ports 140. The reagent ports 140 are adapted to be fluidly coupled to the flow cell inlet gasket 134 and the flow cell outlet gasket 134.

[0099] FIG. 2 is an isometric plan view of an exemplary implementation of the flow cell assembly 103 of FIG. 1A. The flow cell assembly 103 includes a flow cell housing 176. The flow cell housing 176 includes an upper housing surface 178, a bottom housing surface 180, and side housing surfaces 182. The upper housing surface 178, the bottom housing surface 180, and the side housing surfaces 182 form a housing. As shown, the housing may have one or more openings. In the illustrated implementation, the upper housing surface 178 may include surfaces within one or more planes.

[0100] The flow cell housing 176 holds a flow cell 122, fluid fittings 124, 125 (more clearly shown in FIG. 4), and a gasket assembly 126. In the illustrated implementation, the flow cell housing 176 has a dimensional envelope, and the gasket assembly 126 is disposed within the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing 176. By positioning the gasket assembly 126 within the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing 176, the gasket assembly 126 and / or the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 can be positioned so as not to protrude from the housing, so that the flow cell assembly 103 can be received and / or held within the flow cell receptacle 146 without damaging the gasket assembly 126 and / or the flow cell gaskets 134, 136. For example, if the gasket assembly 126 extends outside the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing 176, the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 may inadvertently engage the structure of the reagent cartridge 102 during assembly and / or transportation, damaging and / or otherwise affecting the fluidly connectable state constructed between the gasket assembly 126 and the pair of reagent cartridge ports 140.

[0101] Further, the flow cell housing 176 includes openings 184, 186 corresponding to the flow cell gaskets 134, 136, respectively. The openings 184, 186 are arranged in a triangular pattern. The upper housing surface 178 defines the openings 184, 186. In the illustrated implementation, the opening 184 is circular, and the opening 186 is oval and / or teardrop-shaped. The openings 184, 186 defined by the upper housing surface 178 are arranged such that after the reagent cartridge plunger 150 moves the gasket assembly 126 a predetermined distance, the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 can protrude from the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing 176.

[0102] The flow cell gaskets 134, 136 have a circular cross-section. Also, the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 include flat surfaces 188. The flat surfaces 188 of the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 can be arranged to engage and / or compress against the reagent cartridge engagement surface 144 when a pair of reagent cartridge ports 140 communicate with the flow cell 122 via the flow cell inlet 130 and the flow cell outlet 132. The flat surfaces 188 of the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 can be adapted to be pressed onto the same plane as the reagent cartridge engagement surface 144. Due to the interaction between the flat surface 188 and the reagent cartridge engagement surface 144, the force applied by the gasket assembly 126 may be evenly distributed against the reagent cartridge engagement surface 144. Due to the interaction between the flat surface 188 and the reagent cartridge engagement surface 144, a sealing seal may be formed between the flow cell gasket 134 and the reagent cartridge port 140.

[0103] Also, the gasket assembly 126 includes an alignment protrusion 190. The alignment protrusion 190 is adapted to be received by an alignment receptacle 191 (see FIG. 1A) of the reagent cartridge 102. The alignment protrusion 190 extends from the gasket surface 192 toward the upper housing surface 178 and is positioned proximate to the flow cell gasket 134. The oval opening 186 is sized such that the alignment protrusion 190 can extend through the oval opening 186. For example, the alignment protrusion 190 can impart momentum outside the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing 176 through the oval opening 186 after the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 engage the gasket assembly 126 and move the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 a threshold distance. Thus, the alignment protrusion 190 can engage the alignment receptacle 191 of the reagent cartridge 102 to align the through-bore 138 of the flow cell gasket 134 of the gasket assembly 126 with the corresponding opening of the reagent cartridge port 140 before or simultaneously with forming a sealing seal or a substantial sealing seal.

[0104] FIG. 3 is an isometric bottom view of the flow cell assembly 103 shown in FIG. 2. The bottom housing surface 180 of the flow cell assembly 103 includes an opening 193. The opening 193 is circular in this implementation, but other geometric shapes of openings such as slots, ovals, etc. can be used. The opening 193 is opposed to the openings 184, 186 of the upper housing surface 178. The openings 193 are arranged in a triangular pattern. The opening 193 is adapted to receive the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 such that the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 can interface with the gasket assembly 126. Also, the bottom housing surface 180 includes a heater opening 194. The heater opening 194 can be adapted to enable the heater 154 to interface with the flow cell 122 and / or the carrier plate supporting the flow cell 122. For example, the heater opening 194 can be adapted to receive the heater 154.

[0105] FIG. 4 is an isometric plan view of the flow cell 122, fluid fittings 124, 125, and gasket assembly 126 of FIG. 2 with the housing removed. In the illustrated implementation, the alignment protrusion 190 is conical or includes a conical end. The conical end of the alignment protrusion 190 is receivable within the alignment receptacle 191. The conical end of the alignment protrusion 190 can be adapted to align the gasket assembly 126 and the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 as the gasket assembly 126 moves toward the reagent cartridge engagement surface 144.

[0106] FIG. 5 is an isometric bottom view of the flow cell 122, fluid fittings 124, 125, and gasket assembly 126 of FIG. 2. In the illustrated implementation, gasket assembly 126 includes a plurality of engagement protrusions 195. Engagement protrusions 195 extend from the lower surface 196 of gasket assembly 126. Engagement protrusions 195 are formed by intersecting ribs. Engagement protrusions 195 may include plunger receptacles 198. Plunger receptacles 198 are positioned at the intersections of the ribs. Plunger receptacles 198 may be adapted to receive the distal ends 200 (see FIG. 18) of reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 and / or system plungers 120, 121. In another implementation, plunger receptacles 198 are surrounded by the distal ends 200 of reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 and / or system plungers 120, 121. The distal ends 200 of reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 may be bore cylinders. The bore cylinders of distal ends 200 may engage the ribs of engagement protrusions 195 to interface with and / or surround plunger receptacles 198. By engaging the distal ends 200 including bore cylinders with engagement protrusions 195, the force applied by reagent cartridge plungers 150 and / or 151 and the force applied to engagement protrusions 195 may be more evenly distributed. In some implementations, engagement protrusions 195 may be omitted, and the distal ends 200 of reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 may engage directly with the bottom surface of gasket assembly 126.

[0107] FIG. 6 is an isometric plan view of an exemplary implementation of lift plate assembly 104 and reagent cartridge 102 of FIG. 1A. In the illustrated implementation, lift plate assembly 104 includes lift plate 114. Reagent cartridge 102 is positioned on lift plate 114 with the illustrated flow cell assembly 103 inserted into reagent cartridge 102. Reagent cartridge 102 includes a flow cell receptacle 146 adapted to receive flow cell assembly 103.

[0108] FIG. 7 is an isometric plan view of the lift plate assembly 104 of FIG. 6, including an exemplary implementation of the biasing plate 153. In the illustrated implementation, the biasing plate 153 includes a plurality of biasing plate through bores 204. The system plungers 120, 121 are arranged to extend through the biasing plate through bores 204, enabling the system plungers 120, 121 to be aligned and interface with the corresponding reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151. The biasing plate through bores 204 are arranged in a triangular pattern. The lift plate assembly 104 also includes a plurality of springs 206. One or more of the springs 206 are disposed between the heater assembly holding the heater 154 and the lift plate 114. The springs 206 can be adapted to increase the force in the opposite direction when the heater 154, the biasing plate 153, and / or the system plungers 120, 121 move and / or engage toward the corresponding portions of the reagent cartridge 102. The springs 206 can have a spring force based on Hooke's law of springs to prevent damage to the corresponding portions and / or to facilitate the construction of a seal between the reagent cartridge 102 and the flow cell assembly 103.

[0109] FIG. 8 is an isometric plan view of the lift plate assembly 104 of FIG. 6 with the biasing plate 153 removed. Accordingly, the system plunger assembly 116 and system plungers 120, 121 are shown. The lift plate 114 defines a plunger bore 207. Each of the system plungers 120, 121 is slidably disposed within a corresponding one of the interior of the plunger bore 207. A spring 208 (see, e.g., FIG. 12) may be housed within each of the interior of the plunger bore 207. The spring 208 acts on the system plungers 120, 121 such that when the distal ends 210 of each of the system plungers 120, 121 move to engage the corresponding reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151, a reverse force may be arranged to increase. The spring 208 acting on the system plungers 120, 221 may be adapted to prevent the system plungers 120, 121 from compressing the corresponding flow cell gaskets 134, 136 beyond a threshold amount based on Hooke's law of springs. Compressing the flow cell gaskets 134, 136 too much may cause damage and / or prevent the seal from being constructed.

[0110] FIG. 9 is an isometric bottom view of the reagent cartridge 102 of FIG. 6. In the illustrated implementation, the reagent cartridge 102 includes a bottom surface 211. The bottom surface 211 defines a plurality of reagent cartridge bores 212. The system plungers 120, 121 extend through the reagent cartridge bores 212 and are arranged to interface with the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 held within the reagent cartridge 102. The reagent cartridge bores 212 are arranged in a triangular pattern corresponding to the pattern of the system plungers 120, 121. Further, the reagent cartridge 102 includes a receptacle 214. The receptacle 214 may be arranged to receive the heater 154 and / or to enable the heater 154 to interface with the flow cell 122 and / or the carrier plate to which the flow cell 122 is attached.

[0111] Figure 10 is an isometric enlarged cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge 102 of FIG. 6, showing the reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148. In the illustrated implementation, the reagent cartridge body 156 of the reagent cartridge 102 includes a plunger bore 216. The plunger bore 216 is aligned with the reagent cartridge bore 212. The plunger bore 216 houses the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151. The reagent cartridge 102 includes a protrusion 218. The protrusion 218 defines the plunger bore 216. However, the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 can be held by the reagent cartridge 102 in different ways. The distal ends 200 of the reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 can include a sheet 222. The sheet 222 can be adapted to receive and / or interface in other ways with the plunger receptacle 198 of the gasket assembly 126. The reagent cartridge plungers 150, 151 include proximal ends (not shown) opposite the distal ends 200 that engage the distal ends 210 of the system plungers 120, 121.

[0112] Figure 11 is an isometric enlarged cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge 102 of FIG. 6, showing the fluid interface 142, the reagent cartridge engagement surface 144, the reagent cartridge port 140, and the alignment receptacle 191. The alignment receptacle 191 can have a conical surface corresponding to the conical surface of the alignment protrusion 190. In the illustrated implementation, the reagent cartridge engagement surface 144 can include a sheet 224. The sheet 224 can be adapted to receive the flow cell gasket 136 that does not include a through bore 138. The reagent cartridge port 140 can include a port sheet 226. The port sheet 226 can be adapted to receive the flow cell gasket 136. The port sheet 226 can facilitate the formation of a hermetic seal with the flow cell gasket 136 having a through bore 138.

[0113] Figures 12 - 17 show the process of loading / fixing the reagent cartridge 102 into the reagent cartridge receptacle 101 and constructing a fluid connection between the reagent cartridge 102 and the flow cell assembly 103.

[0114] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge 102, flow cell assembly 103, and lift plate assembly 104 of FIG. 6, with the lift plate assembly 104 in the lowered position and the reagent cartridge 102 received within the reagent cartridge receptacle 101. The flow cell assembly 103 is received within the flow cell receptacle 146 of the reagent cartridge 102. In the illustrated implementation, the system plunger 120 includes a wide portion 228 and a narrow portion 230. The wide portion 228 may have a circular cross-section. The narrow portion may have a circular cross-section. However, either the wide portion 228 and / or the narrow portion 230 may have a different cross-section. A plunger step 232 is formed between the wide portion 228 and the narrow portion 230.

[0115] FIG. 13 is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge 102, flow cell assembly 103, and lift plate assembly 104 of FIG. 6, showing the biasing plate 153 that engages the bottom surface 211 of the reagent cartridge 102 after the lift plate drive assembly 118 has moved the system plunger assembly 116 and the biasing plate 153 toward the reagent cartridge 102. The lift plate 114 is lifted from the base 233 of the lift plate assembly 104 using the screw drive of the lift plate drive assembly 118. The top surface 234 of the reagent cartridge 102 is initially spaced from the internal reagent cartridge receptacle surface 236 of the system 100 when the biasing plate 153 engages the bottom surface 211 of the reagent cartridge 102.

[0116] Figure 14 is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge 102, flow cell assembly 103, and lift plate assembly 104 of FIG. 6, showing the state where the upper surface 234 of the reagent cartridge 102 is engaged with and / or adjacent to the internal reagent cartridge receptacle surface 236 of the system 100 after the lift plate drive assembly 118 further moves the system plunger assembly 116 and the reagent cartridge 102 in the direction generally indicated by arrow 238. That is, when the lift plate assembly 104 is driven in the vertical direction (see arrow 238), both the biasing plate 153 and the internal reagent cartridge receptacle surface 236 clamp the reagent cartridge 102 therebetween. In some implementations, the components of the valve drive assembly 164 and / or the pump drive assembly 162 can engage the corresponding valve 158 and / or pump 166.

[0117] Figure 15 is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge 102, flow cell assembly 103, and lift plate assembly 104 of FIG. 6, showing the heater 154 positioned adjacent to the flow cell 122 and the plunger step 232 of the system plunger 120 engaged with the stop 240 provided in the plunger bore 207 as a result of the spring in the plunger bore 207 biasing the wide portion 228 of the system plunger 120 against the plunger step 232. That is, when the lift plate assembly 104 is driven in the vertical direction (see arrow 238), the surface of the heater 154 contacts the carrier plate 241 holding the flow cell 122 and can lift or float the flow cell 122 and the carrier plate 241 within the flow cell assembly 103. The distal end 210 of the system plunger 120 is spaced from the corresponding reagent cartridge plunger 150 but is aligned with the corresponding reagent cartridge bore 212. The heater 154 is shown to be engaged with the carrier plate 241 of the flow cell assembly 103.

[0118] FIG. 16 is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge 102, flow cell assembly 103, and lift plate assembly 104 of FIG. 6, showing the state where the distal end 210 of the system plunger 120 engages the corresponding proximal end of the corresponding reagent cartridge plunger 150 after the lift plate assembly 104 has been further moved in the direction generally indicated by arrow 238. That is, when the lift plate assembly 104 is driven in the vertical direction (see arrow 238), the distal end 200 of the corresponding reagent cartridge plunger 150 is aligned with the corresponding plunger receptacle 198 of the gasket assembly 126, and begins to fluidly couple the flow cell gasket 134 and the corresponding reagent cartridge port 140.

[0119] FIG. 17 is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge 102, flow cell assembly 103, and lift plate assembly 104 of FIG. 6, showing the reagent cartridge plunger 150 biased into engagement with the corresponding reagent cartridge port 140 of the flow cell gasket 134. That is, when the lift plate assembly 104 is driven in the vertical direction (see arrow 238), each reagent cartridge plunger 150 engages with the corresponding plunger receptacle 198 of the gasket assembly 126 and / or the surface of the gasket assembly 126. The alignment protrusion 190 first engages with the alignment receptacle 191 to perform self-alignment, thereby aligning the through bore 138 of the flow cell gasket 134 with the reagent cartridge port 140. As the lift plate assembly 104 continues to be driven in the vertical direction, the flow cell gasket 134 is compressed against the reagent cartridge port 140 to form a compression seal. The compression seal can be a hermetic seal. To avoid over-compression of the flow cell gasket 134, the spring in the plunger bore 207 is selected to have a spring constant such that the plunger step 232 of the system plunger 120 is shown spaced from the stop 240 provided in the plunger bore 207, allowing the system plunger 120 to compress the spring in the plunger bore 207. In particular, the system plunger 120 moves in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the lift plate 114 (see arrow 238) and prevents the system plunger 120 from compressing the flow cell gasket 134 beyond a threshold amount against the spring force of the spring 208. The spring 208 may have a spring force sufficient to bias the flow cell gasket 134 into engagement with the corresponding reagent cartridge port 140 and allow fluid communication between the reagent cartridge port 140 and the flow cell gasket 134. The spring force of the spring 208 may enable a hermetic seal to be constructed between the flow gasket 134 and the corresponding reagent cartridge port 140.

[0120] FIG. 18 is an enlarged isometric cross-sectional view of another implementation form in one of the lift plate assembly 104 and the system plunger 120 of FIG. 6. In the illustrated implementation form, the system plunger 120 holds a seal 119. The seal 119 may be referred to as a gasket. The seal 119 is adapted to sealingly engage with the lift plate 114 at the inlet 242 of the plunger bore 207. Engagement between the seal 119 and the lift plate 114 can prevent fluid from entering the plunger bore 207.

[0121] The biasing plate 153 includes a biasing plate sheet 243. The biasing plate sheet 243 faces the lift plate 114. The biasing plate sheet 243 can receive the seal 119 when the reagent cartridge plunger 150 is in the extended position (see, for example, FIG. 16).

[0122] Alternatively, the seal 119 may be at different positions along the system plunger 120. In these other configurations, the biasing plate sheet 243 may be arranged at different positions accordingly. For example, the seal 119 may be connected adjacent to the distal end 200 of the system plunger 120. In such an implementation form, the seal 119 may be arranged to sealingly engage with the biasing plate surface 246 of the biasing plate 153. Also, the biasing plate sheet 243 may be arranged to receive the seal 119 at the biasing plate surface 246. Other arrangements may be found to be suitable. The system plunger 120 defines a plunger groove 248. The seal 119 includes a through hole 250 that allows the seal 119 to surround the system plunger 120. The seal 119 is received within the plunger groove 248.

[0123] FIG. 19 is an enlarged isometric cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge 102 and flow cell assembly 103 of FIG. 6, showing the reagent cartridge plunger 150 in the extended position, biasing the flow cell gasket 134 into engagement with the corresponding reagent cartridge port 140. The extended position may be referred to as the operating position. The reagent cartridge plunger 150 includes a flange 252. The flange 252 is adapted to engage a stop 254 of a protrusion 218 that defines a portion of the plunger bore 216. The flange 252 includes a downward lip 256 relative to the orientation shown in FIG. 19. The lip 256 may have an umbrella shape. The lip 256 may be arranged to surround the stop 254.

[0124] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a method of fluidly coupling the flow gasket assembly 126 and reagent cartridge 102 of FIG. 1A, or a flowchart for performing any of the other implementations disclosed herein. In the flowchart of FIG. 20, the blocks enclosed by solid lines may be included in an implementation of process 900, and the blocks enclosed by dashed lines may be optional in an implementation of process 900. However, regardless of the manner in which the block boundaries are presented in FIGS. 20 and 21, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and / or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, combined, and / or subdivided into multiple blocks.

[0125] The process 300 of FIG. 20 begins by linearly moving the lift plate 114 and the system plunger assembly 116 held by the lift plate 114 toward the reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148 of the reagent cartridge 102 (block 302). The system plunger assembly 116 includes at least one system plunger 120, and the reagent plunger assembly 148 includes at least one reagent cartridge plunger 150. In response to at least one system plunger 120 contacting at least one reagent cartridge plunger 150, at least one reagent cartridge plunger 150 actuates a first predetermined distance so as to contact the gasket assembly 126 of the flow cell assembly 103 (block 304).

[0126] The flow cell assembly 103 includes a flow cell 122 that includes at least one channel 128, a flow cell inlet 130, and a flow cell outlet 132. A first fluid fitting 124 is connected to the flow cell inlet 130, and a second fluid fitting 125 is connected to the flow cell outlet 132. In some implementations, the first fluid fitting 124 and the second fluid fitting 125 are combined. For example, the first and second fluid fittings 124, 125 can be formed of a single substrate having fluid lines for connecting the flow cell gasket 134 and the flow cell 122. The substrate can be of a general purpose. In some implementations, the first and second fluid fittings 124, 125 may be omitted, and the flow cell gasket 134 and the flow cell 122 may be directly fluid connected.

[0127] The gasket assembly 126 is connected to the first and second fluid fittings 124, 125. The gasket assembly 126 includes an inlet gasket 134 having a through bore 138 and is connected to the flow cell inlet 130 via the first fluid fitting 124. The gasket assembly 126 also includes an outlet gasket 134, and the outlet gasket 134 has a through bore 138 and is connected to the flow cell outlet 132 via the second fluid fitting 125.

[0128] In response to at least one system plunger 120 operating at least one reagent cartridge plunger 150 by a second predetermined distance, an inlet gasket 134 is fluidly coupled to a first reagent cartridge port 140 of a reagent cartridge 102, and an outlet gasket 134 is fluidly coupled to a second reagent cartridge port 140 of the reagent cartridge 102 to enable fluid communication between the reagent cartridge port 140 and a flow cell 103 via a flow cell inlet 130 and a flow cell outlet 132 (block 306). The system plunger 120 can move in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the lift plate 114 and against a spring force. (Block 308). The spring force can be applied by a spring 206. The lift plate 114 applies a first compressive force to the reagent cartridge body 156, and the spring force and the system plunger 120 can apply a second different compressive force to the inlet gasket 134 and the outlet gasket 134. Accordingly, the springs 206, 208 may have different spring forces, or different forces may be applied to corresponding components in other ways, so that the reagent cartridge 102 is firmly clamped by the lift plate, while the flow cell gasket 134 is not overly compressed against the reagent cartridge port 140.

[0129] In some implementations, the first fluid fitting 124 and the second fluid fitting 124 of the flow cell assembly 103 are Flexibility fluid fittings, so that the flow cell 103 is movable in at least one of a vertical direction, a longitudinal direction, or a lateral direction, while the inlet gasket 134 is fluidly coupled to a first reagent cartridge port 140 of the reagent cartridge 102, and the outlet gasket 134 is fluidly coupled to a second reagent cartridge port 140 of the reagent cartridge 102.

[0130] The process 400 of FIG. 21 begins by linearly moving the lift plate 114 and the system plunger assembly 116 held by the lift plate 114 toward the reagent cartridge plunger assembly 148 of the reagent cartridge 102 (block 402). The system plunger assembly 116 includes at least one system plunger 120, and the reagent plunger assembly 148 includes at least one reagent cartridge plunger 150. In response to at least one system plunger 120 contacting at least one reagent cartridge plunger 150, at least one reagent cartridge plunger 150 actuates a first predetermined distance so as to contact the gasket assembly 126 of the flow cell assembly 103 (block 404).

[0131] The flow cell assembly 103 includes a flow cell 122 that includes at least one channel 128, a flow cell inlet 130, and a flow cell outlet 132. A first fluid fitting 124 is connected to the flow cell inlet 130, and a second fluid fitting 125 is connected to the flow cell outlet 132. The gasket assembly 126 is connected to the first and second fluid fittings 124, 125. The gasket assembly 126 includes an inlet gasket 134 that has a through bore 138 and is connected to the flow cell inlet 130 via the first fluid fitting 124. Also, the gasket assembly 126 includes an outlet gasket 134 that has a through bore 138 and is connected to the flow cell outlet 132 via the second fluid fitting 125. In some implementations, the first and second fluid fittings 124, 125 may be omitted, and the flow cell gasket 134 and the flow cell 122 may be directly fluid connected.

[0132] In response to at least one system plunger 120 actuating at least one reagent cartridge plunger 150 by a second predetermined distance, an inlet gasket 134 is fluidly coupled to a first reagent cartridge port 140 of a reagent cartridge 102, and an outlet gasket 134 is fluidly coupled to a second reagent cartridge port 140 of the reagent cartridge 102, enabling fluid communication between a pair of reagent cartridge ports 140 and a flow cell 103 via a flow cell inlet 130 and a flow cell outlet 132 (block 406).

[0133] Moving a lift plate and a system plunger assembly held by the lift plate linearly toward a reagent cartridge plunger assembly of a reagent cartridge, wherein the system plunger assembly includes at least one system plunger and the reagent plunger assembly includes at least one reagent cartridge plunger; actuating at least one reagent cartridge plunger by a first predetermined distance in response to at least one system plunger contacting at least one reagent cartridge plunger, and contacting a gasket assembly of a flow cell assembly, wherein the flow cell assembly includes a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet, a first fluid fitting fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet, a second fluid fitting fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet, and a gasket assembly fluidly connected to the first and second fluid fittings, the gasket assembly having a through bore and including an inlet gasket connected to the flow cell inlet via the first fluid fitting and an outlet gasket having a through bore and fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet via the second fluid fitting; and fluidly connecting the inlet gasket to a first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge and the outlet gasket to a second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge in response to at least one system plunger actuating at least one reagent cartridge plunger by a second predetermined distance, to enable fluid communication between the reagent cartridge port and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet.

[0134] The first fluid fitting and the second fluid fitting of the flow cell assembly each FlexibilityA fluid joint, and thus the flow cell is movable relative to the gasket assembly in at least one of a direction perpendicular to, a longitudinal direction, or a transverse direction of the gasket assembly, during which an inlet gasket is fluidly connected to a first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge and an outlet gasket is fluidly connected to a second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge, the method according to any one or more of the foregoing embodiments and / or any one or more of the embodiments disclosed below.

[0135] The method according to any one or more of the foregoing embodiments and / or any one or more of the embodiments disclosed below, further comprising moving the system plunger in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the lift plate and against the spring force.

[0136] The method according to any one or more of the foregoing embodiments and / or any one or more of the embodiments disclosed below, wherein the lift plate applies a first compressive force to the reagent cartridge body, and the spring force and the system plunger apply a second different compressive force to the inlet gasket and the outlet gasket.

[0137] The method according to any one or more of the foregoing embodiments and / or any one or more of the embodiments disclosed below, wherein a first fluid joint and a second fluid joint are combined.

[0138] A reagent cartridge receptacle; a lift plate; a system plunger assembly held by the lift plate and including a plurality of system plungers; a lift plate drive assembly operably coupled to the lift plate, the lift plate assembly including; a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet; fluid connectors fluidly coupled to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet; a gasket assembly fluidly coupled to the fluid connectors, the gasket assembly having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidly coupled to the flow cell inlet via the fluid connector, the flow cell outlet gasket having a through bore and being coupled to the flow cell outlet via the fluid connector; a reagent cartridge receivable within the reagent cartridge receptacle, the reagent cartridge including a reagent cartridge plunger assembly having a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers, each reagent cartridge plunger being adapted to align with a corresponding system plunger of the system plunger assembly and a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly when the reagent cartridge is received within the reagent cartridge receptacle; and a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly coupled to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket; an apparatus comprising the system.

[0139] The apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding implementations and / or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the lift plate drive assembly linearly moves the lift plate and the system plunger, the system plunger engages the reagent cartridge plunger, and the reagent cartridge plunger is moved to engage the gasket assembly to enable fluid communication between the pair of reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet.

[0140] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the system plunger includes a pair of system plungers, and the reagent cartridge plunger includes a pair of reagent cartridge plungers.

[0141] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the flow cell assembly further includes a leveler gasket.

[0142] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the system plunger includes a leveler system plunger, the reagent cartridge plunger further includes a leveler reagent cartridge plunger, and the reagent cartridge includes a reagent cartridge engagement surface.

[0143] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the lift plate drive assembly is adapted to linearly move the lift plate to engage the leveler system plunger with the leveler reagent plunger, move the leveler reagent plunger to engage with the gasket assembly, and enable the engagement between the leveler gasket and the reagent cartridge engagement surface.

[0144] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the leveler gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket, and the flow cell outlet gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern.

[0145] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the flow cell assembly has a flow cell housing that holds the flow cell, the fluid joint, and the gasket assembly.

[0146] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the flow cell housing has a dimensional envelope and the gasket assembly is disposed within the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing.

[0147] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the flow cell housing includes openings corresponding to each flow cell gasket.

[0148] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the openings are arranged such that after the reagent cartridge plunger moves the gasket assembly by a predetermined distance, the flow cell gasket can protrude from the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing.

[0149] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the flow cell gasket has a flat surface and the reagent cartridge includes a reagent cartridge engagement surface facing the flow cell receptacle of the reagent cartridge.

[0150] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the flat surface of the flow cell gasket is arranged to engage the reagent cartridge engagement surface to fluidly couple a pair of reagent cartridge ports to the flow cell.

[0151] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, wherein the reagent cartridge includes an alignment receptacle facing the flow cell receptacle of the flow cell receptacle, and the gasket assembly has an alignment protrusion adapted to be received by the alignment receptacle.

[0152] The gasket assembly has a plurality of engagement protrusions with corresponding plunger receptacles, and each plunger receptacle is adapted to be engaged or surrounded by the distal end of a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger, the apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below.

[0153] The lift plate has a plunger bore, and each system plunger is slidably disposed within a corresponding plunger bore, the apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below.

[0154] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, further comprising a spring disposed in each of the plunger bores.

[0155] The spring acts on the system plunger, imparts momentum to the distal end of the system plunger, and engages with a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger, the apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below.

[0156] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below, further including a seal held by the system plunger.

[0157] The reagent cartridge has a flow cell receptacle adapted to receive a flow cell assembly, the apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing implementation forms and / or any one or more of the implementation forms disclosed below.

[0158] A flow cell assembly comprising a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet, and a gasket assembly operably fluidly connected to the flow cell, the gasket assembly having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet, and the flow cell outlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet; and a reagent cartridge adapted to receive the flow cell assembly, the reagent cartridge including a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket; and an apparatus comprising the same.

[0159] A fluid connector fluidly connecting the flow cell inlet and the flow cell inlet gasket and fluidly connecting the flow cell outlet and the flow cell outlet gasket. Flexibility The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing embodiments and / or any one or more of the embodiments disclosed hereinafter, further comprising a fluid joint.

[0160] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing embodiments and / or any one or more of the embodiments disclosed hereinafter, further comprising a reagent cartridge plunger assembly having a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers, each reagent cartridge plunger being positioned to correspond to a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly.

[0161] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing embodiments and / or any one or more of the embodiments disclosed hereinafter, wherein the flow cell assembly further comprises a leveler gasket, and the reagent cartridge comprises a reagent cartridge engagement surface adapted to be engaged by the leveler gasket.

[0162] The apparatus according to any one or more of the foregoing embodiments and / or any one or more of the embodiments disclosed hereinafter, wherein the flow cell inlet gasket, the flow cell outlet gasket, and the leveler gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern.

[0163] The foregoing description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various configurations described herein. Although the subject technology has been particularly described with reference to various figures and configurations, it should be understood that these are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the subject technology.

[0164] As used herein, an element or step described in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of these elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Further, references to "one implementation" are not intended to exclude the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Further, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, an implementation "comprising," "including," or "having" one element or a plurality of elements with a particular characteristic may include additional elements, whether or not it has that characteristic. Further, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," etc. are used interchangeably herein.

[0165] The terms "substantially," "approximately," and "about" as used throughout this specification are used to account for and describe minor variations, such as due to variations in processing. For example, they can refer to ±5% or less, such as ±2% or less, such as ±1% or less, such as ±0.5% or less, such as ±0.2% or less, such as ±0.1% or less, such as ±0.05% or less).

[0166] There may be many other ways to implement the subject technology. The various functions and elements described herein can be divided differently than shown without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Various modifications to these implementations may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other implementations. Thus, many changes and modifications can be made to the subject technology by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the subject technology. For example, a different number of given modules or units may be used, different types or multiple types of given modules or units may be used, a given module or unit may be added, or a given module or unit may be omitted.

[0167] Underlined and / or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject technology and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the subject technology. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various implementations described throughout this disclosure, known or later to be known to those skilled in the art, are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Further, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the above description.

[0168] It is to be understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts, to be discussed in more detail below, are intended to be part of the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent). Specifically, all combinations of the claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are intended to be part of the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method comprising: linearly moving a lift plate and a system plunger assembly held by the lift plate toward a reagent cartridge plunger assembly of a reagent cartridge, wherein the system plunger assembly includes at least one system plunger and the reagent plunger assembly includes at least one reagent cartridge plunger; in response to the at least one system plunger contacting the at least one reagent cartridge plunger, actuating the at least one reagent cartridge plunger by a first predetermined distance to contact a gasket assembly of a flow cell assembly, the flow cell assembly including a flow cell having at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet, a first fluid fitting fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet, a second fluid fitting fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet, and the gasket assembly fluidly connected to the first and second fluid fittings, the gasket assembly having an inlet gasket having a through bore and fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet via the first fluid fitting, and an outlet gasket having a through bore and fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet via the second fluid fitting; in response to the at least one system plunger actuating the at least one reagent cartridge plunger by a second predetermined distance, fluidly connecting the inlet gasket to a first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge and fluidly connecting the outlet gasket to a second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge to enable fluid communication between the reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet.

2. The first fluid fitting and the second fluid fitting of the flow cell assembly are each a flexible fluid fitting, so that the flow cell is movable in at least one of a direction perpendicular to, a longitudinal direction, or a lateral direction with respect to the gasket assembly, during which the inlet gasket is fluidly connected to the first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge, and the outlet gasket is fluidly connected to the second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge. The method according to claim 1.

3. The lift plate includes a plunger bore, and each system plunger is slidably disposed within a corresponding plunger bore. Further comprising a spring disposed in each of the plunger bores. The spring acts on the system plunger and has a spring force that imparts momentum to the distal end of the system plunger. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising moving the system plunger in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the lift plate and against the spring force.

4. The lift plate applies a first compressive force to the reagent cartridge body, and the spring force and the system plunger apply a second compressive force to the inlet gasket and the outlet gasket. The method according to claim 3.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first fluid fitting and the second fluid fitting are combined.

6. An apparatus, A system, A reagent cartridge receptacle; A lift plate assembly including a lift plate, a system plunger assembly held by the lift plate and including a plurality of system plungers, and a lift plate drive assembly operably coupled to the lift plate; A flow cell assembly, A flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet; Fluid joints fluidly connected to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet; A gasket assembly fluidly connected to the fluid joint, having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet through the fluid joint, the flow cell outlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet through the fluid joint, the gasket assembly; a flow cell assembly including; A reagent cartridge receivable within the reagent cartridge receptacle, A reagent cartridge plunger assembly having a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers, each reagent cartridge plunger being adapted to align with a corresponding system plunger of the system plunger assembly and a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly when the reagent cartridge is received within the reagent cartridge receptacle, the reagent cartridge plunger assembly; A reagent cartridge including a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket; an apparatus comprising a system including. Claim 7 The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lift plate drive assembly linearly moves the lift plate and the system plunger, the system plunger engages the reagent cartridge plunger, and the reagent cartridge plunger is moved to engage the gasket assembly to enable fluid communication between the pair of reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell through the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. Claim 8 The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the system plunger comprises a pair of system plungers, and the reagent cartridge plunger comprises a pair of reagent cartridge plungers.

9. The flow cell assembly further comprises a leveler flow cell gasket, The reagent cartridge comprises a reagent cartridge engagement surface, The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the leveler flow cell gasket is a gasket adapted to engage with the reagent cartridge engagement surface.

10. The system plunger comprises a leveler system plunger, The reagent cartridge plunger further comprises a leveler reagent cartridge plunger, The lift plate drive assembly is adapted to linearly move the lift plate to engage the leveler system plunger with the leveler reagent plunger, move the leveler reagent plunger to engage with the gasket assembly, and enable engagement between the leveler flow cell gasket and the reagent cartridge engagement surface. The apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the leveler flow cell gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket, and the flow cell outlet gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the flow cell assembly has a flow cell housing that holds the flow cell, the fluid fitting, and the gasket assembly.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the flow cell housing has a dimensional envelope, and the gasket assembly is disposed within the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the flow cell housing includes an opening corresponding to each flow cell gasket.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the openings are arranged such that after the reagent cartridge plunger has moved the gasket assembly a predetermined distance, the flow cell gasket can protrude from the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 15, wherein the flow cell gasket has a flat surface, and the reagent cartridge comprises a reagent cartridge engagement surface facing the flow cell receptacle of the reagent cartridge.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the flat surface of the flow cell gasket is arranged to engage with the reagent cartridge engagement surface to fluidly connect the pair of reagent cartridge ports to the flow cell.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 17, wherein the reagent cartridge comprises an alignment receptacle facing the flow cell receptacle of the reagent cartridge, and the gasket assembly has alignment protrusions adapted to be received by the alignment receptacle.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 18, wherein the gasket assembly has a plurality of engagement protrusions each comprising a corresponding plunger receptacle, and each plunger receptacle is adapted to be engaged or surrounded by the distal end of a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 19, wherein the lift plate comprises a plunger bore, and each system plunger is slidably disposed within a corresponding plunger bore.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a spring disposed in each of the plunger bores.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the spring acts on the system plunger, imparts momentum to the distal end of the system plunger, and engages a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger.

23. The apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising a seal held by the system plunger.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 23, wherein the reagent cartridge comprises a flow cell receptacle adapted to receive the flow cell assembly.

25. An apparatus, A flow cell assembly, A flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet; A gasket assembly operably fluidly connected to the flow cell, having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet, the flow cell outlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet; A reagent cartridge adapted to receive the flow cell assembly, the reagent cartridge including a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket; A first fluid coupling fluidly connected to the flow cell inlet; A second fluid coupling fluidly connected to the flow cell outlet, The first fluid coupling is formed by a laminated structure, The flow cell inlet gasket is connected to the flow cell inlet via the first fluid coupling, The second fluid coupling is formed by a laminated structure, The flow cell outlet gasket is connected to the flow cell outlet via the second fluid fitting, The reagent cartridge includes an alignment receptacle facing the flow cell receptacle of the reagent cartridge, The gasket assembly includes an alignment protrusion adapted to be received by the alignment receptacle, The alignment protrusion engages with the alignment receptacle of the reagent cartridge to align the through bores of the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket with the corresponding openings of the reagent cartridge ports.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the first fluid fitting and the second fluid fitting are each a flexible fluid fitting.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, further comprising a reagent cartridge plunger assembly having a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers, each reagent cartridge plunger being positioned to correspond to a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly.

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the flow cell assembly further includes a leveling gasket, and the reagent cartridge includes a reagent cartridge engagement surface adapted to be engaged by the leveling gasket.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the flow cell inlet gasket, the flow cell outlet gasket, and the leveling gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern.

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