Patent Publication Number: US-2021170406-A1

Title: Actuation systems and methods for use with flow cells

Description:
CROSS-REFERNECE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/946,361, filed Dec. 10, 2019, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Fluidic cartridges carrying reagents and a flow cell are sometimes used in connection with fluidic systems. The fluidic cartridge may be fluidically coupled to the flow cell. The fluidic cartridges include fluidic lines through which the reagents flow to the flow cell. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with a first implementation, a method comprises or includes linearly moving a lift plate and a system plunger assembly carried by the lift plate toward a reagent cartridge plunger assembly of a regent cartridge. The system plunger assembly comprising or including at least one system plunger. The reagent plunger assembly comprising or including at least one reagent cartridge plunger. The method includes actuating the at least one reagent cartridge plunger a first predetermined distance to contact a gasket assembly of a flow cell assembly responsive to the at least one system plunger contacting the at least one reagent cartridge plunger. The flow cell assembly comprising or including a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. A first fluidic coupling fluidically coupled to the flow cell inlet and a second fluidic coupling fluidically coupled to the flow cell outlet. The gasket assembly is fluidically coupled to the first and second fluidic couplings and comprising or having an inlet gasket comprising or having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell inlet via the first fluidic coupling and an outlet gasket comprising or having a through bore and being coupled to the flow cell outlet via the second fluidic coupling. The method comprises or includes fluidically coupling the inlet gasket to a first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge and fluidically coupling the outlet gasket to a second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge responsive to the at least one system plunger actuating the at least one reagent cartridge plunger a second predetermined distance to allow fluid communication between the reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. 
     In accordance with a second implementation, an apparatus comprises or includes a system comprising or including a reagent cartridge receptacle and a lift plate assembly comprising or including a lift plate, a system plunger assembly carried by the lift plate and comprising or including a plurality of system plungers, and a lift plate drive assembly operatively coupled to the lift plate. The apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell assembly comprising or including a flow cell comprising or including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a fluidic coupling fluidically coupled to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet and a gasket assembly fluidically coupled to the fluidic coupling and having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket. The flow cell inlet gasket comprising or having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell inlet via the fluidic coupling. The flow cell outlet gasket comprising or having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell outlet view the fluidic coupling. 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 be aligned 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 fluidically coupled to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket. 
     In accordance with a third implementation, an apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell assembly comprising or including a flow cell comprising or including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a gasket assembly operatively fluidically coupled to the flow cell and comprising or having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket. The flow cell inlet gasket comprising or having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell inlet. The flow cell outlet gasket comprising or having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell outlet. The apparatus comprises or includes a reagent cartridge adapted to receive the flow cell assembly and comprising a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly coupled to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket. 
     In accordance with a fourth implementation, a method comprises or includes linearly moving a lift plate and a system plunger assembly carried by the lift plate toward a reagent cartridge plunger assembly of a regent 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 plungers and the system plungers. The method comprises or includes based on the engagement between the reagent cartridge plungers and the system plungers and the movement of the lift plate and the system plunger assembly, moving the reagent cartridge plungers toward 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 fluidic coupling is coupled to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. The gasket assembly is coupled to the fluidic coupling and comprises or includes a plurality of flow cell gaskets. One of the flow cell gaskets comprises or includes a through bore and is coupled to the flow cell inlet via the fluidic coupling. Another of the flow cell gaskets comprises or includes a through bore and is coupled to the flow cell outlet via the fluidic coupling. The method comprises or includes engaging the reagent cartridge plungers and the flow cell gaskets. The method comprises or includes based on the engagement and the movement of the lift plate and the system plunger assembly, moving the flow cell gaskets having the through bores toward a pair of reagent cartridge ports of the reagent cartridge. The method comprises or includes engaging the flow cell gaskets and the reagent cartridge ports to allow fluid communication between the pair of reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. 
     In accordance with a fifth implementation, an apparatus 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 carried by the lift plate and including a plurality of system plungers, and a lift plate drive assembly operatively coupled 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 a fluidic coupling coupled to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a gasket assembly coupled to the fluidic coupling and comprising or including a plurality of flow cell gaskets. One of the flow cell gaskets comprises or includes a through bore and is coupled to the flow cell inlet via the fluidic coupling. Another of the flow cell gaskets comprising or including a through bore and is coupled to the flow cell outlet via the fluidic coupling. 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. 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 when the reagent cartridge is received within the reagent cartridge receptacle and 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 coupled to the flow cell gaskets having the through bores. 
     In accordance with a sixth implementation, an apparatus 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 a fluidic coupling coupled to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly comprises or includes a gasket assembly coupled to the fluidic coupling and comprising or including a plurality of flow cell gaskets. One of the flow cell gaskets comprising or including a through bore and being coupled to the flow cell inlet via the fluidic coupling. Another of the flow cell gaskets comprising or including a through bore and being coupled to the flow cell outlet via the fluidic coupling. 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. Each reagent cartridge plunger is adapted to be aligned 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 coupled to the flow cell gaskets having the through bores. 
     In further accordance with the foregoing first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and/or sixth implementations, an apparatus and/or method may further comprise or include any one or more of the following: 
     In an implementation, the first fluidic coupling and the second fluidic coupling of the flow cell assembly are each a flexible fluidic coupling such that the flow cell is moveable at least one of vertically, longitudinally, or laterally relative to the gasket assembly while the inlet gasket is fluidically coupled to the first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge and the outlet gasket is fluidically coupled to the second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge. 
     In another implementation, the method comprises or includes moving the system plungers in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the lift plate and against a spring force. 
     In another implementation, the lift plate applies a first compressive force on a reagent cartridge body while the spring force and the system plungers apply a second, different compressive force on the inlet gasket and the outlet gasket. 
     In another implementation, the first fluidic coupling and the second fluidic coupling are combined. 
     In another implementation, the fluidic coupling comprises or includes a first fluidic coupling and a second fluidic coupling. 
     In another implementation, the lift plate drive assembly is adapted to linearly move the lift plate and the system plungers and cause the system plungers to engage and move the reagent cartridge plungers into engagement with the gasket assembly to allow fluid communication between the pair of reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. 
     In another implementation, the system plungers comprise or include a pair of system plungers and the reagent cartridge plungers comprise or include a pair of reagent cartridge plungers. 
     In another implementation, the flow cell assembly further comprises or includes a leveler gasket. 
     In another implementation, the system plungers comprise or include a leveler system plunger. The reagent cartridge plungers further comprise or include a leveler reagent cartridge plunger, and the reagent cartridge comprises or includes a reagent cartridge engagement surface. 
     In another implementation, the lift plate drive assembly is adapted to linearly move the lift plate and the leveler system plunger to engage and move the leveler reagent plunger into engagement with the gasket assembly to allow engagement between the leveler gasket and the reagent cartridge engagement surface. 
     In another implementation, the leveler gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket, and the flow cell outlet gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern. 
     In another implementation, the flow cell assembly comprises or has a flow cell housing that carries the flow cell, the fluidic coupling, and the gasket assembly. 
     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. 
     In another implementation, the flow cell housing comprises or includes an opening that corresponds to each flow cell gasket. 
     In another implementation, the openings are arranged to allow the flow cell gaskets to protrude from the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing after the reagent cartridge plungers move the gasket assembly a predetermined distance. 
     In another implementation, the flow cell gaskets comprise or have flat surfaces and the reagent cartridge comprises or includes a reagent cartridge engagement surface that faces a flow cell receptacle of the reagent cartridge. 
     In another implementation, the flat surfaces of the flow cell gaskets are arranged to engage the reagent cartridge engagement surface to fluidically couple the pair of reagent cartridge ports with the flow cell. 
     In another implementation, the reagent cartridge comprises or includes alignment receptacles that face a flow cell receptacle of the reagent cartridge and the gasket assembly comprises or has alignment protrusions that are adapted to be received by the alignment receptacles. 
     In another implementation, the gasket assembly comprises or has a plurality of engagement protrusions that comprise or include corresponding plunger receptacles. Each plunger receptacle is adapted to be engaged or surrounded by a distal end of a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger. 
     In another implementation, the lift plate comprises or includes plunger bores and each system plunger is slidably disposed within a corresponding plunger bore. 
     In another implementation, a spring is disposed in each of the plunger bores. 
     In another implementation, the springs act on the system plungers to urge a distal end of the system plungers into engagement with a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger. 
     In another implementation, the apparatus comprises or includes a seal carried by the system plunger. 
     In another implementation, the reagent cartridge comprises or includes a flow cell receptacle adapted to receive the flow cell assembly. 
     In another implementation, a flexible fluidic coupling couples the flow cell inlet and the flow cell inlet gasket and couples the flow cell outlet and the flow cell outlet gasket. 
     In another implementation, a 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. 
     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. 
     In another implementation, the flow cell inlet gasket, the flow cell outlet gasket, and the leveler gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern. 
     It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein and/or may be combined to achieve the particular benefits of a particular aspect. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic diagram of an implementation of a system in accordance with a first example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic diagram of another example implementation of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a schematic diagram of another example implementation of the flow cell assembly and the reagent cartridge of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric top view of an example implementation of the flow cell assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric bottom view of the flow cell assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric top view of the flow cell, the fluidic coupling, and the gasket assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric bottom view of the flow cell, the fluidic coupling, and the gasket assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric top view of an example implementation of the lift plate assembly and the reagent cartridge of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric top view of the lift plate assembly of  FIG. 6  including an example implementation of the bias plate. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric top view of the lift plate assembly of  FIG. 6  with the bias plate removed. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric bottom view of the reagent cartridge of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric enlarged cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge showing the reagent cartridge plunger assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric enlarged cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge showing the reagent cartridge engagement surface, the reagent cartridge ports, and the alignment receptacles of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge, the flow cell assembly, and the lift plate assembly of  FIG. 6  with the lift plate assembly in the lowered position and the reagent cartridge received within the reagent cartridge receptacle. 
         FIG. 13  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge, the flow cell assembly, and the lift plate assembly of  FIG. 6  showing the bias plate in engagement with the bottom surface of the reagent cartridge after the lift plate drive assembly has moved the system plunger assembly and the bias plate toward the reagent cartridge. 
         FIG. 14  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge, the flow cell assembly, and the lift plate assembly of  FIG. 6  showing the top surface of the reagent cartridge engaging and/or adjacent the internal reagent cartridge receptacle surface of the system after the lift plate drive assembly has moved the system plunger assembly and the reagent cartridge further in a direction generally indicated by arrow. 
         FIG. 15  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge, the flow cell assembly, and the lift plate assembly of  FIG. 6  showing the heater positioned adjacent the flow cell and the plunger step of the system plunger engaging a stop provided within the plunger bore. 
         FIG. 16  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge, the flow cell assembly, and the lift plate assembly of  FIG. 6  showing the distal end of the system plunger engaging the corresponding reagent cartridge plunger after the lift plate assembly further moves the lift plate in the direction generally indicated by the arrow. 
         FIG. 17  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge, the flow cell assembly, and the lift plate assembly of  FIG. 6  showing the reagent cartridge plunger urging the flow cell gasket into engagement with the corresponding reagent cartridge port. 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged isomeric cross-sectional view of another implementation of the lift plate assembly of  FIG. 6  and one of the system plungers. 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged isometric cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge and the flow cell assembly of  FIG. 6  showing the reagent cartridge plunger in an extended position and urging the flow cell gasket into engagement with the corresponding reagent cartridge port. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a flowchart for performing a method of fluidically coupling the flow gasket assembly and the reagent cartridge of  FIG. 1A  or any of the other implementations disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates another flowchart for performing a method of fluidically coupling the flow gasket assembly and the reagent cartridge of  FIG. 1  A or any of the other implementations disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the following text discloses a detailed description of implementations of methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture, it should be understood that the legal scope of the property right is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. Accordingly, the following detailed description is to be construed as examples only and does not describe every possible implementation, as describing every possible implementation would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative implementations could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent. It is envisioned that such alternative examples would still fall within the scope of the claims. 
     The implementations disclosed herein are directed toward flow cell cartridges having fluidic couplings. The fluidic couplings are movable into fluidic communication with corresponding reagent cartridge ports of a reagent cartridge via a lift plate assembly of a system (a sequencing system). In one implementation, the lift plate assembly includes a lift plate that carries 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 be aligned with a corresponding system plunger and a corresponding flow cell gasket of a flow cell assembly. 
     When the lift plate of the system is linearly moved toward the reagent cartridge, via a drive assembly, the system plungers engage and move the reagent cartridge plungers and allow the reagent cartridge plunger to move the gasket assembly including the flow cell gaskets. The flow cell gaskets are coupled to the flow cell, such as via the flexible fluidic coupling. Moving the flow cell gaskets allows fluid communication between the pair of reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell, such as via the flexible fluidic coupling. Springs may bias the system plungers. The springs may be adapted to prevent the system plungers from compressing the flow cell gaskets over a threshold amount. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic diagram of an implementation of a system  100  in accordance with a first example of the present disclosure. The system  100  can be used to perform an analysis on one or more samples of interest. The sample may include one or more DNA clusters that have been linearized to form a single stranded DNA (sstDNA). In the implementation shown, the system  100  includes a reagent cartridge receptacle  101  that is adapted to receive a reagent cartridge  102 . The reagent cartridge  102  carries a flow cell assembly  103 . 
     In the implementation shown, the system  100  includes, in part, 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 . 
     The reagent cartridge  102  and/or the flow cell assembly  103  can carry one or more samples of interest. The lift plate assembly  104  interfaces with the reagent cartridge  102  to load the reagent cartridge  102  within 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 through the flow cell assembly  103 . 
     In an implantation, a reversible terminator is attached to the reagent to allow a single nucleotide to be incorporated by the sstDNA per cycle. In some such implementations, one or more of the nucleotides has a unique fluorescent label that emits a color when excited. The color (or absence thereof) is used to detect the corresponding nucleotide. In the implementation shown, the imaging system  110  is adapted to excite one or more of the identifiable labels (e.g., a fluorescent label) and thereafter obtain image data for the identifiable labels. The labels may be excited by incident light and/or a laser and the image data may include one or more colors emitted by the respective labels in response to the excitation. The image data (e.g., detection data) may be analyzed by the system  100 . The imaging system  110  may be a fluorescence spectrophotometer including an objective lens and/or a solid-state imaging device. The solid-state imaging device may include a charge coupled device (CCD) and/or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). 
     After the image data is obtained, the drive assembly  106  interfaces with the reagent cartridge  102  to flow another reaction component (e.g., a reagent) through the reagent cartridge  102  and/or the flow cell assembly  103  that is thereafter received by the waste reservoir  112  and/or otherwise exhausted by the reagent cartridge  102 . The reaction component performs a flushing operation that chemically cleaves the fluorescent label and the reversible terminator from the sstDNA. The sstDNA is then ready for another cycle. 
     Referring to the lift plate assembly  104 , in the implementation shown, 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 and/or be part of an actuation system. The system plunger assembly  116  is carried 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 seals  119  may be adapted to sealingly engage, for example, the lift plate  114  and/or other components of the lift plate assembly  104  to deter 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 seats against which the corresponding seals  119  may mate with. 
     The lift plate drive assembly  118  is operatively coupled to the lift plate  114 . In another implementation, the system plungers  120 ,  121  may be combined into a single-wider plunger with one or more contact points. For example, the system plungers  120 , 121  may be implemented as a single plunger with three-equally spaced prongs. Other configurations and/or spacing arrangements may prove suitable. 
     The flow cell assembly  103  includes a flow cell  122 , a fluidic coupling  124 ,  125 , and a gasket assembly  126 . In some implementations, the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  may be omitted and the flow cell  122  may be integrated with the gasket assembly  126  and/or may otherwise integrate one or more components of the gasket assembly  126  directly with the flow cell  122 , such as the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  described herein. 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 straight and extend across the flow cell  122 . Other configurations of the channel  128  may prove suitable. If more than one channel  128  is provided, each of the channels  128  may have a dedicated flow cell inlet  130  and a dedicated flow cell outlet  132 . A single flow cell inlet  130  may alternatively be fluidly coupled to more than one channel  128  via, for example, an inlet manifold. A single flow cell outlet  132  may alternatively be coupled to more than one channel via, for example, an outlet manifold. 
     The fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  is coupled to each of the flow cell inlet  130  and the flow cell outlet  132 . The fluidic coupling  124  may include a first fluidic coupling  124  and a second fluidic coupling  125 . The fluidic couplings  124 ,  125  may be combined. For example, the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  may be formed of a single substrate or may be otherwise attached. Alternatively, the fluidic couplings  124 ,  125  may be separated (see, for example,  FIG. 4 ). 
     In an implementation, the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  is a flexible fluidic coupling. For example, the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  may be formed by a laminate structure. The laminate structure may define corresponding flow paths. The fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  may be relatively fragile. Thus, if a force exceeding a threshold value is applied to the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125 , the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  may be damaged. Moreover, if a force greater than the threshold value is applied, a seal may not be established between the reagent cartridge  102  and the flow cell assembly  103 . In some implementations, the fluidic couplings  124 ,  125  may be omitted and the flow cell  122  may be directly coupled to the gasket assembly  126  and/or the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  described herein. 
     The disclosed examples may be adapted to allow a fluidic connection to be established between the reagent cartridge  102  and the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  of the flow cell assembly  103  without damaging the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125 . While the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  may be flexible, the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  may be formed in other ways. For example, the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  may be rigid or less flexible. In other implementations, the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  may be removed and the gasket assembly  126  may be coupled directly to the flow cell  122 . If the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  is not provided or if the approach may prove suitable, the lift plate assembly  104  may apply a different compression to the reagent cartridge  102  and/or the flow cell assembly  103  than the compression applied to the gasket assembly  126 . As such, the reagent cartridge  102 /the flow cell assembly  103  may be secured and the gasket assembly  126  may not be damaged. 
     In the implementation shown, the gasket assembly  126  is coupled to the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125 . The gasket assembly  126  includes a plurality of flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136 . The flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  may 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 the flow cell inlet  130  via the fluidic coupling  124 . Another of the flow cell gaskets  136 , which may referred to as a flow cell outlet gasket, includes a through bore  138  and is coupled to the flow cell outlet  132  via the fluidic coupling  125 . The flow cell gaskets  136  having the through bores  138  may be adapted to be in selective fluid communication with a pair of reagent cartridge ports  140  of a fluidics interface  142  of the reagent cartridge  102 . 
     Another of the flow cell gaskets  136  may be referred to as a leveler flow cell gasket. The leveler flow cell gasket  136  may be adapted to engage a reagent cartridge engagement surface  144  of the fluidics interface  142 . The reagent cartridge engagement surface  144  faces a flow cell receptacle  146  of the reagent cartridge  102 . The flow cell gaskets  134  may be arranged in a triangular pattern (see, for example,  FIG. 2 ). The triangular pattern may allow a repeatable fluidic coupling to be established between the flow cell gaskets  134  and the reagent cartridge ports  140 . The triangular pattern may also allow the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  of the gasket assembly  126  to be planer with or relative to the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144 . The triangular pattern may allow a force to be evenly distributed and/or consistently applied by the gasket assembly  126  to the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144 . The leveler flow cell gasket  136  may allow the flow cell gaskets  134  to flushly engage the reagent cartridge ports  140 . 
     In the implementation shown, the reagent cartridge  102  includes the flow cell receptacle  146 , a reagent cartridge plunger assembly  148 , and the pair of reagent cartridge ports  140 . The reagent cartridge plunger assembly  148  may be referred to and/or 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  directly engages the gasket assembly  126 . 
     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  is adapted to be fluidly coupled to the flow cell gaskets  134  having the through bores  138 . In other implementations, the reagent cartridge  102  may not include the reagent cartridge plunger assembly  148 . 
     In 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 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 the clamping force applied to, for example, 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 . 
     The movement of the lift plate  114  causes the system plungers  120 ,  121  to engage and move the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151  into engagement with or to otherwise interface with the gasket assembly  126 . In an implementation where the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151  are removed, the system plungers  120 ,  121  may be arranged to directly contact or otherwise interface with the gasket assembly  126 . The engagement between the reagent cartridge plungers  150  and the gasket assembly  126  urges the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  into engagement with the reagent cartridge ports  140 . The engagement between the reagent cartridge plungers  150  and the gasket assembly  126  allows 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 fluidic connection with the reagent cartridge ports  140 . In some examples, hermetic seals are formed between the flow cell gaskets  134  and the reagent cartridge ports  140 . The hermetic seals may allow the fluidic communication between the reagent cartridge  102  and the flow cell assembly  103 . 
     The system plungers  120  include a pair of system plungers  120 , the reagent cartridge plungers  150  include a pair of reagent cartridge plungers  150 , and the flow cell gaskets  134  include the pair of the flow cell gaskets  134  having the through bores  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 coupling 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 in the schematic illustration of  FIG. 1  A on the left side and the right side of the system plunger assembly  116 , the reagent cartridge plunger assembly  148 , and the gasket assembly  126 . However, the pair of system plungers  120 , the pair of reagent cartridge plungers  150 , and the pair of flow cell gaskets  134  may be differently arranged. 
     In the implementation shown, the system plungers  120 ,  121  include a leveler system plunger  121  and the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151  include a 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  into engagement with the gasket assembly  126 . The engagement between the leveler reagent cartridge plunger  151  and the gasket assembly  126  allows the leveler flow cell gasket  136  to engage the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144  and provide stability for the gasket assembly  126  against the reagent cartridge  102 . 
     The lift plate assembly  104  also includes a bias plate  153 . The bias plate  153  is adapted to engage the reagent cartridge  102 . The engagement between the bias plate  153  and the reagent cartridge  102  may secure the reagent cartridge  102  within the reagent cartridge receptacle  102 . 
     In the implementation shown, 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 as 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  may interface with the flow cell  122  to control a temperature of the flow cell  122  during one or more operations of the system  100  and/or an analysis taking place. 
     Referring back to the reagent cartridge  102 , in the implementation shown, the reagent cartridge  102  includes reagent reservoirs  155 , a reagent cartridge body  156 , one or more valves  158 , and fluidic lines  160 . The reagent reservoirs  155  may contain fluid (e.g., reagent and/or another reaction component) and the valves  158  may be selectively actuatable to control the flow of fluid through the fluidic lines  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 piezo 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 reservoirs  155  are integrally formed with the reagent cartridge body  156 . In other implementations, the reagent reservoirs  155  are separately formed and coupled to the reagent cartridge body  156 . 
     The reagent cartridge  102  may be in fluid communication with the flow cell assembly  103  via, for example, the interaction between the pair of reagent cartridge ports  140  and the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136 . In the implementation shown, the flow cell assembly  103  can be inserted into and carried by the reagent cartridge  102  and is received in the flow cell receptacle  146 . Alternatively, the flow cell assembly  103  can be integrated into the reagent cartridge  102 . In such implementations, 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 . 
     Referring now to the drive assembly  106 , in the implementation shown, 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  may be implemented by a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump, etc. While the pump  166  may be positioned between the flow cell assembly  103  and the waste reservoir  112 , in other implementations, the pump  166  may be positioned upstream of the flow cell  122  or omitted entirely. 
     The valve drive assembly  164  is adapted to interface with the one or more valves  158  to control the position of the valves  158 . In an 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  may be positioned in any number of positions to flow any one or more of a first reagent, a buffer reagent, a second reagent, etc. to the flow cell  122 . In such implementations, the valve drive assembly  164  may include a shaft that actuates the valve  158  to perform operations where reagent from one or more of the reagent reservoirs  155  is flowed through the flow cell  122 . 
     Referring to the controller  108 , in the implementation shown, the controller  108  includes a user interface  168 , a communication interface  170 , one or more processors  172 , and a memory  174  storing instructions executable by the one or more processors  172  to perform various functions including the disclosed implementation. 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 . 
     In an implementation, the user interface  168  is adapted to receive input from a user and to provide information to the user associated with the operation of the system  100  and/or an analysis taking place. The user interface  168  may include a touch screen, a display, a key board, a speaker(s), a mouse, a track ball and/or a voice recognition system. The touch screen and/or the display may display a graphical user interface (GUI). 
     In an implementation, the communication interface  170  is adapted to enable communication between the system  100  and a remote system(s) (e.g., computers) via a network(s). The network(s) may 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, etc. Some of the communications provided to the remote system may be associated with analysis results, imaging data, etc. generated or otherwise obtained by the system  100 . Some of the communications provided to the system  100  may be associated with a fluidics analysis operation, patient records, and/or a protocol(s) to be executed by the system  100 . 
     The one or more processors  172  and/or the system  100  may include one or more of a processor-based system(s) or a microprocessor-based system(s). In some implementations, the one or more processors  172  and/or the system  100  includes 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 executing various functions including the ones described herein. 
     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 storage device, a solid-state drive (SSD), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), 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 for any duration (e.g., permanently, temporarily, for extended periods of time, for buffering, for caching). 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic diagram of another example implementation of the system  100  of  FIG. 1A . In the implementation shown in  FIG. 1B , the system  100  includes the reagent cartridge receptacle  101  and the lift plate assembly  104 . The lift plate assembly  104  includes the lift plate  114 , the system plunger assembly  116 , and the lift plate drive assembly  118 . The system plunger assembly  116  is carried by the lift plate  114  and includes the plurality of system plungers  120 . The lift plate drive assembly  118  is operatively coupled to the lift plate  114 . 
     The flow cell assembly  103  includes the flow cell  122  including at least one channel  128 , the flow cell inlet  130 , and the flow cell outlet  132 . The flow cell assembly  103  also includes the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  coupled to each of the flow cell inlet  130  and the flow cell outlet  132 . The flow cell assembly  103  includes the gasket assembly  126  coupled to the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125 . The gasket assembly  126  includes the flow cell inlet gasket  134  and the flow cell outlet gasket  134 . The flow cell inlet gasket  134  includes the through bore  138  and is coupled to the flow cell inlet  130  via the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125 . The flow cell outlet gasket  134  includes the through bore  138  and is coupled to the flow cell outlet  132  via the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125 . 
     In the implementation shown, the reagent cartridge  102  is receivable within the reagent cartridge receptacle  101  and includes the reagent cartridge plunger assembly  148  and the pair of reagent cartridge ports  140 . The reagent cartridge plunger assembly  148  includes the plurality of reagent cartridge plungers  150 . Each reagent cartridge plunger  150  is adapted to be aligned 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  is adapted to be fluidly coupled to the flow cell inlet gasket  134  and the flow cell outlet gasket  134 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a schematic diagram of another example implementation of the flow cell assembly  103  and the reagent cartridge  102  of the system  100  of  FIG. 1A . In the implementation shown, the flow cell assembly  103  includes the flow cell  122  and the gasket assembly  126 . The flow cell  103  includes at least one channel  128 , the flow cell inlet  130 , and the flow cell outlet  132 . The gasket assembly  126  is operatively coupled to the flow cell  103  and includes the flow cell inlet gasket  134  and the flow cell outlet gasket  134 . The flow cell inlet gasket  134  includes the through bore  138  and is coupled to the flow cell inlet  130 . The flow cell outlet gasket  134  includes the through bore  138  and is coupled to the flow cell outlet  132 . The reagent cartridge  102  is adapted to carry the flow cell assembly  103  and includes the 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 . 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric top view of an example 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 a top housing surface  178 , a bottom housing surface  180 , and side housing surfaces  182 . The top housing surface  178 , the bottom housing surface  180 , and the side housing surfaces  182  form an enclosure. As shown, the enclosure may have one or more openings. In the implementation shown, the top housing surface  178  can include surfaces in one or more planes. 
     The flow cell housing  176  carries the flow cell  122 , the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125  (more clearly shown in  FIG. 4 ), and the gasket assembly  126 . In the implementation shown, 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 . Positioning the gasket assembly  126  within the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing  176  allows the flow cell assembly  103  to be received within the flow cell receptacle  146  and/or to be carried within the flow cell receptacle  146  without the gasket assembly  126  and/or the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  being damaged as the gasket assembly  126  and/or the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  can be positioned as to not protrude out from the enclosure. For example, if the gasket assembly  126  extended outside of the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing  176 , the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  may inadvertently engage with structures of the reagent cartridge  102  during assembly and/or transport that may damage and/or otherwise affect the ability of a fluidic connection being established between the gasket assembly  126  and the pair of reagent cartridge ports  140 . 
     The flow cell housing  176  also includes openings  184 ,  186  that correspond to each of the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136 . The openings  184 ,  186  are arranged in a triangular pattern. The top housing surface  178  defines the openings  184 ,  186 . In the implementation shown, the opening  184  is circular and the openings  186  are oblong and/or tear drop shaped. The openings  184 ,  186  defined by the top housing surface  178  are arranged to allow the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  to protrude from the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing  176  after the reagent cartridge plungers  150  move the gasket assembly  126  a predetermined distance. 
     The flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  have a circular cross-section. The flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  also include a flat surface  188 . The flat surfaces  188  of the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  may be arranged to engage and/or compress against the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144  when the pair of reagent cartridge ports  140  are in communication with the flow cell  122  via the flow cell inlet  130  and the flow cell outlet  132 . The flat surface  188  of the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  may be adapted to be pressed flushly against the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144 . The interaction between the flat surface  188  and the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144  may allow the force applied by the gasket assembly  126  to be evenly distributed against the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144 . The interaction between the flat surface  188  and the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144  may allow a hermetic seal to be formed between the flow cell gaskets  134  and the reagent cartridge ports  140 . 
     The gasket assembly  126  also includes alignment protrusions  190 . The alignment protrusions  190  are adapted to be received by alignment receptacles  191  (see,  FIG. 1A ) of the reagent cartridge  102 . The alignment protrusions  190  extend from a gasket surface  192  toward the top housing surface  178  and are positioned proximate to the flow cell gaskets  134 . The oblong openings  186  are sized to allow the alignment protrusions  190  to extend through the oblong openings  186 . For example, the alignment protrusions  190  may be urged through the oblong openings  186  and outside of the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing  176  after the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151  engage the gasket assembly  126  and move the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  a threshold distance. Accordingly, the alignment protrusions  190  may engage with the alignment receptacles  191  of the reagent cartridge  102  to align the through bores  138  of the flow cell gaskets  134  of the gasket assembly  126  with corresponding openings of the reagent cartridge ports  140  prior to or concurrent with forming the hermetic or substantially hermetic seal. 
       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 openings  193 . The openings  193  are circular in the present implementation, but other geometric openings can be used, such as slots, ovals, etc. The openings  193  oppose the openings  184 ,  186  of the top housing surface  178 . The openings  193  are arranged in a triangular pattern. The openings  193  are adapted to receive the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151  to allow the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151  to interface with the gasket assembly  126 . The bottom housing surface  180  also includes a heater opening  194 . The heater opening  194  may be adapted to allow the heater  154  to interface with the flow cell  122  and/or a carrier plate supporting the flow cell  122 . For example, the heater opening  194  may be adapted to receive the heater  154 . 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric top view of the flow cell  122 , the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125 , and the gasket assembly  126  of  FIG. 2  with the enclosure removed. In the implementation shown, the alignment protrusions  190  are conical or include conical end portions. The conical end portions of the alignment protrusions  190  are receivable within the alignment receptacles  191 . The conical end portions of the alignment protrusions  190  may be adapted to align the gasket assembly  126  and the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  when the gasket assembly  126  is being moved toward the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144 . 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric bottom view of the flow cell  122 , the fluidic coupling  124 ,  125 , and the gasket assembly  126  of  FIG. 2 . In the implementation shown, the gasket assembly  126  includes a plurality of engagement protrusions  195 . The engagement protrusions  195  extend from a lower surface  196  of the gasket assembly  126 . The engagement protrusions  195  are formed by intersecting ribs. The engagement protrusions  195  may include a plunger receptacle  198 . The plunger receptacle  198  is positioned at the intersection of the ribs. The plunger receptacle  198  may be adapted to receive a distal end  200  (see,  FIG. 18 ) of the reagent cartridge plunger  150 ,  151  and/or the system plunger  120 ,  121 . In another implementation, the plunger receptacle  198  is surrounded by the distal end  200  of the reagent cartridge plunger  150 ,  151  and/or the system plunger  120 ,  121 . The distal end  200  of the reagent cartridge plunger  150 ,  151  may be a bored cylinder. The bored cylinder of the distal end  200  may engage the ribs of the engagement protrusion  195  to interface and/or surround the plunger receptacle  198 . Engaging the engagement protrusion  195  with the distal end  200  including the bored cylinder may allow for the force exerted by the reagent cartridge plungers  150  and/or  151  and against the engagement protrusions  195  to be more evenly dispersed. In some implementations, the engagement protrusions  195  may be omitted and the distal end  200  of the reagent cartridge plunger  150 ,  151  may directly engage a bottom surface of the gasket assembly  126 . 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric top view of an example implementation of the lift plate assembly  104  and the reagent cartridge  102  of  FIG. 1A . In the implementation shown, the lift plate assembly  104  includes the lift plate  114 . The reagent cartridge  102  is positioned above the lift plate  114  with the flow cell assembly  103  shown inserted into the reagent cartridge  102 . The reagent cartridge  102  includes the flow cell receptacle  146  that is adapted to receive the flow cell assembly  103 . 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric top view of the lift plate assembly  104  of  FIG. 6  including an example implementation of the bias plate  153 . In the implementation shown, the bias plate  153  includes a plurality of bias plate through bores  204 . The system plungers  120 ,  121  are arranged to extend through the bias plate through bores  204  to align with and permit the system plungers  120 ,  121  to interface with corresponding reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151 . The bias 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 a heater assembly carrying the heater  154  and the lift plate  114 . The springs  206  may be adapted to provide an increasing counter directional force as the heater  154 , the bias plate  153 , and/or the system plungers  120 ,  121  move into engagement and/or toward a corresponding part of the reagent cartridge  102 . The springs  206  may have a spring force to prevent damage of the corresponding part and/or to encourage a hermetic seal to be established between the reagent cartridge  102  and the flow cell assembly  103  based on Hooke&#39;s law for the springs. 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric top view of the lift plate assembly  104  of  FIG. 6  with the bias plate  153  removed. Thus, the system plunger assembly  116  and the system plungers  120 ,  121  are shown. The lift plate  114  defines plunger bores  207 . Each of the system plungers  120 ,  121  is slidably disposed within a corresponding one of the plunger bores  207 . Springs  208  (see, for example,  FIG. 12 ) may be housed within each of the plunger bores  207 . The springs  208  may be arranged to act on the system plungers  120 ,  121  to provide an increasing counter directional force as a distal end  210  of each of the system plungers  120 ,  121  moves into engagement with a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger  150 ,  151 . The springs  208  that act on the system plungers  120 ,  221  may be adapted to prevent the system plungers  120 ,  121  from compressing a corresponding flow cell gasket  134 ,  136  above a threshold amount based on Hooke&#39;s law for the springs. Over compressing the flow cell gaskets  134 ,  136  may cause damage and/or may prevent a seal from being established. 
       FIG. 9  is an isometric bottom view of the reagent cartridge  102  of  FIG. 6 . In the implementation shown, 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  are arranged to extend through the reagent cartridge bores  212  to interface with the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151  retained within the reagent cartridge  102 . The reagent cartridge bores  212  are arranged in a triangular pattern to correspond to the pattern of the system plungers  120 ,  121 . The reagent cartridge  102  also includes a receptacle  214 . The receptacle  214  may be arranged to receive the heater  154  and/or to allow the heater  154  to interface with the flow cell  122  and/or a carrier plate upon which the flow cell  122  is mounted. 
       FIG. 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 implementation shown, the reagent cartridge body  156  of the reagent cartridge  102  includes plunger bores  216 . The plunger bores  216  align with the reagent cartridge bores  212 . The plunger bores  216  house the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151 . The reagent cartridge  102  includes projections  218 . The projections  218  define the plunger bores  216 . However, the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151  may be carried by the reagent cartridge  102  in different ways. Distal ends  200  of the reagent cartridge plungers  150 ,  151  may include a seat  222 . The seats  222  may be adapted to receive and/or otherwise interface with the plunger receptacle  198  of the gasket assembly  126 . The reagent cartridge plunger  150 ,  151  include a proximal end (not shown) opposite the distal ends  200  that engage with distal ends  210  of the system plungers  120 ,  121 . 
       FIG. 11  is an isometric enlarged cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge  102  of  FIG. 6  showing the fluidics interface  142 , the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144 , the reagent cartridge ports  140 , and the alignment receptacles  191 . The alignment receptacles  191  may have a conical surface that corresponds to the conical surface of the alignment protrusions  190 . In the implementation shown, the reagent cartridge engagement surface  144  may include a seat  224 . The seat  224  may be adapted to receive the flow cell gasket  136  that does not include the through bore  138 . The reagent cartridge ports  140  may include port seats  226 . The port seats  226  may be adapted to receive the flow cell gaskets  136 . The port seats  226  may facilitate the hermetic seal being formed with the flow cell gaskets  136  having the through bores  138 . 
       FIGS. 12-17  depict a process of loading/securing the reagent cartridge  102  within the reagent cartridge receptacle  101  and establishing a fluidic connection between the reagent cartridge  102  and the flow cell assembly  103 . 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge  102 , the flow cell assembly  103 , and the 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 implementation shown, the system plunger  120  includes a larger width portion  228  and a smaller width portion  230 . The larger width portion  228  may have a circular cross-section. The smaller width portion may have a circular cross-section. However, either of the larger width portion  228  and/or the smaller width portion  230  may have a different cross-section. A plunger step  232  is formed between the larger width portion  228  and the smaller width portion  230 . 
       FIG. 13  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge  102 , the flow cell assembly  103 , and the lift plate assembly  104  of  FIG. 6  showing the bias plate  153  in engagement with 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 bias plate  153  toward the reagent cartridge  102 . The lift plate  114  is lifted from a base  233  of the lift plate assembly  104  using a screw drive of the lift plate drive assembly  118 . A top surface  234  of the reagent cartridge  102  is spaced from an internal reagent cartridge receptacle surface  236  of the system  100  initially when the bias plate  153  engages with the bottom surface  211  of the reagent cartridge  102 . 
       FIG. 14  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge  102 , the flow cell assembly  103 , and the lift plate assembly  104  of  FIG. 6  showing the top surface  234  of the reagent cartridge  102  engaging and/or adjacent the internal reagent cartridge receptacle surface  236  of the system  100  after the lift plate drive assembly  118  has moved the system plunger assembly  116  and the reagent cartridge  102  further in a direction generally indicated by arrow  238 . That is, as the lift plate assembly  104  is driven vertically (see, arrow  238 ), the bias plate  153  and the internal reagent cartridge receptacle surface  236  cooperatively clamp the reagent cartridge  102  therebetween. In some implementations, components of the valve drive assembly  164  and/or pump drive assembly  162  can engage with corresponding valves  158  and/or pumps  166 . 
       FIG. 15  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge  102 , the flow cell assembly  103 , and the lift plate assembly  104  of  FIG. 6  showing the heater  154  positioned adjacent the flow cell  122  and the plunger step  232  of the system plunger  120  engaged with a stop  240  provided within the plunger bore  207  as a result of the spring within the plunger bore  207  urging the larger width portion  228  of the system plunger  120  against the plunger step  232 . That is, as the lift plate assembly  104  is driven vertically (see, arrow  238 ), a surface of the heater  154  can contact a carrier plate  241  carrying a flow cell  122  to 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 engaging the carrier plate  241  of the flow cell assembly  103 . 
       FIG. 16  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge  102 , the flow cell assembly  103 , and the lift plate assembly  104  of  FIG. 6  showing the distal end  210  of the system plunger  120  engaging the corresponding proximal end of a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger  150  after the lift plate assembly  104  further moves the lift plate  114  in the direction generally indicated by the arrow  238 . That is, as the lift plate assembly  104  is driven vertically (see, arrow  238 ), the distal end  200  of the corresponding reagent cartridge plunger  150  aligns to a corresponding plunger receptacle  198  of the gasket assembly  126  to begin to fluidically couple the flow cell gaskets  134  with corresponding reagent cartridge ports  140 . 
       FIG. 17  is another cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge  102 , the flow cell assembly  103 , and the lift plate assembly  104  of  FIG. 6  showing the reagent cartridge plunger  150  urging the flow cell gasket  134  into engagement with the corresponding reagent cartridge port  140 . That is, as the lift plate assembly  104  is driven vertically (see, arrow  238 ), each reagent cartridge plunger  150  engages with a corresponding plunger receptacle  198  of the gasket assembly  126  and/or a surface of the gasket assembly  126 . The alignment protrusions  190  initially engage and self-align with the alignment receptacles  191 , which thereby align the through bores  138  of the flow cell gaskets  134  with reagent cartridge ports  140 . As the lift plate assembly  104  continues to be driven vertically, the flow cell gaskets  134  compress against the reagent cartridge ports  140  to form a compressive seal. The compressive seal may be a hermetic seal. To avoid over compression of the flow cell gaskets  134 , the springs within the plunger bores  207  can be selected to have a spring constant to allow the system plunger  120  to compress the spring within the plunger bore  207  as shown with the plunger step  232  of the system plunger  120  being spaced from the stop  240  provided within the plunger bore  207 . In particular, the system plunger  120  has moved in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the lift plate  114  (see, arrow  238 ) and against a spring force of the spring  208  to prevent the system plunger  120  from compressing the flow cell gasket  134  above a threshold amount. The spring  208  may have a spring force sufficient to urge the flow cell gasket  134  into engagement with the corresponding reagent cartridge port  140  and to enable 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 established between the flow gasket  134  and the corresponding reagent cartridge port  140 . 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged isomeric cross-sectional view of another implementation of the lift plate assembly  104  of  FIG. 6  and one of the system plungers  120 . In the implementation shown, the system plunger  120  is carrying a seal  119 . The seal  119  may be referred to as a gasket. The seal  119  is adapted to sealingly engage the lift plate  114  at an entrance  242  of the plunger bore  207 . The engagement between the seal  119  and the lift plate  114  may prevent fluid from entering the plunger bore  207 . 
     The bias plate  153  includes a bias plate seat  243 . The bias plate seat  243  faces the lift plate  114 . The bias plate seat  243  may receive the seal  119  when the reagent cartridge plunger  150  is in the extended position (see, for example,  FIG. 16 ). 
     The seal  119  may alternatively be in a different position along the system plunger  120 . In these other configurations, the bias plate seat  243  may be disposed in a different position accordingly. For example, the seal  119  may be coupled adjacent the distal end  200  of the system plunger  120 . In such an implementation, the seal  119  may be arranged to sealingly engage a bias plate surface  246  of the bias plate  153 . The bias plate seat  243  may also be arranged to receive the seal  119  at the bias plate surface  246 . Other arrangements may prove 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 . 
       FIG. 19  is an enlarged isometric cross-sectional view of the reagent cartridge  102  and the flow cell assembly  103  of  FIG. 6  showing the reagent cartridge plunger  150  in an extended position and urging the flow cell gasket  134  into engagement with the corresponding reagent cartridge port  140 . The extended position may be referred to as an actuated position. The reagent cartridge plunger  150  includes a flange  252 . The flange  252  is adapted to engage a stop  254  of the projections  218  that defines a portion of the plunger bore  216 . The flange  252  includes a downward-facing 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 . 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate flowcharts for performing a method of fluidically coupling the flow gasket assembly  126  and the reagent cartridge  102  of  FIG. 1  A or any of the other implementations disclosed herein. In the flow chart of  FIG. 20 , the blocks surrounded by solid lines may be included in an implementation of a process  900  while the blocks surrounded in dashed lines may be optional in the implementation of the process  900 . However, regardless of the way the border of the blocks is 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. 
     A process  300  of  FIG. 20  begins by linearly moving the lift plate  114  and the system plunger assembly  116  carried 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 . The at least one reagent cartridge plunger  150  is actuated a first predetermined distance to contact the gasket assembly  126  of the flow cell assembly  103  responsive to the at least one system plunger  120  contacting the at least one reagent cartridge plunger  150 . (block  304 ). 
     The flow cell assembly  103  includes the flow cell  122  including at least one channel  128 , the flow cell inlet  130 , and the flow cell outlet  132 . The first fluidic coupling  124  is coupled to the flow cell inlet  130  and the second fluidic coupling  125  is coupled to the flow cell outlet  132 . In some implementations, the first fluidic coupling  124  and the second fluidic coupling  125  are combined. For example, the first and second fluidic couplings  124 ,  125  may be formed of a single substrate having fluidic lines for coupling the flow cell gaskets  134  and the flow cell  122 . The substrate may be flexible. In some implementations, the first and second fluidic couplings  124 ,  125  may be omitted and the flow cell gaskets  134  and the flow cell  122  may be directly fluidically connected. 
     The gasket assembly  126  is coupled to the first and second fluidic couplings  124 ,  125 . The gasket assembly  126  includes the inlet gasket  134  having the through bore  138  and is coupled to the flow cell inlet  130  via the first fluidic coupling  124 . The gasket assembly  126  also includes the outlet gasket  134  having the through bore  138  and being coupled to the flow cell outlet  132  via the second fluidic coupling  125 . 
     The inlet gasket  134  is fluidically coupled to the first reagent cartridge port  140  of the reagent cartridge  102  and the outlet gasket  134  is fluidically coupled to the second reagent cartridge port  140  of the reagent cartridge  102  responsive to the at least one system plunger  120  actuating the at least one reagent cartridge plunger  150  a second predetermined distance to allow fluid communication between the reagent cartridge ports  140  and the flow cell  103  via the flow cell inlet  130  and the flow cell outlet  132  (block  306 ). The system plungers  120  may move in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the lift plate  114  and against a spring force. (block  308 ). The spring force may be applied by the spring  206 . The lift plate  114  may apply a first compressive force on the reagent cartridge body  156  while the spring force and system plungers  120  apply a second, different compressive force on the inlet gasket  134  and outlet gasket  134 . Thus, the springs  206 ,  208  may have different spring forces or may otherwise apply different forces to the corresponding components such that the reagent cartridge  102  is securely clamped by the lift plate while the flow cell gaskets  134  are not over compressed against the reagent cartridge ports  140 . 
     In some implementations, the first fluidic coupling  124  and the second fluidic coupling  124  of the flow cell assembly  103  are a flexible fluidic coupling such that the flow cell  103  is moveable at least one of vertically, longitudinally, or laterally, while the inlet gasket  134  is fluidically coupled to the first reagent cartridge port  140  of the reagent cartridge  102  and the outlet gasket  134  is fluidically coupled to the second reagent cartridge port  140  of the reagent cartridge  102 . 
     A process  400  of  FIG. 21  begins by linearly moving the lift plate  114  and the system plunger assembly  116  carried 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 . The at least one reagent cartridge plunger  150  is actuated a first predetermined distance to contact the gasket assembly  126  of the flow cell assembly  103  responsive to the at least one system plunger  120  contacting the at least one reagent cartridge plunger  150 . (block  404 ). 
     The flow cell assembly  103  includes the flow cell  122  including at least one channel  128 , the flow cell inlet  130 , and the flow cell outlet  132 . The first fluidic coupling  124  is coupled to the flow cell inlet  130  and the second fluidic coupling  125  is coupled to the flow cell outlet  132 . The gasket assembly  126  is coupled to the first and second fluidic couplings  124 ,  125 . The gasket assembly  126  includes the inlet gasket  134  having the through bore  138  and being coupled to the flow cell inlet  130  via the first fluidic coupling  124 . The gasket assembly  126  also includes the outlet gasket  134  having the through bore  138  and being coupled to the flow cell outlet  132  via the second fluidic coupling  125 . In some implementations, the first and second fluidic couplings  124 ,  125  may be omitted and the flow cell gaskets  134  and the flow cell  122  may be directly fluidically connected. 
     The inlet gasket  134  is fluidically coupled to the first reagent cartridge port  140  of the reagent cartridge  102  and the outlet gasket  134  is fluidically coupled to the second reagent cartridge port  140  of the reagent cartridge  102  responsive to the at least one system plunger  120  actuating the at least one reagent cartridge plunger  150  a second predetermined distance to allow fluid communication between the pair of reagent cartridge ports  140  and the flow cell  103  via the flow cell inlet  130  and the flow cell outlet  132  (block  406 ). 
     A method, comprising: linearly moving a lift plate and a system plunger assembly carried by the lift plate toward a reagent cartridge plunger assembly of a regent cartridge, the system plunger assembly including at least one system plunger, the reagent plunger assembly including at least one reagent cartridge plunger; actuating the at least one reagent cartridge plunger a first predetermined distance to contact a gasket assembly of a flow cell assembly responsive to the at least one system plunger contacting the at least one reagent cartridge plunger, the flow cell assembly including a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet; a first fluidic coupling fluidically coupled to the flow cell inlet and a second fluidic coupling fluidically coupled to the flow cell outlet; and the gasket assembly fluidically coupled to the first and second fluidic fluidically couplings and having an inlet gasket having a through bore and being coupled to the flow cell inlet via the first fluidic coupling, and an outlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell outlet via the second fluidic coupling; and fluidically coupling the inlet gasket to a first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge and fluidically coupling the outlet gasket to a second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge responsive to the at least one system plunger actuating the at least one reagent cartridge plunger a second predetermined distance to allow fluid communication between the reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. 
     The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the first fluidic coupling and the second fluidic coupling of the flow cell assembly are each a flexible fluidic coupling such that the flow cell is moveable at least one of vertically, longitudinally, or laterally relative to the gasket assembly, while the inlet gasket is fluidically coupled to the first reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge and the outlet gasket is fluidically coupled to the second reagent cartridge port of the reagent cartridge. 
     The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising moving the system plungers in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the lift plate and against a spring force. 
     The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the lift plate applies a first compressive force on a reagent cartridge body while the spring force and the system plungers apply a second, different compressive force on the inlet gasket and the outlet gasket. 
     The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the first fluidic coupling and the second fluidic coupling are combined. 
     An apparatus, comprising: a system, including: a reagent cartridge receptacle; a lift plate assembly including a lift plate, a system plunger assembly carried by the lift plate and including a plurality of system plungers, and a lift plate drive assembly operatively coupled to the lift plate; a flow cell assembly, including: a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet; a fluidic coupling fluidically coupled to each of the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet; and a gasket assembly fluidically coupled to the fluidic coupling and having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell inlet via the fluidic coupling, the flow cell outlet gasket having a through bore and being coupled to the flow cell outlet via the fluidic coupling; a reagent cartridge receivable within the reagent cartridge receptacle, the reagent cartridge, comprising: a reagent cartridge plunger assembly having a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers, wherein each reagent cartridge plunger is adapted to be aligned 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 fluidically coupled to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket. 
     The apparatus of 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 is adapted to linearly move the lift plate and the system plungers and cause the system plungers to engage and move the reagent cartridge plungers into engagement with the gasket assembly to allow fluid communication between the pair of reagent cartridge ports and the flow cell via the flow cell inlet and the flow cell outlet. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the system plungers comprise a pair of system plungers and the reagent cartridge plungers comprise a pair of reagent cartridge plungers. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the flow cell assembly further comprises a leveler gasket. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the system plungers comprise a leveler system plunger, the reagent cartridge plungers further comprise a leveler reagent cartridge plunger, and the reagent cartridge comprises a reagent cartridge engagement surface. 
     The apparatus of 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 is adapted to linearly move the lift plate and the leveler system plunger to engage and move the leveler reagent plunger into engagement with the gasket assembly to allow engagement between the leveler gasket and the reagent cartridge engagement surface. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the leveler gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket, and the flow cell outlet gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the flow cell assembly has a flow cell housing that carries the flow cell, the fluidic coupling, and the gasket assembly. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations 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. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the flow cell housing includes an opening that corresponds to each flow cell gasket. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the openings are arranged to allow the flow cell gaskets to protrude from the dimensional envelope of the flow cell housing after the reagent cartridge plungers move the gasket assembly a predetermined distance. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the flow cell gaskets have flat surfaces and the reagent cartridge comprises a reagent cartridge engagement surface that faces a flow cell receptacle of the reagent cartridge. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the flat surfaces of the flow cell gaskets are arranged to engage the reagent cartridge engagement surface to fluidically couple the pair of reagent cartridge ports with the flow cell. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the reagent cartridge comprises alignment receptacles that face a flow cell receptacle of the flow cell receptacle and the gasket assembly has alignment protrusions that are adapted to be received by the alignment receptacles. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the gasket assembly has a plurality of engagement protrusions that comprise corresponding plunger receptacles, each plunger receptacle being adapted to be engaged or surrounded by a distal end of a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the lift plate comprises plunger bores and wherein each system plunger is slidably disposed within a corresponding plunger bore. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising a spring disposed in each of the plunger bores. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the springs act on the system plungers to urge a distal end of the system plungers into engagement with a corresponding reagent cartridge plunger. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising a seal carried by the system plunger. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the reagent cartridge comprises a flow cell receptacle adapted to receive the flow cell assembly. 
     An apparatus, comprising: a flow cell assembly, including: a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet; and a gasket assembly operatively fluidically coupled to the flow cell and having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket, the flow cell inlet gasket having a through bore and being coupled to the flow cell inlet, the flow cell outlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell outlet; a reagent cartridge adapted to receive the flow cell assembly and comprising a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly coupled to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising a flexible fluidic coupling fluidically coupling the flow cell inlet and the flow cell inlet gasket and fluidically coupling the flow cell outlet and the flow cell outlet gasket. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising a reagent cartridge plunger assembly having a plurality of reagent cartridge plungers, wherein each reagent cartridge plunger is positioned to correspond to a corresponding flow cell gasket of the flow cell assembly. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, 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. 
     The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the flow cell inlet gasket, the flow cell outlet gasket, and the leveler gasket are arranged in a triangular pattern. 
     The foregoing description is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the various configurations described herein. While the subject technology has been particularly described with reference to the various figures and configurations, it should be understood that these are for illustration purposes only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the subject technology. 
     As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, implementations “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional elements whether or not they have that property. Moreover, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” or the like are interchangeably used herein. 
     The terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and “about” used throughout this Specification are used to describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%. 
     There may be many other ways to implement the subject technology. Various functions and elements described herein may be partitioned differently from those 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 generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations. Thus, many changes and modifications may be made to the subject technology, by one having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the subject technology. For instance, different numbers of a given module or unit may be employed, a different type or types of a given module or unit may be employed, a given module or unit may be added, or a given module or unit may be omitted. 
     Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, 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 that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description. 
     It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.