A fluidic device for analyzing samples, the fluidic device comprising: (a) a flow cell comprising (i) a substrate having a first layer and a second layer secured together to define a flow channel therebetween, wherein the flow channel comprises an imaging portion and a non-imaging portion, wherein the imaging and non-imaging portions (250, 252) are fluidicly joined by a curved portion, the imaging and non-imaging portions (250, 252) extending parallel to each other, (ii) an inlet port extending through the first layer and/or the second layer and in fluid communication with the imaging portion of the flow channel, and (iii) an outlet port extending through the first layer and/or the second layer and in fluid communication with the non-imaging portion of the flow channel, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are located proximate to each other at one end of the flow cell, and wherein the width of the imaging portion of the flow channel is larger than the width of the non-imaging portion of the flow channel; (b) a housing having a reception space that is configured to receive the flow cell, the reception space being sized and shaped relative to the flow cell to permit the flow cell to float relative to the housing; the housing comprising recesses (320, 321, 322) that are located immediately adjacent to the reception space, wherein the recesses (320, 321, 322) are open to an exterior of the fluidic device such that when the fluidic device is positioned on a support structure having alignment members, the alignment members are inserted through the corresponding recesses of the housing for engaging the edges of the flow cell; and (c) a gasket coupled to the housing, the gasket having inlet and outlet passages (344, 346) and comprising a compressible material, the gasket being positioned relative to the reception space so that the inlet and outlet ports (222, 224) of the flow cell are aligned with the inlet and outlet passages (344, 346) of the gasket, respectively. (a) a flow cell comprising (i) a substrate having a first layer and a second layer secured together to define a flow channel therebetween, wherein the flow channel comprises an imaging portion and a non-imaging portion, wherein the imaging and non-imaging portions (250, 252) are fluidicly joined by a curved portion, the imaging and non-imaging portions (250, 252) extending parallel to each other, (ii) an inlet port extending through the first layer and/or the second layer and in fluid communication with the imaging portion of the flow channel, and (iii) an outlet port extending through the first layer and/or the second layer and in fluid communication with the non-imaging portion of the flow channel, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are located proximate to each other at one end of the flow cell, and wherein the width of the imaging portion of the flow channel is larger than the width of the non-imaging portion of the flow channel; (i) a substrate having a first layer and a second layer secured together to define a flow channel therebetween, wherein the flow channel comprises an imaging portion and a non-imaging portion, wherein the imaging and non-imaging portions (250, 252) are fluidicly joined by a curved portion, the imaging and non-imaging portions (250, 252) extending parallel to each other, (ii) an inlet port extending through the first layer and/or the second layer and in fluid communication with the imaging portion of the flow channel, and (iii) an outlet port extending through the first layer and/or the second layer and in fluid communication with the non-imaging portion of the flow channel, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are located proximate to each other at one end of the flow cell, and wherein the width of the imaging portion of the flow channel is larger than the width of the non-imaging portion of the flow channel; (b) a housing having a reception space that is configured to receive the flow cell, the reception space being sized and shaped relative to the flow cell to permit the flow cell to float relative to the housing; the housing comprising recesses (320, 321, 322) that are located immediately adjacent to the reception space, wherein the recesses (320, 321, 322) are open to an exterior of the fluidic device such that when the fluidic device is positioned on a support structure having alignment members, the alignment members are inserted through the corresponding recesses of the housing for engaging the edges of the flow cell; and (c) a gasket coupled to the housing, the gasket having inlet and outlet passages (344, 346) and comprising a compressible material, the gasket being positioned relative to the reception space so that the inlet and outlet ports (222, 224) of the flow cell are aligned with the inlet and outlet passages (344, 346) of the gasket, respectively.