WO2023244463A1

WO2023244463A1 - Flow cell supports and related temperature control devices, systems, and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2023244463A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/024539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory HOLST; Dustin Blair; W. Craig BAUER; Richard Lemoine; James Osmus; Steven Hendrix; Simon Prince
Original assignee: Illumina, Inc.
Priority date: 2022-06-14
Filing date: 2023-06-06
Publication date: 2023-12-21

Abstract

Flow cell supports and related temperature control devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In accordance with an implementation, an apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell support, a heater, a fluid reservoir, a pump, and a controller. The flow cell support comprises or has an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The heater is carried by the flow cell support and a fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid. The pump fluidly is coupled to the flow path. The controller is to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and cause the heater to heat the fluid within the flow path to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

Description

FLOW CELL SUPPORTS AND RELATED TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 63/402,946, filed August 31 , 2022, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 63/352,177 filed June 14, 2022, the content of each of which is incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Instruments such as sequencing instruments may include temperature controlled components.

SUMMARY

[0003] Advantages of the prior art can be overcome and benefits as described later in this disclosure can be achieved through the provision of flow cell supports and related temperature control devices, systems, and methods. Various implementations of the apparatus and methods are described below, and the apparatus and methods, including and excluding the additional implementations enumerated below, in any combination (provided these combinations are not inconsistent), may overcome these shortcomings and achieve the benefits described herein.

[0004] In accordance with a first implementation, an apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell support, a heater, a fluid reservoir, a pump, and a controller. The flow cell support comprises or has an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The heater is carried by the flow cell support and a fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid. The pump is fluidly coupled to the flow path. The controller is to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and cause the heater to heat the fluid within the flow path to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

[0005] In accordance with a second implementation, a method comprises or includes flowing a fluid into an inlet of a flow path of a flow cell support from a fluid reservoir, allowing an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a reference temperature value using the fluid, heating the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support using a heater, and allowing the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value based on the heating. [0006] In accordance with a third implementation, an apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell support, a first fluid reservoir, a first pump, a second fluid reservoir, a second pump, a temperature control device, and a controller. The flow cell support comprises or has an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The first fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and is to contain a first fluid. The first pump is fluidly coupled to the first fluid reservoir and the flow path. The second fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and is to contain a second fluid. The second pump is fluidly coupled to the second fluid reservoir and the flow path. The temperature control device is to control a temperature of the first fluid within the first fluid reservoir and the temperature of the second fluid within the second fluid reservoir. The controller to cause the first pump to pump the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid and to cause the second pump to pump the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid. The controller is to cause the second pump to pump the second fluid at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of the second reference temperature value and to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the second reference temperature value.

[0007] In accordance with a fourth implementation, an apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell support, a first fluid reservoir, a second fluid reservoir, a temperature control device, a pump, and a controller. The flow cell support comprises or has an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The first fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and is to contain a first fluid. The second fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and is to contain a second fluid. The temperature control device to control a temperature of the first fluid within the first fluid reservoir and to control a temperature of the second fluid within the second fluid reservoir. The pump is fluidly coupled to the flow path. The controller is to cause the pump to pump the second fluid at a first flow rate prior to an actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of a first reference temperature value and to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the second reference temperature value.

[0008] In accordance with a fifth implementation, an apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell support, a fluid reservoir, a heater, a pump, and a controller. The flow cell support comprises or has an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid. The heater is downstream of the fluid reservoir and the pump is fluidly coupled to the flow path. The controller is to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and cause the heater to heat at least one of the fluid or the flow cell support to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

[0009] In accordance with a sixth implementation, an apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell support, a heater, a non-contact sensor and a controller. The flow cell support comprises or has a plurality of posts to support a flow cell. The heater is spaced from the flow cell and is positioned to heat the flow cell. The heater comprises or includes a light pipe and a light source coupled to the light pipe. The controller is to command the heater to heat the flow cell and to achieve a temperature value and cause the non-contact sensor to measure a first actual temperature value of the flow cell. The controller is to use the first actual temperature to control the heater to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value.

[0010] In accordance with a seventh implementation, an apparatus comprises or includes a heat pump, a flow cell support, and a controller. The heat pump comprises or includes a reversing valve, a metering device, a coil comprising or including a first coil portion and a second coil portion, and a compressor and containing a fluid. The first coil portion and the second coil portion are coupled to the reversing valve and the metering device is positioned between the first coil portion and the second coil portion. The flow cell support carries at least a portion of the coil. The controller to cause the compressor to compress the fluid and actuate the reversing valve to cause the fluid to flow in a first direction and into the portion of the coil to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and to actuate the reversing valve to cause the fluid to flow in a second direction and into the portion of the coil to allow the an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value. The metering device changes a pressure of the fluid as the fluid flows between the first coil portion and the second coil portion.

[0011] In accordance with an eighth implementation, a method comprises or includes flowing a first fluid from a first fluid reservoir into an inlet and a flow path of a first flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the first flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid. The first flow cell support comprises or has the inlet, an outlet, and the flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The method also comprises or includes imaging a flow cell carried by a second flow cell support while the actual temperature value of the first flow cell support satisfies the first reference temperature value. The second flow cell support comprises or has an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The first fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support, and the second fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support.

[0012] In accordance with a ninth implementation, a method comprises or includes commanding a heater to heat a flow cell and achieve a temperature value. The flow cell is supported by a flow cell support comprising or having a plurality of posts. The heater is spaced from the flow cell and is positioned to heat the flow cell. The heater comprises or includes a light pipe and a light source coupled to the light pipe. The method also comprises or includes measuring a first actual temperature value of the flow cell using a non-contact sensor and controlling the heater to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value based on the first actual temperature.

[0013] In accordance with a tenth implementation, a method comprises or includes commanding a heater to heat a flow cell and achieve a temperature value. The flow cell is supported by a flow cell support. The heater is spaced from the flow cell and is positioned to heat the flow cell. The heater comprises or includes a light pipe and a light source coupled to the light pipe. The method also comprises or includes measuring a first actual temperature value of the flow cell using a non-contact sensor and controlling the heater to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value based on the first actual temperature.

[0014] In further accordance with the foregoing first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, nineth, and/or tenth implementations, an apparatus and/or method may further comprise or include any one or more of the following:

[0015] In accordance with an implementation, the heater is positioned within the flow path of the flow cell support.

[0016] In accordance with another implementation, the controller is to cause the pump to stop pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet of the flow path and cause the heater to heat the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support.

[0017] In accordance with another implementation, the heater comprises or includes a resistive heater.

[0018] In accordance with another implementation, the controller is to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of the reference temperature value and to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value. [0019] In accordance with another implementation, the controller determines that the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value after a threshold time period has lapsed.

[0020] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus also comprises or includes a sensor to determine the actual temperature value of the flow cell support. The controller accesses the actual temperature value of the flow cell support from the sensor and determines when the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value.

[0021] In accordance with another implementation, the sensor is carried by the flow cell support.

[0022] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus also comprises or includes a temperature control device to control a temperature of the fluid within the fluid reservoir.

[0023] In accordance with another implementation, the temperature control device comprises or includes a heater.

[0024] In accordance with another implementation, the temperature control device comprises or includes a chiller.

[0025] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus comprises or includes a second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid.

[0026] In accordance with another implementation, the controller is to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a third reference temperature value using the fluid from the second fluid reservoir.

[0027] In accordance with another implementation, the reference temperature value is about 30°C and the second reference temperature value or the third reference temperature value is about 60°C.

[0028] In accordance with another implementation, the temperature of the fluid in the fluid reservoir is about 28°C and the temperature of the fluid in the second fluid reservoir is about 62°C.

[0029] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus also comprises or includes a first valve to control the flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path and a second valve to control the flow of the fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path.

[0030] In accordance with another implementation, the controller is to cause the first valve and the second valve to actuate to allow the fluid from the fluid reservoir to flow to the inlet and the flow path at a first flow rate and to allow the fluid from the second fluid reservoir to flow to the inlet and the flow path at a second flow rate.

[0031] In accordance with another implementation, the first flow rate and the second flow rate are greater than zero.

[0032] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus also comprises or includes a first check valve between the first valve and the inlet of the flow path and a second check valve between the second valve and the inlet of the flow path.

[0033] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus comprises or includes a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and a heater coupled to the fluidic line.

[0034] In accordance with another implementation, the heater comprises or includes an in-line heater.

[0035] In accordance with another implementation, the heater comprises or includes a heat exchanger.

[0036] In accordance with another implementation, the controller is to cause the heater to heat the fluid within the fluidic line.

[0037] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus comprises or includes a sensor to determine an actual fluid temperature value of the fluid in the fluid reservoir. The temperature control device is to control the temperature of the fluid within the fluid reservoir based on the actual fluid temperature value and a reference fluid temperature value.

[0038] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus comprises or includes a flow cell interface comprising or including the flow cell support, an insulator, and a frame. The insulator positioned between the frame and the flow cell support.

[0039] In accordance with another implementation, the insulator comprises or includes epoxy.

[0040] In accordance with another implementation, the insulator comprises or includes plastic.

[0041] In accordance with another implementation, the flow path comprises or includes a second outlet, the inlet positioned between the outlet and the second outlet. [0042] In accordance with another implementation, the flow cell support comprises or has a portion comprising or having a thickness of between about 3 millimeters and about 4 millimeters.

[0043] In accordance with another implementation, the flow cell support comprises or has a portion comprising or having a thickness of between about 3 millimeters and about 7 millimeters. [0044] In accordance with another implementation, flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path comprises or includes flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path using a pump, and heating the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support using the heater comprises or includes causing the pump to stop pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet of the flow path when heating the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support using the heater.

[0045] In accordance with another implementation, the method comprises or includes heating the fluid within a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path with a heater.

[0046] In accordance with another implementation, flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path of the flow cell support comprises or includes flowing the fluid into the inlet at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of the reference temperature value and flowing the fluid into the inlet at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value.

[0047] In accordance with another implementation, the method comprises or includes controlling the temperature of the fluid within the fluid reservoir using a temperature control device.

[0048] In accordance with another implementation, the temperature control device comprises or includes a heater.

[0049] In accordance with another implementation, the temperature control device comprises or includes a chiller.

[0050] In accordance with another implementation, the method comprises or includes flowing a fluid into the inlet of a flow path of the flow cell support from a second fluid reservoir and allowing the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a third reference temperature value using the fluid from the second fluid reservoir.

[0051] In accordance with another implementation, the reference temperature value is about 30°C and the second reference temperature value or the third reference temperature value is about 60°C.

[0052] In accordance with another implementation, flowing the fluid into the inlet of a flow path of the flow cell support from the fluid reservoir comprises or includes controlling the flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path using a first valve and flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path of the flow cell support from the second fluid reservoir comprises or includes controlling the flow of the fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path using the second valve.

[0053] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a first valve to control the flow of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path and a second valve to control the flow of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path.

[0054] In accordance with another implementation, the first valve and the second valve each comprise or include a proportional valve.

[0055] In accordance with another implementation, the first pump is positioned between the first fluid reservoir and the first valve and the second pump is positioned between the second fluid reservoir and the second valve.

[0056] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a first return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the first fluid reservoir and a second return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the second fluid reservoir.

[0057] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a valve coupled between the flow path and the first return fluidic line and the second return fluidic line.

[0058] In accordance with another implementation, the valve comprises or includes a three-way valve.

[0059] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a second flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The first fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support and the second fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support.

[0060] In accordance with another implementation, the first pump is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the second flow cell support and the second pump is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the second flow cell support.

[0061] In accordance with another implementation, the controller is to cause the first pump to pump the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid and to cause the second pump to pump the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid.

[0062] In accordance with another implementation, the controller causes the first pump to pump the first fluid to the flow path of the flow cell support at a first flow rate and causes the second pump to pump the second fluid to the flow path of the flow cell support at a second flow rate. [0063] In accordance with another implementation, the first pump is positioned downstream of the flow cell support and the second pump is positioned downstream of the flow cell support.

[0064] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus also comprises or includes a third pump fluidly coupled to the first fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow cell support and a fourth pump fluidly coupled to the second fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow path support.

[0065] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus also comprises or includes a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and a heater coupled to the fluidic line.

[0066] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus comprises or includes a valve to control the flow of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path and the valve to control the flow of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path.

[0067] In accordance with another implementation, the valve comprises or includes a three-way valve.

[0068] In accordance with another implementation, the flow cell support has a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second flow path fluidly coupling the second inlet and the second outlet. The first fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the second inlet and the second fluid reservoir fluidly is coupled to the second inlet.

[0069] In accordance with another implementation, the flow cell support comprises or includes a first area and a second area. The flow path extending through the first area and the second flow path extending through the second area.

[0070] In accordance with another implementation, the flow path and the second flow path are substantially parallel.

[0071] In accordance with another implementation, the first area is substantially thermally insulated from the second area.

[0072] In accordance with another implementation, the flow cell support defines an air gap between the first area and the second area.

[0073] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and a heater coupled to the fluidic line.

[0074] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a first return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the first fluid reservoir and a second return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the second fluid reservoir. [0075] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a three-way valve coupled between the flow path and the first return fluidic line and the second return fluidic line.

[0076] In accordance with another implementation, the pump is positioned between the flow cell support and the three-way valve.

[0077] In accordance with another implementation, the heater is carried by the flow cell support.

[0078] In accordance with another implementation, the heater is to heat the fluid within the flow path.

[0079] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a second flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet. The fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support.

[0080] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a second heater carried by the second flow cell support.

[0081] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path of the flow cell support and the fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow cell support and the fluid reservoir.

[0082] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path of the flow cell support and the flow path of the second flow cell support.

[0083] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a first valve to control the flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the flow cell support and a second valve to control the flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the second flow cell support.

[0084] In accordance with another implementation, the first valve is a first switch valve and the second valve is a second switch valve.

[0085] In accordance with another implementation, the pump is positioned between the fluid reservoir and the first valve and the second valve.

[0086] In accordance with another implementation, the pump is positioned downstream of the flow cell support.

[0087] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a second pump fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow cell support.

[0088] In accordance with another implementation, the heater comprises or includes an induction heater. [0089] In accordance with another implementation, the induction heater comprises or includes a face coil and an absorber.

[0090] In accordance with another implementation, the absorber comprises or includes a metal mesh that is positioned within the flow path.

[0091] In accordance with another implementation, the absorber comprises or includes a metal plate carried by the flow cell support.

[0092] In accordance with another implementation, the flow cell support comprises or includes an inlet port comprising or including metal and the induction heater comprises or includes the inlet port and a coil surrounding the inlet port.

[0093] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and the induction heater is coupled to the fluidic line.

[0094] In accordance with another implementation, the induction heater comprises or includes a metallic portion and a coil surrounding the metallic portion.

[0095] In accordance with another implementation, the induction heater comprises or includes a thermally conductive post carried by the flow cell support and a coil surrounding the thermally conductive post.

[0096] In accordance with another implementation, the induction heater is to heat the flow cell support.

[0097] In accordance with another implementation, the induction heater is to heat the fluid.

[0098] In accordance with another implementation, the flow cell support comprises or includes a window and the heater comprises or includes a light source positioned to direct light through the window and into the flow path.

[0099] In accordance with another implementation, the light source comprises or includes a laser diode.

[00100] In accordance with another implementation, the flow cell support comprises or includes an optical layer and a diffusion layer disposed adjacent to the optical layer, and the heater comprises or includes a light source positioned to direct light into the optical layer. The diffusion layer redirects the light from the optical layer into the flow cell support to heat at least the flow cell support.

[00101] In accordance with another implementation, the optical layer comprises or includes a wave guide.

[00102] In accordance with another implementation, the light pipe comprises or includes a pyrimidal light pipe.

[00103] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes a cold mirror and an excitation source for generating a sampling beam directed toward the cold mirror. The cold mirror positioned to redirect the sampling beam toward a surface of the flow cell.

[00104] In accordance with another implementation, the surface of the flow cell comprises or includes a backside of the flow cell.

[00105] In accordance with another implementation, the cold mirror is positioned between the infrared sensor and the flow cell support.

[00106] In accordance with another implementation, the cold mirror is positioned at approximately 45° relative to the excitation source.

[00107] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes an actuator controllable to move the cold mirror relative to the excitation source. [00108] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes an actuator controllable to move the excitation source relative to the cold mirror. [00109] In accordance with another implementation, the apparatus further comprises or includes an imaging sensor and imaging optics for imaging an emission onto the imaging sensor. The emission being from a sample resulting from the sampling beam.

[00110] In accordance with another implementation, the cold mirror and the excitation source are positioned on a first side of the flow cell support and the imaging sensor and the imaging optics are positioned on a second side of the flow cell support.

[00111] In accordance with another implementation, the method comprises or includes flowing a second fluid from a second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the first flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid.

[00112] In accordance with another implementation, the imaging of the flow cell occurs when the first fluid is flowing into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support or when the second fluid is flowing into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support.

[00113] In accordance with another implementation, the imaging of the flow cell occurs when the first fluid and the second fluid are not flowing through the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support.

[00114] In accordance with another implementation, flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises or includes flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first pump and flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises or includes flowing the second fluid into the inlet and the flow path using a second pump.

[00115] In accordance with another implementation, flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir comprises or includes controlling a flow rate of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first valve and flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir comprises or includes controlling a flow rate of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a second valve.

[00116] In accordance with another implementation, the first valve comprises or includes a proportional valve and the second valve comprises or includes a proportional valve.

[00117] In accordance with another implementation, the method further comprises or includes returning the first fluid to the first fluid reservoir using a first return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path of the first flow cell support and the first fluid reservoir and returning the second fluid to the second fluid reservoir using a second return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path of the first flow cell support and the second fluid reservoir.

[00118] In accordance with another implementation, returning the first fluid to the first fluid reservoir using the first return fluidic line comprises or includes actuating a valve to a first position and returning the second fluid to the second fluid reservoir using the second return fluidic line comprises or includes actuating the valve to a second position. The valve is coupled between the flow path and the first return fluidic line and the second return fluidic line.

[00119] In accordance with another implementation, flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir comprises or includes controlling a flow rate of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first pump and flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir comprises or includes controlling a flow rate of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a second pump.

[00120] In accordance with another implementation, flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises or includes flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a pump and flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises or includes flowing the second fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using the pump.

[00121] In accordance with another implementation, the method further comprises or includes flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy the first reference temperature value using the first fluid.

[00122] In accordance with another implementation, flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises or includes flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first pump and flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support comprises or includes flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support using a second pump.

[00123] In accordance with another implementation, the method further comprises or includes heating the first fluid downstream of the first fluid reservoir to allow the actual temperature value of the first flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

[00124] In accordance with another implementation, heating the first fluid comprises or includes heating the first fluid within a fluidic line fluidly coupling the first fluid reservoir and the flow path of the first flow cell support.

[00125] In accordance with another implementation, heating the first fluid within the fluidic line comprises or includes heating the first fluid within the fluidic line using at least one of an in-line heater or an inductive heater.

[00126] In accordance with another implementation, heating the first fluid comprises or includes heating the first fluid within the flow path of the first flow cell support.

[00127] In accordance with another implementation, heating the first fluid within the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises or includes heating the first fluid within the flow path using at least one of a resistive heater, an inductive heater, or a light source. [00128] In accordance with another implementation, heating the first fluid downstream of the first fluid reservoir comprises or includes directing light through a window of the first flow cell support and into the flow path.

[00129] In accordance with another implementation, the method further comprises or includes heating the second flow cell support to allow the actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

[00130] In accordance with another implementation, heating the second flow cell support comprises or includes flowing a second fluid from a second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow the actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid.

[00131] In accordance with another implementation, heating the second flow cell support comprises or includes flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support and heating the first fluid downstream of the first fluid reservoir.

[00132] In accordance with another implementation, heating the second flow cell support comprises or includes directing light into an optical layer of the second flow cell support and redirecting the light into the second flow cell support using a diffusion layer of the second flow cell support to heat the second flow cell support.

[00133] In accordance with another implementation, the method comprises or includes imaging a flow cell carried by the first flow cell support.

[00134] In accordance with another implementation, the method comprises or includes generating a sampling beam using an excitation source directed toward a cold mirror and redirecting the sampling beam using the cold mirror toward a surface of the flow cell.

[00135] In accordance with another implementation, the surface of the flow cell comprises or includes a backside of the flow cell.

[00136] In accordance with another implementation, the method further comprises or includes moving the cold mirror relative to the excitation source using an actuator.

[00137] In accordance with another implementation, the method further comprises or includes moving the excitation source relative to the cold mirror using an actuator.

[00138] In accordance with another implementation, the method comprises or includes imaging an emission from a sample carried by the flow cell using an imaging sensor.

[00139] In accordance with another implementation, the cold mirror and the excitation source are positioned on a first side of the flow cell support and the imaging sensor is positioned on a second side of the flow cell support.

[00140] 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

[00141] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an implementation of a system in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

[00142] FIG. 2 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00143] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a flow cell support that can be used to implement the flow cell support of FIG. 1 .

[00144] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a flow cell support that can be used to implement the flow cell support of FIG. 1 . [00145] FIG. 5 is a schematic implementation of a portion of another system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00146] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart for a process of controlling a temperature of the flow cell supports of FIGS. 1 - 5 or any of the other implementations disclosed herein.

[00147] FIG. 7 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00148] FIG. 8 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00149] FIG. 9 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00150] FIG. 10 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00151] FIG. 11 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00152] FIG. 12 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00153] FIG. 13 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00154] FIG. 14 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00155] FIG. 15 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00156] FIG. 16 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00157] FIG. 17 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00158] FIG. 18 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement a portion of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00159] FIG. 19 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support that can be used to the implement the flow cell support of FIG. 1 .

[00160] FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of a flow cell support that can be used to implement the flow cell support of FIG. 1 . [00161] FIG. 21 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support that can be used to implement the flow cell support of FIG. 1 .

[00162] FIG. 22 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support that can be used to implement the flow cell support of FIG. 1 .

[00163] FIG. 23 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support and a heater that can be used to implement the flow cell support of FIG. 1 and the heater of FIG. 1 .

[00164] FIG. 24 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support and a heater that can be used to implement the flow cell support of FIG. 1 and the heater of FIG. 1 .

[00165] FIG. 25 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement the system of FIG. 1 .

[00166] FIG. 26 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system that can be used to implement the system of FIG. 1 .

[00167] FIG. 27 is a schematic implementation of a system including a flow cell support and a heater that can be used to implement the flow cell support and the heater of the system of FIG. 1 .

[00168] FIG. 28 illustrates a flowchart for processes of controlling a temperature of the flow cell support of FIGS. 1 - 5 and 6 - 25 or any of the other implementations disclosed herein.

[00169] FIG. 29 illustrates a flowchart for processes for controlling a temperature of the flow cell of FIGS. 1 , 25, and 26 or any of the implementations disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00170] 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 implementations would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[00171] The implementations disclosed herein relate to flow cell supports that are used to support and control the temperature of a flow cell or another fluidic device or substrate. The flow cell support may be associated with and/or referred to as a flow cell chuck. The flow cell supports disclosed define flow paths through which fluid may flow to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy one or more reference temperature values using the fluid. The flow cell supports disclosed may be reliable and have a long useful life. The flow cell supports may also be relatively flat, allowing a sample carried by the flow cell to be within a depth of field of a microscope / imaging system and remain in focus, for example.

[00172] A fluid at a first temperature may be pumped through the flow path of the flow cell support during a first operation to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value and a fluid at a second temperature may be pumped through the flow path of the flow cell support during a second operation to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value. The fluid at the first temperature may be stored in a first fluid reservoir and the fluid at the second temperature may be stored in a second fluid reservoir. The first reference temperature value may be about 30°C and the second reference temperature value may be about 60°C.

[00173] A heater may alternatively or additionally be used to heat the fluid to the second temperature. The heater may heat the fluid when the fluid is not being pumped through the flow path or when the fluid is being pumped through the flow path. The heater may be positioned adjacent to or within the flow path of the flow cell support and/or coupled to a fluidic line. The heater may be implemented by a resistive heater and/or an in-line heater. The second fluid reservoir may be omitted when the heater(s) is included downstream of the temperature control device in some implementations.

[00174] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an implementation of a system 100 in accordance with the teachings of this 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). The system 100 includes a flow cell interface 102 having a flow cell support 104 that is adapted to support a flow cell assembly 106 including a corresponding flow cell 108. The flow cell 108 may be referred to as a fluidic device or a substrate. The flow cell interface 102 may be associated with and/or referred to as a flow cell deck and the flow cell support 104 may be associated with and/or referred to as a flow cell chuck. The flow cell support 104 can include a vacuum channel, latches, a snap fit mechanism, and/or a tongue-and-groove coupling that is used to secure the flow cell assembly 106 to the flow cell support 104.

[00175] The flow cell support 104 has an inlet 110, an outlet 112, and a flow path 114 fluidly coupling the inlet 110 and the outlet 112 in the implementation shown. The system 100 also includes, in part, a fluid reservoir 116 that contains a fluid 120 and is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the flow cell support 104 by a fluidic line 118, a pump(s) 122 fluidly coupled to the flow path 114, a temperature control device 124, sensors 126, 128, a valve(s) 129, 130, a reagent selector valve assembly 131 , an imaging system 132, a stage assembly 134, a drive assembly 136, and a controller 138. The reagent selector valve assembly 131 may be referred to as a mini-valve assembly. The controller 38 is electrically and/or communicatively coupled to components of the system 100, such as the pump 122, the temperature control device 124, the sensors 126, 128, the valve(s) 129, 130, the imaging system 132, the stage assembly 134, and the drive assembly 136 to perform various functions as disclosed herein. The valve(s) 129, 130 may be implemented by a proportional valve, a rotary valve, a pinch valve, a flat valve, a solenoid valve, a check valve, a piezo valve, and/or a three-way valve and the pump(s) 122 may be implemented by a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, and/or a diaphragm pump. Other types of fluid control devices and/or fluid transfer devices may be used, however.

[00176] The controller 138 causes the pump 122 to pump the fluid 120 from the fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104 in operation to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 to satisfy a reference temperature value using the fluid 120. The fluid 120 within and/or flowing through the flow path 114 thus controls the temperature of the flow cell assembly 106.

[00177] The reference temperature value of the flow cell support 104 may be about 30°C and/or about 60°C. Different reference temperature values are achievable, however. The pump 122 may pump the fluid 120 at a flow rate such as about 1 liter (L) / minute (min). The pump 122 may pump the fluid 120 at a different flow rate, however.

[00178] The fluid 120 may be at a first temperature value or at a second temperature value. The first temperature value may be about 28°C and the fluid 120 at the first temperature value may cause the flow cell support 104 and/or the flow cell 108 to be about 30°C. The second temperature value may be at about 62°C and the fluid 120 at the second temperature value may cause the flow cell support 104 and/or the flow cell 108 to be about 60°C. The first temperature value and/or the second temperature value may be different, however, resulting in the flow cell support 104 and/or the flow cell 108 achieving a different temperature.

[00179] The system 100 includes the temperature control device 124 that is used to control the temperature of the fluid 120 within the fluid reservoir 116. The temperature control device 124 may include a heater 140 and/or a chiller 142. The chiller 142 may be used to chill the fluid 120 to the first temperature value (e.g., 28°C) and the heater 140 may be used to heat the fluid 120 to the second temperature value (e.g., 62°C). The heater 140 and/or the chiller 142 may be omitted.

[00180] The system 100 includes a second fluid reservoir 144 in some implementations that contains a fluid 146 and is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the flow cell support 104. The fluid 120 and/or the fluid 146 may be Ethylene glycol and/or Propylene glycol. The fluids 120 and/or 146 may be a different substance, however. The system 100 may include both the fluid reservoir 116 and the second fluid reservoir 144 when the temperature control device 124 includes both the heater 140 and the chiller 142. The heater 140 may be omitted when the second fluid reservoir 144 is excluded, for example.

[00181 ] The controller 138 may cause the pump 122 to pump the fluid 120 from the second fluid reservoir 144 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104 in operation to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 to satisfy a second reference temperature value (e.g., 62°C) using the fluid 146. The actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 may change between satisfying the first reference temperature value to satisfying the second reference temperature value relatively quickly using the disclosed implementations. The flow cell support 104 may be made of a material that allows for quick thermal transfer and/or high conductivity such aluminum or ceramic. Other materials may prove suitable, however.

[00182] The actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 may change between satisfying the first reference temperature value and the second reference temperature value in about 23 seconds, in about 25 seconds, and/or between about 20 seconds and about 30 seconds as examples. The actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 may also change between satisfying the second reference temperature value and satisfying the first reference temperature value relatively quickly such as in about 1 second, between about 1 .3 seconds and about 2.2 seconds, in about 2 seconds, and/or in about 3.7 seconds as examples.

[00183] The system 100 may include the first valve 129 to control the flow of the fluid 120 from the fluid reservoir 116 to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 and the second valve 130 to control the flow of the fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114. The controller 138 may cause the first valve 129 and the second valve 130 to actuate in operation to allow the fluid 120 from the fluid reservoir 116 to flow to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 at a first flow rate and to allow the fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to flow to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 at a second flow rate. The first flow rate and the second flow rate may be greater than zero and may be the same or different from one another. The controller 138 may thus control the valves 129, 130 to allow the fluids 120, 146 at different temperature values to mix within the fluidic line 118 and/or the flow cell support 104 and achieve a temperature value that is different than the temperatures values of the corresponding fluids 120, 146 in the fluid reservoirs 116, 144. The controller 138 may alternatively actuate the first valve 129 while the second valve 130 is closed to flow the fluid 120 from the fluid reservoir 116 to the flow cell support 104 and allow the actual temperature of the flow cell support 104 to achieve the first reference temperature. The controller 138 may similarly actuate the second valve 130 while the first valve 129 is closed to flow the fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to the flow cell support 104 and allow the actual temperature of the flow cell support 104 to achieve the second reference temperature.

[00184] The system 100 also includes a heater 152 carried by the flow cell support 104 in some implementations. The heater 152 may be a resistive heater 154 and is shown positioned within the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104. The heater 152 may alternatively be positioned outside of the flow path 114 but in a position that allows the heater 152 to heat the fluid 120 and/or 146 within the flow path 114. The resistive heater 154 may be referred to as a flexible heater. Resistive heaters 154 may be relatively low cost, robust, and/or have a relatively long useful life. The controller 138 may cause the pump 122 to stop pumping the fluid 120 from the fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 of the flow path 114 in operation and cause the heater 140 to heat the fluid 120 within the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104. The heater 152 thus allows the actual temperature of the flow cell support 104 to achieve the second reference temperature in some implementations. The heater 152 may alternatively be omitted.

[00185] The heater 152 may be included when the temperature control device 124 includes the chiller 142 but does not include the heater 140, for example. The heater 152 may alternatively be included when the temperature control device 124 includes both the heater 140 and the chiller 142. The heater 152 may be used to further increase the temperature of the fluid 146 coming to the flow cell support 104 from the second fluid reservoir 144 in such implementations.

[00186] A heater 156 is also coupled to the fluidic line 118 in the implementation shown. The heater 156 may alternatively be positioned in a different location or omitted. The heater 156 may be an in-line heater 158 such as a heat exchanger. The controller 138 causes the heater 156 to heat the fluid 120 and/or 146 within the fluidic line 118 in operation. The controller 138 may cause the pump 122 to pump the fluid 120 and/or 146 to the flow cell support 104 while the heater 156 heats the fluid 120 and/or 146. The controller 138 may alternatively stop the pump 122 from pumping the fluid 120 and/or 146 to the flow cell support 104 while the heater 156 heats the fluid 120 and/or 146 and the controller 138 may cause the pump 122 to pump the fluid 120 and/or 146 to the flow cell support 104 after the fluid 120 and/or 146 is heated. The heater may alternatively be omitted.

[00187] The controller 138 causes the pump 122 to pump the fluid 120 and/or 146 at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 being within a threshold of the reference temperature value and causes the pump to pump the fluid 120 and/or 146 at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 is within the threshold of the reference temperature value in some implementations. The controller 138 may alternatively cause the pump 122 to pump the fluid 120 and/or 146 at the same rates even after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 is within the threshold of the reference temperature value.

[00188] The controller 138 may determine that the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 is within the threshold of the reference temperature value after a threshold time period has lapsed or based on the actual temperature value determined by the sensor 126. The time period may be between about 20 seconds and about 30 seconds or between about 3 seconds and about 60 second when heating the flow cell support 104 and the time period may be between about 1 second and about 3 seconds when cooling the flow cell support 104. A time period to heat and/or cool the flow cell support 104 to a threshold temperature may be different, however. A feedback loop may be provided between the controller 138 and the sensor 126 in some implementations and the controller 138 may use the feedback received to actuate the valves 129 and/or 130 to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 to be within a threshold of the reference temperature value. The sensor 126 is shown being carried by the flow cell support 104 and as a contact temperature sensor. The sensor 126 may alternatively be implemented as an infrared sensor or another contactless temperature sensor and spaced from the flow cell support 104.

[00189] The sensor 128 is shown that is used to determine an actual fluid temperature value of the fluid 120 and/or 146 in the fluid reservoir 116 and/or 144. A feedback loop may be provided between the controller 138 and the sensor 128 in some implementations and the controller 138 may use the feedback received to control the heater 140 and/or the chiller 142 to allow the temperature of the fluid 120 within the fluid reservoir 116 to be within a threshold of a first reference fluid temperature value and/or for the fluid 146 within the second fluid reservoir 144 to be within a threshold of a second reference temperature value. The sensor 128 is shown being carried by the fluid reservoir 116 and/or 144 and as a contact temperature sensor. The sensor 128 may alternatively be implemented as an infrared sensor or another contactless temperature sensor. [00190] The flow cell interface 102 includes the flow cell support 104, an insulator 160, and a frame 162 in the implementation shown. The insulator 160 is positioned between the frame 162 and the flow cell support 104 and reduces heat transfer between the flow cell support 104 and the frame 162. The insulator 160 may be epoxy or plastic. The insulator 160 may be implemented in different ways, however.

[00191] Referring still to the system 100 of FIG. 1 , the system 100 also includes a sipper manifold assembly 164, a sample loading manifold assembly 166, a pump manifold assembly 168, the drive assembly 136, and a waste reservoir 178 in the implementation shown. The controller 138 is electrically and/or communicatively coupled to the sipper manifold assembly 164, the sample loading manifold assembly 166, the pump manifold assembly 168, and the drive assembly 136 and is adapted to cause the sipper manifold assembly 164, the sample loading manifold assembly 166, the pump manifold assembly 168, and the drive assembly 136 to perform various functions as disclosed herein.

[00192] The flow cell assembly 106 also includes a flow cell frame 170 and the flow cell 108. The flow cell 108 may include a single channel 172. The flow cell 108 may alternatively include more than one channel 172 such as two channels, four channels, and/or eight channels as examples. As used herein, a “flow cell” (also referred to as a flowcell) can include a device having a lid extending over a reaction structure to form a flow channel therebetween that is in communication with a plurality of reaction sites of the reaction structure. Some flow cells may also include a detection device that detects designated reactions that occur at or proximate to the reaction sites.

[00193] The flow cell support 104 may include a corresponding number of inlets 110, outlets 112, and flow paths 114 when the flow cell 108 includes more than one channel 172. Insulation and/or an air gap may be provided between the flow paths 114. The insulation and/or the air gap may allow the flow paths 114 of the flow cell support 104 to individually control the temperature of each channel 172 of the flow cell 108. One or more of the channels 172 may be imaged while reagents and/or reactions occur in one or more other ones of the channels 172.

[00194] While the flow cell frame 170 is shown included with the flow cell assembly 106 of FIG. 1 , the flow cell frame 170 may be omitted. The flow cell 108 and any associated gaskets may be used with the system 100 without the flow cell frame 170.

[00195] Prior to referring to some of the additional components of the system 100 of FIG. 1 , it is noted that while some components of the system 100 are shown once and coupled to the single flow cell 108, these components may be duplicated in some implementations, thereby allowing more flow cells 108 to be used with the system 100 (e.g., 2, 3, 4) and each flow cell 108 can have its own corresponding components as a result. Each flow cell 108 may be associated with a separate sample cartridge 174, the sample loading manifold assembly 166, the pump manifold assembly 168, etc. when more than one flow cell 108 is included with the system 100.

[00196] Referring now to the sample cartridge 174, the sample loading manifold assembly 166, and the pump manifold assembly 168, the system 100 includes a sample cartridge receptacle 175 that receives the sample cartridge 174 that carries one or more samples of interest (e.g., an analyte) in the implementation shown. The system 100 also includes a sample cartridge interface 177 that establishes a fluidic connection with the sample cartridge 174.

[00197] The sample loading manifold assembly 166 and the pump manifold assembly 168 flow one or more samples of interest from the sample cartridge 174 through a fluidic line 176 in operation toward the flow cell assembly 106. The sample loading manifold assembly 166 can individually load / address each channel 172 of the flow cell 108 with a sample of interest when the flow cell 108 includes more than one channel 172. The process of loading the channels 172 of the flow cell 108 with a sample of interest may occur automatically using the system 100 of FIG. 1.

[00198] The sample cartridge 174 and the sample loading manifold assembly 166 are positioned downstream of the flow cell assembly 106 in the system 100 of FIG. 1. The sample loading manifold assembly 166 may load a sample of interest into the flow cell 108 from the rear of the flow cell 108. Loading a sample of interest from the rear of the flow cell 108 may be referred to as “back loading.” Back loading the sample of interest into the flow cell 108 may reduce contamination. The sample loading manifold assembly 50 is coupled between the flow cell assembly 106 and the pump manifold assembly 168.

[00199] To draw a sample of interest from the sample cartridge 174 and toward the pump manifold assembly 168, the sample loading manifold assembly 166 urges the sample of interest toward the pump manifold assembly 168. The sample cartridge 174 may include a plurality of sample reservoirs that are selectively fluidically accessible by the sample loading manifold assembly 166. Each sample reservoir can thus be selectively isolated from other sample reservoirs.

[00200] To individually flow the sample of interest toward a corresponding channel 172 of one of the flow cells 108 and away from the pump manifold assembly 168, the sample loading manifold assembly 166 and the pump manifold assembly 168 can urge the sample of interest toward the flow cell assembly 106 and into the respective channels 172 of the corresponding flow cell 108. Each channel 172 of the flow cell 108 receives the sample of interest in some implementations. One or more of the channels 172 of the flow cell(s) 108 selectively receives the sample of interest and others of the channels 172 of the flow cell(s) 108 do not receive the sample of interest in other implementations. The channels 172 of the flow cell(s) 108 that may not receive the sample of interest may receive a wash buffer instead.

[00201 ] The drive assembly 136 interfaces with the sipper manifold assembly 164 and the pump manifold assembly 168 to flow one or more reagents that interact with the sample within the corresponding flow cell 108. In an implementation, a reversible terminator is attached to the reagent to allow a single nucleotide to be incorporated onto a growing DNA strand. One or more of the nucleotides has a unique fluorescent label that emits a color when excited in some such implementations. The color (or absence thereof) is used to detect the corresponding nucleotide. The imaging system 132 excites one or more of the identifiable labels (e.g., a fluorescent label) in the implementation shown and thereafter obtains 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 132 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). Other types of imaging systems and/or optical instruments may be used, however. The imaging system 132 may be or may be associated with a scanning electron microscope, a transmission electron microscope, an imaging flow cytometer, high- resolution optical microscopy, confocal microscopy, epifluorescence microscopy, two photon microscopy, differential interference contrast microscopy, etc. in certain implementations.

[00202] After the image data is obtained, the drive assembly 136 interfaces with the sipper manifold assembly 164 and the pump manifold assembly 168 to flow another reaction component (e.g., a reagent) through the flow cell 108 that is thereafter received by the waste reservoir 178 via a primary waste fluidic line 180 and/or otherwise exhausted by the system 100. Some reaction components perform a flushing operation that chemically cleaves the fluorescent label and the reversible terminator from the sstDNA. The sstDNA is then ready for another cycle.

[00203] The primary waste fluidic line 180 is coupled between the pump manifold assembly 168 and the waste reservoir 178. The pump manifold assembly 168 selectively flows the reaction components from the flow cell assembly 106, through the fluidic line 176 and the sample loading manifold assembly 166 to the primary waste fluidic line 180 in some implementations. [00204] The flow cell assembly 106 is coupled to a central valve 182 via the flow cell interface 102. An auxiliary waste fluidic line 186 is coupled to the central valve 182 and to the waste reservoir 178. The auxiliary waste fluidic line 186 receives excess fluid of a sample of interest from the flow cell assembly 106 in some implementations, via the central valve 182, and flows the excess fluid of the sample of interest to the waste reservoir 178 when back loading the sample of interest into the flow cell 108, as described herein. That is, the sample of interest may be loaded from the rear of the flow cell 108 and any excess fluid for the sample of interest may exit from the front of the flow cell 108. By back loading samples of interest into the flow cell 108, different samples can be separately loaded to corresponding channels 172 of the corresponding flow cell 108 and the flow cell 108 can be coupled to the central valve 182 to direct excess fluid of each sample of interest to the auxiliary waste fluidic line 186. Common reagents can be delivered from the front of the flow cell 108 (e.g., upstream) for each channel 172 of the flow cell 108 that exit from the rear of the flow cell 108 (e.g., downstream) once the samples of interest are loaded into the flow cell 108. Put another way, the sample of interest and the reagents may flow in opposite directions through the channels 172 of the flow cell 108.

[00205] The sipper manifold assembly 164 may be coupled to a corresponding number of reagents reservoirs 188 via reagent sippers 192. The reagent reservoirs 188 may contain fluid (e.g., reagent and/or another reaction component). The sipper manifold assembly 164 includes a plurality of ports in some implementations. Each port of the sipper manifold assembly 164 may receive one of the reagent sippers 192. The reagent sippers 192 may be referred to as fluidic lines. While the system 100 includes the sipper manifold assembly 164, the system 100 may alternatively receive a reagent cartridge and, thus, the sipper manifold assembly 164 may be modified to omit the reagent sippers 192 and/or to include an alternative fluidic interface, for example, or the sipper manifold assembly 164 may be omitted.

[00206] The sipper manifold assembly 164 is coupled to the central valve 182 via a shared reagent fluidic line 193. Different reagents may flow through the shared reagent fluidic line 193 at different times. In an implementation, the pump manifold assembly 168 may draw wash buffer through the shared reagent fluidic line 193, the central valve 182, and the corresponding flow cell assembly 106 when performing a flushing operation before changing between one reagent and another. The shared reagent fluidic line 193 may, thus, be involved in the flushing operation. While one shared reagent fluidic line 193 is shown, any number of shared fluidic lines may be included in the system 100.

[00207] Dedicated reagent fluidic lines 194 are coupled between the sipper manifold assembly 164 and the reagent selector valve assembly 131 . Each of the dedicated reagent fluidic lines 194 may be associated with a single reagent. The fluids that flow through the dedicated reagent fluidic lines 194 may be used during sequencing operations and may include a cleave reagent, an incorporation reagent, a scan reagent, a cleave wash, and/or a wash buffer. Because only a single reagent may flow through each of the dedicated reagent fluidic lines 194, the dedicated reagent fluidic lines 194 themselves may not be flushed when performing a flushing operation before changing between one reagent and another. The approach of including dedicated reagent fluidic lines 194 may be helpful when the system 100 uses reagents that may have adverse reactions with other reagents. Reducing a number of fluidic lines or a length of the fluidic lines that are flushed when changing between different reagents moreover reduces reagent consumption and flush volume and may decrease cycle times of the system 100. While two dedicated reagent fluidic lines 194 are shown, any number of dedicated fluidic lines may be included in the system 100.

[00208] The sipper manifold assembly 164 is also coupled to the pump manifold assembly 168 via a bypass fluidic line 196. One or more reagent priming operations, hydration operations, mixing operations, and/or transfer operations may be performed using the bypass fluidic line 196. The priming operations, the hydration operations, the mixing operations, and/or the transfer operations may be performed independent of the flow cell assembly 106. The operations using the bypass fluidic line 196 may thus occur during incubation of one or more samples of interest within the flow cell assembly 106.

[00209] Referring now to the drive assembly 136, in the implementation shown, the drive assembly 136 includes a pump drive assembly 204 and a valve drive assembly 206. The pump drive assembly 204 may be adapted to interface with the one or more pumps of the system 100 to pump fluid through the flow cell 108 and/or to load one or more samples of interest into the flow cell 108. The valve drive assembly 206 may be adapted to interface with one or more of the valves 129, 130 to control the position of the corresponding valves 129, 130.

[00210] Referring to the controller 138, in the implementation shown, the controller 138 includes a user interface 208, a communication interface 210, one or more processors 212, and a memory 214 storing instructions executable by the one or more processors 212 to perform various functions including the disclosed implementations. The user interface 208, the communication interface 133, and the memory 214 are electrically and/or communicatively coupled to the one or more processors 212.

[00211] In an implementation, the user interface 208 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 208 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).

[00212] In an implementation, the communication interface 210 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.

[00213] The one or more processors 212 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 212 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.

[00214] The memory 214 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 readonly 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).

[00215] FIG. 2 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 300 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 300 of FIG. 2 includes the flow cell support 104 having the flow path 114, the pump 122, the fluid reservoir 116 labeled as a “cold fluid reservoir,” and the second fluid reservoir 144 labeled as a “hot fluid reservoir.” The fluid reservoir 116 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the flow cell support 104 by a first fluidic line 302 and the second fluid reservoir 144 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the flow cell support 104 by a second fluidic line 304. The first valve 129 controls the flow of fluid through the first fluidic line 302 and the second valve 130 controls the flow of fluid through the second fluidic line 304.

[00216] A first check valve 306 is positioned between the first valve 129 and the inlet 110 of the flow path 114 and a second check valve 308 is positioned between the second valve 130 and the inlet 110 of the flow path 114. The check valves 306, 308 may prevent or inhibit the fluid 120, 146 from back flowing within the fluidic lines 302, 304 to the corresponding fluid reservoirs 116, 144 and/or prevent or inhibit the flow of the fluids 120, 146 between the fluid reservoirs 116, 144. The system 300 may be closed to atmosphere and the fluid returning to the second fluid reservoir 144 is proportional to the flow from the fluid reservoirs 116, 144 as such. A return fluidic line 309 is shown fluidly coupled to the second fluid reservoir 144 and is used to return the fluid 120 and/or 146 to the second fluid reservoir 144 after the fluid 120 and/or 146 flows through the flow cell support 104. The return fluidic line 309 may alternatively be fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir 116 and/or fluidly coupled to both of the fluid reservoirs 116, 144. The pump 122 is shown positioned downstream of the flow cell support 104. The pump 122 may alternatively be positioned upstream of the flow cell support 104.

[00217] The controller 138 of the system 300 includes a heater controller 310 and a chiller controller 312. A first feedback loop 314 is provided in the implementation shown between the chiller controller 312 and a second feedback loop 316 is provided in the implementation shown between the heater controller 310 and the corresponding sensor 128. The corresponding sensor 128 and the chiller controller 312 may control the chiller 142 based on the feedback received to allow the temperature of the fluid 120 within the fluid reservoir 116 to be within a threshold of a first reference fluid temperature value and the heater controller 310 may control the heater 140 based on the feedback received to allow the temperature of the fluid 146 within the second fluid reservoir 144 to be within a threshold of a second reference fluid temperature value. A feedback loop may also be provided between the controller 138 and the sensor 126. The controller 138 may control the valves 129, 130 based on the feedback received to allow the flow cell support 104 to be within a threshold of a first reference fluid temperature value and/or within a threshold of a second reference temperature value. The first valve 129 may be a slave device that is actuated based on the controller 138 controlling the second valve 130 in some such implementations.

[00218] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a flow cell support 400 that can be used to implement the flow cell support 104 of FIG. 1 . The flow cell support 400 has a first end 402 and a second end 404. The inlet 110 of the flow path 114 is positioned at the first end 402 and the outlet 112 of the flow path 114 is positioned at the second end 404. The fluid 120 and/or 146 flows through the flow path 114 in a direction generally indicated by arrow 406.

[00219] The insulator 160 is shown positioned between a top portion 408 of the flow cell support 104 and the frame 162. The insulator 160 deters heat transfer between the top portion 408 of the flow cell support 104 on which the flow cell assembly 106 rests and the frame 162. The top portion 408 may have a thickness of between about 1 millimeters and about 4 mm, between about 3 mm and about 4 mm, and/or about 1 mm and about 7mm. The top portion 408 may have another thickness, however. The thickness of the top portion 408 may reduce the thermal capacitance of the flow cell support 104 and enable faster ramp times between the first temperature value and the second temperature value, for example. Other portions of the flow cell support 104 may have a thickness of between about 1 mm and about 4 mm, between about 3 mm and about 4 mm, and/or about 1 mm and about 7mm.

[00220] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a flow cell support 500 that can be used to implement the flow cell support 104 of FIG. 1 . The flow cell support 500 has a first end 502, a second end 504, and a middle portion 506 and defines the flow path 114. The flow path 114 has the inlet 110, the outlet 112, and a second outlet 508. The inlet 110 is positioned between the outlet 112 and the second outlet 508. The inlet 110 being positioned toward or at the middle portion 506 of the flow cell support 500 allows a temperature of the top portion 408 of the flow cell support 500 to be more consistent and/or for a temperature of the fluid 120 and/or 146 to not substantially change as the fluid 120 and/or 146 flows between the inlet 110 and the outlets 112, 508. The flow cell support 500 is shown including the heater 152. The heater 152 may alternatively be omitted.

[00221] FIG. 5 is a schematic implementation of a portion of another system 550 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 550 of FIG. 5 is similar to the system 300 of FIG. 2. The system 550 of FIG. 5 includes a plurality of the flow cell supports 104 and a plurality of the valves 129, however. The heater 140, the second fluid reservoir 144, and the heater controller 310 are also omitted from the system 550 of FIG. 5. The pump 122 is positioned between the fluid reservoir 116 and the flow cell supports 104 in the implementation shown. The pump 122 may alternatively be positioned downstream of the flow cell supports 104.

[00222] Each of the flow cell supports 104 of the system 550 also carries a heater 152 in the implementation shown. The controller 138 may cause the pump 122 to stop pumping the fluid 120 from the fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 of the flow path 114 in operation and/or close the corresponding valve 129 and cause the heater 140 to heat the fluid 120 within the flow path 114 of the corresponding flow cell support 104 and for the flow cell support 104 to satisfy the second reference temperature value. The heaters 152 thus allow the actual temperature of the flow cell support 104 to achieve the second reference temperature in some implementations.

[00223] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart for a process 600 of controlling a temperature of the flow cell support 104, 400, 500, 717, 718, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2502 of FIGS. 1 - 5 and 6 - 25. Blocks surrounded by solid lines may be included in an example process 600 while the blocks surrounded in dashed lines may be optional in the example process. 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 regardless of the way the border of the blocks is presented.

[00224] The process 600 of FIG. 6 begins with the temperature of the fluid 120 within the fluid reservoir 116 being controlled using the temperature control device 124 (Block 602). The temperature control device 124 may include the heater 140 and/or the chiller 142. The fluid 120 may be heated within the fluidic line 118 that fluidly couples the fluid reservoir 116 and the flow path 114 with the heater 156 (Block 604). The fluid 120 is flowed into the inlet 110 of the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104 from the fluid reservoir 116 (Block 606). An actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 is allowed to satisfy a reference temperature value using the fluid (Block 608).

[00225] The fluid 120 within the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104 is heated using the heater 152 (Block 610). An actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 is allowed to satisfy a second reference temperature value based on the heating (Block 611 ). The fluid 120 entering the flow cell support 104 from the fluid reservoir 116 may be at a first temperature value and the fluid 120 may be at a second temperature value after the heater 152 heats the fluid 120 within the flow cell support 104. The fluid 120 may be flowed into the inlet 110 of the flow path 114 using the pump 122 and the controller 138 may cause the pump 122 to stop pumping the fluid 120 from the fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 of the flow path 114 when the fluid 120 within the flow path 114 is heated using the heater 140.

[00226] A fluid 146 is flowed into the inlet of the flow path of the flow cell support 104 from the second fluid reservoir (Block 612). The fluid 120 may be flowed into the inlet 110 of the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104 from the fluid reservoir 116 by controlling the flow of the fluid 120 from the fluid reservoir 116 to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 using the first valve 129. The fluid 146 may be flowed into the inlet 110 of the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104 from the second fluid reservoir 144 by controlling the flow of the fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 using the second valve 130.

[00227] The actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 is allowed to satisfy a third reference temperature value using the fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 (Block 614). The reference temperature value may be about 30°C and the second reference temperature value and/or the third reference temperature value may be about 60°C. The second reference temperature value and the third reference temperature value may the same or different. The fluids 120, 146 may be flowed into the flow path 114 at the same time to allow the flow cell support 104 to achieve a temperature value achieved by mixing the fluids 120, 146. The fluids 120, 146 may additionally or alternatively be flowed into the flow path 114 at different times to allow the flow cell support 104 associated with a first temperature value (e.g., 30°C) during a first operation associated with a temperature value (28°C) of the fluid 120 and to achieve a temperature value (60°C) during a second operation associated with a temperature value (e.g., 62°C) of the fluid 146.

[00228] FIG. 7 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 700 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 700 of FIG. 7 includes a plurality of the flow cell supports 104 each having the inlet 110, the outlet 112, and the flow path 114 fluidly coupling the inlet 110 and the outlet 112. The system 700 may include a different number of flow cell supports 104 including one flow cell support 104 in another implementation.

[00229] The system 700 also includes the first fluid reservoir 116, a first pump 702, the second fluid reservoir 144, the temperature control device 124, a second pump 704, and the controller 138. The first fluid reservoir 116 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the flow cell support 104 and contains the first fluid 120 and the first pump 702 is fluidly coupled to the first fluid reservoir 116 and the flow path 114. The second fluid reservoir 144 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the flow cell support 104 and contains the second fluid 146 and the second pump 704 is fluidly coupled to the second fluid reservoir 144 and the flow path 114.

[00230] The temperature control device 124 controls a temperature of the first fluid 120 within the first fluid reservoir 116 and a temperature of the second fluid 146 within the second fluid reservoir 144. The temperature control device 124 includes the heater 140 and the chiller 142 in the implementation shown. The second fluid reservoir 144, the second pump 704, and the heater 140 may alternatively be omitted.

[00231 ] The controller 138 causes the first pump 702 to pump the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid 120 during first operations, for example, and the controller 138 causes the second pump 704 to pump the fluid from the second fluid reservoir 144 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid 146 during second operations, for example. The first pump 702 may pump the first fluid 120 to one or more of the flow cell supports 104 and/or the second pump may pump the second fluid 146 to one or more of the flow cell supports 104.

[00232] The controller 138 may cause the second pump 704 to pump the second fluid 146 at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 being within a threshold of the second reference temperature value and may cause the second pump 704 to pump the second fluid 145 at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 is within the threshold of the second reference temperature value. The controller 138 may determine that the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 is within the threshold of the reference temperature value after a threshold time period has lapsed or based on the actual temperature value determined by the sensor 126. [00233] The fluid reservoir 116 is fluidly coupled to each of the inlets 110 of the flow cell supports 104 by the first fluidic line 302 and the second fluid reservoir 144 is fluidly coupled to each of the inlets 110 of the flow cell support 104 by the second fluidic line 304. The first valves 129 control the flow of the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 to the corresponding inlets 110 and the flow paths 114 and the second valves 130 control the flow of the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to the corresponding inlets 110 and the flow paths 114. The first valves 129 and the second valves 130 are first and second proportional valves 706, 708 in the implementation shown. The proportional valves 706, 708 may be independently actuated for each of the flow cell supports 104. Each of the flow cell supports 104 having corresponding proportional valves 706, 708 allows a temperature of the flow cell supports 104 to be independently controlled. A first one of the flow cell supports 104 may be at a first reference temperature, a second one of the flow cells supports 104 may be at a second reference temperature, and a third one of the flow cell supports 104 may be imaged as an example.

[00234] The first proportional valve 706 regulates a flow rate of the first fluid 120 flowing into the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104 and each of the second proportional valves 708 regulates a flow rate of the second fluid 146 into the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104. The first and second proportional valves 706, 708 may be actuated to allow the first fluid 120 to flow into the flow path 104 at a first flow rate and the second fluid 146 to flow into the flow path 104 at a second flow rate. The proportional valves 706, 708 regulating the flow rates of the fluids 120, 146 into the flow paths 104 allows the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 to achieve different reference temperature values.

[00235] The first pump 702 is positioned between the first fluid reservoir 116 and the first valve 129 and the second pump 704 is positioned between the second fluid reservoir 144 and the second valve 130 in the implementation shown. The pumps 702, 704 may alternatively be in a different position such as downstream of the valves 129 (see, FIG. 8, for example).

[00236] The system also includes a first return fluidic line 710 fluidly coupled between the flow path 114 and the first fluid reservoir 116 and a second return fluidic line 712 fluidly coupled between the flow path 114 and the second fluid reservoir 144. A valve 714 is coupled between the flow path 114 of each of the flow cell supports 104 and the first return fluidic line 710 and the second return fluidic line 712. The valve 714 is shown as a three-way valve 716. Other valves may be used, however. The controller 138 may actuate the valve 714 to fluidly couple the flow cell support 104 to the first return fluidic line 710 to allow fluid to flow from the flow cell support 104 to the first fluid reservoir 116 or the controller 138 may actuate the valve 714 to couple the flow cell support 104 to the second return fluidic line 712 to allow fluid to flow from the flow cell support 104 to the second fluid reservoir 144. The first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 may be flowed to the first return fluidic line 710 to allow the first fluid 120 to return to the first fluid reservoir 116 and the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 may be flowed to the second return fluidic line 712 to allow the second fluid 146 to return to the second fluid reservoir 144.

[00237] The system 700 includes a plurality of the flow cell supports 104 as mentioned above. One of these flow cell supports 104 may be referred to as a first flow cell support 717 and another one of these flow cell supports 104 may be referred to as a second flow cell support 718. The second flow cell support 718 has the inlet 110, the outlet 112, and the flow path 114 that fluidly couples the inlet 110 and the outlet 112. The first fluid reservoir 116 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the second flow cell support 718 and the second fluid reservoir 144 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the second flow cell support 718. The first pump 702 is fluidly coupled to the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 718 and the second pump 704 is fluidly coupled to the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 718. [00238] The first fluidic line 302 fluidly couples the first fluid reservoir 116 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 717 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 718 in the implementation shown. The second fluidic line 304 fluidly couples the second fluid reservoir 144 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 717 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 718.

[00239] The first return fluidic line 710 is fluidly coupled between the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 717 and the first fluid reservoir 116 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 718 and the first fluid reservoir 116. The second return fluidic line 712 is fluidly coupled between the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 717 and the second fluid reservoir 144 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 718 and the second fluid reservoir 144.

[00240] The valve 129 of the first flow cell support 717 controls the flow of the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 to the first flow cell support 717 and the valve 129 of the second flow cell support 718 controls the flow of the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 to the second flow cell support 718. The valve 130 of the first flow cell support

717 controls the flow of the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to the first flow cell support 717 and the valve 130 of the second flow cell support 718 controls the flow of the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to the second flow cell support 718. The pumps 702, 704 are positioned between the first fluid reservoir 116 and the second fluid reservoir 144 and the first valves 129 and the second valves 130.

[00241 ] The controller 138 causes the first pump 702 to pump the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 718 in operation to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support

718 to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid 120 during some operations and causes the second pump 704 to pump the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 718 in other operations to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support 718 to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid 146. The controller 138 can cause the first pump 702 to pump the first fluid 120 to the flow path 104 of the flow cell support 104 and/or 718 at a first flow rate and can cause the second pump 704 to pump the second fluid 146 to the flow path 104 of the flow cell support 104 and/or 718 at a second flow rate. The controller 138 can independently control the valves 129, 130 for the corresponding flow cell supports 104, 718 such that one or more of the flow cell supports 104, 718 is at the first reference temperature and one and/or more of the flow cell supports 104, 718 is at the second reference temperature.

[00242] FIG. 8 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 800 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 800 of FIG. 8 is similar to the system 700 of FIG. 7. The first pump 702 is positioned downstream of the flow cell support 104, and the second pump 704 is positioned downstream of the flow cell support 104 however. The pumps 702, 704 may be in a different location than shown, however. [00243] FIG. 9 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 900 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 900 of FIG. 9 is similar to the system 700 of FIG. 7. Each of the flow cell supports 104 has a corresponding pair of the pumps 702, 704, however, and the valves 129, 130 are omitted. One of the first pumps 702 may be referred to as a third pump 902 and one of the second pumps 704 may be referred to as a fourth pump 904. The third pump 902 is fluidly coupled to the first fluid reservoir 116 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 718 and the fourth pump 904 is fluidly coupled to the second fluid reservoir 144 and the flow path 114 of the second flow path support 718.

[00244] The controller 138 can independently control the pumps 702, 704, 902, 904 for the corresponding flow cell supports 104, 718 such that one or more of the flow cell supports 104, 718 can be at the first reference temperature and one or more of the flow cell supports 104, 718 can be at the second reference temperature value or another reference temperature value different from the first and second reference temperature values. The controller 138 can also cause the different first pumps 702 to pump the first fluid 120 to the flow path 114 of the corresponding flow cell support 104 and/or 718 at a first flow rate and can cause the second pump 704 to pump the second fluid 146 to the flow path 114 of the corresponding flow cell support 104 at a second flow rate. The first and/or second flow rates may be any flow rate including zero. The fluid 120 and/or 146 may be pumped into one or more of the flow paths 114 of the flow cell supports 104 while the fluid 120 and/or 146 is not be pumped into one or more of the other flow paths 114 of the flow cell supports 104. The pumps 702, 704 thus allow the temperature of each of the flow cell supports 104 to be controlled independently.

[00245] FIG. 10 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 1000 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 1000 of FIG. 10 is similar to the system 800 of FIG. 8. The system 1000 of FIG. 10 replaces the first and second valves 129, 130 with a valve 1002 that controls the flow of the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 and controls the flow of the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114. The valve 1002 is a three-way valve 1004 in the implementation shown. One of the first fluid 120 or the second fluid 146 can flow into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 at a time.

[00246] FIG. 11 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 1100 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 1100 of FIG. 11 is similar to the system 1000 of FIG. 10. The system 1100 of FIG. 11 includes the pumps 122 positioned between each of the flow cell support 104 and the corresponding three-way valve 716. The controller 138 can independently cause the pumps 122 to pump the fluid 120 and/or 146 through the corresponding flow path 114.

[00247] FIG. 12 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 1200 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 1200 of FIG. 12 is similar to the system 1100 of FIG. 11 . The system 1200 of FIG. 12 includes a flow cell support 104 having a plurality of the inlets 110, a plurality of the outlets 112, and a plurality of the flow paths 114 that fluidly couple the corresponding inlets 110 and outlets 112. One of the inlets 110 may be referred to as a second inlet 1202, one of the outlets 112 may be referred to as a second outlet 1204, and one of the flow paths 114 may be referred to as a second flow path 1206. The flow cell support 104 of FIG. 12 also includes a first area 1208, a second area 1210, a third area 1212, and a fourth area 1214.

[00248] Each of the flow paths 114 extends through a corresponding one of the areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214. One of the flow paths 114 thus extends through the first area 1208 and the second flow path 1206 extends through the second area 1210 as an example. The controller 138 can independently cause the pumps 122 to pump the fluid 120 and/or 146 through the corresponding flow paths 114, 1206 in operation. The temperature of the areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214 can thus be independently controllable.

[00249] The flow paths 114 are shown being substantially parallel to one another and the areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214 may be substantially thermally insulated from one another. The first area 1208 may thus be thermally insulated from the second area 1210 as an example. The phrase “substantially parallel” means between about 5° of parallel including parallel itself and/or accounts for manufacturing tolerances. The phrase “substantially thermally isolated” means that the temperature of one of the areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214 can satisfy a first reference temperature and a temperature of another one of the areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214 can satisfy a second reference temperature. The flow cell support 104 defines air gaps 1216 between the areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214 in the implementation shown. The air gaps 1216 thermally isolate the areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214 from one another. The areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214 may be thermally insolated in different ways, however. An insulator such as a plastic insert or epoxy may be positioned between adjacent areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214 and provide thermal isolation of the areas 1208, 1210, 1212, 1214 as an example.

[00250] FIG. 13 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 1300 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 1300 of FIG. 13 is similar to the system 1100 of FIG. 11 . The system 1300 of FIG. 13 includes fluidic lines 1302 that fluidly couples the first and second fluid reservoirs 116, 144 and the corresponding flow paths 114 and the heater 156 is coupled to the fluidic line 1302. The heater 156 may be an in-line heater and/or an induction heater. The controller 138 causes the heater 156 to heat the fluid 120 and/or 146 within the fluidic line 1302 in operation.

[00251] FIG. 14 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 1400 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 1400 of FIG. 14 is similar to the system 1000 of FIG. 10. The system 1300 of FIG. 13 includes the fluidic lines 1302 that fluidly couple the first and second fluid reservoirs 116, 144 and the corresponding flow paths 114 and the heaters 156 that are coupled to the corresponding fluidic lines 1302. [00252] FIG. 15 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 1500 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 1500 of FIG. 15 is similar to the system 1100 of FIG. 11 . The valves 714, 1002 and the second fluid reservoir 144 and corresponding components are omitted in the system 1500 of FIG. 15, however. The system 1500 of FIG. 15 also includes the fluidic lines 1302 that fluidly couple the first and second fluid reservoirs 116, 144 and the corresponding flow paths 114 and the heaters 156 that are coupled to the corresponding fluidic lines 1302. The system 1500 thus uses the heaters 156 to heat the fluid 120 to allow the actual temperature of the flow cell support 104 to satisfy the second reference temperature and does not additionally or alternatively use the fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144.

[00253] FIG. 16 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 1600 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 1600 of FIG. 16 is similar to the system 1000 of FIG. 10. The valves 714, 1002 and the second fluid reservoir 144 and corresponding components are omitted in the system 1600 of FIG. 16, however. The system 1600 of FIG. 16 also includes the heaters 152 that are carried by the flow cell supports 104 and that heat the fluid 120 within the corresponding flow paths 114. The heaters 152 may be the resistive heaters 154 and positioned within the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 104. One or more of the heater 152 may alternatively be positioned outside of the flow path 114 but in a position that allows the heater 152 to heat the fluid 120 and/or 146 within the flow path 114.

[00254] FIG. 17 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 1700 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 1700 of FIG. 17 is similar to the system 1600 of FIG. 16. The pump 122 is positioned downstream of the flow cell supports 104, however.

[00255] FIG. 18 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 1800 that can be used to implement a portion of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 1800 of FIG. 18 is similar to the system 900 of FIG. 9. The valves 714, 1002 and the second fluid reservoir 144 and corresponding components are omitted in the system 1600 of FIG. 15, however. The system 1800 of FIG. 18 also includes the heaters 152 that are carried by the flow cell supports 104 and that heat the fluid 120 within the corresponding flow paths 114. Each of the flow cell supports 104 has a corresponding pump 122 in the implementation shown. One of the pumps 122 may be referred to as a first pump 1802 and another one of the pumps 122 may be referred to a second pump 1804. The first pump 1802 is fluidly coupled to the first flow cell support 717 and the second pump 1804 is fluidly coupled to second flow cell support 718. The first and second pumps 1802, 1804 thus independently control the flow of the fluid 120 into the flow paths 114 of the corresponding flow cell supports 717, 718. [00256] FIG. 19 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support 1900 that can be used to the implement the flow cell support 104 of FIG. 1. The flow cell support 1900 carries the heater 152 and is shown as an induction heater 1902 in the implementation shown. The induction heater 1902 includes a face coil 1906 and an absorber 1908. The absorber 1908 is a metal mesh 1910 that is positioned within the flow path 114 in the implementation shown. The metal mesh 1910 increases the surface area that the fluid 120, 146 within the flow path 114 is exposed to, for example.

[00257] A frequency current is flowed through the face coil 1906 in operation that induces a current in the metal mesh 1910 that generates heat in the metal mesh 1910. The metal mesh 1910 that is exposed to or proximate to the first fluid 120 heats the fluid 120. The metal mesh 1910 may alternatively be implemented by a metal plate. The metal plate may be used to directly heat the flow cell support 104 as opposed to controlling the temperature of the flow cell support 104 by heating the fluid 120 within the flow cell support 104, for example. The metal plate may also be used to heat the fluid 120 within the flow cell support 104, however.

[00258] FIG. 20 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support 2000 that can be used to implement the flow cell support 104 of FIG. 1 . The flow cell support 2000 is similar to the flow cell support 1900 of FIG. 19 in that the flow cell support 2000 carries the induction heater 1902. The flow cell support 2000 of FIG. 20 includes an inlet port 2002 including metal 2003 and the induction heater 1902 of FIG. 20 includes the inlet port 2002 and a coil 2004 surrounding the inlet port 2002.

[00259] A frequency current is flowed through the coil 2004 in operation that induces a current in the inlet port 2002 including the metal 2003 that generates heat in the inlet port 2002 that may heat the flow cell support 104 and/or may heat the fluid 120, 146 as the fluid 120 flowing into and/or within the flow cell support 104.

[00260] FIG. 21 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support 2100 that can be used to implement the flow cell support 104 of FIG. 1 . The flow cell support 2100 is similar to the flow cell support 2000 of FIG. 20. The fluidic line 1302 is shown fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir 116 and the flow path 114 and the induction heater 1902 is coupled to the fluidic line 1302, however. The induction heater 1902 of FIG. 21 is thus spaced from the flow cell support 2100 in FIG. 21. The induction heater 1902 includes a metallic portion 2102 and the coil 2004 surrounds the metallic portion 2102 in the implementation shown. The metallic portion 2102 is shown as a collar 2104 that surrounds the fluidic line 1302.

[00261] FIG. 22 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support 2200 that can be used to implement the flow cell support 104 of FIG. 1 . The flow cell support 2200 is similar to the flow cell support 2000 of FIG. 20 in that the flow cell support 2200 carries the induction heater 1902. The induction heater 1902 of FIG. 22 includes thermally conductive posts 2202 carried by the flow cell support 104 and the coils 2004 surround the corresponding thermally conductive post 2202. The flow cell support 2200 can carry any number of the thermally conductive posts 2202 including one thermally conductive post 2202. The conductive posts 2202 can be press-fit into the flow cell support 2200 and/or carried by the flow cell support 2200 in other ways.

[00262] A frequency current is flowed through the coils 2004 in operation that induces a current in the thermally conductive posts 2202 that generates heat in the thermally conductive posts 2202. The thermally conductive posts 2202 that are exposed to or proximate to the first fluid 120 heats the fluid 120. The thermally conductive posts 2202 may additionally or alternatively be used to directly heat the flow cell support 104 as opposed to controlling the temperature of the flow cell support 104 by heating the fluid 120, 146 within the flow cell support 104, for example. The induction heater 1902 can thus be used to heat the flow cell support 104 and/or to heat the fluid 120, 146.

[00263] FIG. 23 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support 2300 and a heater 2302 that can be used to implement the flow cell support 2300 of FIG. 1 and the heater 156 of FIG. 1 . The flow cell support 2300 includes a window 2304 and the heater 2302 includes light sources 2306, 2308, 2310, positioned to direct light through the window 2304 and into the flow path 114. The window 2304 may be a transparent window that is bonded or otherwise carried by the flow cell support 2300. A different number of light sources 2306, 2308, 2310 may be included than shown, however. The light sources 2306, 2308, 2310 may be infrared laser diodes 2311. In implementations, the light sources 2306, 2308, 2310 may include one or more light emitting diodes, black body radiation sources, lasers (e.g., gas lasers, solid state lasers, etc.), or another source of radiation. The light sources 2306, 2308, 2310 may emit infrared light, ultraviolet light, visible light, near infrared light, or radiation having another wavelength to heat the fluid. The controller 138 may cause the light sources 2306, 2308, 2310 to operate at different powers to allow a temperature of the fluid 120, 146 within the flow path 114 to be substantially homogeneous and/or for a temperature of the flow cell support 2300 to be substantially homogenous. The controller 138 may also cause the light sources 2306, 2308, 2310 to operate at a wavelength(s) that effectively absorbs in the fluid 120, 146 and/or in water, for example.

[00264] The heater 2302 includes light pipes 2312 in the implementation shown that are coupled to the corresponding light sources 2306, 2308, 2310. The light pipes 2312 are shown spaced from the flow cell support 2300. The light pipes 2312 may be coupled to the flow cell support 2300 in other implementations such as to the window 2304. The light pipes 2312 are pyramidal light pipes 2314 in the implementation shown. Different types of light pipes 2312 may be used or the light pipes 2312 may be omitted, however. [00265] The light sources 2306, 2308, 2310 generate light and direct the light through the light pipes 2312 and through the window 2304 and into the flow path 114 to heat the fluid 120, 146 within the flow path 114 and/or heat the flow cell 108 carried by the flow cell support 2300.

[00266] FIG. 24 is a schematic implementation of a flow cell support 2400 and a heater 2402 that can be used to implement the flow cell support 2300 of FIG. 1 and the heater 156 of FIG. 1 . The flow cell support 2400 has an optical layer 2404 and a diffusion layer 2406 in the implementation shown and the heater 2402 includes the light sources 2306, 2308. The optical layer 2404 may be a waveguide 2407. In implementations, the optical layer 2404 may be a side emitting optical waveguide such as side emitting optical fiber.

[00267] The light sources 2306, 2308 are positioned to direct light into the optical layer 2404 and the optical layer 2404 guides the light along the flow cell support 2400. The diffusion layer 2406 is disposed adjacent to the optical layer 2404 with the diffusion layer 2406 being a material, having a roughness, or other physical feature to diffuse the light from the optical layer 2404 toward the flow path 114 of the flow cell support 2400 to heat at least the flow cell support 2400. The optical layer 2404 and the diffusion layer 2406 may additionally and/or alternatively direct the light toward the flow cell 108 carried by the flow cell support 2400 to heat the flow cell 108 carried by the flow cell support 2400 and/or into the flow path 114 to heat the fluid 120, 146 within the flow path 114, for example. The light directed into the optical layer 2404 and the diffusion layer 2406 undergoes total internal reflection that substantially uniformly controls a temperature of the flow cell support 2400, the flow cell 108, and/or the fluid 120, 146 within the flow path 114. The light may thus provide a substantially homogenous infrared radiation pattern on a surface such as a surface of the flow cell 108 that enables substantially uniform temperature control of the flow cell 108, for example. Additionally, the diffusion layer 2406 may diffuse light at a gradient along the flow cell support 2400 to provide substantially even light to the flow path 114, flow cell 108, and/or flow cell support 2400 to substantially uniformly control the temperature of the flow path 114.

[00268] FIG. 25 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 2500 that can be used to implement the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 2500 includes a flow cell support 2502, the heater 2302, a non-contact sensor 2504, and the controller 138 in the implementation shown. The flow cell support 2502 has a plurality of posts 2506 to support the flow cell 108 and the heater 2302 is spaced from the flow cell 108 and positioned to heat the flow cell 108. The posts 2506 supporting the flow cell 108 enables the flow cell 108 to hang relatively free and/or not be held in place by a vacuum chuck, for example. The flow cell 108 may remain relatively flat by being supported by the posts 2506 and enabling the imaging system 132 to keep the flow cell 108 in focus more easily, for example. The heater 2302 includes the light pipe 2312 and light sources 2306, 2308 are coupled to the corresponding light pipe 2312. The light sources 2306, 2310 provide light to the light pipes 2308, 2312 and the light propagates through the light pipes 2308, 2312 to the flow cell 108 to heat the flow cell 108. The light pipes 2312 are shown as pyrimidal light pipes 2308. [00269] The controller 138 commands the heater 2302 to heat the flow cell 108 in operation and to achieve a temperature value and causes the non-contact sensor 2504 to measure a first actual temperature value of the flow cell 108. The controller 138 uses the first actual temperature to control the heater 2302 to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell 108 to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value. A feedback loop is thus provided between the controller 138 and the non-contact sensor 2504 in some implementations and the controller 138 uses the feedback received to control the light sources 2306, 2308 to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support 104 to be within a threshold of the reference temperature value.

[00270] FIG. 26 is a schematic implementation of a portion of a system 2600 that can be used to implement the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The system 2600 is similar to the system 2500 of FIG. 25. The system 2600 of FIG. 26 includes an additional light source 2601 , a cold mirror 2602, and an excitation source 2604 for generating a sampling beam 2606 directed toward the cold mirror 2602. The cold mirror 2602 enables light and/or the infrared radiation generated by the light sources 2306, 2308, 2310, 2601 to pass through the cold mirror 2602 to heat the flow cell 108. The cold mirror 2602 is also positioned to redirect the sampling beam 2606 toward a surface 2608 of the flow cell 108. The surface 2608 is a backside 2610 of the flow cell 108. The cold mirror 2602 allows backside illumination of the flow cell 108. The cold mirror 2602 is positioned between the non-contact sensor 2504 and the flow cell support 2502 and is positioned at approximately 45° relative to the excitation source 2604 in the implementation shown. The cold mirror 2602 may be a dichroic mirror that transmits one band of wavelengths of light, and reflects another band of wavelengths of light.

[00271] The system 2600 also includes an actuator 2612 that is controllable to move the cold mirror 2602 relative to the excitation source 2604 during, for example, a scanning operation. The actuator 2612 moving the cold mirror 2602 relative to the excitation source 2604 changes where the sampling beam 2606 impacts and is redirected by the cold mirror 2602 onto the flow cell 108. For example, the actuator 2612 may move the cold mirror 2602 horizontally, or vertically, in the plane of the page to scan the sampling beam 2606 across the flow cell 108. The system 2600 may additionally or alternatively include an actuator 2614 controllable to move the excitation source 2604 relative to the cold mirror 2602. One of the actuators 2612, 2614 may be omitted, however. For example, the actuator 2614 may move the excitation source vertically in the plane of the page, to scan the sampling beam 2606 across the flow cell 108. The system 2600 also includes an imaging sensor 2616 and imaging optics 2618 for imaging an emission onto the imaging sensor 2616. The flow cell 108 carries a sample 2620 and the sampling beam 2606 is directed onto the sample 2620, causing the sample 2620 to generate the emission. The sampling beam 2606 causes the sample 2620 to emit light through fluorescence in some implementations. The emitted light may propagate to the imaging optics 2608 and is then detected by the imaging sensor 2606 as an example. The cold mirror 2602 and the excitation source 2604 are positioned on a first side 2622 of the flow cell support 2502 and the imaging sensor 2616 and the imaging optics 2618 are positioned on a second side 2624 of the flow cell support 2502. The flow cell 108 is thus illuminated by the sampling beam 2606 on the first side 2622 using the excitation source 2604 and the flow cell 108, and a sample 2620 therein, is imaged on the second side 2624 using the imaging sensor 2616 and the imaging optics 2618.

[00272] FIG. 27 is a schematic implementation of a system 2700 including a flow cell support 2702 and a heater 2704 that can be used to implement the flow cell support 104 and the heater 152 of the system 100 of FIG. 1 . The heater 2704 includes a heat pump 2706 having a reversing valve 2708, a metering device 2710, a coil 2712 including a first coil portion 2714 and a second coil portion 2716, and a compressor 2718. The heat pump 2706 contains a fluid 2720, the first coil portion 2714 and the second coil portion 2716 are shown coupled to the reversing valve 2708, and the metering device 2710 is shown positioned between the first coil portion 2714 and the second coil portion 2716. The flow cell support 2702 carries at least a portion 2722 of the coil 2712. The portion 2722 of the coil 2712 may be positioned to allow a temperature of the fluid 2720 within the portion 2722 of the coil 2712 to affect the temperature of the flow cell support 2702. The portion 2722 of the coil 2712 may extend through the flow cell support 2702 or the portion 2722 of the coil 2712 may be coupled to a surface such as a lower surface of the flow cell support 2702, for example.

[00273] The controller 138 causes the compressor 2718 to compress the fluid 2720 and causes the reversing valve 2708 to actuate in operation to cause the fluid 2720 to flow in a first direction and into the portion 2722 of the coil 2712 to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support 2702 to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid 2720. The controller 138 can alternatively cause the reversing valve 2708 to actuate and cause the fluid 2720 to flow in a second direction and into the portion 2722 of the coil 2712 to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support 2702 to satisfy a second reference temperature value. The metering device 2710 changes a pressure of the fluid 2720 as the fluid 2720 flows between the first coil portion 2714 and the second coil portion 2716. The fluid 2720 flowing through the system 2700 in the first direction may cause the fluid 2720 to be at a colder temperature and the fluid 2720 flowing through the system 2700 in the second direction may cause the fluid 2720 to be at a hotter temperature. [00274] FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate flowcharts for processes 2800 of controlling a temperature of the flow cell support 104, 400, 500, 717, 718, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2502 of FIGS. 1 - 5 and 6 - 25 or any of the other implementations disclosed herein and for processes 2900 for controlling a temperature of the flow cell 108 of FIGS. 1 , 25, and 26 or any of the implementations disclosed herein. Blocks surrounded by solid lines may be included in an example process 2800, 2900 while the blocks surrounded in dashed lines may be optional in the example process. 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 regardless of the way the border of the blocks is presented.

[00275] The process 2800 of FIG. 28 begins with a first fluid 120 flowing from a first fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 to allow an actual temperature value of the first flow cell support 104, 717 to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid 120 (Block 2802). The first flow cell support 104, 717 has the inlet 110, the outlet 112, and the flow path 114 fluidly coupling the inlet 110 and the outlet 112. A second fluid 146 is flowed from the second fluid reservoir 144 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 to allow an actual temperature value of the first flow cell support 104, 717 to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid 146 (Block 2804). The first fluid 120 is flowed from the first fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 in some implementations using the first pump 122, 702 and the second fluid 146 is flowed from the second fluid reservoir 144 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 using the second pump 122, 704. A single pump may alternatively be used to pump the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 and the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144.

[00276] The first fluid 120 is flowed from the first fluid reservoir 116 in some implementations by controlling a flow rate of the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 using the first valve 129 and the second fluid 146 is flowed from the second fluid reservoir 144 in some implementations by controlling a flow rate of the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 using the second valve 130. The first valve 129 includes the proportional valve 706 in such implementations and the second valve 130 includes the proportional valve 708. The first and second valves 129, 130 may thus be used to control the flow of the fluid 120, 146 into the flow cell support 104, 717.

[00277] The first fluid 120 can be flowed from the first fluid reservoir 116 in additional or alternative implementations by controlling a flow rate of the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 using the first pump 122, 702. The second fluid 146 can be flowed from the second fluid reservoir 144 by controlling a flow rate of the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 to the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 using the second pump 122, 704. The first and second pumps 122, 702, 704 may thus be used to control the flow of the fluid 120, 146 into the flow cell support 104, 717.

[00278] The first fluid 120 may be flowed from the first fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 in additional or alternative implementations by flowing the first fluid 120 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 using the pump 122. The second fluid 146 may be flowed from the second fluid reservoir 144 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 by flowing the second fluid 146 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 using the pump 122. The same pump 122 may thus be used to flow the fluid 120, 146 into the flow cell support 104, 717.

[00279] The first fluid 120 is returned to the first fluid reservoir 116 using the first return fluidic line 710 that is fluidly coupled between the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 and the first fluid reservoir 116 (Block 2806). The second fluid 146 is returned to the second fluid reservoir 144 using the second return fluidic line 712 fluidly coupled between the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 and the second fluid reservoir 144 (Block 2808). The first fluid 120 is returned to the first fluid reservoir 116 using the first return fluidic line 710 by actuating the valve 714 to a first position and the second fluid 146 is returned to the second fluid reservoir 144 using the second return fluidic line 712 by actuating the valve 714 to a second position. The valve 714 is coupled between the flow path 114 and the first return fluidic line 710 and the second return fluidic line 712.

[00280] The flow cell 108 carried by the second flow cell support 104, 718 is imaged while the actual temperature value of the first flow cell support 104, 717 satisfies the first reference temperature value (Block 2810). The second flow cell support 104, 718 has the inlet 110, the outlet 112, and the flow path 114 fluidly coupling the inlet 110 and the outlet 112. The first fluid reservoir 116 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the first flow cell support 104, 717, and the first fluid reservoir 116 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 110 of the second flow cell support 104, 718. The imaging of the flow cell 108 occurs in some implementations when the first fluid 120 is flowing into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 or when the second fluid 146 is flowing into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717. The temperature of the first flow cell support 104, 717 may thus be changed while the second flow cell support 104, 718 is being imaged. The imaging of the flow cell 108 may additionally or alternatively occur when the first fluid 120 and the second fluid 146 are not flowing through the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 718.

[00281 ] The first fluid 120 is flowed from the first fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 104, 718 to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support 104, 718 to satisfy the first reference temperature value using the first fluid 120 (Block 2812). The first fluid 120 is flowed from the first fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 in some implementations using the first pump 122, 702 and the first fluid 120 is flowed from the first fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 104, 718 using the second pump 122, 704.

[00282] The first fluid 120 is heated downstream of the first fluid reservoir 116 to allow the actual temperature value of the first flow cell support 104, 717 to satisfy a second reference temperature value (Block 2814). The first fluid 120 is heated by heating the first fluid 120 within the fluidic line 1302 that fluidly couples the first fluid reservoir 116 in some implementations and the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717. The first fluid 120 is heated within the fluidic line 1302 by heating the first fluid 120 within the fluidic line 1302 using at least one of an in-line heater 156, 158 or an inductive heater 1902 in some implementations. The first fluid 120 is heated within the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 in additional or alternative implementations. The first fluid 120 is heated within the flow path 114 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 by heating the first fluid 120 within the flow path 114 using at least one of the resistive heater 152, 154, the inductive heater 1902, and/or the light source(s) 2306, 2308, 2310, 2311 . The first fluid 120 may be heated downstream of the first fluid reservoir 116 by directing light through the window 2304 of the first flow cell support 104, 717 and into the flow path 114 as an example. The second fluid reservoir 144 may be omitted if the first fluid 120 is heated downstream of the first fluid reservoir 116.

[00283] The second flow cell support 104, 718 is heated to allow the actual temperature value of the second flow cell support 104, 718 to satisfy a second reference temperature value (Block 2816).The second flow cell support 104, 718 is heated in some implementations by flowing the second fluid 146 from the second fluid reservoir 144 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 104, 718 to allow the actual temperature value of the second flow cell support 104, 718 to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid 146. The second flow cell support 104, 718 may additionally or alternatively be heated by flowing the first fluid 120 from the first fluid reservoir 116 into the inlet 110 and the flow path 114 of the second flow cell support 104, 718 and heating the first fluid 120 downstream of the first fluid reservoir 116. The second flow cell support 104, 718 may be heated by directing light into an optical layer 2404 of the second flow cell support 104, 718 and redirecting the light into the second flow cell support 104, 718 using the diffusion layer 2406 of the second flow cell support 104, 718 to heat the second flow cell support 104, 718, for example. Fluid 120, 146 within the second flow support 104, 718 may additionally or alternatively be heated. The flow cell 108 carried by the first flow cell support 104, 717 is imaged (Block 2818).

[00284] The process 2900 of FIG. 29 begins with the heater 2402 being commanded to heat a flow cell 108 and achieve a temperature value (Block 2902). The flow cell 108 is supported is by a flow cell support 2502 having the plurality of posts 2506. The heater 2402 is spaced from the flow cell 108 and is positioned to heat the flow cell 108. The heater 2402 has the light pipe 2312 and the light source 2306, 2308, 2310, 2601 coupled to the light pipe 2312. The light pipe 2312 may be physically coupled and/or optically coupled to the light source 2306, 2308, 2310, 2601.

[00285] The first actual temperature value of the flow cell 108 is measured using the non-contact sensor 2504 (Block 2904) and the heater 2402 is controlled to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell 108 to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value based on the first actual temperature (Block 2906).

[00286] The sampling beam 2606 is generated using the excitation source 2604 that is directed toward the cold mirror 2602 (Block 2908) and the sampling beam 2606 is redirected using the cold mirror 2602 toward the surface 2608 of the flow cell 108 (Block 2909). The surface 2608 of the flow cell 108 is the backside 2610 of the flow cell 108 in some implementations.

[00287] The cold mirror 2602 is moved relative to the excitation source 2604 using an actuator 2612 (Block 2910) and/or the excitation source 2604 is moved relative to the cold mirror 2602 using an actuator 2614 (Block 2912). The cold mirror 2602 and/or the excitation source 2604 being moved changes where the sampling beam 2606 engages the cold mirror 2602 and, thus, where the cold mirror 2602 redirects the sampling beam 2606 onto the flow cell 108, for example.

[00288] An emission from a sample 2620 carried by the flow cell 108 is imaged using an imaging sensor 2616 (Block 2914). The sampling beam 2606 being shown on the sample 2620 causes the emission. The cold mirror 2602 and the excitation source 2604 are positioned on the first side 2622 of the flow cell support 2502 and the imaging sensor 2616 is positioned on a second side 2624 of the flow cell support 2502.

[00289] An implementation of an apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; a heater carried by the flow cell; a fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid; a pump fluidly coupled to the flow path; and a controller to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and cause the heater to heat the fluid within the flow path to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

[00290] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the heater is positioned within the flow path of the flow cell support.

[00291] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the controller is to cause the pump to stop pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet of the flow path and cause the heater to heat the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support.

[00292] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the heater comprises a resistive heater.

[00293] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the controller is to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of the reference temperature value and to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value.

[00294] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the controller determines that the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value after a threshold time period has lapsed.

[00295] 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 sensor to determine the actual temperature value of the flow cell support, wherein the controller accesses the actual temperature value of the flow cell support from the sensor and determines when the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value.

[00296] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the sensor is carried by the flow cell support.

[00297] 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 temperature control device to control a temperature of the fluid within the fluid reservoir. [00298] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the temperature control device comprises a heater.

[00299] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the temperature control device comprises a chiller.

[00300] 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 second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid.

[00301] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the controller is to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a third reference temperature value using the fluid from the second fluid reservoir.

[00302] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the reference temperature value is about 30°C and the second reference temperature value or the third reference temperature value is about 60°C.

[00303] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the temperature of the fluid in the fluid reservoir is about 28°C and the temperature of the fluid in the second fluid reservoir is about 62°C.

[00304] 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 first valve to control the flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path and a second valve to control the flow of the fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path.

[00305] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the controller is to cause the first valve 129 and the second valve to actuate to allow the fluid from the fluid reservoir to flow to the inlet and the flow path at a first flow rate and to allow the fluid from the second fluid reservoir to flow to the inlet and the flow path at a second flow rate.

[00306] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the first flow rate and the second flow rate are greater than zero.

[00307] 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 first check valve between the first valve and the inlet of the flow path and a second check valve between the second valve and the inlet of the flow path.

[00308] 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 fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and a heater coupled to the fluidic line. [00309] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the heater comprises an in-line heater.

[00310] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the heater comprises a heat exchanger.

[00311] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the controller is to cause the heater to heat the fluid within the fluidic line.

[00312] 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 sensor to determine an actual fluid temperature value of the fluid in the fluid reservoir, wherein the temperature control device is to control the temperature of the fluid within the fluid reservoir based on the actual fluid temperature value and a reference fluid temperature value.

[00313] 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 flow cell interface comprising the flow cell support, an insulator, and a frame, the insulator positioned between the frame and the flow cell support.

[00314] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the insulator comprises epoxy.

[00315] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the insulator comprises plastic.

[00316] 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 path comprises a second outlet, the inlet positioned between the outlet and the second outlet.

[00317] 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 support has a portion having a thickness of between about 3 millimeters and about 4 millimeters. [00318] 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 support has a portion having a thickness of between about 3 millimeters and about 7 millimeters.

[00319] An implementation of a method comprising: flowing a fluid into an inlet of a flow path of a flow cell support from a fluid reservoir; allowing an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a reference temperature value using the fluid; heating the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support using a heater; and allowing the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value based on the heating.

[00320] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path comprises flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path using a pump, and wherein heating the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support using the heater comprises causing the pump to stop pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet of the flow path when heating the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support using the heater.

[00321] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising heating the fluid within a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path with a heater.

[00322] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path of the flow cell support comprises flowing the fluid into the inlet at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of the reference temperature value and flowing the fluid into the inlet at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value.

[00323] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising controlling the temperature of the fluid within the fluid reservoir using a temperature control device.

[00324] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the temperature control device comprises a heater.

[00325] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the temperature control device comprises a chiller.

[00326] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising flowing a fluid into the inlet of a flow path of the flow cell support from a second fluid reservoir and allowing the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a third reference temperature value using the fluid from the second fluid reservoir.

[00327] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the reference temperature value is about 30°C and the second reference temperature value or the third reference temperature value is about 60°C.

[00328] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein flowing the fluid into the inlet of a flow path of the flow cell support from the fluid reservoir comprises controlling the flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path using a first valve and wherein flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path of the flow cell support from the second fluid reservoir comprises controlling the flow of the fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path using the second valve.

[00329] An implementation of an apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; a first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a first fluid; a first pump fluidly coupled to the first fluid reservoir and the flow path; a second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a second fluid; a second pump fluidly coupled to the second fluid reservoir and the flow path; a temperature control device to control a temperature of the first fluid within the first fluid reservoir and the temperature of the second fluid within the second fluid; and a controller to cause the first pump to pump the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid and to cause the second pump to pump the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid, wherein the controller is to cause the second pump to pump the second fluid at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of the second reference temperature value and to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the second reference temperature value.

[00330] 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 first valve to control the flow of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path and a second valve to control the flow of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path. [00331] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the first valve and the second valve each comprise a proportional valve.

[00332] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the first pump is positioned between the first fluid reservoir and the first valve and the second pump is positioned between the second fluid reservoir and the second valve.

[00333] 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 first return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the first fluid reservoir and a second return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the second fluid reservoir.

[00334] 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 valve coupled between the flow path and the first return fluidic line and the second return fluidic line. [00335] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the valve comprises a three-way valve.

[00336] 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 second flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet, the first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support, and the second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support.

[00337] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the first pump is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the second flow cell support and the second pump is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the second flow cell support.

[00338] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the controller is to cause the first pump to pump the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid and to cause the second pump to pump the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid. [00339] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the controller causes the first pump to pump the first fluid to the flow path of the flow cell support at a first flow rate and causes the second pump to pump the second fluid to the flow path of the flow cell support at a second flow rate.

[00340] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the first pump is positioned downstream of the flow cell support and the second pump is positioned downstream of the flow cell support.

[00341] 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 third pump fluidly coupled to the first fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow cell support and a fourth pump fluidly coupled to the second fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow path support.

[00342] 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 fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and a heater coupled to the fluidic line. [00343] An implementation of an apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; a first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a first fluid; a second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a second fluid; a temperature control device to control a temperature of the first fluid within the first fluid reservoir and to control a temperature of the first fluid within the second fluid reservoir; a pump fluidly coupled to the flow path; a controller to cause the pump to pump the second fluid at a first flow rate prior to an actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of a first reference temperature value and to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the second reference temperature value.

[00344] 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 first valve to control the flow of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path and a second valve to control the flow of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path.

[00345] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the valve comprises a three-way valve.

[00346] 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 support has a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second flow path fluidly coupling the second inlet and the second outlet, the first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the second inlet and the second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the second inlet.

[00347] 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 support comprises a first area and a second area, the flow path extending through the first area and the second flow path extending through the second area.

[00348] 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 path and the second flow path are substantially parallel.

[00349] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the first area is substantially thermally insulated from the second area.

[00350] 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 support defines an air gap between the first area and the second area.

[00351] 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 fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and a heater coupled to the fluidic line. [00352] 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 first return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the first fluid reservoir and a second return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the second fluid reservoir.

[00353] 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 three-way valve coupled between the flow path and the first return fluidic line and the second return fluidic line.

[00354] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the pump is positioned between the flow cell support and the three-way valve.

[00355] An implementation of an apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; a fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid; a heater downstream of the fluid reservoir; a pump fluidly coupled to the flow path; and a controller to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and cause the heater to heat at least one of the fluid or the flow cell support to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

[00356] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the heater is carried by the flow cell support.

[00357] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the heater is to heat the fluid within the flow path.

[00358] 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 second flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet, the fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support.

[00359] 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 second heater carried by the second flow cell support.

[00360] 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 return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path of the flow cell support and the reservoir and the flow path of the second flow cell support and the reservoir.

[00361] 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 fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path of the flow cell support and the flow path of the second flow cell support.

[00362] 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 first valve to control the flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the flow cell support and a second valve to control the flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the second flow cell support.

[00363] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the first valve is a first switch valve and the second valve is a second switch valve.

[00364] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the pump is positioned between the fluid reservoir and the first valve and the second valve.

[00365] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the pump is positioned downstream of the flow cell support. [00366] 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 second pump fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow cell support.

[00367] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the heater comprises an induction heater.

[00368] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the induction heater comprises a face coil and an absorber.

[00369] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the absorber comprises a metal mesh that is positioned within the flow path.

[00370] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the absorber comprises a metal plate carried by the flow cell support.

[00371] 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 support comprises an inlet port comprising metal and wherein the induction heater comprises the inlet port and a coil surrounding the inlet port.

[00372] 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 fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and the induction heater is coupled to the fluidic line.

[00373] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the induction heater comprises a metallic portion and a coil surrounding the metallic portion.

[00374] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the induction heater comprises a thermally conductive post carried by the flow cell support and a coil surrounding the thermally conductive post.

[00375] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the induction heater is to heat the flow cell support.

[00376] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the induction heater is to heat the fluid. [00377] 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 support comprises a window and the heater comprises a light source positioned to direct light through the window and into the flow path.

[00378] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the light source comprises a laser diode.

[00379] 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 support comprises an optical layer and a diffusion layer disposed adjacent to the optical layer, and wherein the heater comprises a light source positioned to direct light into the optical layer, and the diffusion layer redirects the light from the optical layer into the flow cell support to heat at least the flow cell support.

[00380] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the optical layer comprises a wave guide.

[00381] An implementation of an apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support comprising a plurality of posts to support a flow cell; a heater spaced from the flow cell and positioned to heat the flow cell, the heater comprising a light pipe and a light source coupled to the light pipe; a non-contact sensor; and a controller to command the heater to heat the flow cell and to achieve a temperature value and causes the non-contact sensor to measure a first actual temperature value of the flow cell, wherein the controller uses the first actual temperature to control the heater to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value.

[00382] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the light pipe comprises a pyrimidal light pipe.

[00383] 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 cold mirror and an excitation source for generating a sampling beam directed toward the cold mirror, the cold mirror to positioned to redirect the sampling beam toward a surface of the flow cell.

[00384] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the surface of the flow cell comprises a backside of the flow cell.

[00385] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the cold mirror is positioned between the infrared sensor and the flow cell support. [00386] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the cold mirror is positioned at approximately 45° relative to the excitation source.

[00387] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising an actuator controllable to move the cold mirror relative to the excitation source.

[00388] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising an actuator controllable to move the excitation source relative to the cold mirror.

[00389] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising an imaging sensor and imaging optics for imaging an emission onto the imaging sensor, the emission being from a sample resulting from the sampling beam.

[00390] The apparatus of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the cold mirror and the excitation source are positioned on a first side of the flow cell support and the imaging sensor and the imaging optics are positioned on a second side of the flow cell support. [00391] An implementation of apparatus, comprising: a heat pump comprising a reversing valve, a metering device, a coil including a first coil portion and a second coil portion, and a compressor and containing a fluid, the first coil portion and the second coil portion coupled to the reversing valve and the metering device positioned between the first coil portion and the second coil portion; a flow cell support carrying at least a portion of the coil; and a controller to cause the compressor to compress the fluid and actuate the reversing valve to cause the fluid to flow in a first direction and into the portion of the coil to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and to actuate the reversing valve to cause the fluid to flow in a second direction and into the portion of the coil to allow the an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value, wherein the metering device changes a pressure of the fluid as the fluid flows between the first coil portion and the second coil portion.

[00392] An implementation of a method, comprising: flowing a first fluid from a first fluid reservoir into an inlet and a flow path of a first flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the first flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid, the first flow cell support having the inlet, an outlet, and the flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; and imaging a flow cell carried by a second flow cell support while the actual temperature value of the first flow cell support satisfies the first reference temperature value, the second flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet, the first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the first flow cell support, and the first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support.

[00393] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising flowing a second fluid from a second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the first flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid.

[00394] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the imaging of the flow cell occurs when the first fluid is flowing into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support or when the second fluid is flowing into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support.

[00395] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the imaging of the flow cell occurs when the first fluid and the second fluid are not flowing through the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support.

[00396] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first pump and wherein flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the second fluid into the inlet and the flow path using a second pump.

[00397] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir comprises controlling a flow rate of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first valve and wherein flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir comprises controlling a flow rate of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a second valve.

[00398] 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 valve comprises a proportional valve and wherein the second valve comprises a proportional valve.

[00399] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising returning the first fluid to the first fluid reservoir using a first return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path of the first flow cell support and the first fluid reservoir and returning the second fluid to the second fluid reservoir using a second return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path of the first flow cell support and the second fluid reservoir.

[00400] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein returning the first fluid to the first fluid reservoir using the first return fluidic line comprises actuating a valve to a first position and wherein returning the second fluid to the second fluid reservoir using the second return fluidic line comprises actuating the valve to a second position, the valve being coupled between the flow path and the first return fluidic line and the second return fluidic line.

[00401] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir comprises controlling a flow rate of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first pump and wherein flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir comprises controlling a flow rate of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a second pump.

[00402] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a pump and wherein flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the second fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using the pump.

[00403] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy the first reference temperature value using the first fluid.

[00404] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first pump and wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support using a second pump. [00405] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising heating the first fluid downstream of the first fluid reservoir to allow the actual temperature value of the first flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

[00406] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein heating the first fluid comprises heating the first fluid within a fluidic line fluidly coupling the first fluid reservoir and the flow path of the first flow cell support.

[00407] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein heating the first fluid within the fluidic line comprises heating the first fluid within the fluidic line using at least one of an inline heater or an inductive heater.

[00408] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein heating the first fluid comprises heating the first fluid within the flow path of the first flow cell support.

[00409] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein heating the first fluid within the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises heating the first fluid within the flow path using at least one of a resistive heater, an inductive heater, or a light source.

[00410] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein heating the first fluid downstream of the first fluid reservoir comprises directing light through a window of the first flow cell support and into the flow path.

[00411] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising heating the second flow cell support to allow the actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

[00412] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein heating the second flow cell support comprises flowing a second fluid from a second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow the actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid.

[00413] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein heating the second flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support and heating the first fluid downstream of the first fluid reservoir. [00414] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein heating the second flow cell support comprises directing light into an optical layer of the second flow cell support and redirecting the light into the second flow cell support using a diffusion layer of the second flow cell support to heat at least the second flow cell support.

[00415] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising imaging a flow cell carried by the first flow cell support.

[00416] An implementation of a method, comprising: commanding a heater to heat a flow cell and achieve a temperature value, the flow cell supported by a flow cell support comprising a plurality of posts, the heater being spaced from the flow cell and positioned to heat the flow cell, the heater comprising a light pipe and a light source coupled to the light pipe; measuring a first actual temperature value of the flow cell using a non-contact sensor; and controlling the heater to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value based on the first actual temperature. [00417] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising generating a sampling beam using an excitation source directed toward a cold mirror and redirecting the sampling beam using the cold mirror toward a surface of the flow cell.

[00418] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the surface of the flow cell comprises a backside of the flow cell.

[00419] 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 cold mirror relative to the excitation source using an actuator.

[00420] 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 excitation source relative to the cold mirror using an actuator.

[00421] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, further comprising imaging an emission from a sample carried by the flow cell using an imaging sensor.

[00422] The method of any one or more of the preceding implementations and/or any one or more of the implementations disclosed below, wherein the cold mirror and the excitation source are positioned on a first side of the flow cell support and the imaging sensor is positioned on a second side of the flow cell support.

[00423] 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.

[00424] 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.

[00425] 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. In certain implementations, 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%.

[00426] 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.

[00427] 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. [00428] 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. 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.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; a heater carried by the flow cell support; a fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid; a pump fluidly coupled to the flow path; and a controller to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and cause the heater to heat the fluid within the flow path to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heater is positioned within the flow path of the flow cell support.

3. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is to cause the pump to stop pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet of the flow path and cause the heater to heat the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the heater comprises a resistive heater.

5. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of the reference temperature value and to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller determines that the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value after a threshold time period has lapsed.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a sensor to determine the actual temperature value of the flow cell support, wherein the controller accesses the actual temperature value of the flow cell support from the sensor and determines when the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor is carried by the flow cell support.

9. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a temperature control device to control a temperature of the fluid within the fluid reservoir.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the temperature control device comprises a heater.

11 . The apparatus of any one of claims 9 - 10, wherein the temperature control device comprises a chiller.

12. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller is to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a third reference temperature value using the fluid from the second fluid reservoir.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the reference temperature value is about 30°C and the second reference temperature value or the third temperature value is about 60°C.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 - 14, wherein the temperature of the fluid in the fluid reservoir is about 28°C and the temperature of the fluid in the second fluid reservoir is about 62°C.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 - 15, further comprising a first valve to control the flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path and a second valve to control the flow of the fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the controller is to cause the first valve and the second valve to actuate to allow the fluid from the fluid reservoir to flow to the inlet and the flow path at a first flow rate and to allow the fluid from the second fluid reservoir to flow to the inlet and the flow path at a second flow rate.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first flow rate and the second flow rate are greater than zero.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 16 - 18, further comprising a first check valve between the first valve and the inlet of the flow path and a second check valve between the second valve and the inlet of the flow path.

20. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and a heater coupled to the fluidic line.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the heater comprises an in-line heater.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 20 - 21 , wherein the heater comprises a heat exchanger.

23. The apparatus of any one of claims 20 - 22, wherein the controller is to cause the heater to heat the fluid within the fluidic line.

24. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 - 23, further comprising a sensor to determine an actual fluid temperature value of the fluid in the fluid reservoir, wherein the temperature control device is to control the temperature of the fluid within the fluid reservoir based on the actual fluid temperature value and a reference fluid temperature value.

25. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a flow cell interface comprising the flow cell support, an insulator, and a frame, the insulator positioned between the frame and the flow cell support.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the insulator comprises epoxy.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the insulator comprises plastic.

28. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow path comprises a second outlet, the inlet positioned between the outlet and the second outlet.

29. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow cell support has a portion having a thickness of between about 3 millimeters and about 4 millimeters.

30. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow cell support has a portion having a thickness of between about 3 millimeters and about 7 millimeters.

31 . A method, comprising: flowing a fluid into an inlet of a flow path of a flow cell support from a fluid reservoir; allowing an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a reference temperature value using the fluid; heating the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support using a heater; and allowing the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value based on the heating.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path comprises flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path using a pump, and wherein heating the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support using the heater comprises causing the pump to stop pumping the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet of the flow path when heating the fluid within the flow path of the flow cell support using the heater.

33. The method of any one of claims 31 - 32, further comprising heating the fluid within a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path with a heater.

34. The method of any one of claims 31 - 33, wherein flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path of the flow cell support comprises flowing the fluid into the inlet at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of the reference temperature value and flowing the fluid into the inlet at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the reference temperature value.

35. The method of any one of claims 31 - 34, further comprising controlling the temperature of the fluid within the fluid reservoir using a temperature control device.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the temperature control device comprises a heater.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the temperature control device comprises a chiller.

38. The method of any one of claims 31 - 37, further comprising flowing a fluid into the inlet of a flow path of the flow cell support from a second fluid reservoir and allowing the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a third reference temperature value using the fluid from the second fluid reservoir.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the reference temperature value is about 30°C and the second reference temperature value or the third temperature reference value is about 60°C.

40. The method of any one of claims 38 - 39, wherein flowing the fluid into the inlet of a flow path of the flow cell support from the fluid reservoir comprises controlling the flow of the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path using a first valve and wherein flowing the fluid into the inlet of the flow path of the flow cell support from the second fluid reservoir comprises controlling the flow of the fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path using the second valve.

41 . An apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; a first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a first fluid; a first pump fluidly coupled to the first fluid reservoir and the flow path; a second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a second fluid; a second pump fluidly coupled to the second fluid reservoir and the flow path; a temperature control device to control a temperature of the first fluid within the first fluid reservoir and the temperature of the second fluid within the second fluid; a controller to cause the first pump to pump the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid and to cause the second pump to pump the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid, wherein the controller is to cause the second pump to pump the second fluid at a first flow rate prior to the actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of the second reference temperature value and to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the second reference temperature value.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 , further comprising a first valve to control the flow of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path and a second valve to control the flow of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the first valve and the second valve each comprise a proportional valve.

44. The apparatus of any one of claims 42 - 43, wherein the first pump is positioned between the first fluid reservoir and the first valve and the second pump is positioned between the second fluid reservoir and the second valve.

45. The apparatus of any one of claim 41 - 44, further comprising a first return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the first fluid reservoir and a second return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the second fluid reservoir.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising a valve coupled between the flow path and the first return fluidic line and the second return fluidic line.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the valve comprises a three-way valve.

48. The apparatus of any one of claims 41 - 47, further comprising a second flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet, the first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support, and the second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the first pump is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the second flow cell support and the second pump is fluidly coupled to the flow path of the second flow cell support.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the controller is to cause the first pump to pump the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid and to cause the second pump to pump the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid.

51 . The apparatus of any one of claims 41 - 51 , wherein the controller causes the first pump to pump the first fluid to the flow path of the flow cell support at a first flow rate and causes the second pump to pump the second fluid to the flow path of the flow cell support at a second flow rate.

52. The apparatus of any one of claims 41 - 43 and 45 - 51 , wherein the first pump is positioned downstream of the flow cell support and the second pump is positioned downstream of the flow cell support.

53. The apparatus of any one of claims 48 - 52, further comprising a third pump fluidly coupled to the first fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow cell support and a fourth pump fluidly coupled to the second fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow path support.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and a heater coupled to the fluidic line.

55. An apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; a first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a first fluid; a second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a second fluid; a temperature control device to control a temperature of the first fluid within first fluid reservoir and to control a temperature of the second fluid within the second fluid reservoir; a pump fluidly coupled to the flow path; a controller to cause the pump to pump the second fluid at a first flow rate prior to an actual temperature value of the flow cell support being within a threshold of a first reference temperature value and to cause the pump to pump the fluid at a second flow rate after the actual temperature value of the flow cell support is within the threshold of the second reference temperature value.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising a valve to control the flow of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path and the valve to control the flow of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the valve comprises a three-way valve.

58. The apparatus of any one of claims 55 - 57, wherein the flow cell support has a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second flow path fluidly coupling the second inlet and the second outlet, the first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the second inlet and the second fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the second inlet.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the flow cell support comprises a first area and a second area, the flow path extending through the first area and the second flow path extending through the second area.

60. The apparatus of any one of claims 58 - 59, wherein the flow path and the second flow path are substantially parallel.

61 . The apparatus of any one of claims 59 - 60, wherein the first area is substantially thermally insulated from the second area.

62. The apparatus of any one of claims 58 - 61 , wherein the flow cell support defines an air gap between the first area and the second area.

63. The apparatus of any one of claims 55 - 62, further comprising a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and a heater coupled to the fluidic line.

64. The apparatus of any one of claim 55 - 63, further comprising a first return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the first fluid reservoir and a second return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path and the second fluid reservoir.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, further comprising a three-way valve coupled between the flow path and the first return fluidic line and the second return fluidic line.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the pump is positioned between the flow cell support and the three-way valve.

67. An apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; a fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flow cell support and to contain a fluid; a heater downstream of the fluid reservoir; a pump fluidly coupled to the flow path; and a controller to cause the pump to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and cause the heater to heat at least one of the fluid or the flow cell support to allow the actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the heater is carried by the flow cell support.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the heater is to heat the fluid within the flow path.

70. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 - 69, further comprising a second flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet, the fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support.

71 . The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising a second heater carried by the second flow cell support.

72. The apparatus of any one of claims 70 - 71 , further comprising a return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path of the flow cell support and the reservoir and the flow path of the second flow cell support and the reservoir.

73. The apparatus of any one of claims 70 - 72, further comprising a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path of the flow cell support and the flow path of the second flow cell support.

74. The apparatus of any one of claims 70 - 73, further comprising a first valve to control the flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the flow cell support and a second valve to control the flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the second flow cell support.

75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the first valve is a first switch valve and the second valve is a second switch valve.

76. The apparatus of any one of claims 74 - 75, wherein the pump is positioned between the fluid reservoir and the first valve and the second valve.

77. The apparatus of any one of claims 70 - 76, wherein the pump is positioned downstream of the flow cell support.

78. The apparatus of any one of claims 70 - 73, further comprising a second pump fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir and the flow path of the second flow cell support.

79. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 - 78, wherein the heater comprises an induction heater.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the induction heater comprises a face coil and an absorber.

81 . The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the absorber comprises a metal mesh that is positioned within the flow path.

82. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the absorber comprises a metal plate carried by the flow cell support.

83. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the flow cell support comprises an inlet port comprising metal and wherein the induction heater comprises the inlet port and a coil surrounding the inlet port.

84. The apparatus of claim 79, further comprising a fluidic line fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir and the flow path and the induction heater is coupled to the fluidic line.

85. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the induction heater comprises a metallic portion and a coil surrounding the metallic portion.

86. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the induction heater comprises a thermally conductive post carried by the flow cell support and a coil surrounding the thermally conductive post.

87. The apparatus of any one of claims 79 - 83 and 86, wherein the induction heater is to heat the flow cell support.

88. The apparatus of any one of claims 79 - 87, wherein the induction heater is to heat the fluid.

89. The apparatus of any one of claims 67 - 78, wherein the flow cell support comprises a window and the heater comprises a light source positioned to direct light through the window and into the flow path.

90. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the light source comprises a laser diode.

91 . The apparatus of any one of claims 67 - 78, wherein the flow cell support comprises an optical layer and a diffusion layer disposed adjacent to the optical layer, and wherein the heater comprises a light source positioned to direct light into the optical layer, and the diffusion layer redirects the light from the optical layer into the flow cell support to heat at least the flow cell support.

92. The apparatus of claim 91 , wherein the optical layer comprises a wave guide.

93. An apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support comprising a plurality of posts to support a flow cell; a heater spaced from the flow cell and positioned to heat the flow cell, the heater comprising a light pipe and a light source coupled to the light pipe; a non-contact sensor; and a controller to command the heater to heat the flow cell and to achieve a temperature value and causes the non-contact sensor to measure a first actual temperature value of the flow cell, wherein the controller uses the first actual temperature to control the heater to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value.

94. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the light pipe comprises a pyrimidal light pipe.

95. The apparatus of any one of claims 93 - 94, further comprising a cold mirror and an excitation source for generating a sampling beam directed toward the cold mirror, the cold mirror positioned to redirect the sampling beam toward a surface of the flow cell.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the surface of the flow cell comprises a backside of the flow cell.

97. The apparatus of any one of claims 95 - 96, wherein the cold mirror is positioned between the infrared sensor and the flow cell support.

98. The apparatus of any one of claims 95 - 97, wherein the cold mirror is positioned at approximately 45° relative to the excitation source.

99. The apparatus of any one of claims 95 - 98, further comprising an actuator controllable to move the cold mirror relative to the excitation source.

100. The apparatus of any one of claims 95 - 98, further comprising an actuator controllable to move the excitation source relative to the cold mirror.

101 . The apparatus of any one of claims 95 - 100, further comprising an imaging sensor and imaging optics for imaging an emission onto the imaging sensor, the emission being from a sample resulting from the sampling beam.

102. The apparatus of claim 101 , wherein the cold mirror and the excitation source are positioned on a first side of the flow cell support and the imaging sensor and the imaging optics are positioned on a second side of the flow cell support.

103. An apparatus, comprising: a heat pump comprising a reversing valve, a metering device, a coil including a first coil portion and a second coil portion, and a compressor and containing a fluid, the first coil portion and the second coil portion coupled to the reversing valve and the metering device positioned between the first coil portion and the second coil portion; a flow cell support carrying at least a portion of the coil; and a controller to cause the compressor to compress the fluid and actuate the reversing valve to cause the fluid to flow in a first direction and into the portion of the coil to allow an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the fluid and to actuate the reversing valve to cause the fluid to flow in a second direction and into the portion of the coil to allow the an actual temperature value of the flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value, wherein the metering device changes a pressure of the fluid as the fluid flows between the first coil portion and the second coil portion.

104. A method, comprising: flowing a first fluid from a first fluid reservoir into an inlet and a flow path of a first flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the first flow cell support to satisfy a first reference temperature value using the first fluid, the first flow cell support having the inlet, an outlet, and the flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet; and imaging a flow cell carried by a second flow cell support while the actual temperature value of the first flow cell support satisfies the first reference temperature value, the second flow cell support having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path fluidly coupling the inlet and the outlet, the first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the first flow cell support, and the first fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet of the second flow cell support.

105. The method of claim 104, further comprising flowing a second fluid from a second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the first flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein the imaging of the flow cell occurs when the first fluid is flowing into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support or when the second fluid is flowing into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support.

107. The method of any one of claims 104 - 105, wherein the imaging of the flow cell occurs when the first fluid and the second fluid are not flowing through the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support.

108. The method of any one of claims 105 - 107, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first pump and wherein flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the second fluid into the inlet and the flow path using a second pump.

109. The method of any one of claims 105 - 108, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir comprises controlling a flow rate of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first valve and wherein flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir comprises controlling a flow rate of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a second valve.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein the first valve comprises a proportional valve and wherein the second valve comprises a proportional valve.

111. The method of any one of claims 105 - 110, further comprising returning the first fluid to the first fluid reservoir using a first return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path of the first flow cell support and the first fluid reservoir and returning the second fluid to the second fluid reservoir using a second return fluidic line fluidly coupled between the flow path of the first flow cell support and the second fluid reservoir.

112. The method of claim 111 , wherein returning the first fluid to the first fluid reservoir using the first return fluidic line comprises actuating a valve to a first position and wherein returning the second fluid to the second fluid reservoir using the second return fluidic line comprises actuating the valve to a second position, the valve being coupled between the flow path and the first return fluidic line and the second return fluidic line.

113. The method of any one of claims 105 - 112, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir comprises controlling a flow rate of the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first pump and wherein flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir comprises controlling a flow rate of the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir to the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a second pump.

114. The method of any one of claims 105 - 107, 109 - 113, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a pump and wherein flowing the second fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the second fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using the pump.

115. The method of any one of claims 104 - 114, further comprising flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow an actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy the first reference temperature value using the first fluid.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the first flow cell support using a first pump and wherein flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support using a second pump.

117. The method of any one of claims 104 - 116, further comprising heating the first fluid downstream of the first fluid reservoir to allow the actual temperature value of the first flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein heating the first fluid comprises heating the first fluid within a fluidic line fluidly coupling the first fluid reservoir and the flow path of the first flow cell support.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein heating the first fluid within the fluidic line comprises heating the first fluid within the fluidic line using at least one of an in-line heater or an inductive heater.

120. The method of claim 117, wherein heating the first fluid comprises heating the first fluid within the flow path of the first flow cell support.

121 . The method of claim 120, wherein heating the first fluid within the flow path of the first flow cell support comprises heating the first fluid within the flow path using at least one of a resistive heater, an inductive heater, or a light source.

122. The method of claim 117, wherein heating the first fluid downstream of the first fluid reservoir comprises directing light through a window of the first flow cell support and into the flow path.

123. The method of any one of claims 104 - 122, further comprising heating the second flow cell support to allow the actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value.

124. The method of claim 123, wherein heating the second flow cell support comprises flowing a second fluid from a second fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support to allow the actual temperature value of the second flow cell support to satisfy a second reference temperature value using the second fluid.

125. The method of claim 123, wherein heating the second flow cell support comprises flowing the first fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the inlet and the flow path of the second flow cell support and heating the first fluid downstream of the first fluid reservoir.

126. The method of any one of claims 123 - 125, wherein heating the second flow cell support comprises directing light into an optical layer of the second flow cell support and redirecting the light into the second flow cell support using a diffusion layer of the second flow cell support to heat at least the second flow cell support.

127. The method of any one of claims 104 - 126, further comprising imaging a flow cell carried by the first flow cell support.

128. A method, comprising: commanding a heater to heat a flow cell and achieve a temperature value, the flow cell supported by a flow cell support comprising a plurality of posts, the heater being spaced from the flow cell and positioned to heat the flow cell, the heater comprising a light pipe and a light source coupled to the light pipe; measuring a first actual temperature value of the flow cell using a non-contact sensor; and controlling the heater to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value based on the first actual temperature.

129. The method of claim 128, further comprising generating a sampling beam using an excitation source directed toward a cold mirror and redirecting the sampling beam using the cold mirror toward a surface of the flow cell.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein the surface of the flow cell comprises a backside of the flow cell.

131 . The method of any one of claims 129 - 130, further comprising moving the cold mirror relative to the excitation source using an actuator.

132. The method of any one of claims 129 - 131 , further comprising moving the excitation source relative to the cold mirror using an actuator.

133. The method of any one of claims 129 - 132, further comprising imaging an emission from a sample carried by the flow cell using an imaging sensor.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein the cold mirror and the excitation source are positioned on a first side of the flow cell support and the imaging sensor is positioned on a second side of the flow cell support.

135. An apparatus, comprising: a flow cell support to support a flow cell; a heater spaced from the flow cell and positioned to heat the flow cell, the heater comprising a light pipe and a light source coupled to the light pipe; a non-contact sensor; and a controller to command the heater to heat the flow cell and to achieve a temperature value and causes the non-contact sensor to measure a first actual temperature value of the flow cell, wherein the controller uses the first actual temperature to control the heater to allow a second actual temperature value of the flow cell to be within a threshold of a reference temperature value.