Abstract: Various embodiments of a fluidic system of the present teachings are configured to execute a sequence of fluidic operations over the course of a next generation sequencing analysis for the sequential delivery of various solutions used over the course of analysis to a multilane sensor device. Exemplary fluidic operations include washing, priming and nucleotide reagent delivery through a fluidic multiplexer block that is configured to provide independent fluid distribution to each lane of a multilane sensor device used for detection during an analysis. Accordingly, any number or combination of lanes can be used during an analysis, so that during an analysis one lane in any position can be used singly during a run, all four lanes can be used simultaneously during a run, or any combination of lanes can be used simultaneously during a run.

Abstract: A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.

Abstract: A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.

Abstract: A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.

Abstract: A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.

Abstract: A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.

Abstract: A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.

Abstract: A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a support base and a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The microplate is positioned adjacent the support base and comprises a plurality of wells formed in the first surface thereof. Each of the plurality of wells is sized to receive an assay therein. A sapphire crystalline transparent window is positioned adjacent the microplate opposing the support base. A heating device heats the transparent window in response to a control system.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an output layer having a plurality of capillaries. Each of the plurality of capillaries can comprises an inlet and an outlet. A funnel assembly can comprise a funnel member sized to receive the assay. The funnel member can comprise an outlet for delivering a fluid bead of the assay along a top surface of the output layer and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of capillaries such that a portion of the fluid bead can be drawn within at least some of the plurality of capillaries in response to capillary force. The funnel assembly and the output layer can be moveable relative to each other between a first position and a second position to draw the fluid bead across the top surface.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.

Abstract: In a high-density sequence detection system, an apparatus for transporting a microplate. A control system provides a thermocycler control signal to regulate a desired thermal output of a thermocycler block. A frame has a first side, a second side, and an opening that extends through the first side and the second side. A window is positioned in the opening and a circumferential seal is positioned around a periphery of the opening at the second side. The seal has a peripheral lip that seals against the microplate. A clamp is adapted to engage and displace the frame from an unclamped position to a clamped position, wherein in the unclamped position, the microplate is displaced away from the thermocycler block and in the clamped position, the clamp urges the microplate against the thermocycler block. In some embodiments the peripheral lip is positioned radially inward of the periphery of the opening.