Systems and methods for imaging fluid samples

A system for imaging a plurality of blood fluid portions, the system comprising:

• a sample fluidic system having:
• a sample separator valve system,
• a first blood fluid pathway,
• a second blood fluid pathway separate from the first blood fluid sample pathway, and
• a common blood fluid pathway in fluid communication with the first and second blood fluid pathways, wherein the sample separator valve system is in fluid communication with the first and second blood fluid pathways and is configured to deliver a first blood fluid portion containing a first type of cell to the first blood fluid pathway and a second blood fluid portion to the second blood fluid pathway,
• wherein the first blood fluid pathway comprises a first processing station configured to process the first blood fluid portion so as to enhance imageability of the first type of cell;
• and
• a flow cell having a sample port operatively coupled with the common blood fluid pathway such that, when the first and second blood fluid portions are in the sample fluidic system, the first sample portion and the second sample portion are injected into the common pathway to the sample port along the first and second blood fluid pathways, respectively.

A method for imaging a plurality of blood fluid portions, the method comprising:

• receiving at least a portion of a first sample into an internal fluidic system of a sample analysis system;
• after receiving the portion of the first sample into the internal fluidic system, receiving at least a portion of a second sample into the internal fluidic system;
• after receiving the first and second samples into the internal fluidic system, flowing the portion of the second sample through a flow cell and imaging the portion of the second sample as it flows through the flow cell;
• after flowing the portion of the second sample through the flow cell, flowing the portion of the first sample through the flow cell.