Patent ID: 6953521

Claim:
A capillary zone electrophoresis subsystem configured to cooperate with a light source and a light detector to detect migrating samples, said subsystem comprising: a fluid container; a plurality of capillary tubes, each capillary tube having a first end and a second end, the first ends being arranged to receive samples thereinto and the second ends terminating at a first level in the fluid container; a power supply configured to apply a voltage across the first and second ends of the capillary tubes; a pump connected to said fluid container via a pump conduit, said pump configured to introduce a liquid into the container when said pump conduit is open and said pump is operating; a vacuum device connected to said fluid container via a vacuum conduit entering said fluid container at a second level higher than said first level, said vacuum device configured to cause a negative pressure in said container, when said pump conduit is closed and said container is sealed; a gas release valve connected to said container and configured to vent a gas in the container when said gas release valve is opened; and a drain valve connected to said container and configured to drain a liquid in said container, when said drain valve is open.