Patent ID: 7459070

Claim:
A capillary zone electrophoresis subsystem configured to cooperate with a light source and a light detector to detect migrating samples, the 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 each of the second ends terminating in the fluid container; a power supply configured to apply a voltage across the capillary tubes; a pump operably connected to the fluid container, the pump configured to introduce a liquid into the container when the pump is in an operating mode; a vacuum device connected to the fluid container via a vacuum conduit entering the fluid container at a level higher than a level of each second end of the capillary tubes, the vacuum device configured to cause a negative pressure in the container, when the pump is not in the operating mode and the container is sealed; a gas release valve connected to the container and configured to vent a gas in the container when the gas release valve is opened; and a drain valve connected to the container and configured to drain a liquid in the container, when the drain valve is open.