Abstract: Movement of a slot door of a freeze dryer is driven by a rack and pinion actuator. The actuator is easily sanitized and includes internal elements that are accessible to sanitizing sprays. The pinions are driven by pinion shafts that pass through a seal separating an aseptic area from a non-aseptic area where the drive train is positioned. Only rotary motion is transferred across the aseptic barrier, reducing the need for a bellows or sliding covers, which are difficult to sanitize.

Abstract: A freeze dryer processes bulk powder products. The freeze dryer freezes the product by mixing an atomized spray of product with sterile liquid nitrogen. The resultant powder is freeze dried in a vessel, and the vessel contents is agitated to maintain product contact with heated vessel wall and to prevent agglomeration.

Abstract: Movement of a slot door of a freeze dryer is driven by a rack and pinion actuator. The actuator is easily sanitized and includes internal elements that are accessible to sanitizing sprays. The pinions are driven by pinion shafts that pass through a seal separating an aseptic area from a non-aseptic area where the drive train is positioned. Only rotary motion is transferred across the aseptic barrier, reducing the need for a bellows or sliding covers, which are difficult to sanitize.

Abstract: This invention is directed to freeze dryers used in the pharmaceutical industry, and in particular, to a barrier system for freeze dryers located in an isolator or clean room facilitate sterilization of the isolator.

Abstract: An integrated heater/cooler for heating and cooling of heat transfer fluid in a freeze dryer is provided. This integrated heater/cooler is made up on a housing having a heat exchange fluid outlet to discharge heat exchange fluid; a heat exchanger disposed on one side of the housing having a refrigerant inlet to receive refrigerant, a refrigerant outlet to discharge refrigerant and a heat exchange fluid inlet to receive heat exchange fluid; and a heater disposed on the other side of the housing.

Abstract: Freeze drying apparatus is described, the freeze drying apparatus comprising freezing apparatus for freezing a liquid component of a sample into a solid, a mobile drying chamber for receiving samples from the freezing apparatus, a condensation chamber comprising a condenser, a condenser conduit system comprising an outlet connected to the condensation chamber, an inlet for connection to the drying chamber, and an isolation valve for selectively isolating the inlet from the outlet, an evacuation system for evacuating the drying chamber, and a thermal control system for controlling the temperature of the samples located within the drying chamber. The drying chamber is moveable between a first location at which samples are transferred from the freezing apparatus to the chamber, and a second location at which the chamber is connected to the inlet of the condenser conduit system.

Abstract: A freeze dryer comprises a chamber having an opening through which containers can be inserted into the chamber, a door, and a mechanism for moving the door against the opening. A sealing mechanism comprises a first gasket extending around the opening, and a second gasket extending around the first gasket. The second gasket is moveable between a first position at which the first gasket forms an airtight seal with the door and a second position at which the second gasket forms an airtight seal with the door.

Abstract: A freeze dryer comprising a chamber having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber, and a slot door for forming a seal with the chamber to close the slot. To enable the vials to be subsequently removed from the chamber, the slot door is raised. As the door is raised, it is rotated to expose the rear surface of the door for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A freeze dryer comprising a chamber having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber, and a slot door for forming a seal with the chamber to close the slot. To enable the vials to be subsequently removed from the chamber, the slot door is raised. As the door is raised, it is rotated to expose the rear surface of the door for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for freeze drying in which a solution, which can be a radioactive salt dissolved within an acid, is frozen into a solid on vertical plates provided within a freeze drying chamber. The solid is sublimated into vapor and condensed in a cold condenser positioned above the freeze drying chamber and connected thereto by a conduit. The vertical positioning of the cold condenser relative to the freeze dryer helps to help prevent substances such as radioactive materials separated from the solution from contaminating the cold condenser. Additionally, the system can be charged with an inert gas to produce a down rush of gas into the freeze drying chamber to also help prevent such substances from contaminating the cold condenser.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for freeze drying in which a solution, which can be a radioactive salt dissolved within an acid, is frozen into a solid on vertical plates provided within a freeze drying chamber. The solid is sublimated into vapor and condensed in a cold condenser positioned above the freeze drying chamber and connected thereto by a conduit. The vertical positioning of the cold condenser relative to the freeze dryer helps to help prevent substances such as radioactive materials separated from the solution from contaminating the cold condenser. Additionally, the system can be charged with an inert gas to produce a down rush of gas into the freeze drying chamber to also help prevent such substances from contaminating the cold condenser.

Abstract: A transfer port system between two sterile environments having docked and undocked positions which is made up of two door frames connected to the environments and two doors connected to the two door frames. When the sterile environments are in the docked position the door frames of the two doors are juxtaposed and in close physical contact with one another and when the two sterile environments are in the undocked position the two door frames are spaced apart from one another and the two doors seal the sterile environments. The two door frames and the doors have a potentially non-sterile peripheral juncture located at the juncture between the doors and door frames when the doors are in a closed position sealing the sterile environments when the sterile environments are in their docked position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shelf for a freeze dryer which includes a pair of first and second flat plates spaced apart from one another, and a plurality of ribs located between the first and second plates and spaced from one another so as to define flow channels for circulating a diathermic fluid. The ribs are preferably formed of hollow tubes that are brazed to the first and second plates and the hollow tubes and plates are stress relieved so that the first plate presents a flat surface at which heat is transferred from articles to be freeze dried and the diathermic fluid. A freeze dryer shelf constructed in such manner has less thermal mass than prior art design which have solid ribs and plates welded to the ribs with a thickness sufficient to prevent the formation of surface deformations that would interrupt the flat surface of the first plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shelf for a freeze dryer which includes a pair of first and second flat plates spaced apart from one another, and a plurality of ribs located between the first and second plates and spaced from one another so as to define flow channels for circulating a diathermic fluid. The ribs are preferably formed of hollow tubes that are brazed to the first and second plates and the hollow tubes and plates are stress relieved so that the first plate presents a flat surface at which heat is transferred from articles to be freeze dried and the diathermic fluid. A freeze dryer shelf constructed in such manner has less thermal mass than prior art design which have solid ribs and plates welded to the ribs with a thickness sufficient to prevent the formation of surface deformations that would interrupt the flat surface of the first plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a covering for a hydraulic ram of a freeze dryer. The freeze dryer of the present invention includes a pressure vessel having a sterile freeze drying chamber for receiving a stack of containers holding a sterile material to be freeze dried. A pressure plate located within the freeze drying chamber is adapted to be driven against the stack of containers for mechanically stoppering the containers. A hydraulic ram is connected to the pressure vessel and has an actuating arm projecting into the freeze drying chamber. The actuating arm is connected to the pressure plate and is extendible for driving the pressure plate against the containers and retractable for removal of the containers from the pressure vessel. The actuating arm has a non-sterile surface that could contaminate the freeze drying chamber and therefore, the sterile material could be freeze dried.