Abstract: A hollow needle comprising a shaft having a distal portion suitable for passing through an elastomer closure of a container, said shaft extending in a longitudinal direction and having a central longitudinal axis, and having an internal longitudinal conduit therein for the flow of liquid and one or more orifices communicating between the conduit and the exterior of the needle, the distal portion of the shaft being provided with a pointed end that has a profile comprising a cutting edge in the form of two part cutting edges converging in the longitudinal direction to meet at the needle point, each part cutting edge extending in a straight line in a widthways direction across a plane including the central longitudinal axis, on both widthways sides of the cutting edge the pointed end having a profile which is a non-cutting surface, wherein the pointed end of the needle tapers from an outer surface of said distal portion toward the point of the needle, and the distance, measured in a further plane defined by said

Abstract: A process for preparing a lyophilized material, providing a container having a penetrable envelope and containing the material in a carrier liquid, whereby the penetrable region is penetrated with a penetrator which provides a conduit through the envelope, and the carrier liquid is evaporated out of the container via the conduit, after which the penetrator is withdrawn.

Abstract: A closure system for a vial comprising: an elastic closure part to engage the mouth opening, a clamp part to hold the closure part in a closing relationship with the mouth opening, the clamp part defining an upper aperture through which a region of the upper surface of the closure part is exposed when the clamp part is engaged with the vial, a cover part to engage the clamp part to cover the exposed region, the cover part engaging with the closure part to provide two or more concentric ring-shaped seals, at least part of the cover part being removable from the vial to allow access to the closure.

Abstract: A closure system for a pharmaceutical vial, comprising an elastomer closure part, a clamp part which holds the closure part in engagement with the mouth of the vial, and a cover part which engages with the clamp part. The interior of the closure part is profiled to minimize retention of residual liquid therein.

Abstract: A novel elastomer material having an absorption coefficient for laser light of 0.5-2.5 mm?1, preferably being a base thermoplastic elastomer compounded with a colorant which comprises a Pantone 4597C pigment mixed with a carrier material. The elastomer is suited for use as a pharmaceutical vial closure which can be punctured by a filling needle and the puncture hole heat sealed by a focused laser.

Abstract: A process for making a medicinal vial in which a vial and a closure are moulded in parallel in respective vial and closure moulds, then the closure and vial are automatically assembled together, all in a sterile environment. An apparatus for performing this process is also provided. By the process and apparatus of the invention sealed vials with a sterile interior may be made.