Abstract: A chamber for a freeze-drying device with storage surfaces, whose temperature can be regulated, for containers containing the product that is to be freeze-dried. The chamber includes an optical shield comprised of shield components, whose temperature can be regulated. The shield is positioned between the storage surfaces and the interior wall surfaces of the chamber.
Abstract: In a method for controlling a freeze drying process, a frozen product is arranged on temperature controlled surfaces (12) in an air-evacuated chamber (1) and undergoes a main drying and after-drying phase. During the main drying phase, the temperature of the ice surrounding said product is continuously measured. The pressure in the chamber and/or the temperature of the surfaces are modified during transition from the main drying phase to the after-drying phase. In order to avoid longer idle periods between the chamber (1) and the evacuation device (3, 4, 14) and to determine transition from the main drying phase to the after-drying phase, the pressure and/or the temperature of the surfaces during said transition are modified according to changes int he temperature of the ice.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 20, 2000
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2000
Assignee:
Steris GmbH
Inventors:
Georg-Wilhelm Oetjen, Peter Haseley, Hubert Klutsch, Marion Leineweber