Abstract: A device for holding and monitoring a predetermined dose of a product during a freezing, drying and/or lyophilization process, includes a mold having a receptacle part for containing the predetermined dose of the product in direct contact with the receptacle part, a sensor, contacting the mold or integrated in the mold, for measuring a physical characteristic and/or quantity, and a transmitter for transmitting the measured characteristic and/or quantity in the form of a sensor signal to a control unit for controlling a heating and/or cooling element, integrated in the device, for heating and/or cooling a predetermined dose of product during a freezing, drying and/or lyophilization process, in the lyophilization process. The device relates in further aspects to a system and a method.

Abstract: A device for holding and monitoring a predetermined dose of a product during a freezing, drying and/or lyophilization process, includes a mold having a receptacle part for containing the predetermined dose of the product in direct contact with the receptacle part, a sensor, contacting the mold or integrated in the mold, for measuring a physical characteristic and/or quantity, and a transmitter for transmitting the measured characteristic and/or quantity in the form of a sensor signal to a control unit for controlling a heating and/or cooling element, integrated in the device, for heating and/or cooling a predetermined dose of product during a freezing, drying and/or lyophilization process, in the lyophilization process. The device relates in further aspects to a system and a method.

Abstract: A method of drying (sublimation or desorption) a frozen product stored in a container, comprising: a) capturing a thermal IR image of the container wall using a thermal IR camera; b) processing the thermal IR image by calculating temperature values of points located on the outer surface of the container wall; c) calculating a maximum temperature of the product in the container using a mathematical model that models heat flow and that models progress of the drying process; d) controlling an amount of power supplied to the container based on the calculated maximum product temperature and on a temperature safety_margin. A freeze drying apparatus for performing said method. A container having a specific shape for use in such a process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for freeze-drying injectable compositions, in particular pharmaceutical compositions, are provided whereby a freeze-dried composition may thus obtained by the method and systems. The systems for freeze-drying injectable compositions, in particular pharmaceutical compositions, make use of the method as described by storing a quantity of a dispersion of an injectable composition in an aqueous dispersion medium in at least one ready-to-use vial, cooling the vial to form ice crystals, applying a vacuum, and applying thermal heat to the dispersion while rotating the vial to homogeneously supply heat to the vial. The condition of the drying dispersion in the rotating vial is measured using an optical sensor using electromagnetic detection and adaptively controlling the amount of thermal heat.

Abstract: A method of drying (sublimation or desorption) a frozen product stored in a container, comprising: a) capturing a thermal IR image of the container wall using a thermal IR camera; b) processing the thermal IR image by calculating temperature values of points located on the outer surface of the container wall; c) calculating a maximum temperature of the product in the container using a mathematical model that models heat flow and that models progress of the drying process; d) controlling an amount of power supplied to the container based on the calculated maximum product temperature and on a temperature safety_margin. A freeze drying apparatus for performing said method. A container having a specific shape for use in such a process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for freeze-drying injectable compositions, in particular pharmaceutical compositions, are provided whereby a freeze-dried composition may thus obtained by the method and systems. The systems for freeze-drying injectable compositions, in particular pharmaceutical compositions, make use of the method as described by storing a quantity of a dispersion of an injectable composition in an aqueous dispersion medium in at least one ready-to-use vial, cooling the vial to form ice crystals, applying a vacuum, and applying thermal heat to the dispersion while rotating the vial to homogeneously supply heat to the vial. The condition of the drying dispersion in the rotating vial is measured using an optical sensor using electromagnetic detection and adaptively controlling the amount of thermal heat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for freeze-drying injectable compositions, in particular pharmaceutical compositions, comprising: A) storing a quantity of a dispersion of an injectable composition in an aqueous dispersion medium in at least one ready-to-use vial, B) rotating the vial at least for a period of time to form a dispersion layer at an inner surface of a circumferential wall of the vial, C) during rotating of the vial according to step B) cooling the vial to form ice crystals at the inner surface of the circumferential wall of the vial, and D) drying the cooled composition to sublime at least a portion of the ice crystals formed in the dispersion by substantially homogeneously heating the circumferential wall of the vial. The invention also relates to a freeze-dried composition obtained by the method according to the invention and a system for freeze-drying injectable compositions, in particular pharmaceutical compositions, in particular by making use of the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A radiation source is provided for generating short-wavelength radiation from plasma in which a molten liquid metal is used as a source material. In the radiation source having a revolving element for providing the source material, unused source material exiting from the plasma zone has to be reliably collected to prevent impairments of the radiation source through unused source material. This aim is met in that a receptacle for the unused source material is constructed as a catch trough having a trough opening below the plasma zone and the molten bath in direction of gravity force as well as an inclined side wall to catch the source material and concentrate it in a deepest catch trough area. A heating element and at least one temperature sensor are fastened to the catch trough for heating the source material and controlling its temperature above its melting temperature.

Abstract: A radiation source is provided for generating short-wavelength radiation from plasma in which a molten liquid metal is used as a source material. In the radiation source having a revolving element for providing the source material, unused source material exiting from the plasma zone has to be reliably collected to prevent impairments of the radiation source through unused source material. This aim is met in that a receptacle for the unused source material is constructed as a catch trough having a trough opening below the plasma zone and the molten bath in direction of gravity force as well as an inclined side wall to catch the source material and concentrate it in a deepest catch trough area. A heating element and at least one temperature sensor are fastened to the catch trough for heating the source material and controlling its temperature above its melting temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for freeze-drying injectable compositions, in particular pharmaceutical compositions, comprising: A) storing a quantity of a dispersion of an injectable composition in an aqueous dispersion medium in at least one ready-to-use vial, B) rotating the vial at least for a period of time to form a dispersion layer at an inner surface of a circumferential wall of the vial, C) during rotating of the vial according to step B) cooling the vial to form ice crystals at the inner surface of the circumferential wall of the vial, and D) drying the cooled composition to sublime at least a portion of the ice crystals formed in the dispersion by substantially homogeneously heating the circumferential wall of the vial. The invention also relates to a freeze-dried composition obtained by the method according to the invention and a system for freeze-drying injectable compositions, in particular pharmaceutical compositions, in particular by making use of the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A freeze dryer shelf with opposed, parallel first and second plates is disclosed. The plates have at least one flow channel located therebetween for conveying a diathermic fluid between the plates. One of the plates has a surface treated to inhibit the sticking to the shelf of a rubber stopper pressed against that surface during the application of pressure to the stopper to push the stopper into a container.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises means for conveying a sample at a controlled velocity between functions of a production line and through an interrogation zone, means for generating at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation of a terahertz frequency and directing the beam through the interrogation zone, means for detecting the electromagnetic radiation reflected from or transmitted through the sample as it moves through the interrogation zone, and means for analyzing the detected electromagnetic and for outputting a signal to at least one of the functions in dependence on the result of the analysis.

Abstract: A method of determining the mass of a moving sample is described, in which the sample is moved at a controlled velocity through a mass interrogation zone and a temperature interrogation zone, which may be upstream or downstream from the mass interrogation zone.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises means for conveying a sample at a controlled velocity between functions of a production line and through an interrogation zone, means for generating at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation of a terahertz frequency and directing the beam through the interrogation zone, means for detecting the electromagnetic radiation reflected from or transmitted through the sample as it moves through the interrogation zone, and means for analyzing the detected electromagnetic and for outputting a signal to at least one of the functions in dependence on the result of the analysis.