Abstract: A device for storing a material to be lyophilized includes a support panel, a sidewall, an opening, a cover, and at least one lifter device. The sidewall and the support panel define a storage space for accommodating a material. The opening is defined by a rim of the sidewall. The cover is removably disposed adjacent to the rim of the sidewall for closing the opening. The lifter device is disposed between the support panel and the cover and includes a reservoir and at least one movable wall. The reservoir defines a sealed cavity containing a fluid. The movable wall is in operable communication with the fluid in the sealed cavity and engaging the cover to displace the cover away from the rim when the lifter device is subject to an ambient pressure that is less than the pressure of the fluid in the sealed cavity.

Abstract: A method by which a freeze-drying process may be developed from a single freeze-drying experiment. The method uses in-process manometric temperature measurement (MTM) data to optimize the primary drying conditions. Manometric temperature measurement is a procedure by which the product temperature at the sublimation interface and the resistance of the previously dried product to vapor flow may be determined. The inventive method can be used in an inventive freeze-drying system. The system comprises a freeze-dryer, a measurement system including hardware and software necessary for generation of MTM data and a control system including hardware and software for interpretation of the generated MTM data and control of the freeze-dryer. The measurement system and control system may be combined into a single device.