Freeze drying apparatus and method employing vapor flow monitoring and/or vacuum pressure control
First Claim
1. A freeze drying apparatus comprising:
- a process chamber for accommodating a plurality of product containers;
a condenser chamber in communication with said process chamber via a channel;
a vacuum source for producing a vacuum on said condenser chamber and process chamber; and
a vapor flow detector disposed to monitor vapor flow to said condenser chamber from product exposed in said process chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Freeze drying apparatus and associated lyophilization procedures are provided employing vapor flow detection and/or vacuum control for monitoring and control of the lyophilization process. The vapor flow detector, such as a windmill sensor, is disposed to monitor vapor flow from product undergoing lyophilization. In a batch process, vapor flow is collectively monitored with the vapor flow detector between the process chamber and condenser chamber, while in a manifold configuration separate vapor flow detectors are employed at each flask attachment port. A windmill sensor provides visual feedback to an operator and/or electronic feedback to a system controller. A vacuum control system is also provided for use with or independent of vapor flow detection. This vacuum control disconnects the vacuum source from the process chamber when pressure within the process chamber falls below a first predefined set point. The vacuum source is then reconnected if process chamber pressure rises above a second predefined set point.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A freeze drying apparatus comprising:
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a process chamber for accommodating a plurality of product containers; a condenser chamber in communication with said process chamber via a channel; a vacuum source for producing a vacuum on said condenser chamber and process chamber; and a vapor flow detector disposed to monitor vapor flow to said condenser chamber from product exposed in said process chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A freeze drying apparatus for freeze drying product adapted to be contained in a frozen state in at least one flask, said freeze drying apparatus comprising:
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a manifold presenting a sealed interior chamber and at least one port adapted to receive said at least one flask to place the interior of said flask and product therein in gaseous communication with said interior chamber; a condenser associated with said interior chamber of said manifold for condensing condensible vapors present in said interior chamber; a vacuum pump for producing a vacuum within said interior chamber of said manifold for reducing ambient pressure in said interior chamber; and a vapor flow detector for monitoring vapor flow from product in at least one flask coupled to said manifold during freeze drying processing using said freeze drying apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A freeze drying apparatus for freeze drying product, said freeze drying apparatus comprising:
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a process chamber for accommodating a plurality of product containers; a vacuum pump for producing a vacuum on said process chamber; and a process controller connected to said vacuum pump, said process controller monitoring freeze drying within said freeze drying apparatus and during freeze drying processing selectively disconnecting said vacuum pump from said process chamber without impairing freeze drying processing within said freeze drying apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification