Method and apparatus for freeze-drying
First Claim
1. A freeze-dryer, comprising:
- a chamber having a cover, side walls and a thermally-conductive base, the base having an interior surface and a conduit therein;
a specimen holder disposed in the chamber for holding a specimen to be freeze-dried, the specimen holder having a support tube slidably engaging the conduit so as to be selectively moveable between a position in which the specimen holder is in contact with the interior surface of the base and one or more positions in which the specimen holder is not in contact with the interior surface of the base;
means mounted below the interior surface of the base for cooling the specimen; and
means for reducing the pressure in the chamber by drawing a vacuum.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for effecting freeze-drying specimens containing solvents or condensing solvents having a shallow pan treatment chamber with little or no obstructions, holes or orifices. The treatment is effected by cooling the base of the chamber by using coolant-containing coils mounted beneath the base of the chamber. The direct thermal conduction of heat through the base of the chamber provides a more effective method of both cooling specimens and condensing solvents, typically water. A source of vacuum is provided to the chamber by a conduit located in the cover, sidewalls or base of the chamber. The method and apparatus may employ a moveable specimen holder positioned in the chamber. The moveable specimen holder may be mounted on a perforated tube which slidably engages a conduit in the base of the chamber. The perforated tube may a conduit to the source of vacuum. The specimen holder may be supported by the perforated tube and by a rigid metal wire which is used to elevate the specimen holder above the base of the chamber. By varying the elevation of the specimen holder various treatments can be effected. The method and apparatus are applicable to manifold type freeze-drying and can be used simply as a cold trap.
39 Citations
38 Claims
-
1. A freeze-dryer, comprising:
-
a chamber having a cover, side walls and a thermally-conductive base, the base having an interior surface and a conduit therein;
a specimen holder disposed in the chamber for holding a specimen to be freeze-dried, the specimen holder having a support tube slidably engaging the conduit so as to be selectively moveable between a position in which the specimen holder is in contact with the interior surface of the base and one or more positions in which the specimen holder is not in contact with the interior surface of the base;
means mounted below the interior surface of the base for cooling the specimen; and
means for reducing the pressure in the chamber by drawing a vacuum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for freeze-drying a specimen containing a solvent in a chamber having a base with an interior surface, the chamber having a thermally-conductive specimen holder moveable between a position in contact with the interior surface of the base and one or more positions not in contact with the interior surface of the base;
- means for cooling mounted beneath the interior surface of the base; and
a source of vacuum operatively connected to the chamber for reducing the pressure in the chamber, comprising;positioning the specimen holder so that it contacts the interior surface of the base of the chamber;
placing the specimen on the specimen holder;
operating the cooling means so as to cool the specimen at least by conduction to a temperature below the freezing temperature of the solvent;
moving the specimen holder to a position out of contact with the interior surface of the base of the chamber; and
reducing the pressure in the chamber by activating the source of vacuum to obtain a pressure in the chamber at which the solvent will sublime to produce a freeze-dried specimen. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- means for cooling mounted beneath the interior surface of the base; and
-
18. A freeze dryer for treating a specimen containing a solvent, comprising:
-
a chamber having a cover, side walls and a thermally-conductive base, the base having an interior surface;
means for reducing the pressure in the chamber whereby at least some of the solvent in the specimen sublimes to form a gaseous solvent; and
means mounted below the interior surface of the base for cooling the interior surface of the base to provide a condensing surface for the solvent. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A freeze-dryer, for treating a specimen containing a solvent, comprising:
-
a chamber for holding the specimen, the chamber having a cover, side walls and a thermally-conductive base, the base having an interior surface;
means for a reducing the pressure in the chamber whereby at least some gaseous solvent is formed;
means mounted below the interior surface for cooling the interior surface whereby at least some solvent solidifies on the interior surface during treatment; and
means for deflecting the interior surface whereby the at least some solidified solvent is dislodged from the interior surface to facilitate removal of the solidified solvent from the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A method for freeze-drying a specimen containing a solvent in a chamber having a base with thermally-conductive, deflectable interior surface;
- means for cooling mounted beneath the interior surface of the base; and
a source of vacuum operatively connected to the chamber for reducing the pressure in the chamber, comprising;locating the specimen in the chamber;
reducing the pressure in the chamber by activating the source of vacuum whereby at least some solvent sublimes;
cooling the interior surface of the base via the means for cooling;
condensing at least some solvent on the cooled interior surface; and
deflecting the interior surface of the base whereby at least some solid condensate is dislodged from the interior surface. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
- means for cooling mounted beneath the interior surface of the base; and
-
34. A freeze-dryer, comprising:
-
a chamber for holding a specimen to be freeze-dried, the chamber having a cover, side-walls and a thermally-conductive base, the base having an interior surface;
means positioned below the interior surface of the base for cooling the specimen; and
means for reducing the pressure in the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
-
Specification