Optimization of nucleation and crystallization for lyophilization using gap freezing
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- loading containers comprising a liquid solution on to a plurality of trays comprising tray surfaces in a lyophilization chamber, the tray surfaces being disposed between parallel upper and lower heat sinks, wherein the trays are optionally thermal conductors and wherein the liquid solution comprises a solute and a solvent;
providing a thermal conduction insulator forming a fixed distance from the container on the tray to the respective lower heat sink surface; and
lowering the temperature of the heat sinks and thereby the ambient temperature in the lyophilization chamber comprising the containers, tray surfaces and thermal insulators to a temperature sufficient to freeze the liquid solution and form a frozen solution.
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Abstract
This application discloses devices, articles, and methods useful for producing lyophilized cakes of solutes. The devices and articles provide for a method of freezing liquid solutions of the solute by the top and the bottom of the solution simultaneously and at approximately the same rate. The as frozen solution can then provide a lyophilized cake of the solutes with large and uniform pores.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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loading containers comprising a liquid solution on to a plurality of trays comprising tray surfaces in a lyophilization chamber, the tray surfaces being disposed between parallel upper and lower heat sinks, wherein the trays are optionally thermal conductors and wherein the liquid solution comprises a solute and a solvent; providing a thermal conduction insulator forming a fixed distance from the container on the tray to the respective lower heat sink surface; and lowering the temperature of the heat sinks and thereby the ambient temperature in the lyophilization chamber comprising the containers, tray surfaces and thermal insulators to a temperature sufficient to freeze the liquid solution and form a frozen solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification