A method of facilitating real-time monitoring of conditions within a vial during a lyophilization process occurring within a lyophilization chamber includes, for each of a plurality of time intervals during the lyophilization process, determining current values of temperature and pressure within the lyophilization chamber and, after each time interval, determining current values of one or more conditions within the vial. Determining the current values of the condition(s) within the vial includes applying those current values as inputs to a heat and mass transfer balance model and solving for a current value of a temperature within the vial (and possibly water removed from or remaining within the product). The method also includes causing a display device to display the current value(s) of the condition(s) within the vial to a user, and/or controlling the temperature and/or pressure within the lyophilization chamber based on the current value(s) of the condition(s) within the vial.

A method of facilitating real-time monitoring of conditions within a vial during a lyophilization process occurring within a lyophilization chamber includes, for each of a plurality of time intervals during the lyophilization process, determining current values of temperature and pressure within the lyophilization chamber and, after each time interval, determining current values of one or more conditions within the vial. Determining the current values of the condition(s) within the vial includes applying those current values as inputs to a heat and mass transfer balance model and solving for a current value of a temperature within the vial (and possibly water removed from or remaining within the product). The method also includes causing a display device to display the current value(s) of the condition(s) within the vial to a user, and/or controlling the temperature and/or pressure within the lyophilization chamber based on the current value(s) of the condition(s) within the vial.

A method of spreading fiber tows includes assembling a fibrous composite from a plurality of tows, applying an aqueous solution to the fibrous composite, freezing the fibrous composite after applying the aqueous solution, freeze drying the fibrous composite to remove water from the fibrous composite, and heating the fibrous composite after freeze drying to remove a cryoprotectant from the fibrous composite. The aqueous solution comprises water and the cryoprotectant and freezing the fibrous composite spreads filaments within the plurality of fiber tows.

A method of spreading fiber tows includes assembling a fibrous composite from a plurality of tows, applying an aqueous solution to the fibrous composite, freezing the fibrous composite after applying the aqueous solution, freeze drying the fibrous composite to remove water from the fibrous composite, and heating the fibrous composite after freeze drying to remove a cryoprotectant from the fibrous composite. The aqueous solution comprises water and the cryoprotectant and freezing the fibrous composite spreads filaments within the plurality of fiber tows.

The invention relates to a container for the lyophilisation of a liquid or semi-liquid product. The container comprises an upper portion (2) provided with a membrane which is permeable to water vapour and a lower portion (3) comprising a reservoir designed to receive the product on a bottom. The container comprises internal partitions (21) in the reservoir (19) which form a plurality of product-receiving volumes (22-27), the internal partitions (21) being configured such that introducing product into one of the predefined receiving volumes (22) causes said receiving volumes (22-27) to be successively filled in a predetermined order.

The invention relates to a container for the lyophilisation of a liquid or semi-liquid product. The container comprises an upper portion (2) provided with a membrane which is permeable to water vapour and a lower portion (3) comprising a reservoir designed to receive the product on a bottom. The container comprises internal partitions (21) in the reservoir (19) which form a plurality of product-receiving volumes (22-27), the internal partitions (21) being configured such that introducing product into one of the predefined receiving volumes (22) causes said receiving volumes (22-27) to be successively filled in a predetermined order.

An arrangement for monitoring an aseptic manufacturing process includes product condition sensors capable of making closely spaced measurements of a product condition such as temperature or humidity. The measurements are made using closely spaced sensors arranged in a linear array on a single probe, which may be used to take measurements at multiple levels within the product. Data from the sensors is transmitted to a data collection point via short range wireless digital communications. The sensors may be used to measure temperature and humidity at a single point. For example, when the sensors are used in pharmaceutical freeze drying, the location of a sublimation front may be calculated for each vial, and the freeze drying process may be controlled using the data.

An arrangement for monitoring an aseptic manufacturing process includes product condition sensors capable of making closely spaced measurements of a product condition such as temperature or humidity. The measurements are made using closely spaced sensors arranged in a linear array on a single probe, which may be used to take measurements at multiple levels within the product. Data from the sensors is transmitted to a data collection point via short range wireless digital communications. The sensors may be used to measure temperature and humidity at a single point. For example, when the sensors are used in pharmaceutical freeze drying, the location of a sublimation front may be calculated for each vial, and the freeze drying process may be controlled using the data.

A process and apparatus are provided for treating or processing containers that are used for storing substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications or contain the same. During the process, cylindrical containers open at least at one end are automatically led past or pass through processing stations for treatment or processing by means of a conveying device, while the containers are jointly held by a carrier in a regular two-dimensional arrangement. The carrier includes a plurality of openings or receptacles that determine the regular arrangement. The treatment or processing of the containers is performed on or in at least one of the processing stations while the containers are supported by the carrier.

A process and apparatus are provided for treating or processing containers that are used for storing substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications or contain the same. During the process, cylindrical containers open at least at one end are automatically led past or pass through processing stations for treatment or processing by means of a conveying device, while the containers are jointly held by a carrier in a regular two-dimensional arrangement. The carrier includes a plurality of openings or receptacles that determine the regular arrangement. The treatment or processing of the containers is performed on or in at least one of the processing stations while the containers are supported by the carrier.