US 11,885,564 B2
Apparatus and method for developing freeze drying protocols using small batches of product
T. N. Thompson, Kingston, NY (US); Qiming Wang, Kingston, NY (US); and Richard Martino, Saugerties, NY (US)
Assigned to MILLROCK TECHNOLOGY, INC., Kingston, NY (US)
Filed by Millrock Technology, Inc., Kingston, NY (US)
Filed on Jan. 16, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/744,309.
Application 16/744,309 is a continuation of application No. 15/228,100, filed on Aug. 4, 2016, granted, now 10,605,527.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/279,564, filed on Jan. 15, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/222,136, filed on Sep. 22, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0149815 A1, May 14, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F26B 5/06 (2006.01); F26B 9/06 (2006.01); F26B 3/20 (2006.01); F26B 21/10 (2006.01)
CPC F26B 5/06 (2013.01) [F26B 3/20 (2013.01); F26B 9/066 (2013.01); F26B 21/10 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for eliminating or minimizing non-uniformity of edge vials compared to center vials during freezing and/or primary drying of product therein in a freeze dryer, comprising:
a temperature controlled surface surrounding both the edge vials and the center vials, wherein the temperature controlled surface is positioned in direct contact with or direct connection to the edge vials, or connected to the edge vials via a thermal conductor, to control the temperature of the edge vials, the temperature controlled surface is closer to the surrounded edge vials than the surrounded center vials,
wherein the non-uniformity of the edge vials compared to the center vials during freezing and/or primary drying of product therein in the freeze dryer is reduced by adjusting the temperature of the temperature controlled surface.