Lyophilization Bag
A lyophilization bag is provided herein for containing a solution in a lyophilizer during lyophilization. The lyophilization bag includes a body having a flexible base member, and a flexible top member. The base member and the top member, collectively, at least partially encompass an interior volume of the body. A first portion of the interior volume is defined between at least portions of the base member and a reference plane located spaced from the at least portions of the base member, the first portion of the interior volume defining a volume corresponding to the initial volume of the solution. A second portion of the interior volume is defined between the reference plane and at least portions of the top member. At least one port defining an opening is in communication with the second portion of the interior volume.
1 . A lyophilization bag for containing a solution in a lyophilizer during lyophilization, the solution being in an initial volume before lyophilization, the lyophilization bag comprising:
a body having a flexible base member, and a flexible top member, wherein, the base member and the top member, collectively, at least partially encompass an interior volume of the body, wherein, a first portion of the interior volume is defined between at least portions of the base member and a reference plane located spaced from the at least portions of the base member, the first portion of the interior volume defining a volume corresponding to the initial volume of the solution, and, wherein, a second portion of the interior volume is defined between the reference plane and at least portions of the top member; and,
at least one port defining an opening in communication with the second portion of the interior volume.
2 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 1 , further comprising at least one inlet tube having an inner lumen in communication with the interior volume.
3 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 1 , further comprising an angled front panel defined by the top member.
4 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 3 , wherein at least one port is affixed to the front panel.
5 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 3 , further comprising at least one inlet tube having an inner lumen in communication with the interior volume, wherein at least one inlet tube is affixed to the front panel.
6 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 1 , wherein the base member is sized to rest on a support surface in the lyophilizer in full face-to-face contact.
7 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 1 , further comprising a removable closure for selectively sealing the opening of at least one port.
8 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 1 , wherein the base member has a rectangular configuration.
9 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of hooks or loops spaced across the top member.
10 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 1 , further comprising a flexible side wall member perimetrically bounding, and extending upwardly from, the base member, wherein the top member extends between portions of the side wall member spaced from the base member.
11 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 10 , wherein the side wall member extends continuously between the base member and the reference plane.
12 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 10 , wherein the side wall member extends upwardly from the base member beyond the reference plane.
13 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 1 , wherein the base member is flat.
14 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 13 , wherein the reference plane is parallel to the base member.
15 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 1 , wherein the base member is directly joined to the top member to define a sealed joint there between.
16 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 15 , wherein the sealed joint is formed by one or more of heat sealing, fusion, and an adhesive.
17 . The lyophilization bag as in claim 15 , wherein the sealed joint perimetrically bounds the interior volume.