A freeze-drying apparatus capable of uniform heating

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology and discloses a freeze-drying device capable of uniform heating. It includes a freeze-drying chamber with a hollow groove at the center of the lower front side. The interior of the freeze-drying chamber is divided into two cavities by a partition: an upper cavity for cooling and a lower cavity for vacuum drying. A cooling extension cavity is fixedly installed on one side of the freeze-drying chamber near the upper end, and a microwave heating mechanism is fixedly installed inside the extension cavity. One end of the waveguide tube in the microwave heating mechanism penetrates the freeze-drying chamber and extends into the hollow groove, with waveguide heads fixedly connected to the lower end and both sides. This utility model, through reasonable structural design and advanced technical means, achieves efficient and uniform heating of materials during the freeze-drying process, significantly improving drying efficiency and quality, and has broad application prospects and practical value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a freeze-drying device that can be uniformly heated. Background Technology

[0002] Pharmaceuticals are substances used to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, as well as regulate the body's physiological functions. They encompass various types, including chemical raw materials and their preparations, antibiotics, biochemical drugs, radioactive drugs, serums, vaccines, blood products, and diagnostic drugs. Freeze-drying is primarily used to better preserve the activity and stability of pharmaceuticals. Drying at low temperatures prevents the destruction or denaturation of some heat-sensitive drug components due to high temperatures; it removes moisture from drugs, inhibits microbial growth and enzyme activity, and extends shelf life; freeze-dried drugs have a porous structure, good rehydration properties, and can quickly return to their original state after adding water, facilitating clinical use; it also reduces the weight and volume of drugs, making storage and transportation easier.

[0003] A significant problem in existing vacuum freeze-drying processes is that during the freezing stage, most of the material to be processed forms a dense, monolithic mass. This is primarily because current freeze-drying processes often lack effective control over the material's structure. At low temperatures, the moisture within the material freezes rapidly, causing the various parts to stick together and fuse. When entering the drying stage, this monolithic structure presents significant challenges to uniform heating. Since heat transfer requires time and a suitable medium, the dense mass makes the heat conduction path complex and lengthy. During heating, heat can only be conducted gradually from the surface to the interior of the material. However, the center of the ice block is far from the surface, making it difficult for heat to reach quickly and evenly. This results in a significant temperature difference between the surface and the center; the surface may have reached the required drying temperature, while the center remains at a lower temperature, preventing effective moisture sublimation. Consequently, to ensure adequate drying in the center, the entire drying process must be prolonged, significantly impacting freeze-drying efficiency and increasing production and time costs.

[0004] Therefore, those skilled in the art have provided a freeze-drying apparatus capable of uniform heating to solve the problems mentioned in the background art. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a freeze-drying device that can be heated uniformly, with high drying efficiency and uniform heating.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A freeze-drying device capable of uniform heating includes a freeze-drying chamber. A hollow groove is formed at the center of the lower front side of the freeze-drying chamber. The interior of the freeze-drying chamber is divided into two cavities by a partition. The upper cavity is a cooling cavity, and the lower cavity is a vacuum drying cavity. A cooling extension cavity is fixedly arranged on one side of the freeze-drying chamber near the upper end. A microwave heating mechanism is fixedly arranged inside the extension cavity.

[0008] In the microwave heating mechanism, one end of the waveguide tube passes through the freeze-drying chamber and leads to the interior of the hollow trough. Waveguide tube heads are fixedly connected to the lower end and both sides. All three waveguide tube heads pass through the freeze-drying chamber and lead to the interior of the freeze-drying chamber. A refrigeration unit and a vacuum pump are respectively installed on the upper side of the other side of the freeze-drying chamber. A funnel is fixedly installed at the center of the upper surface of the freeze-drying chamber. A bent cooling copper tube is fixedly installed at the lower end of the funnel, which passes through the freeze-drying chamber and leads to the interior of the cooling cavity.

[0009] Furthermore, the suction end of the vacuum pump passes through the freeze-drying chamber and leads to the interior of the vacuum drying chamber, which is filled with cooling water.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper end of the freeze-drying chamber is equipped with a valve for injecting cooling water, and the refrigeration unit is a semiconductor refrigeration unit, which cools the cooling water in the cooling chamber.

[0011] Furthermore, a pressure relief valve is provided at the upper end of the freeze-drying chamber, and the lower end of the pressure relief valve passes through the freeze-drying chamber and the partition to the interior of the vacuum drying chamber.

[0012] Furthermore, the cooling extension cavity is connected to the cooling cavity, and the lower end of the bent cooling copper tube passes through the partition and leads to the interior of the vacuum drying cavity.

[0013] Furthermore, electrically controlled high-pressure valves are fixedly installed at the lower end of the bent cooling copper tube and on the lower part of one side of the vacuum drying chamber. A control panel is installed on the front side of the freeze-drying chamber and is electrically connected to the microwave heating mechanism, the refrigeration unit, the electrically controlled high-pressure valve, and the vacuum pump, respectively, and is connected to an external power supply.

[0014] Furthermore, two heat-conducting copper rods are fixedly installed between the front end and the rear end of the cooling extension cavity and the inner wall of the freeze-drying chamber, and observation windows are provided on the front side of both the cooling cavity and the vacuum drying cavity.

[0015] Furthermore, a steam pipe is fixedly connected to the upper rear side of the vacuum drying chamber, and a collection bottle is threaded onto the lower end of the steam pipe.

[0016] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] This invention proposes a freeze-drying device capable of uniform heating. This technology employs a microwave heating mechanism and waveguide head. Microwaves heat the vacuum drying chamber from the center outwards, and the metal inner shell enhances microwave reflection, achieving efficient and uniform heating. This solves the problem of poor heating at the center in traditional heating systems. The cooling chamber is filled with cooling water, and the refrigeration unit precisely controls the temperature. Temperature sensors ensure the material reaches a suitable slushy state. A vacuum pump maintains a vacuum environment within the chamber, and a pressure relief valve monitors and stabilizes the pressure. This device is suitable for various pharmaceutical products, and different requirements can be met by adjusting parameters. Its structural design is reasonable, with partitions separating the freezing and drying areas. The cooling extension chamber and heat-conducting copper rod ensure uniform cooling water temperature. Operationally, the control panel integrates functions, and the observation window facilitates monitoring. For safety, a pressure relief valve and an electrically controlled high-pressure valve ensure safe operation. Steam pipes and collection bottles collect water vapor, preventing environmental pollution and improving drying efficiency and quality. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the left front view of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention from the right side;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a rear sectional view of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a rear view schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0023] Legend:

[0024] 1. Freeze-drying chamber; 2. Electrically controlled high-pressure valve; 3. Waveguide main pipe; 4. Cooling extension cavity; 5. Microwave heating mechanism; 6. Pressure relief valve; 7. Funnel; 8. Bending cooling copper pipe; 9. Thermally conductive copper rod; 10. Refrigeration unit; 11. Vacuum pump; 12. Partition; 13. Waveguide head; 14. Hollow core; 15. Steam pipe; 16. Collection bottle. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] Reference Figures 1-5This utility model provides an embodiment of a freeze-drying device capable of uniform heating, comprising a freeze-drying chamber 1. A hollow groove 14 is formed at the center of the lower front end of the freeze-drying chamber 1. The interior of the freeze-drying chamber 1 is divided into two cavities by a partition 12: the upper cavity is a cooling cavity, and the lower cavity is a vacuum drying cavity. A cooling extension cavity 4 is fixedly arranged on the upper side of one side of the freeze-drying chamber 1. A microwave heating mechanism 5 is fixedly arranged inside the extension cavity. One end of the waveguide tube 3 in the microwave heating mechanism 5 penetrates the freeze-drying chamber 1 and leads to the interior of the hollow groove 14. Waveguide tube heads 13 are fixedly connected to the lower end and both sides. All three waveguide tube heads 13 penetrate the freeze-drying chamber 1 and lead to the interior of the freeze-drying chamber 1. A refrigeration unit 10 and a vacuum pump 11 are respectively arranged on the upper side of the other side of the freeze-drying chamber 1. A funnel 7 is fixedly arranged at the center of the upper surface of the freeze-drying chamber 1. A bent cooling copper tube 8 is fixedly arranged at the lower end of the funnel 7 and leads to the interior of the cooling cavity.

[0027] The suction end of the vacuum pump 11 passes through the freeze-drying chamber 1 and leads to the interior of the vacuum drying chamber. The cooling chamber is filled with cooling water. A valve for injecting cooling water is installed at the upper end of the freeze-drying chamber 1. The refrigeration unit 10 is a semiconductor refrigeration unit, and its refrigeration end cools the cooling water in the cooling chamber. A pressure relief valve 6 is installed at the upper end of the freeze-drying chamber 1. The lower end of the pressure relief valve 6 passes through the freeze-drying chamber 1 and the partition 12 and leads to the interior of the vacuum drying chamber. It is used for pressure relief and pressure monitoring of the vacuum drying chamber. The cooling extension chamber 4 is connected to the cooling chamber and is curved. The lower end of the cooling copper tube 8 passes through the partition 12 and leads into the vacuum drying chamber. Electrically controlled high-pressure valves 2 are fixedly installed at the lower end of the bent cooling copper tube 8 and on the lower side of one side of the vacuum drying chamber. Two heat-conducting copper rods 9 are fixedly installed near the front and rear ends of the cooling extension chamber 4 and the inner wall of the freeze-drying chamber 1. A control panel is located on the front side of the freeze-drying chamber 1 and is electrically connected to the microwave heating mechanism 5, the electrically controlled high-pressure valve 2, the refrigeration unit 10, and the vacuum pump 11, respectively, and is connected to an external power source. Observation windows are provided on the front sides of both the cooling chamber and the vacuum drying chamber. A steam pipe 15 is fixedly connected to the upper rear end of the vacuum drying chamber, and a collection bottle 16 is threaded onto the lower end of the steam pipe 15.

[0028] The inner wall of the vacuum drying chamber is made of metal to ensure efficient microwave reflection. The observation window is embedded in the metal inner shell and cannot reflect microwaves, so a transparent reflection film, such as indium tin oxide, is required.

[0029] Specifically, by setting up a microwave heating mechanism 5, a waveguide main tube 3, and a waveguide head 13, microwaves heat the material uniformly from the center of the vacuum drying chamber outwards, avoiding the problem of heat not reaching the center of the material in traditional heating methods, thus significantly improving the uniformity and efficiency of heating. The metal inner shell design of the inner wall of the vacuum drying chamber further enhances the microwave rebound effect, ensuring that all parts of the material are heated quickly and uniformly.

[0030] The cooling chamber is filled with cooling water, which is precisely cooled by the refrigeration unit 10 to ensure that the material reaches the required low temperature during the freezing stage. Temperature sensors installed in the cooling chamber monitor the cooling water temperature in real time and adjust it according to the material's freezing point to ensure that the material forms a suitable dry slushy state during the freezing process, avoiding over- or under-freezing.

[0031] Vacuum pump 11 can quickly evacuate the vacuum drying chamber to a vacuum state, creating optimal conditions for water sublimation. The pressure relief valve 6 of the vacuum drying chamber is used for pressure relief and monitoring, ensuring stable pressure during the drying process and preventing pressure fluctuations from affecting the drying effect. This equipment is suitable for freeze-drying various pharmaceutical products, such as vaccines, blood products, powder injections, and traditional Chinese medicine extracts. By adjusting the freezing and drying parameters, the drying requirements of different materials can be met, demonstrating strong versatility and flexibility. The freeze-drying chamber 1 is internally divided into a cooling chamber and a vacuum drying chamber by a partition 12, achieving separation of freezing and drying and avoiding mutual interference between the two. The design of the cooling extension chamber 4 and the heat-conducting copper rod 9 ensures uniform temperature distribution of the cooling water within the cooling chamber, further improving the freezing effect.

[0032] The control panel located on the front of the freeze-drying chamber 1 integrates the control functions of the microwave heating mechanism 5, the electrically controlled high-pressure valve 2, the refrigeration unit 10, and the vacuum pump 11, making operation simple and intuitive. The observation window design facilitates real-time monitoring of the material's status, ensuring the smooth progress of the drying process. The pressure relief valve 6 and the electrically controlled high-pressure valve 2 ensure the safety of the equipment during operation. The design of the steam pipe 15 and the collection bottle 16 effectively collects the water vapor generated during the drying process, preventing environmental pollution.

[0033] Working principle: Before use, turn on the refrigeration unit 10 to cool the cooling water inside the cooling chamber. Then, open the electrically controlled high-pressure valve 2 of the bent cooling copper tube 8 and pour the liquid to be dried into the funnel 7. The liquid enters the bent cooling copper tube 8 through the funnel 7 and then flows into the vacuum drying chamber. While passing through the bent cooling copper tube 8, the liquid is cooled by the cooling water. During the cooling process, a temperature sensor needs to be installed in the cooling chamber to detect the freezing point of the liquid in advance, ensuring that the liquid freezes into a water-containing slush after passing through the bent cooling copper tube 8. The low-temperature slush liquid then enters the vacuum drying chamber. After the vacuum drying chamber is filled, it is necessary to ensure that the amount of ice-slush liquid does not exceed the suction port of vacuum pump 11 and the port of steam pipe 15. Close the electrically controlled high-pressure valve 2 of the bent cooling copper pipe 8, and start vacuum pump 11. The start of vacuum pump 11 creates a relative vacuum environment in the vacuum drying chamber. Then, start microwave heating mechanism 5. The microwaves emitted by microwave heating mechanism 5 are guided by waveguide tube 3 and emitted through waveguide head 13, heating from the center of the vacuum drying chamber outwards. The inner wall of the vacuum drying chamber is made of metal shell to ensure efficient microwave reflection, and the transmitting end of waveguide head 13... The opening is equipped with a glass or ceramic head to prevent liquid from entering without affecting microwave emission. It allows for efficient and uniform heating of low-temperature sorbet liquids under microwave and vacuum conditions. During heating, the water in the sorbet liquid sublimates directly into water vapor. The water vapor rises and enters the collection bottle 16 through the steam pipe 15 for drying and collection. This freeze-drying technology is suitable for vaccines, blood products, powder injections, and traditional Chinese medicine extracts. The freezing process described above is not fixed; the freezing limit is set according to the requirements of the liquid used, but it cannot be frozen into a solid to prevent solids from getting stuck inside the curved cooling copper tube 8. Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure that the flow can pass through the electrically controlled high-pressure valve 2. After the freeze-drying is completed, the pressure can be released through the pressure relief valve 6, and then discharged through the electrically controlled high-pressure valve 2 at the lower side of the vacuum drying chamber. The heat-conducting copper rod 9 set in this device is used to guide the temperature and avoid uneven temperature of the cooling water inside the cooling chamber. The external cooling extension chamber 4 is used for cooling the microwave heating mechanism 5. The microwave heating mechanism 5 has the same heating principle as the microwave oven and belongs to the prior art, so it will not be described in detail. Similarly, the refrigeration unit 10 and the vacuum pump 11 are also used. The partition 12 is used to separate the chambers and at the same time to isolate the temperature.

[0034] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A freeze-drying apparatus capable of uniform heating, comprising a freeze-drying chamber (1), characterized in that: A hollow groove (14) is provided at the center of the lower front side of the freeze-drying chamber (1). The freeze-drying chamber (1) is divided into two chambers by a partition (12). The upper chamber is a cooling chamber and the lower chamber is a vacuum drying chamber. A cooling extension chamber (4) is fixedly provided on the upper side of the freeze-drying chamber (1). A microwave heating mechanism (5) is fixedly provided inside the extension chamber. One end of the waveguide tube (3) in the microwave heating mechanism (5) passes through the freeze-drying chamber (1) and leads to the interior of the hollow trough (14). Waveguide tube heads (13) are fixedly connected to the lower end and both sides. All three waveguide tube heads (13) pass through the freeze-drying chamber (1) and lead to the interior of the freeze-drying chamber (1). A refrigeration unit (10) and a vacuum pump (11) are respectively installed on the upper side of the other side of the freeze-drying chamber (1). A funnel (7) is fixedly installed at the center of the upper surface of the freeze-drying chamber (1). A bent cooling copper tube (8) is fixedly installed inside the cooling cavity through the lower end of the funnel (7) and leads to the interior of the cooling cavity.

2. The freeze-drying equipment capable of uniform heating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The suction end of the vacuum pump (11) passes through the freeze-drying chamber (1) and leads to the interior of the vacuum drying chamber, which is filled with cooling water.

3. The freeze-drying equipment capable of uniform heating according to claim 2, characterized in that: The freeze-drying chamber (1) is equipped with a valve for injecting cooling water at the upper end. The refrigeration unit (10) is a semiconductor refrigeration unit, and the refrigeration end cools the cooling water in the cooling chamber.

4. The freeze-drying equipment capable of uniform heating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the freeze-drying chamber (1) is provided with a pressure relief valve (6), and the lower end of the pressure relief valve (6) passes through the freeze-drying chamber (1) and the partition (12) to the interior of the vacuum drying chamber.

5. The freeze-drying equipment capable of uniform heating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling extension cavity (4) is connected to the cooling cavity, and the lower end of the bent cooling copper tube (8) passes through the partition (12) to the inside of the vacuum drying cavity.

6. The freeze-drying equipment capable of uniform heating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the bent cooling copper tube (8) and the lower part of one side of the vacuum drying chamber are both fixedly equipped with electrically controlled high-pressure valves (2). The front side of the freeze-drying chamber (1) is equipped with a control panel, which is electrically connected to the microwave heating mechanism (5), the refrigeration unit (10), the electrically controlled high-pressure valve (2), and the vacuum pump (11), and is connected to an external power supply.

7. The freeze-drying equipment capable of uniform heating according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two heat-conducting copper rods (9) are fixedly installed between the inner walls of the cooling extension cavity (4) and the freeze-drying chamber (1) at the front and rear ends, respectively. Observation windows are provided on the front side of both the cooling cavity and the vacuum drying cavity.

8. The freeze-drying equipment capable of uniform heating according to claim 1, characterized in that: A steam pipe (15) is fixedly connected to the upper rear side of the vacuum drying chamber, and a collection bottle (16) is threaded onto the lower end of the steam pipe (15).

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