CN110446899B

CN110446899B - Freeze-drying equipment

Info

Publication number: CN110446899B
Application number: CN201880020022.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K·安德拉施克
Original assignee: SBM Schoeller Bleckmann Medizintechnik GmbH
Current assignee: SBM Schoeller Bleckmann Medizintechnik GmbH
Priority date: 2017-03-22
Filing date: 2018-01-25
Publication date: 2021-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-25
Also published as: EP3615874A1; DE102017204752A1; CN110446899A; EP3615874B1; ES2968659T3; WO2018171956A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a lyophilization apparatus (190) comprising a product chamber (70) having at least two adjustable support means (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g) arranged within the product chamber (70). The support means (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g) can be a shelf, for example, for supporting at least one product to be dried by means of the freeze drying device (190), which is contained in a small container, a so-called sample vial. The lyophilization apparatus (190) additionally comprises an actuator (5) for adjusting the spacing of the at least two support means (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g) from each other in an adjustment direction. I.e. the adjustment direction indicates the direction of movement of the support means (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g) when adjusting in the adjustment direction. The actuator (5) is a device that can convert a control signal into mechanical work in a large part. Furthermore, the lyophilization apparatus (190) comprises a drive means (60) for moving the at least two support means (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80 g).

Description

Freeze-drying equipment

Technical Field

The invention relates to a lyophilization apparatus having at least one product chamber comprising at least two adjustable support means arranged in the product chamber, at least one actuator for adjusting the spacing of the at least two support means from each other in an adjustment direction, and at least one drive means for moving the at least two support means. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the spacing of at least two support means of a lyophilization apparatus.

Background

Document EP 1726901 a1 discloses a freeze-drying apparatus having a vertically held shelf arranged in the product chamber as a support means for the containers. Furthermore, the lyophilization apparatus comprises two lifting cylinders independent of each other as actuators, by means of which the support means can be vertically steplessly adjusted.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to develop a lyophilization apparatus in which shelf adjustment is carried out more simply and reliably.

In order to solve this object, a lyophilization apparatus according to the features of claim 1 is proposed according to the invention. Furthermore, a method is proposed which is carried out by the lyophilization apparatus.

The lyophilization apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a product chamber having at least two adjustable support means arranged within the product chamber. In this case, the support means can be, for example, a shelf for supporting at least one product to be dried by means of the freeze drying device, which is contained in a small container, a so-called sample vial. Additionally, the lyophilization apparatus comprises an actuator for adjusting the distance of the at least two support means from each other in the adjustment direction. The adjustment direction is the direction of movement of the support means during adjustment. In this case, the actuator is a device which can convert a control signal largely into mechanical work. Furthermore, the lyophilization apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drive means for moving the at least two support means. Here, movement of the support means in the vertical direction is preferably meant. In the lyophilization apparatus according to claim 1, the actuator is arranged outside the product chamber. Thereby a simple structure of the lyophilization apparatus without an actuator in the product chamber to be kept sterile is obtained. In addition, the following advantages are obtained here: temperature sensitive actuators are generally not subject to large temperature fluctuations during the drying process in the product chamber. Preferably, the actuator is designed for the stepless adjustment of the spacing of at least two adjustable bearing means arranged in the product chamber from one another. The distance between the support means can thus be optimally adjusted.

Preferably, the actuator is designed for adjusting at least two bearing means to each other in the adjustment direction in such a way that the bearing means have at least one first or second distance from each other. That is to say the support means occupy at least two adjustable positions relative to one another, wherein one of the two positions, at a first or second distance of the support means from one another, can for example form an inclined position of the plate. Due to the inclined position, water flows out during cleaning of the system without having to evaporate. Another possibility is that one of the at least two positions represents a drying position for the containers at a first or second distance of the support means from one another. The support means is in a horizontal position, so that the container can be stored there without falling out of the support means. Preferably there are also the following possibilities: one of the at least two positions represents a further drying position for a higher container at a first or second distance from each other. In this case, at least three support means are required, wherein the two uppermost support means are stacked at a minimum distance from one another, while the third support means are at a maximum distance from the stack. The maximum distance is used here for receiving a higher container or sample bottle. Preferably, all three of the described positions of the at least three bearing means can have a first or second or third spacing from one another.

Preferably, the lyophilization apparatus additionally comprises at least two holding means for holding the support means. These holding means are preferably embodied as holding rods and are designed to hold the support means in a vertical, adjustable position at a first or second spacing of the at least two support means from one another. Preferably, the lyophilization apparatus additionally comprises at least one adjustment slide arranged in the product chamber, which adjustment slide cooperates with the described holder pieces. The adjusting slide is itself connected to an adjusting means arranged in the product chamber, which adjusting means is designed for adjusting the adjusting slide transversely to the adjusting direction. The actuator is designed here for acting on the adjusting means. In this case, the action may for example mean that the actuator exerts a mechanical force on the adjusting means. Preferably, the actuator and the adjusting means are connected to each other via bowden cables. The bowden cable represents a movable mechanical element for transmitting mechanical movements or compressive or tensile forces by means of an elastically deployable combination of a cable and a sheath which is stable in the direction of extension. Preferably, the bowden cable is at least partially surrounded by a protective hose within the product chamber. The protective hose can be, for example, a bellows made of stainless steel, on the one hand to prevent damage to the bowden cable and on the other hand to prevent, for example, the lubricating medium from leaking out into the product chamber. Preferably, the bowden cable is completely surrounded by the protective hose within the product chamber in order to ensure optimal protection. Preferably, the at least one adjusting slide is designed to adjust the distance of the at least two bearing means from one another in the adjusting direction as a function of its adjustment by means of the adjusting means. In this case, the adjusting slide is preferably adjusted in the horizontal direction of movement. Preferably, the adjusting means comprise a front-side and a rear-side housing part, wherein the front-side housing part is designed for adjustment also transversely to the adjustment direction when the adjustment slide is adjusted. In this freeze drying device, the distance between the at least two adjusting means from one another can therefore be adjusted in a simple and stepless manner via the action chain of the actuator, the adjusting means and the adjusting slide. Alternatively or additionally, the lyophilization apparatus preferably comprises a platen having at least one guide rail for guiding the at least one adjustment slide transversely to the adjustment direction. In this case, the pressure plate is arranged above the support means and also serves in the freeze drying device to distribute the force required for pressing the seal of the container from above uniformly over the surface. Alternatively, the lyophilization apparatus preferably comprises at least four adjustment slides and at least four associated guide rails, wherein two adjustment slides are each guided on opposite outer sides of the pressure plate on the associated at least two guide rails transversely to the adjustment direction. Thus, a stable adjustment of the same magnitude in the adjustment direction is obtained for the support means, which is preferably configured as a shelf.

Preferably, the at least one adjusting slide comprises at least three bearings for supporting the at least two holding means. The at least three bearings are preferably configured with through-holes of different diameters. The through-going hole can be manufactured quickly and simply and, furthermore, the removed material is quickly removed via the outlet of the hole. The holding means, which are preferably designed as rods, also have different diameters distributed over their length, the diameter of the through-opening being at least partially smaller than the diameter of the rod. Thus, a simple support of the holding device is obtained. Preferably, the two holding means are each provided with at least two bearings for supporting in the first or second supporting position. Alternatively, the adjusting slide preferably comprises at least six bearings, in particular designed as through-holes, for supporting the at least two holding means. Wherein each three bearings are assigned to one of the at least two holding means and are separated from the other three bearings assigned to the other of the at least two holding means by a flat surface. In this case, the three bearings will be configured for supporting the at least two holding means in the first or second or third support position.

Preferably, the actuator represents a linear drive. The linear drive can be configured electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically, for example. Preferably, the linear drive is here a pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder is able to react to the control signal quickly and without large delays. Depending on the position of the pneumatic cylinder, at least two support means arranged in the product chamber are adjusted relative to one another in the adjustment direction at a first or second distance from one another. Alternatively, it is preferred in this connection that the bearing means are also adjusted to a third distance from one another, for which purpose two pneumatic cylinders in series can be used.

The invention additionally has a method for adjusting the distance of at least two bearing means of a lyophilization apparatus in an adjustment direction and using the device shown. In this case, an actuator arranged outside the product chamber is actuated in a first method step. The actuator then acts on a regulating means arranged in the product chamber. In a subsequent method step, at least one adjusting slide arranged in the product chamber is adjusted transversely to the adjusting direction as a function of the action of the actuator on the adjusting means. In a subsequent method step, the distance between at least two support means of the lyophilization apparatus is adjusted in the adjustment direction according to the adjustment of the adjustment slide transverse to the adjustment direction.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a lyophilization apparatus according to the present invention;

fig. 2 shows one embodiment of an adjustment means for an adjustment frame of a lyophilization apparatus;

fig. 3 shows the first and second holding means for the supporting means supported at a first supporting position;

fig. 4 shows the first and second holding means for the supporting means supported at a second supporting position;

fig. 5 shows the first and second holding means for the supporting means supported at a third supporting position;

fig. 6 shows a method sequence for adjusting the distance of at least two support means of a lyophilization apparatus from each other in an adjustment direction.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows the structure of a lyophilization apparatus 190 according to the present invention in an overview view. The lyophilization apparatus 190 here comprises a product chamber 70 in which adjacent, adjustably held shelves are arranged as support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g for supporting the containers. Two

pneumatic cylinders

10a and 10b in series, which are arranged outside the product chamber 70, are provided as actuators 5 for adjusting the adjustable position of at least one support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g relative to the product chamber. The actuator 5 is connected to an adjusting means 50 for adjusting the four adjusting

sliders

160a, 160b, 160c and 160d via bowden cables 30, which are formed by a compression cable and/or a tension cable and a stable outer sheath. In order to completely decouple the bowden cable 30 from the product chamber 70, a protective hose 40 is arranged around the bowden cable 30 in the product chamber guide 20. The protective hose 40 may be a bellows, for example. The adjusting means 50 is configured for moving the adjusting

sliders

160a, 160b, 160c and 160d in the horizontal direction in accordance with the control of the actuator 5. For this purpose, the adjusting means 50 are connected to an adjusting frame 180, which is arranged in the product chamber 70 above the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g and is fixedly connected to the adjusting slides 160a, 160b, 160c and 160 d. The adjusting means 50 shown in detail in fig. 2 for adjusting the

sliders

160a, 160b, 160c and 160d can be extended and/or shortened in the horizontal direction 75 via the bowden cable 30 depending on the position of the

pneumatic cylinders

10a and 10 b. The adjusting frame 180 fixed to the adjusting means 50 is adjusted in the horizontal direction 75 as a function of the elongation and/or shortening transversely to the adjusting direction. On the adjusting frame 180, adjusting

sliders

160a, 160b, 160c and 160d for the adjusting frame 180 are fixed on the sides, and are guided by

first guide rails

170a, 170b, 170c and 170d fixed on the pressing plate 185. The adjusting slides 160a, 160b, 160c and 160d serve as bearings for the first and second holding means 120, 130 for holding the bearing means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g in a vertical, adjustable position. In this fig. 1, the first holding means 120 and the second holding means 130 are configured as rods. These bars are in turn fixedly connected to the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g via

transverse webs

150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e, 150f, 150g, 155a, 155b, 155c, 155e, 155f and 155g in order to hold the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g in a vertical, adjustable position. In order to hold the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g more stably, these support means are guided along the further guide rail 100 by means of the

sliders

110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f and 110 g. In fig. 1, the guide track 100 is configured as a post within the product chamber 70. For better guidance of the support means 80c, an elongated rod 140 is provided, which is guided through the adjusting slides 160a, 160b, 160c and 160 d. In order to cool or heat the support means 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110, inflow or

outflow

90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, 90f, 90g, 90h, 90i, 90j, 90k, 901, 90m, 90n are arranged on the support means 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f, 110 g. In order to move the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g in the vertical adjustment direction 85, a drive means 60 is arranged outside the product chamber 70. In fig. 1, the drive means 60 is a hydraulic cylinder, the piston 65 of which is fixedly connected to the adjusting frame 180 and the pressure plate 185.

Fig. 2 shows the adjusting means 50 of the lyophilization apparatus 190 in detail. The front housing part 250a and the rear housing part 250b of the adjusting means 50 are fixedly connected to the pressure plate 185 on the one hand and to the adjusting frame 180 on the other hand via fixing means 260a and 260b and by fixing means 260c and 260d, which are not shown. The cable, or cable core 210 also referred to as bowden cable, extends in the longitudinal direction 290 within the adjusting means. The protective hose 40 of the bowden cable 30 is fixedly connected to the front housing part 250a by means of a fixing means 265 and terminates after entering the front housing part 250 a. The bowden cable 210 is fixedly connected to the rear housing part 250b of the adjusting means 50 by means of a fixing means 270. Depending on the position of the actuator 5 shown in fig. 1, the bowden cable core 210 transmits a compressive or tensile force to the rear housing part 250 b. However, since the rear housing part is connected to the pressure plate 185 in an unadjustable manner, a bending force acting on the bowden cable core 210 is generated. That is to say the bowden cable core 210 is originally intended to be moved in the longitudinal direction, however, this movement of the bowden cable core 210 remains locked on the rear housing part 250b as a result of the fixed clamping and thus forces acting on the bowden cable core 210 occur. Accordingly, a pressing force or a pulling force acting on the front side housing part 250a connected to the adjustment plate 180 occurs through the fixing device 265. Accordingly, the front side case part 250a and thus the adjustment frame 180 are adjusted according to the pressure or tension. In this case, the adjusting means is extended. In order to be able to receive said elongation of the adjusting means 50, an axial compensator is arranged between the front and

rear housing parts

250a, 250 b. Furthermore, a compression spring 230 is arranged in the adjusting means 50, which compression spring is guided by an inner spring guide 240 and an outer spring guide 220. The pressure spring 230 serves to minimize a gap that can be formed when the direction of stretching to compression is changed and thus hinder the adjustment of the adjustment frame 180. In an alternative embodiment, it is also conceivable for the bowden cable core 210 enclosed by the protective tube 40 to be introduced into the adjusting means 50 via the rear housing part 250b and to be fixedly connected to the rear housing part 250 b. The bowden cable core 210 is fixedly connected to the front housing part 250a of the adjusting means 50. Depending on the position of the actuator 5 shown in fig. 1, the bowden cable core 210 transmits a compressive or tensile force to the front housing part 250a and adjusts it.

Fig. 3 shows in detail the first holding means 120 and the second holding means 130 for the supporting

means

80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g supported in the first supporting position of fig. 1. The adjusting frame 180 and the adjusting slide 160a, which is fixedly connected to the adjusting frame 180, are in their outermost position at the first distance of the bearing means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g from one another. That is to say the two

pneumatic cylinders

10a and 10b of the actuator 5 of fig. 1 are here unloaded and not put into use, so that no force is transmitted to the bowden cable 30 and the adjusting means 50 of fig. 1 and 2 are therefore also unloaded and not stretched. Here, the left-hand rod shown in fig. 3 as the first holding means 120 has three different diameters in its upper section, including a first diameter 400, a second diameter 410 and a third diameter 420. Here, the first diameter 400 is larger than the second diameter 410, and the second diameter 410 is larger than the third diameter 420. The intermediate rod shown in fig. 3 as the second holding means 130 has two different diameters in the upper section, including a fourth diameter 430 and a fifth diameter 440. Here, the fourth diameter 430 is larger than the fifth diameter 440. The slider 160a has on its upper side six through-

holes

310a, 310b, 310c, 320a, 320b and 320c arranged next to one another, which are provided as bearings for the first holding means 120 and the second holding means 130. The through-holes are formed in such a way that a total of three bearing positions are provided for the first holding means 120 and the second holding means 130, depending on the position of the slider 160a and thus of the actuator 5. In the first supporting position of the first holding means 120 and the first supporting position of the second holding means 130 shown in fig. 3, the first holding means 120 is placed with its first diameter 400 and the second holding means 130 is placed with its fourth diameter 430 on the upper side of the slider 160 a. The second holding means 130 is directly fixedly connected to the uppermost first support means 80g by means of a web 150g and holds it in the first position of the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80 g. The first holding means 120 is directly fixedly connected to the second bearing means 80f next to the first bearing means 80g by means of the web 150f and holds the second bearing means in the first position of the bearing means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80 g. All subsequent support means 80a, 80b, 80c and 80d are always connected to the support means of the next, i.e. the next adjacent support means, by means of the associated other equally long holding means 165a, 165b, 165c, 165d, 165e, 175a, 175b, 175c, 175d, 175 e. Correspondingly, a third bearing means 80e adjacent to the second bearing means 80f is connected to the first bearing means 80g, for example by means of a rod. The fourth bearing means 80d adjacent to the third bearing means 80e is connected to the next bearing means and thus to the second bearing means 80 f. However, the connection of the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g is configured to be fixed only in one direction and loose in the other direction. The fifth bearing means 80c, which is connected to the third bearing means by means of the extended guide rod 140 and is guided by the slot 300 through the adjusting slide 160a, may be referred to as a special feature. The reason why the guide bar 140 is extended is that, if not extended and guided through the slider 160a, the risk of collision between the guide bar 140 and the adjustment slider 160a may be excessively high when stacking the support devices.

Thus, an arrangement of the support means is obtained in which the spacing between the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g is always the same as can be seen in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows in detail that the first holding means 120 and the second holding means 130 for the supporting

means

80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g or shelves are supported in a second supporting position, which is assumed depending on the position of the slide 160a and thus depending on the setting of the actuator 5. In this case, one of the two

pneumatic cylinders

10a and 10b of the actuator 5 is extended. This causes the adjusting device 50 to be elongated as compared with fig. 3, and thus, the adjusting frame 180 is adjusted in the horizontal direction according to the elongation of the adjusting device 50. The adjusting slider 160a fixedly coupled to the adjusting frame 180 moves to the neutral state according to the path of the adjusting frame 180. The first holding means 120 and the second holding means 130 therefore fall into the associated through-

openings

320a and 310a, wherein the through-openings 320a of the first holding means 120 are at least partially provided for a rod diameter which is smaller than the first diameter 400 of the first holding means 120. The through hole 430 of the second holding means is at least partly provided for a rod diameter smaller than the fourth diameter 430 of the second holding means. In order to be able to achieve the tilted position of the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g, it is important here that the through-

openings

320a and 310a of the

rear adjusting sliders

160a and 160d are shaped differently for this second support position than the through-openings of the front adjusting

sliders

160b and 160 c. The through-hole of the rear adjusting slider is formed in such a way that the

rear adjusting sliders

160a and 160d are arranged lower in the vertical direction in this position than the front adjusting

sliders

160b and 160 c.

The

support elements

80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g are thus brought into a tilted second, so-called CIP, position.

Fig. 5 shows in detail that the first holding means 120 and the second holding means 130 for the supporting

means

80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g or shelves are supported in a third supporting position, which is assumed depending on the position of the slide 160a and thus depending on the setting of the actuator 5. In this case, both

pneumatic cylinders

10a and 10b of the actuator 5 are extended. This causes the adjusting means 50 to be maximally elongated, and thus, the adjusting frame 180 is adjusted in the horizontal direction according to the elongation of the adjusting means 50. The adjusting slider 160a fixedly coupled to the adjusting frame 180 moves to the innermost position according to the path of the adjusting frame 180. In the third bearing position of the first holding means 120 and the third bearing position of the second holding means 130 shown in fig. 5, the first holding means 120 is placed with its second diameter 410 and the second holding means 130 is placed with its fourth diameter 430 on the upper side of the adjustment slider 160 a.

Thus, an arrangement of the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g is obtained in which the two support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g are each always stacked at a minimum distance from one another and the stacks have a maximum distance from one another. The maximum distance is determined by the length of the rods serving as further holding means 165a, 165b, 165c, 165d, 165e, 175a, 175b, 175c, 175d, 175 e.

In principle, it should be mentioned in connection with the support positions of the first holding means 120 and the second holding means 130 shown in fig. 3, 4 and 5 that it is advantageous to occupy these support positions in a state in which all the support means 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f and 80g are located on top of one another on the bottom of the product chamber 70.

Fig. 6 shows a method sequence for adjusting the distance of at least two support means of a lyophilization apparatus from each other in an adjustment direction. In this case, in a first method step 510, an actuator arranged outside the product chamber is actuated. In the next method step 520, the actuator acts on a control device arranged in the product chamber. In a method step 530 following method step 520, at least one adjusting slide arranged in the product chamber is adjusted transversely to the adjusting direction as a function of the action of the actuator on the adjusting means. In a method step 540 following method step 530, the distance between the at least two support means of the lyophilization apparatus is adjusted in the adjustment direction according to the adjustment of the adjustment slide transversely to the adjustment direction.

Claims

1. A lyophilization apparatus (190), comprising:

-at least one product chamber (70) having at least two adjustable support means arranged within the product chamber (70), and

-at least one actuator (5) for adjusting the spacing of the at least two bearing means from each other in an adjustment direction, an

-at least one drive means (60) for moving the at least two support means,

wherein the actuator (5) is arranged outside the product chamber (70),

characterized in that said lyophilization apparatus (190) additionally comprises:

at least two holding means for holding the support means,

-at least one adjustment slide arranged in the product chamber (70), the adjustment slide co-acting with at least one of the holding means, and

-at least one adjusting means (50) arranged in the product chamber (70) for adjusting the adjusting slide transversely to the adjusting direction,

wherein the actuator (5) acts on the adjusting means (50).

2. Lyophilization apparatus (190) according to claim 1, characterized in that said actuator (5) is configured for adjusting said at least two support means to at least one first or second spacing from each other.

3. Lyophilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment slider is configured for adjusting a spacing of the at least two support means from each other along the adjustment direction as a function of an adjustment of the adjustment slider transverse to the adjustment direction.

4. The lyophilization apparatus (190) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lyophilization apparatus (190) additionally comprises a platen having at least one first guide rail for guiding the at least one adjustment slider transversely to the adjustment direction.

5. The lyophilization apparatus (190) of claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment slider comprises at least three bearings for supporting the at least two holding devices.

6. Lyophilization apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the at least two holding means is provided with at least two bearings, respectively, for support in at least one first or second support position.

7. Lyophilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, characterized in that the adjustment means (50) comprise a front side housing part (250a), wherein the front side housing part (250a) is configured for adjustment also transverse to the adjustment direction upon adjustment of the adjustment slider.

8. Lyophilization apparatus (190) as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, characterized in that said actuator (5) represents a linear drive.

9. Lyophilization apparatus (190) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, characterized in that the actuator (5) and the adjustment means (50) are mutually connected via a Bowden wire (30).

10. The lyophilization apparatus (190) according to claim 9, characterized in that the bowden cable (30) is at least partially surrounded by a protection hose (40) within the product chamber (70).

11. Lyophilization apparatus (190) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said bearings are configured as through holes.

12. Lyophilization apparatus (190) according to claim 8, characterized in that said actuator (5) represents at least one pneumatic cylinder.

13. A method for adjusting the spacing of at least two bearing means of a lyophilization apparatus (190) from each other along an adjustment direction, wherein the method is carried out by a lyophilization apparatus (190) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and the method comprises the method steps of:

-manipulating an actuator (5) arranged outside a product chamber (70) of the lyophilization apparatus (190), and

-the actuator (5) acts on an adjusting means (50) arranged in the product chamber (70), and

-adjusting at least one adjustment slider arranged in the product chamber (70) transversely to the adjustment direction, depending on the action of the actuator on the adjustment means (50), and

-adjusting the spacing of the at least two support means of the lyophilization apparatus (190) from each other along the adjustment direction according to the adjustment of the adjustment slider transversely to the adjustment direction.