Patent ID: 7966746

Claim:
A method of filling a device with a substance to be lyophilized, lyophilizing the substance within the device, and storing the lyophilized substance within the device, the method comprising the following steps: providing a device including a body defining a chamber enclosed by a liquid-impermeable closure in sealing engagement therewith and a penetrable and thermally resealable portion in fluid communication with the chamber; penetrating the penetrable and thermally resealable portion with a tip of filling member such that a flow aperture of the filling member is in fluid communication with the chamber of the device; introducing the substance to be lyophilized through the filling member and into the chamber of the device; withdrawing the filling member from the penetrable and thermally resealable portion; lyophilizing the substance within the chamber with the closure in engagement with the body, causing fluid to flow out of the chamber during lyophilization, and preventing contaminants from flowing into the chamber during lyophilization; and transmitting thermal energy from a thermal energy source onto a penetrated region of the penetrable and thermally resealable portion, and hermetically sealing an aperture formed by the filling member in the penetrated region of the penetrable and thermally resealable portion.