A sterile filling machine and related method are provided for sterile
filling a container with a substance. The container includes a heat
resealable stopper and a chamber for receiving the substance therein. The
sealed, empty containers are subjected to radiation capable of
penetrating through the stopper and chamber for sterilizing the
container. The previously sterilized containers are then transported
through another sterilizing chamber, such as an e-beam chamber, to
sterilize the penetrable surface. A needle is moved into engagement with
the stopper to pierce the sterilized penetrable surface of the stopper
and inject the substance through the needle and into the chamber of the
container. Laser energy is then transmitted onto the penetrated surface
of the stopper to fuse the stopper material and hermetically re-seal the
stopper.