Author: claimsbot

1. A method for monitoring sounds at a bedside comprising:
operating a bedside sound monitoring unit including a microphone, a microprocessor and a communications port;
by operating the bedside unit, detecting sounds received by the microphone of the bedside unit and determining if detected sounds include a timing of the breathing pattern presence or absence wherein the timing of the breathing pattern presence or absence represents an alarm condition requiring a response; and
using the operating bedside unit, generating and sending response signals out the communications port when a response is required.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sound monitoring unit is a bedside unit which further includes a switch for controlling supply of power to a waking device, and said method further comprises operating the bedside unit to detect from sounds received by the microphone of the bedside unit when the sounds represent a smoke detector alarm and in response thereto switching on supply of power to the waking device.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the response signals out the communications port comprise notification signals to an Internet site.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating from the Internet site to a telecommunication number.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising, by operating the bedside sound monitoring unit in a setup mode, inputting a night time duration for which a breathing pattern absence represents an alarm condition.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising, by operating the bedside sound monitoring unit in a setup mode, inputting a waking time after which a breathing pattern presence represents an alarm condition.
7. A method for providing for alarm monitoring in a residence, comprising:
receiving at an Internet site a request to monitor a bedside audible alarm monitoring unit along with response instructions; and
receiving at an Internet site an alarm indicating signal sent from the bedside alarm monitoring unit when the bedside unit, by utilizing a digital acoustic signature recognition technology, detects an alarm condition, and transmitting a notification signal from the Internet site in response, wherein the digital acoustic signature recognition technology comprises a technique selected from the group consisting of matched filtering, cross correlation, and neural networking.
8. A memory device for a microprocessor in an alarm monitoring unit comprising:
a memory substrate for a bedside unit; and
monitoring means disposed on the memory substrate, the monitoring means including:
means encoded on the memory substrate for determining when sound received through a microphone of the bedside unit is a security alarm sound, the means comprising a digital acoustic signature recognition technology selected from the group consisting of matched filtering, cross correleation, and neural networking; and
second means encoded on the memory substrate for communicating responsive signals when a security alarm sound is determined.
9. A memory device for a microprocessor in a bedside alarm monitoring unit comprising:
a memory substrate for a bedside unit; and
monitoring means disposed on the memory substrate, the monitoring means including:
means encoded on the memory substrate for determining when sound received through a microphone of the bedside unit includes a timing of the breathing pattern presence or wherein the timing of the breathing pattern presence or absence represents an alarm condition; and
means encoded on the memory substrate for communicating responsive signals when a breathing pattern alarm condition is determined.
10. A method for monitoring sounds at a bedside comprising:
operating a bedside sound monitoring unit including a microphone, a memory having a signal signature of a breathing pattern stored therein, a microprocessor and a communications port;
by operating the bedside unit, detecting sounds received by the microphone of the bedside unit and converting the sounds to a real time digital pattern representing the sounds;
using the microprocessor and a digital acoustic signature recognition technology selected from the group consisting of matched filtering, cross correlation, and neural networking, comparing the real time digital pattern to the signal signature stored in the memory and determining if detected sounds include a timing of the breathing pattern presence or absence wherein the timing of the breathing pattern presence or absence represents an alarm condition requiring a response; and
using the operating bedside unit, generating and sending response signals out the communications port when a response is required.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for cooking in a non-oil medium a food product, wherein the end product mimics the organoleptic characteristics of a fry-cooked product, said method comprising the steps of:
a) determining a dehydration profile corresponding to the fry-cooked product;
b) preparing a food product for cooking;
c) cooking in a non-oil medium the food product at a controlled rate, wherein said controlled rate is adjusted to mimic the dehydration profile of step a) for the food product of step b).
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cooking of step b) comprises microwave cooking
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the controlled rate of step c) comprises a first microwave power step and a second microwave power step.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the fry-cooked food product of step a) consists of a starting food material selected from the group consisting of potato, sweet potato, yam, beet, parsnip, carrot, peas, chickpeas, lentils, pinto beans, kidney beans, broad beans, butter beans, black eye beans, soy beans, oats, wheat, sorghum, rice, millet, rye, and barley.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the fry-cooked food product comprises dough prior to frying.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said dough comprises potato.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein said dough comprises corn.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) comprises a blanching step.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said blanching step comprises a wet blanch.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said wet blanch comprises a medium comprising water at about 60\xb0 C. to about 100\xb0 C., and further wherein said blanching step occurs for between about 50 seconds and about 3 minutes.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein step b) further comprises an oil addition step after the blanching step.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the oil is conditioned prior to use in step b), thereby increasing the fried characteristics provided by the added oil.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein said blanching step comprises an oil blanch.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said blanch step comprises a warm oil dip of about 60 to about 120 seconds in duration and wherein said food product is brought to a temperature of about 60\xb0 C. to about 99\xb0 C. during said blanch.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein step b) further comprises a de-oiling step after the blanching step.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the food product is cooled prior to or following the de-oiling step.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein step b) further comprises an oil addition step after said de-oiling step.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the food product is pre-dried following the de-oiling step.
19. The method of claim 8 wherein said blanch step comprises a flash fry for about 7 seconds to about 20 seconds in oil having a temperature of about 120\xb0 C. to about 180\xb0 C.
20. The method of claim 8 wherein said blanch step comprises a flash fry for about 15 seconds to about 20 seconds in oil having a temperature of about 150\xb0 C. to about 160\xb0 C.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) comprises adding oil to said food product prior to step c).
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the oil is conditioned prior to use in step b), thereby increasing the fried characteristics provided by the added oil.
23. The method of claim 1 wherein step b) comprises adding food ingredients to said food product.
24. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlled rate of step c) corresponds to moisture removal between starch transition points.
25. The method of claim 1 wherein the dehydration profile is determined by measuring the moisture level in a fry-cooked product at a plurality of points during the time that the fryer-cooked product is fried.
26. The method of claim 1 wherein the dehydration profile is determined by an iterative process, wherein said iterative process produces the desired end product.
27. The method of claim 1 wherein said controlled cooking rate of step c) comprises a first dehydration rate of between about 0.02 grams of moisture per gram of solid per second and about 0.2 grams of moisture per gram of solid per second, and wherein further said controlled cooking rate of step c) comprises a second dehydration rate of between about 0.004 grams of moisture per gram of solid per second and about 0.08 grams of moisture per gram solid per second.
28. The method of claim 1 wherein said food product is par-dried to a halfproduct, and wherein further said half-product is packaged for later finish drying by the consumer of said product.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein said food product is par-dried to below its starch melting point.
30. The method of claim 28 wherein said food product is par-dried to below its glass transition point.

1. A composition for preparing a bio-film resistant surface comprising
(a) one or more antimicrobial agent present at a concentration of between about 0.05 and 7.0% weightvolume (wv);
(b) one or more releasing agent present at a concentration of between about 0.05 and 5.0% wv; and
(c) a lubricious biomedical polymeric matrix comprising
(i) one or more biomedical polymer present at a concentration of between about 0.2 and 30% wv;
(ii) decanediol present at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 5.0% wv; and
(iii) one or more solvent present at a concentration of between about 10 and 70% volumevolume (vv).
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of biguanide, chlorinated phenol, silver salt, quaternary ammonium compound, povidone iodine, nitrofurazone, berberine, alkanediol, and combinations thereof.
3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the biguanide is selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine base, chlorhexidine salt, a combination of chlorhexidine salt and base, polyhexanide, alexidine, and combinations thereof.
4. The composition of claim 2, wherein the chlorinated phenol is selected from the group consisting of triclosan, 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol (PCMX), and combinations thereof.
5. The composition of claim 2, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and combinations thereof.
6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more antimicrobial agent comprises chlorhexidine base, chlorhexidine salt, or a combination of chlorhexidine salt and base; and a silver salt.
7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more releasing agent is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, acetyl salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, and combinations thereof.
8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more biomedical polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, aliphatic polyether-based polyurethane, silicone polymer, silicone adhesive, hydrophilic cellulose polymer, hydrophobic cellulose polymer, hydrophilic-hydrophobic polymer, hydroxypropyl methyl-cellulose stearoxy ether, biodegradable polymer, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and combinations thereof.
9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the one or more biomedical polymer comprises polyurethane and silicone adhesive.
10. The composition of claim 1, wherein
(a) the one or more antimicrobial agent comprises chlorhexidine base and is present at a concentration of between about 0.5 and 5.0% wv;
(b) the one or more releasing agent is present at a concentration of between about 0.2 and 5.0% wv and is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, mandelic acid, and combinations thereof; and
(c) the lubricious biomedical polymeric matrix comprises
(i) polyurethane biomedical polymer present at a concentration of between about 1 and 20% wv and silicone adhesive biomedical polymer present at a concentration of between about 1 and 10% wv;
(ii) decanediol present at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 5.0% wv; and
(iii) solvent comprising methanol present at a concentration of between about 10 and 50% vv and tetrahydrofuran present at a concentration of between about 20 and 70% vv.
11. A composition for preparing a lubricious surface comprising
(a) one or more biomedical polymer present at a concentration of between about 0.2 and 30% wv, wherein the;
(b) decanediol present at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 5.0% wv; and
(c) one or more solvent present at a concentration of between about 10 and 70% volumevolume (vv).
12. The composition of claim 11, wherein
(a) the one or more biomedical polymer is selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic polyurethane polymer, hydrophobic polyurethane polymer, silicone polymer, and combinations thereof;
(b) decanediol present at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 5.0% wv; and
(c) solvent comprising methanol present at a concentration of between about 10 and 50% vv and tetrahydrofuran present at a concentration of between about 20 and 70% vv.
13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the hydrophilic polyurethane polymer is at a concentration of between about 0.5 and 10.0% wv when present and the hydrophobic silicone polymer is at a concentration of between about 1 and 10% wv when present.
14. A method of producing a bio-film resistant surface, comprising exposing the surface to a composition for preparing a bio-film resistant surface comprising
(a) one or more antimicrobial agent present at a concentration of between about 0.05 and 7.0% wv;
(b) one or more releasing agent present at a concentration of between about 0.05 and 5.0% wv; and
(c) a lubricious biomedical polymeric matrix comprising
(i) one or more biomedical polymer present at a concentration of between about 0.2 and 30% wv;
(ii) decanediol present at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 5.0% wv; and
(iii) one or more solvent present at a concentration of between about 10 and 70% volumevolume (vv).
15. A method of rendering a surface of a medical article resistant to bio-film formation, comprising
(a) exposing the surface to a first composition comprising
(i) one or more urethane adhesive present at a concentration of between about 5 and 50% wv;
(ii) one or more silicone adhesive present at a concentration of between about 1 and 10% wv;
(iii) one or more solvent;

(b) allowing the first solution to dry; and
(c) exposing the surface to a second composition comprising
(i) one or more antimicrobial agent present at a concentration of between about 0.05 and 7.0% wv;
(ii) one or more releasing agent present at a concentration of between about 0.05 and 5.0% wv; and
(iii) a lubricious biomedical polymeric matrix comprising
(1) one or more biomedical polymer present at a concentration of between about 0.2 and 30% wv;
(2) decanediol present at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 5.0% wv; and
(3) one or more solvent present at a concentration of between about 10 and 70% volumevolume (vv).
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first composition further comprises decanediol present at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 5.0% wv.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second composition comprises
(i) chlorhexidine base as the antimicrobial agent;
(ii) lactic acid, mandelic acid, or combinations thereof, as the one or more releasing agent; and
(iii) wherein the lubricious biomedical polymeric matrix comprises
(1) polyurethane biomedical polymer present at a concentration of between about 1 and 20% wv and silicone adhesive biomedical polymer present at a concentration of between about 1 and 10% wv;
(ii) decanediol present at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 5.0% wv; and
(iii) solvent comprising methanol present at a concentration of between about 10 and 50% vv and tetrahydrofuran present at a concentration of between about 20 and 70% vv.
18. A method of producing a bio-film resistant inner surface of a device comprising exposing an inner surface to a composition comprising
(a) one or more antimicrobial present at a concentration of between about 0.05 and 7.0% wv selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine base, chlorhexidine acetate, and a combination of chlorhexidine base and chlorhexidine acetate; and
(b) one or more solvent present at a concentration of between about 2 and 20% vv selected from the group consisting of methyl-ethyl-ketone, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, and combinations thereof,
wherein the inner surface is exposed to the composition for a time sufficient to impregnate the inner surface with an antimicrobially effective amount of the composition.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the antimicrobial comprises chlorhexidine base at a concentration of between about 0.1 and 5.0% wv, and wherein the composition further comprises a fruit acid present at a concentration between about 0.1 and 5.0% wv selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, mandelic acid, and combinations thereof.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising exposing an outer surface of the device to a composition comprising
(a) one or more antimicrobial agent present at a concentration of between about 0.05 and 7.0% weightvolume (wv);
(b) one or more releasing agent present at a concentration of between about 0.05 and 5.0% wv; and
(c) a lubricious biomedical polymeric matrix comprising
(i) one or more biomedical polymer present at a concentration of between about 0.2 and 30% wv;
(ii) decanediol present at a concentration of between about 0.01 and 5.0% wv; and
(iii) one or more solvent present at a concentration of between about 10 and 70% volumevolume (vv).
21. A medical device prepared according to the method of any one of claims 14, 15, and 18.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-10. (canceled)
11. A method for purifying water from contaminant trace species, especially arsenic, by treating said water with iron and co-precipitating trace species during oxidation, and precipitation of iron compounds with subsequent separation, characterized in that
a) first, the water is contacted without aeration with an iron-containing material for enriching the water with iron compounds,
b) then, the iron-enriched-water is oxidized for co-precipitation of the contaminant trace species together with oxidized iron compounds, and
c) finally, the precipitated compounds are separated from the water.
12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the water in step a) is enriched with Fe(II) compounds.
13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the iron-containing material is iron ore or metallic iron, including iron particles, iron filings or swarfs, or any other natural iron-containing material having a large surface.
14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the water is contacted with an iron-containing material in a closed system.
15. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the contact between iron and water is achieved by natural spraying of an iron-containing material arranged in a bed mounted above an aerator.
16. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that after co-precipitation of the trace species during oxidation and precipitation of iron compounds with subsequent separation, the water is recycled once or several times for renewed treatment comprising adding an additional amount of iron compounds with subsequent oxidation, precipitation of iron compounds and separation.
17. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the co-precipitated trace species comprise arsenic andor pesticides.
18. A device for purifying water from contaminant trace species by co-precipitating the trace species comprising an aerator (5) for oxidation and precipitation of iron compounds with subsequent separation, characterized in that a non aerated assembly (2, 3, 4) for supplying iron compounds to the water is incorporated prior to the aerator (5).
19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that the assembly for supplying iron compounds comprises a distributor means (2) for distributing water across a bed (3) of iron particles, iron filings or swarfs, iron ore or any other natural iron-containing material having a large surface, as well as one or more openings below the bed for the outflow or iron-enriched water.
20. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that the assembly (2, 3, 4) for supplying iron compounds to the water is arranged above a perforated plate to form drops, said perforated plate being positioned above a drop division assembly composed of a plurality of tubular elements in the form of pipes having pipe walls made of wire net, said tubular elements being placed in horizontal layers of several parallel tubular elements stacked in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the tubular elements in one layer are angularly displaced in relation to the tubular elements in the one or more adjacent layers, preferably with an angle of 90\xb0.
21. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises a recirculation pipe (10) for recycling the treated water to the assembly (2, 3, 4) for supplying of iron compounds to the water.
22. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises a recirculation pipe (10) for recycling the treated water to the assembly (2, 3, 4) for supplying of iron compounds to the water.
23. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a recirculation pipe (10) for recycling the treated water to the assembly (2, 3, 4) for supplying of iron compounds to the water.