Abstract: The present invention provides a method to treat sinusitis comprising (a) inserting a portion of an irrigation catheter having an expandable material in a non-expanded state endoscopically into a sinus of a patient through ostium of a sinus; (b) expand the expandable material under endoscopic visualization until it has expanded and filled some portion of the sinus without directly contacting and compressing mucosal surfaces of the sinus; (c) introducing irrigation fluid into the sinus through an irrigation lumen of the catheter to create a circumferential irrigation flow in space between the expanded material and the mucosal surface in order to dislodge and express sinus contents.

Abstract: A method of drying and buffering organic moist products, particularly food items. Introducing the product into a first chamber, bringing the first chamber to a first reduced ambient pressure, feeding microwave energy from a microwave source so as to increase the temperature and buffer the moist product, and increasing the reduced ambient pressure to a less reduced second ambient pressure multiple times and subsequently reducing the ambient pressure to the first reduced ambient pressure. Wherein the increase of the ambient pressure is carried out faster than the reduction thereof, followed by a final drying of the product in a second chamber while feeding infrared radiation at a third (reduced) ambient pressure. Subsequently, the product is cooled and discharged into the atmosphere. Thus, increased product quality, in particular a more consistent and more stable product is obtained.

Abstract: A method of drying and buffering organic moist products, particularly food items. Introducing the product into a first chamber, bringing the first chamber to a first reduced ambient pressure, feeding microwave energy from a microwave source so as to increase the temperature and buffer the moist product, and increasing the reduced ambient pressure to a less reduced second ambient pressure multiple times and subsequently reducing the ambient pressure to the first reduced ambient pressure. Wherein the increase of the ambient pressure is carried out faster than the reduction thereof, followed by a final drying of the product in a second chamber while feeding infrared radiation at a third (reduced) ambient pressure. Subsequently, the product is cooled and discharged into the atmosphere. Thus, increased product quality, in particular a more consistent and more stable product is obtained.

Abstract: A method to produce a food product that is dried, the method including the steps of preparing said food product for drying, freezing said food product, thawing and predrying with hot conditioned air and/or by dipping the frozen food product into a solution having an osmotic pressure higher than water, drying said food product with hot air, heat treating in a vacuum said food product so that a cellular break-up and puffing up of said food product occurs for obtaining well hydratable food being finally dried and having an instant character and preparing the food product to be packed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying or heat-treating substances or products at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure. The invention relates furthermore to banana chips dried by means of this method and banana powder produced therefrom. For drying or heat-treating, the products to be treated are loaded in transport receptacles which are subsequently charged via charging lock chambers into a treatment chamber and discharged therefrom via discharging lock chambers. For drying or heat treating, at least one microwave source is provided in the treatment chamber. Furthermore, an infrared heating source may be provided. After heat-treating or drying, a resting period may be scheduled. More particularly for this purpose, a vertically-oriented conveying system is provided in the treatment chamber when a longish resting period is involved. The transport receptacle is configured dished and my comprise nets on which the products are applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying or heat-treating substances or products at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure. The invention relates furthermore to banana chips dried by means of this method and banana powder produced therefrom. For drying or heat-treating, the products to be treated are loaded in transport receptacles which are subsequently charged via charging lock chambers into a treatment chamber and discharged therefrom via discharging lock chambers. For drying or heat treating, at least one microwave source is provided in the treatment chamber. Furthermore, an infrared heating source may be provided. After heat-treating or drying, a resting period may be scheduled. More particularly for this purpose, a vertically-oriented conveying system is provided in the treatment chamber when a longish resting period is involved. The transport receptacle is configured dished and my comprise nets on which the products are applied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying or heat-treating substances or products at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure. The invention relates furthermore to banana chips dried by means of this method and banana powder produced therefrom. For drying or heat-treating, the products to be treated are loaded in transport receptacles which are subsequently charged via charging lock chambers into a treatment chamber and discharged therefrom via discharging lock chambers. For drying or heat treating, at least one microwave source is provided in the treatment chamber. After heat-treating or drying, a resting period may be scheduled. More particularly for this purpose, a vertically-oriented conveying system is provided in the treatment chamber when a longish resting period is involved. The transport receptacle is configured dished and my comprise nets on which the products are applied. The method is employed preferably for drying or heat-treating basic food material, e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying or heat-treating substances or products at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure. The invention relates furthermore to banana chips dried by means of this method and banana powder produced therefrom. For drying or heat-treating, the products to be treated are loaded in transport receptacles which are subsequently charged via charging lock chambers into a treatment chamber and discharged therefrom via discharging lock chambers. For drying or heat-treating, at least one microwave source is provided in the treatment chamber. Furthermore an infrared heating source may be provided. After heat-treating or drying a resting period may be scheduled. More particularly for this purpose a vertically oriented conveying system is provided in the treatment chamber when a longish resting period is involved. The transport receptacle is configured dished and may comprise nets on which the products are applied.