Laboratory and Shop Notes: A Column of Practical Ideas
Alvin L. Muilenburg, Chairman
Contributing Editors
, Alvin L. Muilenburg,
Chairman
; G.E. Snell. C.O. Anderson, Erich Hanicke, Joseph Martino.
"This column is for the use of readers of the Journal in sharing ideas. It can be a success only if we all contribute. Up to this day only some 20 out of 1,100 certified orthotists and prosthetists have contributed ideas. Take time out now and send in that helpful suggestion"
Alvin L. Muilenburg, Chairman.
Erich Hanicke of Kansas City
finds this portable sanding tool unit very practical, since it can be used at various benches in the shop.
"The 1/2 horsepower motor (
Fig. 1
) is equipped with foot control and flexible cable, also 1/2" Jacobs chuck. The unit has a rotary upper section to prevent binding or cramping of cable when in use. The small drill press of 3/8" chuck clearance is used for the finer and smaller sanding operations. This stand has a capacity for about a dozen tools and can be wheeled freely to any place needed. It is a handy, orderly arrangement to have a place for everything one needs."
Carlton Fillauer of Chattanooga
writes us about a new material:
We now have a new material that can be added to Laminae #4110 or any resin to increase its viscosity. It is not just a filler for one of these. Bentone, Cork or Wood may still be used. You have probably noticed that even though you add a lot of filler, it is difficult to build up 1/4" or more thickness of filler to a socket. The "gunk" flows to the lowest level. Now by adding LD Silica-the name we have given to this low density colloidal silica particles-to the mixtures mentioned above the material will stay where you place it. You need only to add about 6%, to obtain a consistency like vaseline.
We now add on-two percent to the straight #4110 resin which enables us to apply a thicker and glossier coat to the socket walls. This small amount does not affect the welting ability of the resin yet in laminating a shank or thigh piece the resin will not run beyond the end of the shank or the top of socket. You will find many more useful applications for this wonderful new material LD Silica. This powder is packaged in 1/2 gallon containers for $2.00 or in gallon sizes for $3.50.
Herbert Kramer, C.P.
, sends along a comment from Dr. T. Ritchie of Roehampton House, Roehampton, London, England. Dr. Ritchie, who is principal medical officer in the field of artificial limbs at Roehampton, read the article, "Checkout Procedures" by Herb and Marshall Graham, which appeared in the March 1958 issue of this Journal. As a result he suggested a technique used there for determining the correct length of a prosthesis under dynamic conditions. At the Roehampton Center they use an adjustable sandal with one-eighth inch leather inserts.
By attaching the sandal to either the prosthesis or the normal foot (
Fig. 2
,
Fig. 3
), the amputee can ambulate and determine, to the satisfaction of all concerned, the proper length of the prosthesis. This technique offers many advantages, permitting ascent and descent of inclines and stairs as well as level walking, while wearing the adjustable sandal.
From experience with this sandal to date, it is felt to be an excellent instrument for the prosthetist to use in determining correct length of the prosthesis.
The sandal is made of 1/8" strap leather. The cross strap encompassing the dorsum and instep area of the foot, allows adequate length for use on many different shoe sizes. Seven inserts of strap leather are available, to correct the length within a two inch range.
The accurate fitting lightweight copolymer foam gives a cosmetic correction permitting normal wear in clothing. All cases are sculpted and cast to individual order.
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
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