Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the production of low sodium lithium carbonate and lithium chloride from a brine concentrated to about 6.0 wt % lithium are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for direct recovery of technical grade lithium chloride from the concentrated brine are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is a simple, inexpensive prosthetic foot incorporating an ankle block with spring inserts. The ankle block is formed of compressible material having desired compliance and energy return characteristics. The ankle block is sandwiched between a foot element and an ankle element. One or more spring inserts are embedded inside the ankle block to increase the rigidity of the prosthetic foot and to improve the degree of energy storage and return. The shape of the spring inserts is preferably one that supports compression during relative angular rotation of the ankle plate and foot plate elements, such as during toe and heel roll, and also vertical compression, such as in response to vertical shock loads.

Abstract: A method for producing lithium carbonate by precipitating magnesium as the hydroxide from a brine concentrated to a lithium concentration of about 6%. Lithium is then precipitated from the brine by addition of recycled limed mother liquor from a previous lithium precipitation step.

Abstract: A surgical device implantable in the subtalar tunnel for treating the flat foot condition, composed of: a central cylindrical body having an outer cylindrical surface provided with a first screw thread; an expansion cone having a longitudinally extending internal bore provided with a second screw thread mateable with the first screw thread, the cone further having an external surface of conical form; and an external cylinder having an internal conical surface engageable with the cone and constructed to be radially expandable in response to movement of the cone in a longitudinal direction relative to the cylinder, the cone being longitudinally moveable by rotation relative to the cylindrical body while the first and second threads are in threaded engagement with one another.

Abstract: A billboard netting system for a billboard (10) including top netting pieces (40, 46, 48), side netting pieces (50, 54, 56, 58), and bottom netting piece (52). Such netting pieces enclose potential bird nesting structure of the billboard, yet allow for easy access to the catwalks (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) of the billboard. As a result, billboards 12, 16 are exterior of the netting pieces.

Abstract: A golf orthotic for stabilizing a foot of a patient against both supination and pronation includes a main body portion configured to conform to a substantial portion of the plantar aspect of the patient's fool, including the heel and arch, and generally forward to the metatarsal heads. The main portion is provided with medial and lateral flanges terminating respectively beneath the medial malleolus and lateral malleolus. The device also includes a heel stabilization bar with a substantially flat lower surface and an upper surface which is contoured to match the lower surface of the main portion in the heel region, and which is secured thereto. The heel stabilization bar is shaped for easy insertion into the patient's shoe. The flanges are shaped to conform to the patient's foot, and preferably slope up fairly steeply from the main body portion.

Abstract: A prosthetic pylon attachment construction provides a useful attachment interface between the exterior of a pylon which otherwise has a generally curvilinear exterior and a broad range of other prosthetic devices having relatively flat attachment surfaces, and permits ready manufacture and ready interchangeability of a range of prosthetic devices and pylons.

Abstract: A foam block ankle prosthesis for Symes amputees that has a lower foot plate and an upper ankle plate connected by a monolithic foam block. The foot plate is generally sized the same as a surrounding cosmesis, while the ankle plate is substantially shorter, with the foam block forming a resilient ankle region underneath the ankle plate. The plates are bonded to the foam block with suitable adhesive. An attachment member is fastened to an upper surface of the ankle member slightly rearward from its centerline and approximately located where a centerline of the wearer's ankle would be. During a walking stride the wearer experiences a smooth rollover or transition of compressive forces from a heel-strike position to a toe-off position.

Abstract: A prosthetic leg is characterized by an elongated, flat pylon operatively secured at its upper end to the wearer's leg and at its lower end to a prosthetic foot. The pylon is constituted by one or more leg elements which are fabricated from polymer impregnated and encapsulated laminates, including such laminates as carbon fibers and/or fiberglass or synthetic fibers such as Kevlar. The demountable connection of the leg elements permits interchangeability of leg elements to match the weight, stride and activity schedule of the wearer utilizing the prosthetic leg. Deformable adjustment means is provided in juxtaposition to said leg elements whereby the flexibility of said pylon may be adjusted. To achieve or improve the desired flexure and energy-storage characteristics, the leg elements may be formed in a concavo-convex configuration.

Abstract: Lithium diorganoamide compositions are prepared in ethers with an ether to diorganoamide mole ratio of from about 2.0 to about 5.0. These compositions have enough thermal stability generally due to the addition of stabilizers that the decomposition rate for lithium diorganoamide is less than 0.20% per day. Preferred stabilizers are LiBr, LiCl, LiI or Li-tert-butoxide, or combinations thereof. A preferred diorganoamide is lithium diisopropylamide.

Abstract: A bunion treatment apparatus for minimizing forces applied to a bunion on a foot surface of a patient includes a generally planar main portion and at least a first generally planar build-up portion. Both portions are constructed of flexible padding material and have predetermined thicknesses. The build-up portion has a smaller planform area than the main portion. The main portion is provided with a bunion-receiving aperture, which preferably extends therethrough, and the build-up portion is sized and shaped to fit around the bunion-receiving aperture. By providing one or more build-up portions with the main portion, the podiatric patient can custom-adjust the thickness and configuration of the bunion treatment apparatus to fit his own individual bunion. The main portion is also provided with a toe loop, which is formed with strain relief cutouts where its generally opposed edges intersect, to eliminate tearing of the main portion when the toe loop is placed over the toe of a patient.

Abstract: A therapeutic pillow for supporting the head and neck of a person lying in a supine position. The pillow comprises three types of material, each having differing degrees of firmness; a first material having in cross-section a U-shaped form with one end wider than the other end, a second material having a separated pair of end portions of equal width, respectively, with the first material end portions and secured thereto, respectively to form curved ends of the pillow and the third material having a rectangular shape of a size to fit into the open center portion formed by the first and second materials.

Abstract: Solutions of triorganotin lithium are described having low residual concentrations (preferably less than 2,000 ppm) of halide. These are produced by a two-step process.Triorganotin halide is reacted with lithium to produce hexaorgano ditin and a precipitate of lithium halide. The lithium halide precipitate is removed by filtration and/or use of highly concentrated reaction conditions. Then the hexaorgano ditin is further reacted with lithium to form the triorgano substituted tin lithium. The lithium halide is less soluble in hot tetrahydrofuran (THF) and/or more concentrated solutions. THF is a preferred solvent for the reaction. The low-temperature reactions described result in low amounts of inactive and/or undesirable byproducts. These triorganotin lithium compounds are useful as anionic initiators that result in polymers with terminal tin compounds, e.g., triorganotin, attached to the terminal end of the polymer where initiation occurred.

Abstract: A prosthetic leg and pylon is characterized by upper and lower pylon members having one or more spring elements operatively attached or disposed therebetween. The pylon members are preferably interengaged and reciprocable one on the other, so that forces imposed on the pylon result in such reciprocation and the corresponding storage of energy in the spring element or elements. The spring elements are capable of releasing some of the stored energy upon removal of the force. Constraining bands may be utilized to limit the amount of deflection of the elongated springs, and the effective length of the prosthesis may be readily adjusted.