History of Science 2220 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Gunther Von Hagens, Plastination, Vacuum Chamber
2 May 2018
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Von Hagens: Plastination
Plastination is a process used in anatomy to preserve bodies or body parts, first invented by
Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977.
A groundbreaking invention where all bodily fluids and soluble fat from anatomical specimens
are extracted to stop decomposition, and replaced through vacuum-forced impregnation with
reactive resins and elastomers, such as silicon rubber and epoxy that harden with gas, light, or
heat curing, giving the specimens rigidity and permanence.
The water and fat are replaced by certain plastics, yielding specimens that can be touched, do
not smell or decay, and even retain most properties of the original sample. These specimens
allow the study or research of the human body without the usual disadvantages of real human
bodies like decomposition, smell and the health hazards of formaldehyde.
Von Hagens Plastination provides real human specimens for education and research to the
medical and health communities, as well as for informal learning experiences to public museums
and science centers.
A standard Plastinantion Process has five steps:
1. Fixation (embalming and anatomical dissection)
o Dissecting the specimen to show specific anatomical elements can be time consuming.
Formaldehyde or other preserving solutions help prevent decomposition of the tissues. Using
dissection tools, the skin, fatty and connective tissues are removed in order to prepare the
individual anatomical structures.
0. Dehydration (fluid removal)
o The specimen is then placed in a bath of acetone. Under freezing conditions, the acetone
draws out all the body water and soluble fats and replaces it inside the cells.
1. Forced Impregnation in a vacuum
o By creating a vacuum chamber, the acetone is made to boil at a low temperature. As the
acetone vaporizes and leaves the cells (removed from tissue), it draws the liquid polymer
in behind it, leaving a cell filled with liquid plastic.
2. Positioning
o The specimen is positioned into the final posture. With needles and clamps muscles are put
back into the desired position. Every single anatomical structure is proper;y aligned and
fixed with the help of wires, needles, clamps and foam blocls.
3. Curing (hardening)
o The plastic then is being cured with gas, heat, or ultraviolet light, in order to harden it.
Water and lipid tissues are replaced by curable polymers (i.e. silicone, epoxy and polyester-
copolymer).
Dissection and Plastination of an entire body requires about 1500 working hours and normally
takes about one year to complete.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Plastination is a process used in anatomy to preserve bodies or body parts, first invented by. The water and fat are replaced by certain plastics, yielding specimens that can be touched, do not smell or decay, and even retain most properties of the original sample. These specimens allow the study or research of the human body without the usual disadvantages of real human bodies like decomposition, smell and the health hazards of formaldehyde. Von hagens plastination provides real human specimens for education and research to the medical and health communities, as well as for informal learning experiences to public museums and science centers. A standard plastinantion process has five steps: fixation (embalming and anatomical dissection, dissecting the specimen to show specific anatomical elements can be time consuming. Formaldehyde or other preserving solutions help prevent decomposition of the tissues.
