Summary
This review surveys the potential of plastination, a technique of tissue preservation introduced eight years ago. In this process, water and lipids in biological tissues are replaced by curable polymer which are subsequently hardened, resulting in dry, odorless and durable specimens. The procedure consists of the following steps-fixation, dehydration, forced impregnation in a vacuum, and hardening. The properties of the finished specimen are determined by the class of polymer used.
Silicone yields flexible, resilient speciemens, allows the broadest range of application, and provides satisfactory results with minimum equipment. Specimens plastinated with an epoxy-silicone copolymer are rigid enough to be polished, but are not unbreakable. This resin is used for thick, opaque body slices and showcase specimens. Epoxy resins are used for thin (2.5 mm), transparent body or organ slices. They are cast between polyester foils or glass plates and can be used for histological investigations. Polyester resin is used for the production of opaque brain slices, which gives excellent differentiation between grey and white matter. The application of plastination in research and the production of teaching specimens is discussed with special regard to the equipment required, cost, and feasibility of the processing.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Acheson ED (1981) Formaldehyde in british chemical industry. An occupational cohort study. Lancet 1:611–616
Bargmann W, Doerr w (1963) Das Herz des Menschen. Thieme Stuttgart 1:128
Beyer KP (1908) Verfahren zum Durchsichtig-oder Durchscheinendmachen von organisierten makroskopischen Körpern. Patentschrift 229044, Kaiserliches Patentamt München
Bickley HC, v Hagens G, Townsend FM (1981) An improved method for the preservation of teaching specimens. Arch Pathol Lab Med 105:674–676
Bickley HC (1984) Plastination: A new technique for anatomic pathology and forensic science. Pathol Update Series 2(16):2–8
Bickley HC (1986) Interim Executive Director, International Society for Plastination, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia 31207, USA
Brökelmann J, Müller G (1985) Architektur des Myometriums, untersucht an plastinierten, durchsichtigen Präparaten. Arch Gynecol 238:851–853
Brökelmann J (1986) Personal communication
Daschner F (1983) Formaldehyd: Unnötige Desinfektionen gefährden Patienten und Personal. Klinikarzt 12(1):9–10
Deegener P, Berndt W (1914) Process of preserving animal objects. U.S. Pat. 1, 163, 645
Fritsch H (1986) Personal communication
Geymayer P, Gütebier T (1979) Polyethylenglykole, ihre Chemie und Anwendung in der Präparationstechnik. Der Präparator 25(2):65–70
Guhn A (1986) Complete Examination of Mastectomy Specimens using Sheet Plastination with Epoxy Resin. Lecture, 3rd International Conference on Plastination, April 19–25, Department of Pathology. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio Texas
v. Hagens G (1977) Patents: DBPat 27 10 147 (1978) Brit Pat 1 558 802 (1984) Brit Pat 22 082 041 (1978) Belg Pat 863.949 (1978) RSA Pat 78/1330 (1980) Austr. Pat 360 272 (1980) US Pat 4, 205.059 (1981) US Pat 4, 244, 992 (1981) US Pat 4, 278, 701 (1982) US-Pat 4, 320, 157
v. Hagens G (1979a) Impregnation of soft biological specimens with thermosetting resins and elastomers. Anat Rec 194:247–255
v. Hagens G (1979b) Emulsifying resins for plastination. Der Präparator 25:43–50
v. Hagens G (1982) Verfahren zur verbesserten Ausnutzung von Kunststoffen bei der Konservierung biologischer Präparate. Offenlegungsschrift DE 32 32 76 A1, Deutsches Patentamt München
v. Hagens G (1985/86) Heidelberg Plastination Folder. Anatomisches Institut I, Universität Heidelberg, D-6900 Heidelberg, FRG
Hochstetter F, Schmeidel G (1924) Method or process of permanently preserving animals and plants. USPat 1, 602, 489
Kaiserling C (1985) Über die Konservierung von Sammlungspräparaten mit Erhaltung der natürlichen Farben. Fortschr Anat EntwGesch 2, 2:221
Kienecker E-W, Uhlmann K (1985a) Easy method of producing biological specimens by molecular substitution. XII. Int Anat Congr London, Abstr 354
Kienecker E-W, Uhlmann K (1985b) Verfahren zur Herstellung flexibler, dauerhaltbargemachter nicht konservierter und konservierter biologischer Materialien. Offenlegungsschrift DE 33 19 564 A1, Deutsches Patentamt München
Klemstein J (1982) Vom makroskopischen Präparat zur Ultrastruktur der Zelle. Der Präparator 28:305–312
Kleimstein J (1985) Histologisches Präscreening plastinierter Organe unter Anwendung der Computertomgraphie. mtapraxis 31:159–176
Lischka MF, Mayr R, Mayerhoffer W (1981) Erfahrungen mit “plastinierten” Präparaten im Anatomieunterricht. Acta Anat 111:92
Meinel A (1979) Morbus Dupuytren. Streckhemmung statt Fingerkontraktion? Formalgenese und Pathomechanik der Palmarfibromatose. Med Habil Heidelberg
Pabst R (1985) Welche Gefahren bestehen beim Umgang mit Formaldehyd? Anat Anz (Jena) 161:154
Pfeil J (1986) Sheet plastination of the vertebral column: technique and clinical applications. Lecture, 3rd International Conference on Plastination, April 19–25, Department of Pathology. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio Texas
Schenck JF (1984) Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbit. The surface coil approach. General Electric Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
Schnitzlein HN, Murtagh FR (1985) Imaging anatomy of the head and spine: a photogr. color atlas of MRJ, CT, gross, and microscop, anatomy in axial, coronal and sagittal planes. Baltimore: Urban and Schwarzenberg
Schwab KH, v. Hagens G (1981) Freeze substitutioin of macroscopic specimens for plastination. Abstract: Sixth European Anatomical Congress, Acta Anat 111, 12:399
Spalteholz W (1914) Über das Durchsichtigmachen von menschlichen und tierischen Präparaten und seine theoretischen Bedingungen. (2nd edn) Lepzig: S. Hirzel
Tanagho EA, Smith DR, Meyers FH (1968) The trigone: anatomical and physiological considerations. 2. In relation to the bladder neck. J Urol 100:633–639
Tiedemann K, v. Hagens G (1982) The technique of heart plastination. Anat Rec 204:295–299
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The plastination process is covered by several patents (v. Hagens 1977 ff.), although the production of specimens on a non-commercial basis is virtually unrestricted
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
von Hagens, G., Tiedemann, K. & Kriz, W. The current potential of plastination. Anat Embryol 175, 411–421 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00309677
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00309677