Basic Equipment for Plastination

The following sections give an overview of equipment and auxiliaries required to equip a plastination laboratory for the S 10 standard method (also suitable for the PEM method), for sheet plastination with the E 12 flat chamber and drain method (for the plastination of transparent body slices), or for the P 35 and P 40 methods (for the plastination of brain slices). The scope of equipment required naturally depends on the type, size, and number of specimens to be plastinated. In general, it is recommended that you start out with the silicone standard method on a small scale and later extend the laboratory and/or take on new methods once practical experience has been gained.

CAUTION:
We generally recommend the use of special freezers (HL04 – HL06) for plastination purposes. If a regular household freezer is to be used for plastination, for safety reasons all potential ignition sources (e.g., the interior lighting) have to be removed from the inside of the freezer. Also, it is strongly recommended that you remove the compressor and permanently install it outside the plastination laboratory. If the compressor is not removed, prior to any handling of acetone inside the freezer the power supply has to be shut off.

1. Basic Equipment for Silicone Standard Method (and PEM method)

For Fixation and Storage:

➔ Appropriate plastic containers, preferably made from polyethylene or polypropylene (PVC and polyester containers are not recommended).

➔ Recommended especially for the fixation of brains: Bowl of a suitable size and shape for the temporary storage of fresh brains.

➔ If required, a device for the fixation of organs in a dilated state.

For Dehydration:

➔ Container for dehydration with acetone by freeze substitution (preferably 3 pieces, stainless steel), large enough to hold specimens and dehydration medium at a ratio of 1:10.

➔ 1 freezer that will hold at least one, preferably two, of the dehydration containers.

➔ 1 acetonometer 0% to 100% and 1 acetonometer 90% to 100%.

➔ 1 thermometer for monitoring temperature during the dehydration process.

➔ Optional: Solvent resistant gloves. Circulation pump for acetone for the effective and fast dehydration of large specimens. Conveyor pump for the transfer of acetone or other solvents. Distillation unit (for acetone recovery if large volumes are used).

For Forced Impregnation:

➔ 1 vacuum chamber (appropriate for the size of specimens).

➔ 1 vacuum pump of sufficient strength for the volume of the vacuum chamber; vacuum tubing.

➔ 1 freezer capable of holding the vacuum chamber.

➔ 1 separator for oil and solvents.

➔ Vacuum adjustment device(s).

➔ 1 manometer.

➔ 1 thermometer for monitoring temperature during the forced impregnation process.

➔ Optional: vacuum controller.

For Curing:

➔ 1 gas curing unit consisting of an airtight sealable container, one or more membrane pumps with connecting tubes, and glass jars for the gas hardener.

➔ Optional: drain grids and trays for catching dripping silicone. Sized to fit inside the gas curing unit. For larger gas curing boxes: a fan.

2. Basic Equipment—Sheet Plastination with the E 12 Method

For Fixation:

With sheet plastination with the E 12 method, fixation with formalin or other fixation solutions is not necessary. If it is desired, any conventional fixation device can be used.

For freezing:

➔ If necessary: hand saw for amputating extremities.

➔ Large solvent resistant container for the rapid freezing of specimens using cold acetone and dry ice.

➔ 1 freezer for freezing and storing specimens A freezer capable of reaching -70 °C (-94 °F) is strongly preferred to prevent the formation of ice crystals in the specimens. A -25 °C (-13 °F) freezer is sufficient only if additional dry ice is placed in the freezer.

For Cutting and/or Sawing:

➔ For organ slices fixed with formalin: rotary slicer.

➔ For body slices containing bony structures: band saw with coolable guide stop. One thickness gauge, one coolable device for holding the cut slices for processing (removal of saw dust).

➔ Recommended: saw-protective gloves.

For Dehydration:

Devices and auxiliaries as for the silicone standard method, with the dehydration containers large enough to hold a wire basket in which the cut slices are stacked, alternating with plastic nets and grids.

For Forced Impregnation:

Devices and auxiliaries as for the silicone standard method, with the vacuum chamber large enough to hold the flat chambers for de-aeration of the resin.

Additionally: Polymer gauze, possibly a separate container for impregnation.

For Curing:

The devices and auxiliaries required are determined by the method used:

a) For the drain method:

➔ Polyester foil sheets (100 μm thick), 2 or more glass plates, heat cabinet.

b) For the flat chamber method:

➔ Safety glass plates (3 mm thick, free of scratches).

➔ Silicone gaskets (thickness depending on the thickness of the specimens).

➔ Binder clips / foldback clamps for clamping the sides of the flat chamber.

➔ Funnel for pouring the resin.

➔ Positioning Wire.

➔ Heat cabinet.

➔ Saw for cutting of completed slices.

➔ Optional: hand pump for polymers for the bubblefree filling of the flat chamber with resin hand clamps.

3. Basic Equipment—Brain Slice Plastination with the P 35 and/or P 40 Methods

For Fixation:

➔ Suitable buckets in which brains can be suspended and fixated while free floating.

➔ Optional: Bowl for the temporary shape-preserving storage of fresh brains.

For Cutting:

➔ Rotary slicer (sausage slicer), brain knife.

For Dehydration:

Devices and auxiliaries as for the silicone standard method. Additionally:

➔ Grid baskets (made from acetone resistant plastic or stainless steel) for stacking brain slices during the dehydration, immersion, and forced impregnation processes.

➔ Appropriately sized buckets (for immersion and impregnation).

For Forced Impregnation:

Devices and auxiliaries as for the silicone standard method, with the vacuum chamber large enough to hold the baskets with brain slices and/or impregnation buckets.

For Curing:

Devices and auxiliaries as for the E 12 method using flat chambers. Additionally:

➔ 2 mm thick float glass plates for the construction of double-walled flat chambers (free from scratches).

➔ Adhesive tape.

➔ UV-A light curing unit.

Recommendations by BIODUR® Products

The table presents complete plastination packages for the different methods. They are mainly based on our range of products and contain all devices and auxiliaries required for the basic equipment of a plastination laboratory. It is our experience that most laboratories already own devices that are more than adequate for plastination (e.g., heat cabinet, vacuum cabinet, vacuum pump).

Thus, prior to ordering materials for furnishing your plastination laboratory, you are well advised to check your own supplies for suitable devices and auxiliaries. Upon request we will be happy to consult with you and prepare a comprehensive offer taking into consideration the devices already present, the preferred plastination method(s), and the type, size, and number of specimens to be plastinated.