Principles of Plastination

 Plastination is done in 3 steps

I. Dehydration

Formalin fixed and neatly dissected specimen is dehydrated in ten times volume of acetone. First two changes in acetone cooled below -18˚Celsius to minimize tissue shrinkage. Last change at room temperature for defatting . This process exchanges water in tissue with acetone.

II. Forced impregnation

Acetone inside the tissue is extracted by placing dehydrated specimen submerged in polymer with the help if plastination chamber. 

III. Curing

Polymer

1. Formalin preserved specimen/body is neatly dissected and prepared. 

2. It is kept in running tap water for 24 hours to 48 hours to remove excess formalin

3. Dehydrated in 99.99% formalin(10 times volume of specimen) in 3 or more changes with the help of dehydration chamber (with deep freezing capability up to -24 degree Celsius)

4. Forced impregnated or resin using plastination chamber under continuous monitoring and carefully adjusting the vacuum thus controlling rate of acetone boiling and escaping from the specimen(If rate of boiling is too fast, it will result in tissue shrinkage.

5. When the impregnation is ceased, specimen is drained, wiped and cured in curing chamber.