Fascial Net Plastination Project

The project focuses on preserving the fascia, a complex connective tissue network that plays a crucial role in the human body's structure and function.

This technique, developed by Gunther von Hagens, involves replacing water and fat in biological tissues with polymers to create durable, lifelike specimens.

[2] The specific goals of the project include: The fascia is a band or sheet of connective tissue, primarily collagen, that supports and surrounds muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels.

The process involves replacing water and fat in tissues with plastics, resulting in specimens that can be touched, do not smell or decay, and retain most properties of the original sample.

The resulting plastinates, which can range from entire human bodies to small pieces of animal organs, can be further manipulated and positioned before the polymer chains are fully hardened.

[3] The project was supported by a Scientific Advisory Board consisting of Vladimir Chereminskiy, Gil Hedley, Thomas W. Myers, John Sharkey, Robert Schleip, Carla Stecco, Jaap Van der Wal, Gunther von Hagens, Angelina Whalley.

The team created forms to support the soft specimens so they could undergo the final stage of gas curing to harden them into durable plastinates ready for exhibition.

This involves a meticulous process where water and lipids in biological tissues are replaced with curable polymers like silicone, epoxy, or polyester, resulting in odorless, durable, and anatomically precise specimens.

[4] The project has provided critical insights into how fascia affects movement, stability, and overall physical health, thus influencing treatment approaches in physiotherapy, sports medicine, and surgery.

Future directions for the project include expanding the range of specimens, refining plastination techniques, and fostering international collaborations to further explore the clinical implications of fascia.