[Alasdair]

in reply to: Institutions Plastinating in the UK & Ireland #3995

Currently, we at the Royal Dick Vet, are in the VERY early stages of getting into Plastination. We believe that we have purchased all the kit we need, just need the time & space to fully set it up and get the whole process up & running.

Given that I’ve worked in the same Department for nearly 30yrs, you get less for murder, I hope & wish to leave a teaching legacy in place before my retirement – which is planned to be 15-18yrs away!

If anyone has experiences of “room temperature” plastination I’d be very interested to hear about!

Alasdair C
R(D)SVS,
University of Edinburgh

[Alasdair]

in reply to: Degreasing bones? #2812

Hi All,

I’d be very interested in hearing if folk have solutions to effectively de-greasing bones. Since our de-greaser machine (that used Trike) was de-commissioned over a decade ago, we’ve had issues. I’m currently investigating all sorts of methods…but have, so far, failed to come up with a solution.

Kind Regards,

Ali

[Alasdair]

in reply to: Mould on specimens #2606

At Edinburgh Vet School we’ve found that spraying with Dis-Spray, from Dodge, has drastically decreased our mould growth on prosections and by putting some into our tanks or specimen body bags.

Regards,

Ali

[Alasdair]

in reply to: Cleaning Old Bone Displays – Advice Please #1459

In a wee update on using the Ultrasonic Bath for cleaning up display bones:

Using ‘Warmed’ Water & a wee squirt of Washing Up Detergent in the bath and cleaning for around 50mins in a cycle has brought some promising results. Ear protection is advised while operating the Ultrasonic tank.

If the bones have been articulated by PVA glue then I’ve found they can become separated, or the connection point being soft until dried again.

So far I have had very positive results on cleaning up some Display Bones that I hope to be able to incorporate into our teaching collections in the new session (2017/18).

Would love to hear from any other experiences/techniques on cleaning display bones!

[Alasdair]

in reply to: The Forum #1428

Hiya IAS,

I use the forum fairly regularly…even if just to browse content. It’s a wealth of information and is a good way of passing on good ideas to the membership. I’d miss the forum if was wound up.
Also, staff here are actively discouraged from using Facebook during working times since it’s seen as a “social networking forum”. Even although it maybe getting used for work purposes…seeing the Facebook banner can sometimes cause issues.

Regards,

Ali

[Alasdair]

in reply to: Cleaning Old Bone Displays – Advice Please #1377

The Ultrasonic that we got was big enough to fit a full assembled canine limb in. I experimented with the timings, 10mins to start with, then increased it to 50mins. I only ever put in one glue-assembled limb at any one time, incase it came apart…as there’ve been multiple different approaches to repairing through the years – PVA to Superglue.

I experimented with a variety of larger bones too that were sitting in a cupboard with a view of getting them out of the cupboards and on display.

It’s still early doors and my cleaning results are promising..and certainly better than prior.

[Alasdair]

in reply to: Cleaning Old Bone Displays – Advice Please #1356

Don’t know if this thread is still active, but I recently started using a new piece of kit for cleaning bones – an Ultrasonic Bath. I’m using it to clean the dirtiest display bones (when a soap wash doesn’t cut it!). The bones I’ve cleaned so far have come out pretty good. So far, I’ve only used water in my Bath, but may introduce a soap dilution for the most stubborn grime if initial cleaning less than I expect.

I’ve placed in single bones & some glued-assembled. (*Care must be taken on timing if a water-based glue was used in assembly).

Just thought I’d throw & share the idea out there.

Alasdair
(Dick Vet – Edinburgh)

[Alasdair]

in reply to: Embalming Fluid #1256

What schools, Vet or Med, use Dodge perfusion fluids? We’ve been receiving some concerns from students & academics in dissection classes about the fumes…however when measured everything has been within limits. Wondered if anyone else has/is experiencing the same?

[Alasdair]

in reply to: Formalin Substitute #1179

I haven’t had any information on K-DES. Actually, since then we’ve completely changed our perfusion technique & preservation chemicals due to our old, unserviceable, workshop bespoke rigs causing us problems! We purchased 2 perfusion setups from Dodge….with all the relevant tools & attachments. We also use the Dodge supplied chemicals…which is a work in progress as we tweak out the issues – recipe etc.

Ali

[Alasdair]

in reply to: Hoists for lifting large prosections #1064

Hiya Rachel,

In our all new Dick Vet school (Edinburgh) we’re using a 2t Demag Hoist with assorted track or ‘train-set’, as it has been described. It was sourced during the planning & building phases of the new build, of which I wasn’t involved with.

It’s been primarily used to carry bodies of Large Animals in from our loading bay to the lab. We have the track entering the DR and splitting in several directions & also the lab.

We have a separate hoist system, again Demag, in our specimen tank room. This has been described as a miniture version of cranes on a cargo dock…which gives us great flexibility in lifting & moving heavy/bulky material.

Both hoist systems have remote hand-held controllers that are linked to chargers when not in use….in prep for when they are.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Ali

Vet Anatomy Tech Officer, Dick Vet (Edinburgh)

[Alasdair]

in reply to: Large Animal Embalming #982

Our current procedure is:

Heperinise the Animal….just prior to euthanase.

Hang cadaver via spike & shackle through neck…..and with wire drill through pelvis at rear (bit fiddly, but gives better assess and scope for dissection).

Perfusion: use same fix-mix for all (Formalin/Phenol/Glycerine/Water mix) with an indicated pressure of 4psi.

Perfuse in through the carotid….one way (to the heart) and tie off to the head. Perfuse until dripping clear from nose….which can seem to take an eternity.

Put in a trocar to release the ruminant gases (which can easily get me wretching!!)

With continual care (every few days)…..spraying….wrapping with cling-film on dissected areas….then tying skin flaps back……then covering entire body with formalin soaked cloths…..we’ve managed to keep mould infection at bay. However nature always wins in the end!!

Currently we don’t have any cold-room options…….but we’re looking into some sort of storage prior to dissection & classes in the future…that in warm weather would prevent maggots & mould infection.

Cheers,

Ali

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