Dewar used to preserve body parts after death

Dewar used to preserve body parts after death

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Dewar flask for cryogenic neuro-suspension (freezing of heads), supplied by V B Anderson Cryogenics, Division of V. B. Anderson Co., Santa Ana, California, United States, and made by Taylor-Wharton, Alabama, United States, 1976-1999. Used by people wishing to be preserved after death (see note).

A dewar is used to store liquids at very low temperatures. Liquid nitrogen was stored in this dewar at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation at temperatures of -196°C to preserve body parts, in a practice known as cryonics. Cryonics is the preservation of bodies or body parts after death. It is used by people who hope that future medical science will be able to restore them to life, and find cures for any medical conditions they may have. This dewar was made by Taylor-Wharton, a company specialising in equipment used to store liquids at very low temperatures.

Details

Category:
Biotechnology
Object Number:
1999-782
Materials:
aluminium (metal), steel (metal) and plastic (unidentified)
Measurements:
overall: 800 mm 430 mm, 25 kg
type:
dewar flask
credit:
Alcor Life Extension Foundation