Abstract: The body part mold system includes a method of making accurate replicas of body parts, with the steps of the method comprising using an elongate prefabricated hollow transparent support form having an opening at one end and a slit on one side, inserting the body part through the opening into the form, sealing the slit so as to be leak-proof, pouring into the support form a liquid molding material containing alginate that rapidly sets to form a gelatinous matrix containing a negative impression of the body part, releasing the body part from the mold to leave a negative impression of the body part, casting a replica of the body part in the mold, and removing the replica from the mold. The method yields accurate replicas of body parts for medical, artistic, and other uses. The support forms may be either rigid or somewhat flexible, and are reusable. The transparency of the support forms permit precise positioning of the model or patient and monitoring of the filling of the form with molding material.

Abstract: A molding material for constructing h of living models comprises a composition of alginate powder, water, and chopped polystyrene. This composition is useable in a method of making one-piece head molds or one-piece hand molds of living models by applying the composition to the head of a model, wrapping the composition-covered head in plaster bandages until the composition has cured, removing the bandages, cutting the cured mold so that the model can be freed from the mold, placing the cut edges of the mold in register, and replacing the plaster bandages.