1. An object positioning device for preserving an object for imaging having a length, a width, and a thickness, while preserving a shape and a spatial orientation of the object for imaging relative to a reference object, the device comprising: a first container for holding the object for imaging while preserving the shape of the object for imaging, which container can close and which encloses on all sides the object for imaging when closed; two or more fiducial marks on the container for identifying the three dimensional spatial orientation of the object for imaging relative to the reference object during the imaging, and a deformable material for receiving and holding the object for imaging in position along its length and width with minimal deformation when said object for imaging is placed into said device.