UOAA Discussion Board

Hi,

I'm a biomedical engineer and probably soon to be ostomy recipient. Before my colon troubles I was very active, fitness nut and part of the reason for my predicament. In researching ostomy bags, I wonder if there might be a somewhat better way for some applications and thought I would poll the experts for advice.

Basically, it would be a lightweight spandex belt. The front side contain a low profile replaceable vacuum cartridge which fits around the stoma. The cartridge is replaced/reused with vacuum applied via an external charger, like a cell phone charger, so there is no noise when in use. Instead of relying on gravity, a very gentle suction would when draw up waste up into the cartridge when detected. It would also contain a charcoal filtered check valve to allow gas to escape with minimal odor.

Aside from processing waste more effectively, the idea is that by pulling waste to the side it would make close, like jeans easier to wear, would also reduce or eliminate accidents and allow greater range of movement.

Would such a system be useful? Why or why not?

Thanks!

Michaelm7001,

Do you have a lab or means to develop this? Many companies' R&D departments are reluctant to make changes. Several of us have asked about improvements. They can take years -- if they occur. So kudos to you for coming up with new ideas to implement!

I actually had a very inventive pal who made me a pump for use when irrigating through my MACE system (I won't go into details here) into my irrigation sleeve when I had a colostomy. It saved me hours but eventually I needed an ileostomy. However, his creativity was invaluable -- so I encourage you.

Others may pipe up but the amount of "stool" or "effluent" differs according to the person, the condition, the diet, and innumerable factors. I don't know how much your vacuum cartridge would hold. A graphic might be useful.

I'm also unsure how you define "low profile." Some ostomy systems like Convatec's adhesive Esteem or Cymed's MicroSkin are extremely flat and barely visible. You might check those out. The material used by Cymed is quite extraordinary.

Some folks have no problem wearing a belt. Others dislike them. Personal taste.

Not discouraging you! Keep at it. I think many ostomates would welcome a way to keep charcoal filters from getting wet and unable to be used in pouches. If you invented a way or different placement for them, many would applaud you.

It may be helpful for you to add details as I don't quite understand what you're proposing.

And welcome to this site. It's invaluable and packed with great info and people. Hope your surgery goes well. You seem to have an inspiring attitude.

Diane C.

1976 -- Partial lateral sphincterotomy due to chronic constipation because of non-relaxing puberactalis and other muscles
2000 -- Malone Appendiceal Colon Enema Procedure (MACE) for irrigation
2002 -- Colostomy
2018 -- Ileostomy; removal of colostomy, hernia, MACE as well as rectum and anus due to diversion colitis

It is ideas like yours that have improved the functionality of ostomy appliances over the years. When faced with prospects of an ileostomy when medical conditions made removal of my J pouch necessary, I took a different approach and opted to get a BCIR. I am very pleased with the quality of life that it has provided me. This surgical procedure creates an internal pouch from a short section of small intestine and is emptied 3-5 times a day with a small plastic catheter. There is no leakage of stool or gas from the pouch and the buttonhole size stoma is covered with a small absorbent pad. The person can wear the tightest of clothing and enjoy a wide range of physical activities. This procedure (and the closely related K pouch) are worth looking into if anything about a conventional ileostomy is of concern. Since many people are not suitable for one of these alternatives or choose not to get one, improvements like you mention would be of significant interest to them.

I like the vacuum idea but I wonder how much space cartridge itself would take up. This might be particularly useful for people with flush or recessed stomas.

In the near term, could you improve on existing filters? Consensus on list is they're all disappointing.

Interesting idea! As someone with very sensitive skin, I wonder what the impact would be on the surrounding skin. Just pulling off my wafer hurts even when I do use it with adhesive remover.

Another question is what the suction’s impact would be on the sutures that hold the stoma in place on the stomach.

I agree that the filters are in desperate need of improvement, but it does strike me as disappointing that sticking what amounts to a plastic bag on my body is the best idea out there! Perhaps it is the best bad idea, but I’d like to know what else has been on the drawing board!

All in all, though, this stoma thing isn’t nearly as bad as I expected it to be. It gets easier as time goes by and it sure beats my other option: death due to sepsis!

So, between now and the time you figure out a better way, know that this discussion board is incredibly gracious with advice and there is nothing they haven’t seen before. If it is possible, these folks have confronted and over come it. I encourage you to visit us often when something pops up.

In the “if I knew then what I know now” category, might I suggest that you plan the location of your stoma very carefully. Mine is right at the belt line and that causes any number of challenges. Just an inch higher or lower, and everything would be roses!

Good luck!

I don't think that anyone can really judge this until you explain whether these plans are for a colostomy or an ileostomy. They are quite different and with different needs. And as I noted to you before, after you have your surgery (and I hope that all goes well), live with it for a while so that you can begin to understand the issues from a practical rather than a theoretical point of view. You would then be in a better position to use your engineering expertise to make improvements.