Prevention of colostomy bag pops and leaks

Name(s): Ila Langelotti

Research Plan (to Accompany Form 1A)
A) Rationale
Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem and explain why this research
is important and if applicable, explain any societal impact of your research.
Getting a colostomy can be suggested to people who are suffering from various diseases. This is a common treatment
which has potential to be easier for them. People with a stoma are willing to engage in and set research priorities. The
results should contribute towards future research about setting the research agenda for the study of stoma- related
concerns that impact quality of life.
B) Research Question(s), Hypothesis(es), Engineering Goal(s),
Expected Outcomes.
How is this based on the rationale described above?
Research Question(s): How can I create a device that can help remove the problem of a colostomy bag
popping or leaking?
Hypothesis(es):If I am able to successfully create my device, then I can eliminate one of the biggest problems
associated with a colostomy bag.
Engineering Goal(s): To successfully create a colostomy bag device.
Expected Outcomes: The product will discreetly alert the patient when the bag is close to full
Procedure(s)
Detail all procedures and experimental design including methods for data collection. Describe only your
project. Do not include work done by mentor or others.
Materials:
-WINGONEER 5PCS Water Level Sensor Liquid Water Droplet Depth Detection Sensor for Arduino
-9V batteries
-HC 05 Bluetooth Module Arduino Master-Slave Configuration at Mode Breakout Board by MakerDoIt (2)
-ELEGOO for Arduino Nano V3.0, Nano Board CH340/ATmega328P Without USB Cable, Compatible with
Arduino Nano V3.0 (Nano x 3 Without Cable)
-Elegoo EL-CP-004 120pcs Multicolored Dupont Wire 40pin Male to Female, 40pin Male to Male, 40pin
Female to Female Breadboard Jumper Wires Ribbon Cable
-Arduino editor program
-Plyers
-Scissors
-Non-conductive gloves
-Computer
-Wire stripper
-Pangda 20 Pack 9V Battery Clip Connector
-13 Clear rubber earing backings
-2 red wire end terminals
-2 Blue wire end terminals
-tape
-Strong sticky double sided tape
-Sheer Cloth
-Velcro
-Plastic
-hot glue gun
-hot glue sticks
-super glue
 Prevention of colostomy bag pops and leaks

Name(s): Ila Langelotti

-2 magnets
-Hairdryer
-Sheet of flexible plastic
-water

Connecting all the parts together:

1. Gather all the materials
2. Take the Arduino Nano and get an orange female to male jumper wire
3. Bend the male side at a 90-degree angle
4. Put the end in A0 and put a clear backing on the other side.
5. Take the female side and connect it to the S on the water sensor
6. Take a purple female to male jumper wire and bend the male side at a 90-degree angle
7. Put the end in D10 and put a clear backing on the other side.
8. Take the female side and connect it to the TXD
9. Take a grey female to male jumper wire and bend the male side at a 90-degree angle
10. Put the end in D11 and put a clear backing on the other side.
11. Take the female side and connect it to the RXD
12. Take a 9V battery connector and strip the positive and negative end
13. Take a white female to female jumper wire and strip one of the ends
14. Put the non-striped end on the positive part of the water sensor
15. Take a green female to female jumper wire and strip one of the ends
16. Put the non-striped end on the negative part of the water sensor
17. Take a white female to female jumper wire and strip one of the ends
18. Put the non-striped end on the VCC part of the Bluetooth sensor
19. Take a green female to female jumper wire and strip one of the ends
20. Put the non-striped end on the GND part of the Bluetooth sensor
21. Take a piece of tape and wrap it around the top of the wires on each sensor
22. Take a male to male red jumper wire and bend one side at a 90-degree angle
23. Put the end in 5V on the Arduino piece and put a clear backing on the other side.
24. Strip the other end
25. Take a male to male red jumper wire and bend one side at a 90-degree angle
26. Put the end in VIN on the Arduino piece and put a clear backing on the other side.
27. Strip the other end
28. Take a male to male black jumper wire and bend one side at a 90-degree angle
29. Put the end in GND on the Arduino piece and put a clear backing on the other side.
30. Strip the other end
31. Take all the striped ends of the white and red wires and twist them all together
32. Twist in the positive end of the battery connector
33. Twist on a red wire end terminal onto the ends of the wires
34. Take all the striped ends of the black and green wires and twist them all together
35. Twist in the negative end of the battery connector
36. Twist on a red wire end terminal onto the ends of the wires
37. Put Water sensor piece to the side
38. Take a purple female to male jumper wire and bend the male side at a 90-degree angle
39. Put the end in D10 and put a clear backing on the other side.
40. Take the female side and connect it to the TXD
41. Take a grey female to male jumper wire and bend the male side at a 90-degree angle
42. Put the end in D11 and put a clear backing on the other side.
43. Take the female side and connect it to the RXD
 Prevention of colostomy bag pops and leaks

Name(s): Ila Langelotti

44. Take a 9V battery connector and strip the positive and negative end
45. Take a male to male red jumper wire and bend one side at a 90-degree angle
46. Put the end in 5V on the Arduino piece and put a clear backing on the other side.
47. Strip the other end
48. Take a male to male red jumper wire and bend one side at a 90-degree angle
49. Put the end in VIN on the Arduino piece and put a clear backing on the other side.
50. Strip the other end
51. Take a male to male black jumper wire and bend one side at a 90-degree angle
52. Put the end in GND on the Arduino piece and put a clear backing on the other side.
53. Strip the other end
54. Take a white female to female jumper wire and strip one of the ends
55. Put the non-striped end on the VCC part of the screen
56. Take a green female to female jumper wire and strip one of the ends
57. Put the non-striped end on the GND part of the screen
58. Take a blue female to male jumper wire and bend the male side at a 90-degree angle
59. Put the end in A4 and put a clear backing on the other side.
60. Take the female side and connect it to the SDA of the screen
61. Take a yellow female to male jumper wire and bend the male side at a 90-degree angle
62. Put the end in A5 and put a clear backing on the other side.
63. Take the female side and connect it to the SCL of the screen
64. Take a piece of tape and wrap it around the ends on each sensor
65. Take all the striped ends of the white and red wires and twist them all together
66. Twist in the positive end of the battery connector
67. Twist on a blue wire end terminal onto the ends of the wires
68. Take all the striped ends of the black and green wires and twist them all together
69. Twist in the negative end of the battery connector
70. Twist on a blue wire end terminal onto the ends of the wires

Coding the product:

1. Use the code written below for the water sensor
 Prevention of colostomy bag pops and leaks

Name(s): Ila Langelotti

2. Select Arduino Nano for board

3. Select ATmega328P (Old Bootloader) for the processor
4. Select the port that is plugged into your computer
5. Upload the code to the Arduino piece with the water sensor

6. Use the code written below for the screen

 Prevention of colostomy bag pops and leaks

Name(s): Ila Langelotti

7. Select Arduino Nano for board

8. Select ATmega328P (Old Bootloader) for the processor
9. Select the port that is plugged into your computer
10. Upload the code to the Arduino piece with the screen

Testing the code:

1. Go to serial monitor under tools in the code while the piece is still plugged into the computer
2. Click on serial monitor
3. Follow instructions on the program to test if the system is properly running
4. Specifically, for the water sensor, download a Bluetooth terminal app onto an android device.
5. Connect a 9V battery to the water sensor system
6. Connect the water sensor system to the device using the app
7. Test the sensor by putting the water level sensor in a glass of water and watch the water levels show
up on the screen
8. If the numbers are not showing up on the device check the connection, code and wire connections on
the device

Making the usable product:

1. Obtain all materials
2. Cut 2 pieces of 4inX4in of fabric
3. Place the fabric pieces onto of each other
4. Hot glue 2 sides that are across from each other together
 Prevention of colostomy bag pops and leaks

Name(s): Ila Langelotti

5. Put a Velcro strip on the inside of the bag on the top of the bag
6. Put the water sensor system in the bag but put the water sensor through the remaining open side.
7. Hot glue the remain side around the wire of the water sensor
8. Cut out 2 10inX10in pieces of plastic wrap
9. Put down one piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface
10. Place the system with the bag on top of the plastic wrap
11. Put the other piece of plastic wrap on top of both the first piece and the system
12. Cut the plastic so the opening of the bag is still accessible, and the sensor is exposed
13. Take a hairdryer and put it to the hottest setting
14. Heat the plastic wrap around the bag.
15. Cut off the excess plastic wrap
16. Take a piece of double-sided tape and put it on one side of the bag
17. Place to the side
18. Take the piece of plastic and cut it into a long strip with a width of 1 and a half inches
19. Cut the plastic into the length of an average wrist
20. Glue the screen to middle of the plastic band
21. Glue the Bluetooth sensor and Arduino to the band
22. Don’t glue the battery
23. Put cloth over the pieces.
24. Cut a hole in the fabric for the screen
25. Cut tiny hole in the fabric for the wires of the battery
26. Glue down the cloth
27. Take double sided tape and stick the battery to the fabric
28. Glue 2 magnets to the end of the plastic band

Connecting the product to the bag:

1. Make a mark 3 inches down from the top of the bag
2. Cut a small slit the same size as the sensor
3. Put the sensor into the slit
4. Tape the sensor to the bag
5. Stick the system to the outside of the bag

Testing the product:

1. Make sure the product is completely connected to the bag
2. Make sure that during these experiments the purpose of the bag remains the same and it stays
comfortable for the user.
3. Measure the diameter of the opening of the colostomy bag.
4. Take a ruler and draw a circle with the same diameter onto the middle part of the board
5. Use the saw to cut out the circle
6. Connect the bag through the hole so that water is able to get through the bag without changing the use
of the bag.
7. Fill the bag with water until it reaches the tip of the sensor
8. See if the data sends to the watch
9. Slowly fill the bag so the levels go up on the sensor
10. Enter all the data into the data table
Risk and Safety
Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed.
 Prevention of colostomy bag pops and leaks

Name(s): Ila Langelotti

The product needs to be fully water proof or it could potentially shock the user. Also the product needs to be
able to only stick to the bag or else it won’t work and the person could rely on it and lead to other problems.
Data Analysis
Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.
I will run a series of tests using a board and cutting a hole through the board and attaching the product with
the bag with the product and fill it with water and other various materials to fill the bag. Then I will do 3 trial
run with different products and see if it will alert the patient.
IF Applicable
Below are subject-specific guidelines for additional items to be included in your
Research plan/project summary as applicable.
Human participants research:
a. Participants: Describe age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition of participants. Identify vulnerable
populations (minors, pregnant women, prisoners, mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).
b. Recruitment: Where will you find your participants? How will they be invited to participate?
c. Methods: What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests? What
is the frequency and length of time involved for each subject?
d. Risk Assessment: What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved,
social, legal, etc.) to participants? How will you minimize risks? List any benefits to society or participants.
e. Protection of Privacy: Will identifiable information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, birth dates, email
addresses) be collected? Will data be confidential/anonymous? If anonymous, describe how the data will be
collected. If not anonymous, what procedures are in place for safeguarding confidentiality? Where will data
be stored? Who will have access to the data? What will you do with the data after the study?
f. Informed Consent Process: Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the study,
what they will be asked to do, that their participation is voluntary and they have the right to stop at any time.
I will not be using human participants.
Vertebrate animal research:
a. Discuss potential ALTERNATIVES to vertebrate animal use and present justification for use of
vertebrates.
b. Explain potential impact or contribution of this research.
c. Detail all procedures to be used, including methods used to minimize potential discomfort, distress, pain
and injury to the animals and detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages.
d. Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, source, etc., include justification of the numbers planned.
e. Describe housing and oversight of daily care
f. Discuss disposition of the animals at the termination of the study.
Potentially hazardous biological agents research:
a. Give source of the organism and describe BSL assessment process and BSL determination.
b. Detail safety precautions and discuss methods of disposal.
I will not be using hazardous substances.
Hazardous chemicals, activities & devices:
• Describe Risk Assessment process, supervision, safety precautions and methods of disposal.
I will not be using hazardous substances.