Development of Intelligent, Level-Sensing
Colostomy Bag Attachment
Background Information
A colostomy is an operation that creates an opening for the colon, or large
intestine, and connects it to the wall of the abdomen to allow an alternate
route for waste to be disposed out of the body. Colostomies are most
common among bedrest patients, patients with a bowel injury, irritable
bowel syndrome, and colon or bowel cancers. It is common for colostomy
bags to leak or pop due to the lack of knowing if the bag is full or not.
Fear of a situation like this may occur in public situations which may
cause the patient to avoid public social interactions. A study by Gordana
Repić and Sunčica Ivanovi was conducted in 2017 and evaluated that
patients “change[d] their clothing style … their diet which they did not
practice regularly” (Repić, G., & Ivanović, S, 2017, 1). The quality of life
for patients with a colostomy bag is shown to be significantly lower than
those without due to social anxiety and depression. Because of
advancements in medical technologies a colostomy is a more common
procedure which would suggest that this problem should be resolved.
The engineering goal from last year was to create a discrete product that
can make having a colostomy bag more emotionally comfortable to the
wearer so they will be alerted before a potential disaster. Last year’s
design consisted of a device using a water level sensor to detect the levels
in the colostomy bag. The device was anticipated to connect to a watch
that displayed the levels through Bluetooth communication as well but
was unable to because of lack of time and resources. The product went
through a series of various tests. Although the device gave good results, it
was very bulky, non-reusable, and overall not an ideal design. Also, it was
unable to effectively alert the wearer because of failure to produce the
watch portion.
Figure 14 Completed transmitter device
Figure 2. Colostomy drawing
Research Question
How can radio frequency transmitter/receiver and electrode sensor
technology be embedded into a device that provides people suffering from
the obstacles of a colostomy bag, popping or leaking, to have a higher
quality of life?
Relevance
Colostomy bags are becoming a more common procedure because of its
effectiveness to patients after they have an infection of the abdomen,
injury to the colon or rectum, partial or complete blockage of the large
bowel, rectal cancer, or colon cancer. People of all ages are eligible to be
recommended for a colostomy bag. Having a colostomy bag as a young
teen can lead to victimization, harassment, and emotional distress. This
emotional distress can lead to depression and other severe emotional
complications.
Engineering Goal
To successfully create an easily accessible, reusable attachable colostomy
bag device that effectively operates independently and accurately alerts
the consumer when the waste levels of their colostomy bag are high and/or
at risk for popping or leaking.
Ila Langelotti
Methodology Sources of error
After thorough testing, it can be concluded that the overall outcome of the
project was successful. Although the project results were very positive and
1. Generating the transmitter device
Using the schematics as reference (Figure 1 and Figure 6), connect the transmitter, electrode cables, light indicators and power together with wires to most expectations were met, there were a few flaws. The receiving device
didn’t have any coverage such as an outer case. This lack of a protective
create a running device that effectively receives power and transmits data
2. Printing the transmitter casing shell makes the device unwearable and at risk of breaking. Also the largest
distance that the two devices could communicate from was only 2 inches.
3D print an outer casing to protect the device and keep the parts in place (Figure 5)
3. Producing the Receiver device Most people move their arms around instead of leaving them by their side,
so 2 inches is not effective for everyday use. This information prompts
Using the schematics as reference (Figure 3 and Figure 4), connect the receiver, light indicators and power together with wires to create a running device
that effectively receives power and data that there is a problem with the range despite the extra attachment of an
antenna. During testing, the receiver device needed to be unplugged after
4. Constructing the testing device
Build a model that represents an abdomen with a stoma (Figure 2) every test, resulting in wear and tear of the wires.
5. Attaching the transmitting device to a colostomy bag
Meticulously attach the device to a colostomy bag to prepare for testing
6. Testing Process
Test the device for accuracy, power, and distance using testing board model and various substances
Figure 7. 3D printed box casing for transmitter
Figure 13. Completed transmitter device
Next Steps
Figure 1. Schematic of transmitter device
Figure 3. Schematic of receiver device Figure 6. Layout of built transmitter device
Figure 4. Layout of built receiver device
Future adjustments to this project include increasing the range of
communication between the transmitter and receiver. A different
transmitter and receiver may need to be used to execute this goal. In
addition to changing the range, the receiver device will need an outer
Results casing similar to the transmitter case. This protective case allows the
device to be worn every day. The transmitter device also needs a switch to
The bag being tested is stuck to a board that simulates an abdomen with a stoma and colostomy bag. To ensure accurate testing, turn it on and off to reset it. During testing the wire needed to be
the transmitter and receiver devices are tested with various substances at various distances. Four separate colostomy bags are set unplugged after every test, so adding a switch would reduce the stress on
up with the electrodes set horizontally. One bag is left empty to act as a control (Figure 7). Three other bags are filled up to the the wires.
line of the electrodes with a different substance. The substances tested are water, pudding and applesauce. The transmitter and
receiver devices are given power and are tested on the ability to receive it. Each device alone received power as expected. Then
the transmitter device is connected to a bag and the receiver device is set directly next to the bag. The bag is then filled with water
(Figure 8) until the electrode sensors are submerged under the water. A blue light is expected to light up to display that the bag is References
full. Then this information is transmitted to the receiver and a red light on the receiver device powers on. As expected, both lights
lit up, displaying that the data is accurately being sent and obtained between both devices. Then the bag is emptied and filled
Artwork of human intestines and colostomy. [Photography]. Retrieved
again with water, but the receiver is set farther away to test distance. The connection distance is tested multiple times to determine
from Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest.
the maximum distance. For the water, the maximum distance transmitted was 2 inches. Then the transmitter is detached, and the
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device connected to a new bag. The steps of testing are repeated with the applesauce and pudding.
Chen, F., Li, Z., Li, Q., Liang, F., Guo, X., & Huang, Z. (2015). A Novel,
Intelligent, Pressure-Sensing Colostomy Plug for Reducing Fecal
The device accurately emitted data when testing the pudding (Figure 9). The farthest distance that the transmitter could send the
Leakage. Artificial Organs, 39(6), 514–519.
data is 1 inch. The device also worked as expected when testing the applesauce (Figure 10). The farthest distance that it could
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send with the applesauce was 1.5 inches. After each test with each substance the bag and device were examined to determine if
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there was a leak or spill. Each time the bag was clear of any leaks or contamination from the inside contents. All data was put into
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Figure 11. Data Table
Figure 7. The bag with no contents Figure 8. The bag with water Figure 9. The bag with applesauce Figure 10. The bag with pudding Quality of Life of Colostomy Patients. Acta Medica Medianae,
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