3D Printed Personalized Ostomy Appliance

Formation of an ostomy is an operation that connects a hollow viscus, such as the bowel, to the skin. An ostomy appliance is worn to collect waste around the stoma, the externalized viscus organ. Ostomy appliances are emptied several times a day and are exchanged as infrequently as once per week or as frequently as multiple times per day. Unfortunately, half of all patients with an ostomy will suffer from complications such as peristomal skin breakdown, skin irritation, leaks, and bleeding. Stoma measuring guides are used to measure the ostomy appliance to achieve a well-fit skin barrier and prevent peristomal skin complications. Leaks both dramatically decrease patients' quality of life and result in skin irritation and other complications including infections.

Investigators propose utilizing advances in 3D scanning, computer-aided design (CAD) modeling, and 3D manufacturing to create a personalized ostomy appliance.

Site investigators will develop a 3D personalized ostomy appliance protocol featuring three phases: first, the patient's stoma is scanned using a 3D scanner in CRSudio2; second, the raw scan is edited using personalized variables to create a filtered mesh; third, the filtered mesh is printed to provide an ostomy template to the patient and currently available ostomy appliances are modified using a laser cutter to provide a personalized ostomy appliance to the patient. The selection of commercially available ostomy appliance will be done in coordination with the ostomy nursing team. Based upon the patient's body habitus and stoma, the ostomy nurse will select the recommended appliance that is available at Carilion Clinic. This will be the appliance that is customized using the laser cutter.