MICA: Stomasense: A New Route to the Proactive Detection and Management of Leaks within Ostomy Pouches

Every stoma patient will experience a leak from their disposable pouch and it can be almost impossible to predict when such events will occur. The possibility of leakage has long been recognised as a prime contributor to patient anxiety and, especially when occurring in public, can cause immense distress. The applicants have developed a sensing system that can detect the early onset of stoma pouch failure – providing an alert that allows the patient to replace the pouch before catastrophic seepage of bowel/bladder content. The applicants have demonstrated the proof of principle of the system and seek funding to refine the device – improving user accessibility/acceptability and demonstrate its capacity to significantly improve the confidence of the wearer to re-engage with everyday activities without fear of uncontrolled leakage. The applicants also seek to expand the capabilities of the device from a personal vibration alert to one which could exploit wireless connectivity for institutional use (care home/hospital) or by family members / community carers tending the immobile. A key strength is that the device has the potential to work as an accessory to existing pouch systems through the use of an innovative microwire/microneedle probe system. The pouch system is applied as normal without any change to the normal/established stoma practice and the microprobes applied thereafter to the adhesive seal. The disposable probes do not contact the skin but rather monitor the condition of the adhesive. Swelling of the latter is detected and, upon reaching a threshold, a discrete warning is sent to the wearer (or carer). The availability of the sensor could transform the confidence of those recovering from stoma surgery who will lack expertise in stoma management and inevitably suffer from more frequent leakage. It will also be invaluable for those seeking to re-engage with their social networks and those attempting to return to public facing occupations.