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3D-Printed Ostomy Flange Stabilizer
Ilan E Cosman1,2,3, Daniel T Guillou1,2,3, Bard C Cosman1,2,3
1Ilan E. Cosman, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego.
Background:
One of the coauthors with tetraplegia (quadriplegia) and a colostomy invented an ostomy flange stabilizer to act as a temporary backplate and aid in pouch changes.
Device Development:
In an interactive design process, a 3D-printed ostomy flange stabilizer device was created. The resulting device can be adapted to 3 standard stoma appliance sizes. The stabilizer is reversible, allowing right- and left-handed people to use it on right- or left-sided stomas. Anyone with a 3D printer can print this device from an open-access Web site.
Conclusion:
This device may be of use to many with ostomies and especially those with impaired dexterity.A 3D-printed ostomy flange stabilizer is described. 3D printing allows patient inventions to be disseminated without commercialization.
