Development of Intelligent, Level Sensing Colostomy Bag Attachment

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 yet keep it discreet?
Hypothesis(es): Colostomy bags can be very difficult to live with, if a discreet monitor can be created then the
quality of life for someone with this problem can get better.
Engineering Goal(s): To successfully create a colostomy bag device that effectively operates by itself and
accurately alerts the consumer when the levels are full
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:
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Creating the device:

1. Gather all materials
2. Obtain two sticky pads and cut them into a 1.5in circle and put a piece of cloth on the top
3. Cut a small hole in the middle of the pads
4. Take two of the thick wire pieces, preferably the color red and black, and strip the ends
5. Get the red wire and thread a small portion of the wire through one of the sticky pads and bead in over the side.
6. Glue the wire down
7. Get the red wire and thread a small portion of the wire through one of the sticky pads and bead in over the side.
8. Glue the wire down
9. Connect one of the ends of the black wire and connect it to the negative terminal of the battery
10. Connect one of the ends of the red wire and connect it to the positive terminal of the battery
11.Cut the red wire in half and connect a transmitter in between.

Creating the light receiver:

1.Obtain all materials
2.Connect the receiver to the power source (9VOLT battery) 3. Connect that using wire to the light.

Making room in the bag:

1.Obtain all materials
2. Grab a colostomy bag and prick two holes on sides of the bag.
3. Prick one hole 3 inches from top and the second one 3 inches below that.
4. Place a sticky ring around the placement of the hole to stabilize in.
 Development of Intelligent, Level Sensing Colostomy Bag Attachment
Name(s): Ila Langelotti
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 can 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.
The product needs to be fully waterproof 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.

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:
 Development of Intelligent, Level Sensing Colostomy Bag Attachment
Name(s): Ila Langelotti
a. Give source of the organism and describe BSL assessment process and BSL determination.
b. Detail safety precautions and discuss methods of disposal.

Hazardous chemicals, activities & devices:

• Describe Risk Assessment process, supervision, safety precautions and methods of disposal.