What it does
»Click« is a modular stoma care system with a reusable silicone cover and intuitive screw connector. It enables safe use of highly simplified stoma bags, easing handling for users with low dexterity while reducing waste – customizable, accessible, efficient.
Your inspiration
»Click« is the result of a university project in cooperation with medical supplier Convatec. The briefing was to improve stoma bag handling for people with limited dexterity. But what really inspired me were the conversations I had with the users and hearing about their struggles with everyday situations, not only due to their condition, but also due to the suboptimal products they were stuck with. For my concept, I got inspired by a disposable yoghurt cup in my fridge. It was reinforced with a recyclable cardboard shell – therefore the plastic cup itself could be very thin, saving material.
How it works
A stoma is an artificial bowel exit for people with a non-intact digestive system. Patients have to wear a stoma bag 24/7 – a glued-on pouch that collects their output. Conventional bag systems consist out of several welded multimaterials and are hard to use for people with low dexterity – and patients go through up to 730 of them per year. »Click« is an innovative, modular system for stoma care. The intuitive screw connector, combined with a reusable silicone cover, enables the secure use of highly simplified disposable stoma bags. Splitting the system into reusable and disposable parts, and designing them accordingly, drastically reduces material consumption compared to traditional approaches. The screw connector is equipped with an eccentric lever and a tactile structure, making bag changes particularly accessible for individuals with low dexterity. Due to the modularity, »Click« allows for customization in terms of function, form, and color.
Design process
The project began with intensive research. To develop a deeper understanding of users’ needs, I wore an ostomy pouch filled with beans for a week to simulate daily handling. I also conducted several interviews with users and gained valuable insights. My goal was similar to that of the yogurt cup example mentioned earlier: reducing waste without compromising usability. The concept centers around a reusable outer shell that holds a highly simplified disposable stoma bag. A reusable connector seals and secures the system to a baseplate around the stoma. Once the concept was set, I followed a prototyping-heavy design process, creating over 25 models. Initial lo-fi prototypes – made from cut plastic bottles and trash bags – tested the basic screw mechanism. Once it was confirmed that the connector could both fix and seal the bag, I refined the design. I experimented with cardboard and paper to define the shell’s shape and iterated the connector in CAD. Through 3D printing, I tested promising versions, focusing on shape, usability, dimensions, tactile feedback, and detailing. The final connector fastens with a quarter turn and gives off a clear audible and tactile “click.” It includes an eccentric lever for intuitive operation and a magenta dot on the baseplate to aid in alignment.
How it is different
Conventional ostomy bag systems consist of several welded plastics, are difficult to apply and change, and often appear stigmatizing. While some existing products focus on sustainability, others on usability or aesthetics – a solution that successfully combines all three is still missing. The modular nature of »Click« makes this possible and offers the added benefit of individualization. Each component can be selected to meet a patient’s specific needs: a baseplate that matches their skin tone and condition, a screw connector suited to their level of dexterity, a stoma bag tailored to their medical requirements, and an outer shell that fits their lifestyle and personal taste.
Future plans
Bringing a medical product to market is challenging, but I see transformative potential in this project and would love to continue developing the system – ideally in collaboration with Convatec. The next steps could include refining the prototype and conducting user testing with ostomy patients. I have a deep passion for problem-solving and want to contribute to the wellbeing of as many people as possible through design. I can clearly see myself working in the field of medical design in the future.
Awards
iF Design Student Award 2024 - Best of the Year Core77 Design Awards - 2024 Notable Cumulus Green 2024 - Honorable Mention
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