Product Innovation Improves Post Colostomy Experience
Several health care product companies make Ostomy products a principal area of focus and product research. Creating new manufacturing processes and invest significantly to continue making improvements on what they offer and differentiate themselves with superior features.
SGV Medical Supplies, The company where I work, sells colostomy supplies. Because colostomy is our focus, we learn quickly about the latest innovations offered by manufacturers. Colostomy appliance systems have come a long way and are continually improved by product innovation and competition. You can contact SGV Medical and we will let you know about the latest improvements. We can also work with you on how your insurance may pay, partly or fully for your supplies.
To illustrate the diversity and utility of new products, I’ve illustrated the improvements with products SGV carries so you can see pictures of the products themselves. Some innovations with wafers are as follows:
Stationary Flanges, like this ConvaTec ActiveLife One-Piece 22771 provide a lower, more discreet profile.
The Floating Flange, as with this Hollister Two Piece (wafers) 14603 - makes it easier to get your fingers underneath the flange to change out the pouch.
Flexibility - some wafers are more flexible, like these ConvaTec Esteem Synergy Wafers 405476 while others, like these ConvaTec Esteem Synergy Wafers 409269 are stiffer for a tighter seal. Thus we see differences even for a single manufacturer. Some innovations are more concerned with the pouches. Innovations include:
Coloration - not only do pouches come in clear, but also opaque pouches as with this ConvaTec SUR-FIT Natura Pouches 401507 in opaque flesh tones.
Filters - let gas out, but not odor, preventing the pouch from inflating like a balloon. These Filtrodor Pouch Filters are made with activated charcoal.
Closed pouches - shorter wear time than drainable pouches, but ideal when you want greater freedom and discretion. This Coloplast model 6641 Closed End Transparent Pouch is of that type.
Clamp-less, drainable pouch - there are various new pouching systems which no longer use a plastic clamp, some use Velcro while other manufacturers use new innovative clipping/sealing systems to close the drainable pouch Other products include paste to fill in gaps, strips to fill in uneven areas like scars, powder to help dry the skin, wipes to remove adhesive residue, and odor spray/drops.
Even these remarkable advances will no doubt soon be rendered obsolete as manufacturers compete based on the comfort and convenience of their end users.