Smartphone-based 3D Scanning and Image Processing for Ostomy Wafer Customization

Abstract

Millions of ostomy patients rely on outdated tools to adjust their wafers, which must fit around their stoma. The stoma can be described as a surgically created hole in a patient's abdomen, from which the patient’s intestinal or urinary tract will divert bodily waste. One of the purposes of ostomy wafers is to protect the surrounding skin from bodily waste, and incorrectly fitting the wafers can lead to many complications. For example, a tightly fitting wafer can cut into the nerveless intestine, leading to unnoticed excessive bleeding. Conversely, a loosely fitting wafer exposes skin to bodily waste, which can result in skin erosion and infection. Recognizing the need for better tools for ostomy patients, we are developing Osto-Mate, a system utilizing smartphones with depth-sensing capabilities, to provide ostomy patients with customized wafers. This thesis explores the characterization of the iPhone’s TrueDepth sensor to confirm its suitability as a 3D scanning device for the system and introduces a method for extracting stoma model contours from 2.5D images. It further discusses the design and functionality of the application, illustrating its potential to improve the process of ostomy wafer fitting. Preliminary tests show promising results for enhancing the accuracy of wafer adjustment, paving the way for improved patient safety and convenience.