There are approximately 38,000 people with a stoma in the Netherlands. More than half of the stoma carriers are confronted with leaks, severe skin problems and the associated nuisance and pain.
The available stoma concepts generally use a system consisting of skin plates that are glued to the abdomen, to which collection bags are attached. Approximately 50% of the stoma carriers have skin problems due to the continuous changing of bags (3x a day) and skin plates (4x a week). In combination with the leakage of the stoma, this leads to serious infections, as a result of which stoma wearers (caused by the fear of uncomfortable situations) often withdraw from social life. The solution that TOMAS provides results in a social quality improvement for stoma wearers and in addition an increase in employment in the region.
TOMAS has developed a stoma principle that is 100% leak-free and no longer requires skin patches. The innovative system consists of a concave adapter which is placed around the stoma over an absorbent gauze without any adhesives. For the sale of this new stoma material we work together with nationally operating suppliers of medical devices who already have extensive experience with stoma patients and their needs.
TOMAS has developed a stoma principle that is 100% leak-free and no longer requires skin patches
In order to achieve a medically valid product, this process includes collaboration with the Expertise Center for Innovative Care and Technology (EIZT) in Heerlen, their counterpart InnovAge in Leuven and the Dutch Stoma Association and various Stoma Nurses.
From the medical scientific side, Dr. P. Nijhuis, surgeon-oncologist at VieCuri medical center in Venlo, is involved in securing the embedding of the tests within the clinical environment and supervising the connection with practitioners/ surgeons.