Development of the Ostomy Cube
User-centred products
Ostomy Cubecare Ltd. is an Irish healthcare innovation company focused on improving the quality of life for people living with a stoma following ostomy surgery. The company develops practical, user-centred products that help ostomates manage their daily care needs in a hygienic, comfortable, and dignified manner.
For people living with a stoma, routine tasks such as emptying, changing and cleaning an ostomy bag can be challenging, uncomfortable and often undignified in conventional bathroom environments. Most standard bathrooms are not designed to accommodate the specific needs of ostomates, leaving users without an appropriate surface for pouch changes, suitable facilities for hygienic waste management, or sufficient space to carry out care procedures comfortably. As a result, many individuals must adapt existing facilities, which can increase stress, limit independence and negatively impact their quality of life.
Innovative healthcare solution
The challenge facing when creating Ostomy Cubecare was to develop a practical and accessible solution that would enable safe, hygienic and dignified ostomy care in both domestic and public settings. The solution needed to address critical requirements around infection prevention, odour control, ease of use and user comfort, while also integrating seamlessly with existing plumbing infrastructure and avoiding costly bathroom modifications.
Ultimately, the goal was to create a product that would empower ostomates to manage their care independently and confidently, improving both their day-to-day experience and overall wellbeing.
Working in partnership with Ostomy Cubecare Ltd., the Design+ and SEAM Gateways combined their complementary expertise to accelerate the development of the Ostomy Cube, an innovative healthcare solution designed to improve the quality of life for ostomates.
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Irish Company
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Technology Gateways
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Product concept
“Working with the teams at SETU has been an extremely positive experience for our company. The expertise and support available through both Design+ and SEAM helped us further develop our product concept and provided valuable insight that will support our next stage of growth.“
Carolyn Houlihan, Founder, Ostomy Cubecare Ltd
Ostomy Cubecare & Technology Gateway partnership
The Design+ Gateway led the product design and development activities, working closely with the company to optimise the design of the Ostomy Cube sink component and enhance overall usability and user experience. Design+ also developed and produced a full-scale functional prototype, enabling the company to evaluate the design, gather feedback and refine the product ahead of further development.
The SEAM Gateway focused on advanced engineering and additive manufacturing, supporting the design optimisation and prototyping of a novel measurement plug accessory for the Ostomy Cube. Using advanced 3D printing technologies, SEAM produced high-fidelity prototypes that allowed rapid testing, validation and refinement of the concept, helping to improve functionality and prepare the product for commercial deployment.
Together, the Gateways provided Ostomy Cubecare Ltd. with access to specialist expertise, advanced prototyping capabilities and innovation support. The collaboration reduced development risk, accelerated product advancement, supported intellectual property development and strengthened the company’s readiness for commercialisation, helping transform an innovative concept into a market-focused healthcare solution
Through the collaboration with SETU’s Design+ and SEAM Gateways, Ostomy Cubecare Ltd. accelerated the development of the Ostomy Cube and associated measurement plug, enabling the company to refine product functionality, validate design concepts and reduce development risk. The project provided access to specialist expertise, advanced prototyping capabilities and intellectual property support, strengthening the company’s commercialisation pathway and enhancing its ability to bring an innovative healthcare solution to market.