Project Description:

Neurogenic Bowel Disorder (NBD), the loss of deliberate bowel function, results from Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and congenital defects including Spina Bifida (SB). Transanal irrigation (TAI) is the gold-standard protocol for nearly 167,000 patients with NBD and non-invasively relieves its two primary symptoms, chronic constipation and fecal incontinence, by pumping water into the rectum via a transrectal catheter. Although TAI is highly effective, patients struggle with long-term adherence due to upper-body dexterity/mobility and trunk instability limitations which make it difficult to navigate the catheter to the anus. TAI discontinuation decreases patient independence, worsens fecal incontinence, and increases the likelihood of future invasive interventions. To improve long-term TAI adherence, the team has developed a TAI supplemental device that improves the ease and timeliness of catheter navigation to the anus. Through this device and TAI, patients will receive sustained symptom relief and develop habits for long-term, independent bowel care.

Project Photo:

The shows a patient with Neurogenic Bowel Disorder performing Transanal Irrigation on a toilet. The dexterity and trunk stability required to perform this maneuver is challenging for many NBD patients and is responsible for them discontinuing TAI.

Student Team Members

• Govardhan Poondi
• Viha Chakrapani
• Zach Gold
• Jaden Maloney
• Aarna Sanghai
• Leila Shafizadeh
• Nyasia Brown
• Makenzie Higgins

Course Faculty

• Dr. Elizabeth Anne Logsdon

Project Mentors, Sponsors, and Partners

• Sarah Korth , MA, MD
• Ann Holm MSN, RN
• Joanne Davis
• Eve Kenney
• Amina Ishrat