Method of stabilizing catheter tube using stabilizing device

A method for stabilizing a tube at a stoma of a patient, the method comprising:

• providing a stabilizing device having a base portion and a tube holding portion having a passageway therethrough that is configured to receive the tube, wherein the tube holding portion is attached to the base portion via at least two spaced apart legs;
• affixing the base portion at the stoma of the patient, wherein, with the base portion affixed at the patient, the tube holding portion is spaced from the patient;
• receiving the tube through a wiping element disposed at the passageway of the tube holding portion, wherein the wiping element is retained at the passageway via a retaining lip that circumscribes the wiping element and that engages a corresponding retaining lip of the tube holding portion at the passageway;
• and
• wiping the tube via the wiping element as the tube is inserted through the passageway and into the stoma of the patient.

A method for stabilizing a tube at a stoma of a patient, the method comprising:

• providing a stabilizing device having a base portion and a tube holding portion having a passageway therethrough that is configured to receive the tube, wherein the tube holding portion is attached to the base portion via at least two spaced apart legs;
• wherein the base portion comprises (i) at least two pads that are configured to contact the patient, and (ii) a flexible polymeric element that couples each of the pads to a distal end of a respective leg via to allow for adjustment of the pads relative to the legs;
• wherein the legs comprise a first plastic material and the flexible polymeric elements comprise a second plastic material, and wherein the second plastic material is more flexible than the first plastic material;
• adjusting the pads relative to the legs and affixing the pads at the stoma of the patient, wherein, with the pads affixed at the patient, the tube holding portion is spaced from the patient;
• and
• receiving the tube through the passageway of the tube holding portion.

A method for stabilizing a tube at a stoma of a patient, the method comprising:

• providing a stabilizing device having a base portion and a tube holding portion having a passageway therethrough that is configured to receive the tube, wherein the tube holding portion is attached to the base portion via at least two spaced apart legs;
• wherein the base portion comprises (i) at least two pads that are configured to contact the patient, and (ii) a flexible polymeric element that couples each of the pads to a distal end of a respective leg via to allow for adjustment of the pads relative to the legs;
• wherein one of the legs includes a tube retaining element for retaining the tube at the stabilizing device;
• wherein the tube retaining element comprises a receiving element that is configured to releasably receive the tube therein;
• wherein the receiving element is integrally formed with one of the legs, and wherein the tube, when received in the receiving element, is at or below an upper surface of the leg at the receiving element;
• adjusting the pads relative to the legs and affixing the pads at the stoma of the patient, wherein, with the pads affixed at the patient, the tube holding portion is spaced from the patient;
• and
• receiving the tube through the passageway of the tube holding portion.

A method for stabilizing a tube at a stoma of a patient and for controlling fluid flow, the method comprising:

• providing a stabilizing device having a base portion and a tube holding portion having a passageway therethrough that is configured to receive the tube, wherein the tube holding portion is attached to the base portion via at least two spaced apart legs;
• wherein the tube holding portion comprises a plurality of flexible tabs each having a first end attached to a hub of the tube holding portion at the passageway and a distal second end protruding radially inwardly into the passageway;
• wherein the flexible tabs are flexible between an initial state, where the flexible tabs cooperate to establish a first effective diameter of the passageway, and an expanded state, where the flexible tabs cooperate to establish a second effective diameter of the passageway that is larger than the first effective diameter, and wherein the flexible tabs are biased toward the initial state;
• affixing the base portion at the patient at a stoma of the patient, wherein, with the base portion affixed at the patient, the tube holding portion is spaced from the patient;
• with the base portion affixed at the patient at the stoma, inserting the tube through the passageway of the tube holding portion, wherein, with the tube inserted into the passageway, the flexible tabs deflect toward the expanded state to enlarge the passageway toward the second effective diameter to receive the tube in the passageway;
• and
• retaining the tube in the passageway at least in part via the flexible tabs being biased toward the initial state so as to engage the tube received in the passageway.