External catheter stabilizer with enhanced latch

Abstract

An external catheter stabilizer device includes a base portion and a retaining element disposed at the base portion and adjustable between an opened position and a closed position. A latch mechanism is disposed at the retaining element and includes (i) a plurality of receiving tabs having respective slots, (ii) a plurality of connector tabs and (iii) an engagement portion extending between and connected to each connector tab. With the retaining element in the closed position, each connector tab is at least partially received within the slot of a corresponding receiving tab and engaged with the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position. With the retaining element in the closed position, and responsive to a force applied at the engagement portion, each connector tab flexes to disengage from the corresponding receiving tab to allow the retaining element to be adjusted toward the opened position.

Description

EXTERNAL CATHETER STABILIZER WITH ENHANCED LATCHCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63 / 611 ,238, filed Dec. 18, 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to control and stabilization of catheters and other similar generally flexible tubes comprised of medical-grade plastic or other known polymer materials, the purpose of which is for facilitating medical procedures related to draining or allowing for the drainage of bodily fluids or substantially liquid and flowable materials from the interior to the exterior portions of the human body for patients undergoing on-going, periodic, or one-time use medical treatments and procedures.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] When a patient / doctor is going to be using a catheter or a similar device to drain fluids from the body, dislodgment of the catheter at the stoma site can significantly increase the risk of infection and irritation to the surrounding skin. Thus, various solutions have been proposed to retain a catheter in place at the patient. For example, for a bladder Mitrofanoff surgery, a Foley catheter leaves an inflated balloon-like device inside the bladder and can cause bladder spasms as it hits or comes in contact with the interior wall of the bladder.

[0004] There are some types of other catheter stabilizers that are not placed over the stoma site which gives ample opportunity for the catheter to be accidentally or otherwise inadvertently pulled out of the bladder or stoma passageway. These types of devices tend to provide only a partial solution and fall short due to inherent limitations of their designs. Taping the catheter down directly to the surface of the skin is typically required, but this is not an adequate or long-term solution for patients needing to drain a bladder manually over an extended period of time, which is generally defined by the particular instance or length of the healing process of each particular patient. If the installed catheter is not closely monitored or otherwise carefully guarded, it may easily and inadvertently become mechanically pulled-on or get caught on something. In severe cases, it will rip out causingextreme pain, possible infection, irritation of the skin, and a possible revision or emergency repair surgery.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides an external catheter stabilizer device that is positionable at the patient’s skin (such as at the patient’s leg) and allows for flexibility or pivoting of the tube at the attachment at the patient’s skin to allow for movement of the patient without pulling at the catheter tube. For example, an external catheter stabilizer device includes a base portion configured to adhesively attach at a patient. A retaining element is disposed at the base portion and includes a first portion and a second portion pivotally attached to the first portion. The retaining element is adjustable between, an opened position, where the second portion is pivoted at least partially away from the first portion to allow for inserting and removal of a catheter tube between the first portion and the second portion, and a closed position, where the first portion and the second portion are joined together to capture the catheter tube. A latch mechanism is disposed at the retaining element and includes (i) a plurality of receiving tabs having respective slots, (ii) a plurality of connector tabs and (iii) an engagement portion extending between and connected to each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs. With the retaining element in the closed position, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs is at least partially received within the slot of a corresponding receiving tab of the plurality of receiving tabs and engaged with the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position. With the retaining element in the closed position, and responsive to a force applied at the engagement portion, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs flexes to disengage from the corresponding receiving tab to allow the retaining element to be moved toward the opened position.

[0006] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a catheter stabilizer device, showing an arrangement including a Foley “balloon catheter” within the bladder of a patient, and with a catheter and a urine bag or fluid collector attached and supported by the leg of the patient by straps and / or an adhesive or adhesive patch material at or around the leg;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the catheter stabilizer device with the retaining element in the closed position and capturing a catheter tube;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the catheter stabilizer device with the retaining element in the opened position to allow for removal or installation of the catheter tube;

[0010] FIGS. 4-6 are views of the catheter stabilizer device with the retaining element in the closed position with the catheter tube removed; and

[0011] FIGS. 7-12 are enlarged views of the latch mechanism of the catheter stabilizer device with the retaining element in the closed position.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, an external catheter stabilizer (ECS) device 100 provides support and retention of a catheter tube 12 at a patient 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The catheter stabilizer device 100 may be attached at the patient 10 via a skin adhesive patch 14 (roughly for example, about 4 inches by about 4 inches (102 mm by 102 mm) in some implementations), and includes a semi-flexible low-profile base 110 attached to the skin adhesive patch 14. A catheter stabilizer containment retainer 112 is attached to the base 110 for retaining the catheter tube 12 at the catheter stabilizer device 100. Thus, the adhesive patch 14 (skin compatible adhesive) is adhered to the skin of the patient 10, and the base 110 (comprising a semiflexible urethane or the like) is adhesively attached (via an adhesive that may or may not be skin compatible) to the skin adhesive patch 14. The catheter stabilizer device 100 may include characteristics of the devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,364,366, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 2-12, the catheter stabilizer containment retainer 112 is attached to the base 110 and captures and encloses a Foley-style catheter “Y-junction.” It should be understood that the retainer 112 may be suitably configured to capture any configuration or portion of a catheter tube, such as a linear or single-passageway portion of a catheter tube or a three-way junction of a catheter tube.

[0014] The retainer 112 includes a first portion 112a that is attached (such as pivotally attached) at the base 110 and a second portion 112b disposed at the first portion 112a and movable or removable relative to the first portion 112a between a first or closed position (FIG. 2), where the second portion 112b is mated to or closes over the first portion 112a to at least partially enclose and retain the portion of the catheter tube 12 at the retainer 112,and a second or opened position (FIG. 3), where the second portion 112b is moved or pivoted away from the first portion 112a and the catheter tube 12 may be inserted and / or removed from the retainer 112.

[0015] When the retainer 112 is in the closed position, the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b cooperate to define a channel or passage and the captured portion of the catheter tube 12 extends along the passage between the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b. That is, respective openings are disposed at opposing ends of the retainer 112 with the channel extending between the openings to accommodate the catheter tube 12 passing through the retainer 112. In the example of the Y-shaped retainer for the Foley-style catheter, the retainer includes two openings at one end and one opening at the opposite end, with intersecting channels extending between the respective openings to accommodate the Y-junction of the catheter tube.

[0016] The second portion 112b may be movably or pivotally attached at the first portion 112a such that the second portion 112b pivots relative to the first portion 112a and remains attached to the first portion 112a when moved between the closed position and the opened position. For example, the retainer 112 may be made of, for example, somewhat rigid plastic as one piece and incorporate molded-into-place “living” plastic hinges 114 to allow for opening and closing the retainer 112 and at least one molded-in plastic latch mechanism 116 to secure the retainer 112 in the closed position. In the illustrated example, the retainer 112 includes two flexible hinges 114 spaced apart from one another and integrally formed with the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b of the retainer 112. The retainer 112 may include any suitable number of integrally formed flexible hinges 114, such as one hinge, two or more hinges, three or more hinges and the like. Optionally, a continuous flexible hinge may extend substantially along one side of the retainer 112 to enable pivoting of the second portion 112b relative to the first portion 112a when the latch mechanism 116 is disengaged and the second portion 112b is manually moved away from the first portion 112a.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible hinges or tabs 114 pivotally connecting the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b extend between respective first side regions of the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b of the retainer 112 and the latch mechanism 116 includes portions or structure disposed along respective second side regions of the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b. In the illustrated example,the latch mechanism 116 includes two or more receiving tabs or portions 118 extending from the second side region of the first portion 112a, where the receiving tab 118 defines a slot or through hole or receptacle for receiving a corresponding flexible connector tab 120 that extends from the second side region of the second portion 112b. As the retainer 112 is moved from the opened position to the closed position, each flexible connector tab 120 is received within the slot or opening of a corresponding receiving tab 118 and flexes relative to the second portion 112b of the retainer 112 to engage the receiving tab 118 and retain the retainer 112 in the closed position.

[0018] A grasping portion or engagement portion 122 extends between and is attached to each connecting tab 120 so that, when the retainer 112 is in the closed position with the latch mechanism 116 engaged and a user applies a force at the engagement portion 122, each of the connecting tabs 120 may flex responsive to the user-applied force and disengage from the corresponding receiving tab 118. In other words, the user may release each of the connecting tabs 120 from its corresponding receiving tab 118 by interacting with the single engagement portion 122, such as via one-handed interaction.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 7-12, each receiving tab 118 includes a generally D-shaped structure extending substantially parallel to a plane of the seam between the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b of the retainer, and having a slot or through hole extending through the D-shaped structure substantially perpendicular to the plane of the receiving tab 118. In the illustrated example, each flexible connector tab 120 includes a generally U-shaped structure with a first leg 120a of the U-shaped connector tab 120 closest to the second portion 112b of the retainer 112 and attached to or integrally formed with the second portion 112b. A second leg 120b of the U-shaped connector tab 120 furthest from the retainer 112 is attached to or integrally formed with the engagement portion 122.

[0020] One or more protrusions 124, such as a wedge-shaped hook or pawl latch, extends from an end of the second leg 120b so that, when the second leg 120b is flexed toward the first leg 120a, the protrusion may pass through the opening of the receiving tab 118 and, when the second leg 120b flexes away from the first leg 120a, the protrusion 124 may engage the receiving tab 118 (FIG. 10). Thus, the protrusion 124 prevents pulling out or backing out of the connector tab 120 from the receiving tab 118 and retains the retainer 112 in the closed position.

[0021] That is, when the flexible connector tabs 120 are engaged with the receiving tabs 118, at least the second legs 120b of each U-shaped connector tab 120 are received within the slots of the corresponding receiving tabs 118. The second leg 120b flexes toward the first leg 120a to pass through and engage the receiving tab 118 and retain the retainer 112 in the closed position. In some examples, each receiving tab 118 may include the protrusion, such as a wedge-shaped hook or pawl latch, that extends laterally within, at or below the slot of the receiving tab 118 to engage a corresponding recess or slot at the connector tab 120.

[0022] To disengage the latch mechanism 116 and move the retainer 112 from the closed position to the opened position, a user may engage and apply a force at the engagement portion 122 to compress or flex the second leg 120b of the connector tabs 120 toward the first leg 120a and disengage the connector tabs 120 from the respective receiving tabs 118 so that the retainer 112 is free to be moved to the opened position. The respective receiving tabs 118 and connector tabs 120 are spaced apart along the respective side of the retainer 112 to provide secure attachment between the first portion 112a and the second portion 112b of the retainer 112, and the engagement portion 122 connects the spaced apart connector tabs 120 so that each connector tab 120 may be disengaged via a single input at the engagement portion 122. This allows for easier and quicker opening of the dual or tandem opening catheter stabilizer device 100, such as via one hand, thumb, or forefinger operation, while maintaining secure engagement and attachment in the closed position.

[0023] In other words, the catheter stabilizer device 100 includes the retainer 112 configured to move between an opened position for inserting or installing and removing a catheter tube 12 at the retainer 112 and a closed position for capturing the catheter tube 12 at the retainer 112. The retainer 112 includes the dual or tandem latch or clip mechanism 116 that includes two or more clips or connector tabs 120 and two or more receiving tabs 118 with slots or through holes configured to receive corresponding connector tabs 120. With the retainer 112 in the closed position, the connector tabs 120 are received in the slots of the receiving tabs 118 and flexed to engage the receiving tabs 118 and secure the retainer 112 in the closed position. When the user applies a positive force at an engagement portion 122 spanning across and connected to each connector tab 120 (e.g., the force may be provided at a single or concentrated point or location at theengagement portion), the force flexes each connector tab 120 to disengage the connector tabs 120 from the respective receiving tabs 118 so that the second portion 112b of the retainer 112 can be pivoted and moved to the opened position.

[0024] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an external catheter stabilizer device includes a base portion configured to adhesively attach at a patient. A retaining element is disposed at the base portion, and the retaining element includes a first portion and a second portion pivotally attached to the first portion. The retaining element is adjustable between (i) an opened position where the second portion is pivoted at least partially away from the first portion to allow for inserting and removal of a catheter tube between the first portion and the second portion and (ii) a closed position where the first portion and the second portion are joined together to capture the catheter tube. A latch mechanism is disposed at the retaining element, and the latch mechanism includes (i) a plurality of receiving tabs having respective slots, (ii) a plurality of connector tabs and (iii) an engagement portion extending between and connected to each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs. With the retaining element in the closed position, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs is at least partially received within the slot of a corresponding receiving tab of the plurality of receiving tabs and engaged with the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position. With the retaining element in the closed position, and responsive to a force applied at the engagement portion, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs flexes to disengage from the corresponding receiving tab to allow the retaining element to be adjusted toward the opened position. This aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features.

[0025] In some implementations, the engagement portion is integrally formed with each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs. In some examples, the plurality of receiving tabs are spaced apart from one another at the retaining element. In some aspects, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs includes a hook, and, with the retaining element in the closed position, the hook engages the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position, and, when the retaining element is adjusted from the closed position to the opened position, the hook passes through the slot of the corresponding receiving tab. Optionally, the first portion of the retaining element is pivotally disposed at the base portion.

[0026] In some implementations, the plurality of receiving tabs are disposed at the first portion of the retaining element, and the plurality of connector tabs are disposed at the second portion of the retaining element. In some examples, the catheter tube includes a Y- shaped junction, and the retaining element is configured to receive and retain the Y- shaped junction between the first portion and the second portion. In other examples, the catheter tube includes a three-tube junction, and the retaining element is configured to receive and retain the three-tube junction between the first portion and the second portion. In some aspects, the base portion is adhesively attached to an adhesive pad that is adhered to the patient’s skin. Optionally, application of the force at the engagement portion and adjustment of the retaining element from the closed position toward the opened position is facilitated by one-handed operation by a user.

[0027] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of use for an external catheter stabilizer device at a patient. The method includes adhesively attaching a base portion of an external catheter stabilizer device at a patient. The external catheter stabilizer device includes a retaining element disposed at the base portion, and the retaining element includes a first portion and a second portion pivotally attached to the first portion. The external catheter stabilizer device includes a latch mechanism disposed at the retaining element. The latch mechanism includes (i) a plurality of receiving tabs having respective slots, (ii) a plurality of connector tabs and (iii) an engagement portion extending between and connected to each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs. The retaining element is adjustable between (i) an opened position where the second portion is pivoted at least partially away from the first portion and (ii) a closed position where the first portion and the second portion are joined together. With the retaining element in the closed position, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs is at least partially received within the slot of a corresponding receiving tab of the plurality of receiving tabs and engaged with the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position. With the base portion adhesively attached at the patient, and with the retaining element in the closed position, the method includes applying a force at the engagement portion to cause each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs to flex and disengage from the corresponding receiving tab. With the plurality of connector tabs disengaged from the plurality of receiving tabs, the method includes adjusting the retaining element from the closed position toward the opened position. With the retaining element in the openedposition, the method includes one of (i) inserting a catheter tube between the first portion and the second portion and adjusting the retaining element from the opened position to the closed position to capture the catheter tube between the first portion and the second portion and (ii) removing the catheter tube from the retaining element. This aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features.

[0028] In some implementations, the method further includes, with the retaining element in the opened position, inserting the catheter tube between the first portion and the second portion and adjusting the retaining element from the opened position to the closed position. In some examples, the method further includes, with the retaining element in the opened position, removing the catheter tube from the retaining element. In some aspects, the engagement portion is integrally formed with each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs. Optionally, the plurality of receiving tabs are spaced apart from one another at the retaining element.

[0029] In some implementations, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs includes a hook, and, with the retaining element in the closed position, the hook engages the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position, and, when the retaining element is adjusted from the closed position to the opened position, the hook passes through the slot of the corresponding receiving tab. In some examples, the first portion of the retaining element is pivotally disposed at the base portion. In some aspects, the plurality of receiving tabs are disposed at the first portion of the retaining element, and the plurality of connector tabs are disposed at the second portion of the retaining element.

[0030] In some examples, the catheter tube includes a Y-shaped junction, and the retaining element is configured to receive and retain the Y-shaped junction between the first portion and the second portion. In other examples, the catheter tube includes a three- tube junction, and the retaining element is configured to receive and retain the three-tube junction between the first portion and the second portion. In some aspects, adhesively attaching the base portion of the external catheter stabilizer device at the patient includes adhesively attaching the base portion to an adhesive pad that is adhered to the patient’s skin. Optionally, applying the force at the engagement portion includes one-handed operation by a user.

[0031] Optionally, the device may be used in conjunction with a catheter stabilizer at the stoma of the patient. For example, the device may hold a tube that is connected to the patient via a catheter stabilizer at the stoma, such as an external catheter stabilizer device of the types described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,086,168, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Thus, the device of U.S. Pat. No. 10,086,168 may be disposed at a surgically created opening in the body, or for example, a stoma opening with respect to a bladder, and guiding the tube from there, and with the device pivotally attaching at the patient’s leg (or optionally, any preferred remote location from a surgically created opening or stoma) to both guide the drainage tube and limit the preferred range of free pivotal movement of the tube as it extends toward the bodily fluid collection bag or container.

[0032] Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . An external catheter stabilizer device, the external catheter stabilizer device comprising: a base portion configured to adhesively attach at a patient; a retaining element disposed at the base portion, wherein the retaining element comprises a first portion and a second portion pivotally attached to the first portion; wherein the retaining element is adjustable between (i) an opened position where the second portion is pivoted at least partially away from the first portion to allow for inserting and removal of a catheter tube between the first portion and the second portion and (ii) a closed position where the first portion and the second portion are joined together to capture the catheter tube; a latch mechanism disposed at the retaining element, wherein the latch mechanism comprises (i) a plurality of receiving tabs having respective slots, (ii) a plurality of connector tabs and (iii) an engagement portion extending between and connected to each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs; wherein, with the retaining element in the closed position, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs is at least partially received within the slot of a corresponding receiving tab of the plurality of receiving tabs and engaged with the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position; and wherein, with the retaining element in the closed position, and responsive to a force applied at the engagement portion, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs flexes to disengage from the corresponding receiving tab to allow the retaining element to be adjusted toward the opened position.

2. The external catheter stabilizer device of claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion is integrally formed with each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs.

3. The external catheter stabilizer device of claim 1 , wherein individual receiving tabs of the plurality of receiving tabs are spaced apart from one another at the retaining element.

4. The external catheter stabilizer device of claim 1 , wherein each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs comprises a hook, and wherein, with the retaining element in the closed position, the hook engages the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position, and wherein, when the retaining element is adjusted from the closed position to the opened position, the hook passes through the slot of the corresponding receiving tab.

5. The external catheter stabilizer device of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the retaining element is pivotally disposed at the base portion.

6. The external catheter stabilizer device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receiving tabs is disposed at the first portion of the retaining element, and wherein the plurality of connector tabs is disposed at the second portion of the retaining element.

7. The external catheter stabilizer device of claim 1 , wherein the catheter tube comprises a Y-shaped junction, and wherein the retaining element is configured to receive and retain the Y-shaped junction between the first portion and the second portion.

8. The external catheter stabilizer device of claim 1 , wherein the catheter tube comprises a three-tube junction, and wherein the retaining element is configured to receive and retain the three-tube junction between the first portion and the second portion.

9. The external catheter stabilizer device of claim 1 , wherein the base portion is adhesively attached to an adhesive pad that is adhered to the patient’s skin.

10. The external catheter stabilizer device of claim 1 , wherein application of the force at the engagement portion and adjustment of the retaining element from the closed position toward the opened position is facilitated by one-handed operation by a user.

11. A method, the method comprising: adhesively attaching a base portion of an external catheter stabilizer device at a patient;wherein the external catheter stabilizer device comprises a retaining element disposed at the base portion, and wherein the retaining element comprises a first portion and a second portion pivotally attached to the first portion; wherein the external catheter stabilizer device comprises a latch mechanism disposed at the retaining element, and wherein the latch mechanism comprises (i) a plurality of receiving tabs having respective slots, (ii) a plurality of connector tabs and (iii) an engagement portion extending between and connected to each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs; wherein the retaining element is adjustable between (i) an opened position where the second portion is pivoted at least partially away from the first portion and (ii) a closed position where the first portion and the second portion are joined together; wherein, with the retaining element in the closed position, each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs is at least partially received within the slot of a corresponding receiving tab of the plurality of receiving tabs and engaged with the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position; with the base portion adhesively attached at the patient, and with the retaining element in the closed position, applying a force at the engagement portion to cause each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs to flex and disengage from the corresponding receiving tab; with the plurality of connector tabs disengaged from the plurality of receiving tabs, adjusting the retaining element from the closed position toward the opened position; and with the retaining element in the opened position, one selecting from the group consisting of (i) inserting a catheter tube between the first portion and the second portion and adjusting the retaining element from the opened position to the closed position to capture the catheter tube between the first portion and the second portion and (ii) removing the catheter tube from the retaining element.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising, with the retaining element in the opened position, inserting the catheter tube between the first portion and the second portion and adjusting the retaining element from the opened position to the closed position.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising, with the retaining element in the opened position, removing the catheter tube from the retaining element.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the engagement portion is integrally formed with each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein individual receiving tabs of the plurality of receiving tabs are spaced apart from one another at the retaining element.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein each connector tab of the plurality of connector tabs comprises a hook, and wherein, with the retaining element in the closed position, the hook engages the corresponding receiving tab to secure the retaining element in the closed position, and wherein, when the retaining element is adjusted from the closed position to the opened position, the hook passes through the slot of the corresponding receiving tab.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the retaining element is pivotally disposed at the base portion.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of receiving tabs is disposed at the first portion of the retaining element, and wherein the plurality of connector tabs is disposed at the second portion of the retaining element.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the catheter tube comprises a Y-shaped junction, and wherein the retaining element is configured to receive and retain the Y-shaped junction between the first portion and the second portion.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the catheter tube comprises a three-tube junction, and wherein the retaining element is configured to receive and retain the three-tube junction between the first portion and the second portion.21 . The method of claim 11 , wherein adhesively attaching the base portion of the external catheter stabilizer device at the patient comprises adhesively attaching the base portion to an adhesive pad that is adhered to the patient’s skin.

22. The method of claim 11 , wherein applying the force at the engagement portion comprises one-handed operation by a user.

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