User worn gastronomy tube retaining device and method of use

1 . A user worn gastronomy tube retaining device comprising:

a first panel configured to be removably secured around an abdomen of a user, such that the first panel encircles the abdomen with an inner surface of the first panel in contact with the abdomen, the first panel being resiliently flexible; and

a plurality of connectors attached to an outer surface of the first panel, each connector of the plurality of connectors being configured for selectively connecting to a gastronomy tube, such that the gastronomy tube is attached to the first panel, wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors is configured for retaining the gastronomy tube in a substantially static position relative to the abdomen and for resisting a pulling force applied to the gastronomy tube;

wherein the plurality of connectors comprising a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first panel extending between opposed ends of the first panel;

wherein the plurality of sleeves is defined by a second panel and a plurality of seams, each seam of the plurality of seams extending between the second panel and the first panel, such that the second panel is attached to the inner surface of the first panel, wherein adjacently positioned seams of the plurality of seams define a respective sleeve of the plurality of sleeves;

wherein the first panel are substantially elongated rectangularly shaped; and

wherein the second panel having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being substantially parallel, the second panel being flattened V-shaped, such that the upper edge and the lower edge are below a top edge and a bottom edge of the first panel, respectively, and such that each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves has a lower opening along the lower edge of the second panel accessible for insertion of the gastronomy tube.

2 . The user worn gastronomy tube retaining device of claim 1 , further including a pair of fasteners attached singly proximate to opposed ends of the first panel, the fasteners of the pair of fasteners being selectively mutually attachable for removably securing the first panel around the abdomen of the user.

3 . The user worn gastronomy tube retaining device of claim 2 , wherein the pair of fasteners comprise a hook and loop fastener.

4 . The user worn gastronomy tube retaining device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connectors extends substantially between opposed ends of the first panel.

5 . The user worn gastronomy tube retaining device of claim 1 , wherein the second panel and the first panel comprising one or both of polyether-polyurea copolymer and cotton, such that the second panel and the first panel are resiliently stretchable and breathable.

6 . A user worn gastronomy tube retaining device comprising:

a first panel configured to be removably secured around an abdomen of a user, such that the first panel encircles the abdomen with an inner surface of the first panel in contact with the abdomen, the first panel being resiliently flexible;

a pair of fasteners attached singly proximate to opposed ends of the first panel, the fasteners of the pair of fasteners being selectively mutually attachable for removably securing the first panel around the abdomen of the user, the pair of fasteners comprising a hook and loop fastener;

a plurality of connectors attached to an outer surface of the first panel, each connector of the plurality of connectors being configured for selectively connecting to a gastronomy tube, such that the gastronomy tube is attached to the first panel, wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors is configured for retaining the gastronomy tube in a substantially static position relative to the abdomen and for resisting a pulling force applied to the gastronomy tube, the plurality of connectors extending substantially between the opposed ends of the first panel, the plurality of connectors comprising a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first panel extending between the opposed ends, the plurality of sleeves being defined by a second panel and a plurality of seams, each seam of the plurality of seams extending between the second panel and the first panel, such that the second panel is attached to the inner surface of the first panel, wherein adjacently positioned seams of the plurality of seams define a respective sleeve of the plurality of sleeves, the second panel and the first panel comprising one or both of polyether-polyurea copolymer and cotton, such that the second panel and the first panel are resiliently stretchable and breathable;

the first panel being substantially elongated rectangularly shaped; and

the second panel having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being substantially parallel, the second panel being flattened V-shaped, such that the upper edge and the lower edge are below a top edge and a bottom edge of the first panel, respectively, and such that each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves has a lower opening along the lower edge of the second panel accessible for insertion of the gastronomy tube.

7 . A method of securing a gastronomy tube to a user comprising the steps of:

providing a gastronomy tube;

providing a user worn gastronomy tube retaining device comprising:

a first panel configured to be removably secured around an abdomen of a user, such that the first panel encircles the abdomen with an inner surface of the first panel in contact with the abdomen, the first panel being resiliently flexible, and

a plurality of connectors attached to an outer surface of the first panel, each connector of the plurality of connectors being configured for selectively connecting to a gastronomy tube, such that the gastronomy tube is attached to the first panel, wherein each connector of the plurality of connectors is configured for retaining the gastronomy tube in a substantially static position relative to the abdomen and for resisting a pulling force applied to the gastronomy tube;

securing the first panel around the abdomen of the user;

connecting the gastronomy tube to the first panel using a respective connector of the plurality of connectors;

the plurality of connectors comprising a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first panel extending between the opposed ends, the plurality of sleeves being defined by a second panel and a plurality of seams, each seam of the plurality of seams extending between the second panel and the first panel, such that the second panel is attached to the inner surface of the first panel, wherein adjacently positioned seams of the plurality of seams define a respective sleeve of the plurality of sleeves, the second panel and the first panel comprising one or both of polyether-polyurea copolymer and cotton, such that the second panel and the first panel are resiliently stretchable and breathable;

the first panel being substantially elongated rectangularly shaped;

the second panel having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge and the lower edge being substantially parallel, the second panel being flattened V-shaped, such that the upper edge and the lower edge are below a top edge and a bottom edge of the first panel, respectively, and such that each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves has a lower opening along the lower edge of the second panel accessible for insertion of the gastronomy tube; and

the step of connecting the gastronomy tube to the first panel comprising insertion of the gastronomy tube into a lower opening of a respective sleeve and through the respective sleeve.

8 . The method of claim 7 , further including:

a pair of fasteners attached singly proximate to opposed ends of the first panel, the fasteners of the pair of fasteners being selectively mutually attachable for removably securing the first panel around the abdomen of the user, the pair of fasteners comprise a hook and loop fastener; and

the step of securing the first panel around the abdomen of the user comprising positioning the first panel around the abdomen of the user and fastening the hook and loop fastener.