Abstract:
A medical fluid line alignment device that includes a base that is attachable to a support member and a fluid line organizer attachable to the base. The fluid line organizer includes a plurality of access ports that allow fluid lines to be connected to the fluid line organizer. The device further includes a plurality of guides disposed on the base. Each of the guides is aligned with one of the access ports, and each of the guides has a top surface defining a recessed region that is sized and shaped to at least partially receive a fluid line therein.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to medical fluid line alignment devices and related systems and methods. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many modern medical procedures use tubing sets of varying complexity to withdraw fluid from a patient, or to administer fluid to a patient, or to do both. One example of such a procedure is peritoneal dialysis. In peritoneal dialysis, the patient&#39;s blood is cleansed by introducing sterile solution through a tube into the peritoneal cavity of the patient. The peritoneal membrane acts as a partially permeable membrane across which dissolved substances such as electrolytes, urea, and other molecules are exchanged from the blood. 
         [0003]    The solution, or dialysate, is pumped into the peritoneal cavity via a sterile tube, left there for a period of time to absorb waste products diffused from the patient&#39;s blood across the peritoneal membrane, and is then drained out through the same tube, or a second tube, and discarded. Extracorporeal components including a peritoneal tubing set and possibly a pump are typically used to transport the fresh and waste fluids between a patient&#39;s abdominal access site and suitable containers. 
         [0004]    Peritoneal dialysis is frequently carried out at home by the patient, allowing patients freedom from visiting a dialysis clinic several times a week. If carried out at home, the patient generally prepares the peritoneal dialysis system himself or herself. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the invention, a medical fluid line alignment device includes a base that is attachable to a support member, a fluid line organizer attachable to the base, and a plurality of guides disposed on the base. The fluid line organizer includes a plurality of access ports that allow fluid lines to be connected to the fluid line organizer. Each of the guides is aligned with one of the access ports, and each of the guides has a top surface defining a recessed region that is sized and shaped to at least partially receive a fluid line therein. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the invention, a medical fluid line alignment system includes a support member, a base attached to the support member, a fluid line organizer attached to the base, and a plurality of guides disposed on the base. The fluid line organizer includes a plurality of access ports that allow fluid lines to be connected to the fluid line organizer. Each of the guides is aligned with one of the access ports, and each of the guides has a top surface defining a recessed region that is sized and shaped to at least partially receive a fluid line therein. 
         [0007]    In a further aspect of the invention, a method for aligning fluid lines includes disposing a fluid line in a recessed region of a guide aligned with an access port, sliding the fluid line along the guide and into engagement with the access port, and connecting the fluid line to the access port. 
         [0008]    Implementations can include one or more of the following features. 
         [0009]    In some implementations, the base is configured to rotate relative to the support member when the base is attached to the support member. 
         [0010]    In certain implementations, the base is configured to rotate relative to a user positioned in front of the medical fluid line alignment device such that that a user can maintain substantially the same body position when manipulating the device. 
         [0011]    In some implementations, a first end of each of the guides is aligned with the front edge of the base. 
         [0012]    In certain implementations, the first end of each of the guides is flush with the front edge of the base. 
         [0013]    In some implementations, a second end of each of the guides is aligned with access ports on the fluid line organizer. 
         [0014]    In certain implementations, the second end of each of the guides is located 0.5 inch to 1.5 inches away from its associated access port on the fluid line organizer. 
         [0015]    In some implementations, the guides guide motion of fluid lines towards the access ports. 
         [0016]    In certain implementations, the recessed region of the upper surface limits side to side and downward motion. 
         [0017]    In some implementations, the recessed region of the upper surface has a radius of curvature of 0.25 to 1.5 inches. 
         [0018]    In certain implementations, the support member includes a table. 
         [0019]    In some implementations, the table is portable. 
         [0020]    In certain implementations, the support member includes a portable pole. 
         [0021]    In some implementations, the fluid line organizer is configured to attach to an adaptor. 
         [0022]    In certain implementations, the fluid line organizer at least partially defines a slot configured to receive a portion of the adaptor. 
         [0023]    In some implementations, the slot is defined between the fluid line organizer and a riser extending from the base. 
         [0024]    In certain implementations, the adaptor suspends the fluid line organizer from the portable pole. 
         [0025]    In some implementations, the base is sized to facilitate attachment of the adaptor to the fluid line organizer. 
         [0026]    In certain implementations, the base has a length of 8.5 inches to 9.5 inches. 
         [0027]    In some implementations, an end of the fluid line organizer is flush with an end of the base. 
         [0028]    In certain implementations, a first end of each of the guides is flush with a front edge of the base. 
         [0029]    In some implementations, a second end of each of the guides is aligned with access ports of the fluid line organizer. 
         [0030]    In certain implementations, the second end of each of the guides is located 0.5 inch to 1.5 inches away from its associated access port on the fluid line organizer. 
         [0031]    In some implementations, the support member is a portable pole. 
         [0032]    In certain implementations, the system further includes an adaptor having a portion that is received in a slot at least partially defined by the fluid line organizer, and the adaptor is secured to the portable pole. 
         [0033]    In some implementations, the slot is defined between the fluid line organizer and a riser extending from the base. 
         [0034]    In certain implementations, the method further includes connecting a fluid line alignment device to a portable pole prior to disposing the fluid line in the recessed region of the guide, and the guide is attached to a base of a fluid line alignment device and the access port is attached to a fluid line organizer that is connected to the base. 
         [0035]    Implementations can include one or more of the following advantages. 
         [0036]    Medical fluid line alignment devices (e.g., dialysis solution line alignment devices) described herein can advantageously simplify and ease the difficulty of attaching fluid lines to fluid line connectors of a medical device (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis solution line organizer) in a manner to achieve a sterile connection. This advantage can be realized without requiring full sight or substantial manual dexterity in order to manipulate the fluid lines relative to their attachment positions. As a result, the medical fluid alignment devices described herein can allow patients that lack full sight and/or dexterity to successfully connect fluid lines to fluid line connectors in a sterile manner without the assistance of an aid in many cases. 
         [0037]    In some implementations the alignment assembly rotates relative to the patient&#39;s forward facing direction. Due to this ability to rotate, the patient can make the same forward/backward and screwing/unscrewing movements without changing his or her body position to attach and detach dialysis solution lines from multiple different fluid line connectors arranged along a medical device. For a patient with reduced dexterity or vision, this is advantageous because the patient can maintain the same body positioning and motion, rather than attempting different movements and possibly losing spatial orientation relative to the attachment points. As a result, less time is needed to carry out the attachments, and the possibility for error, such as attaching a fluid line to the wrong port, can be reduced. 
         [0038]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dialysis solution line alignment system that includes a fluid line organizer attached to an alignment plate, which is rotatably connected to a table. 
           [0040]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the fluid line organizer and alignment plate shown decoupled from the table of the dialysis solution line alignment system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the alignment plate of the dialysis solution line alignment system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a dialysis solution line alignment system that includes a fluid line organizer attached to an alignment plate and an IV pole connector which can attach the fluid line organizer and alignment plate to an IV pole. 
           [0043]      FIG. 5  is a side, perspective view of the dialysis solution line alignment device system of  FIG. 4  attached to an IV pole via the IV pole connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a dialysis solution line alignment system  100  includes a fluid line organizer  102 , a generally flat alignment assembly  104 , and a table  106 . The fluid line organizer  102  attaches to the top surface of the alignment assembly  104 , which in turn is rotatably connected to the top of the table  106 . 
         [0045]    The fluid line organizer  102  is used to simplify the fluid connections between a patient&#39;s abdominal cavity and dialysate supply and waste containers required during peritoneal dialysis. When seated in fluid line organizer  102 , a removable, rotatable disc  117  can be rotated into various positions to open and close fluid paths that allow the abdominal cavity and fluid containers to be fluidly connected and disconnected. To enable this, the disc  117  contains several holes that allow fluid lines  110 ,  112  and patient line (e.g., patient catheter)  108  to be fluidly connected to the interior of the disc  117 . 
         [0046]    Fluid lines  110 ,  112  are permanently attached to disc  117  at one end and can be attached at their other end to dialysate supply and waste containers at the time of treatment. The patient fluid line  108  is connected to the patient&#39;s peritoneal cavity at one end and can be connected to the disc  117  via a permanently attached fluid line attachment  105  at the other end. With the disc  117  (including attached fluid lines  110 ,  112  and fluid line attachment  105 ) seated in fluid line organizer  102  and the patient fluid line  108  attached to the disc  117 , the patient can easily rotate the disc  117  into positions that allow spent dialysate to drain from his or her abdominal cavity into a waste container, and fresh dialysate to flow from a supply container and fill the abdominal cavity. 
         [0047]    Additionally, the fluid line organizer  102  contains two ports  128 ,  129  in which removable fluid line caps  107 ,  109  can be placed safely and sterilely during treatment. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the fluid line organizer  102  has a generally cylindrical main body  113 . One side of the main body  113  includes a concavity  114 , which defines a forward direction when orienting the fluid line organizer  102  and also defines an overall crescent shape of the main body  113 . When viewed from the front, the forward-facing wall of the main body  113  contains a notch (not shown) that extends from the top surface of the fluid line organizer  102  to approximately half way down the front face of the concavity  114 . The notch on the forward-facing wall of the main body  113  permits the fluid line attachment  105  to fluidly connect the patient fluid line  108  to the interior of the disc  117 . 
         [0049]    The central region of the main body  113  has a generally cylindrical center cavity  115 . The top surface of the main body  113  also includes two side channels  120 ,  121  that extend radially from the center cavity  115 . The cylindrical side channels  120 ,  121  extend from the sides of and connect to the curved sides of the cylindrical center cavity  115 , such that the cylindrical side channels  120 ,  121  are connected to the cylindrical center cavity  115 . 
         [0050]    The cylindrical center cavity  115  is configured to receive the rotatable disc  117  which includes a graspable knob  118 . The rotatable disc  117  includes an access port  127  on its curved face that can allow the interior of the rotatable disc  117  to be fluidly connected to patient fluid line  108 . When the alignment assembly is assembled, the rotatable disc  117  is seated in the cylindrical center cavity  115 , and the graspable knob  118  extends upward from the surface of the rotatable disc  117 . The graspable knob  118  can be grasped by the patient and used to rotate the disc  117  relative to the cylindrical main body  113 . 
         [0051]    Attached to the sides of the fluid line organizer body  113  are upper protrusions  123 ,  124 , and lower protrusions  125 ,  126 . The upper protrusions  123 ,  124  are located where the cylindrical side channels  120 ,  121  intersect the sides of the fluid line organizer body  113 . The upper protrusions  123 ,  124  include recessed regions that act as extensions of the side channels  120 ,  121  beyond the fluid line organizer body  113 . The side channels  120 ,  121  are configured to receive and retain the fluid lines  110 ,  112 . The fluid lines  120 ,  121  can be formed of medical grade tubing such as is typically used during peritoneal dialysis. 
         [0052]    The lower protrusions  125 ,  126  on the fluid line organizer body  113  are located on either side of and adjacent to the concavity  114 . The lower protrusions  125 ,  126  each have an access port  128 ,  129  located on the forward-facing surface of the protrusion. The access ports  128 ,  129  (as well as the access port  127  on the disc  117 ) are typically internally threaded as luer locks and mate with fluid line attachment  105  and fluid line caps  107 ,  109 . The fluid line attachment  105  and the fluid line caps  107 ,  109  can have multiple threads to connect to the access ports  128 ,  129  on one side and to fluid lines (e.g., patient fluid line  108 ) or attachment covers on the opposite side. 
         [0053]    Attached to the side of the fluid line organizer body  113  directly opposite the concavity  114  is an adaptor extension  130 , which contains a slot  132  configured to receive a broad attachment piece, which is described below. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the alignment plate  104  includes a broad, generally flat base  143 . The base  143  is sized to be easily moved and manipulated. In some implementations, the base  143  is approximately 10″ in width, 12″ in length and 1.28″ thick. The fluid line organizer  102  is attached to a generally flat organizer riser  140  that extends upwards from the base  143 . The fluid line organizer riser  140  is located approximately in the center of the top surface  142  of the base  143  of alignment assembly  104 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the overall shape of organizer riser  140  is similar to the outline of the fluid line organizer body  113  and adaptor extension  130 . The fluid line organizer riser  140  has a height  141  such that when attached, the fluid line organizer  102  is located a distance equal to height  141  above the top surface  142  of the alignment assembly. Height  141  is selected to allow room for a patient&#39;s fingers to manipulate attachments to organizer  102 . Height  141  is typically approximately 0.5 inch. 
         [0055]    Located on the top surface  142  of the base  143  are three guides  144 ,  146 ,  148 . The guides are arranged on the base  143  such that each guide touches (e.g., is flush with) the front edge  145  of the base. The middle guide  146  points toward the center of fluid line organizer  102  when the fluid line organizer  102  is attached to the fluid line organizer riser  140 . More particularly, the middle guide  146  points toward the access port  127  located in the disc  117  of the fluid line organizer  102 . The two outside guides  144 ,  148  are angled such that the guides point towards the access ports  128 ,  129  located on the lower protrusions  125 , 126  on either side of the fluid line organizer body  113 . The guides are arranged such that a patient can easily and tactilely locate and follow a path towards access ports  127 ,  128 ,  129 . 
         [0056]    The three guides  144 ,  146 ,  148  have grooves  150  on their upper surfaces. The grooves  150  are sized to receive fluid lines, such as tubing typically used during peritoneal dialysis and typically have a radius of curvature of approximately 0.5 inches. As a patient moves an attachment device (such as a fluid line) in a forward motion towards one of access ports  127 ,  128 ,  129 , the grooves  150  limit the motion of the attachment device, restricting its side to side as well as downward motion. 
         [0057]    The guides  144 ,  146 ,  148  are sized so that they can be easily located by touch and grasped. Their heights and lengths are also chosen to allow room between the guides  144 ,  146 ,  148  and the fluid line organizer  102  for threading and unthreading connections. For example, the heights from the base to the lowest points of the radiused grooves of the outside guides  144 ,  148  can be approximately 0.69 inch and the overall heights of the outside guides  144 ,  148  can be approximately 0.78 inch, while the height from the base to the lowest point of the radiused groove of the middle guide  146  can be approximately 0.88 inch and the overall height of the middle guide  146  can be approximately 0.97 inch. 
         [0058]    The front edge  145  of the base  143  provides a landmark so the guides  144 ,  146 ,  148  (which are aligned at one end with the front edge  145 ) can be easily found. All three guides extend from the front edge  145  of the base  143  towards the fluid line organizer  102  to allow the patient to slide a fluid line along the upper surface of the guide. For example, the outside guides  144 ,  148  can be approximately 4.25 long and the middle guide  146  can be approximately 3.97 long. Alternatively, the guides  144 ,  146 ,  148  can have other lengths. Typically, these lengths range from 2.0 inches to 7.0 inches. 
         [0059]    The guides  144 ,  146 ,  148  end just short of the fluid line organizer  102 , providing a gap between the guides  144 ,  146 ,  148  and the fluid line organizer  102  that is sized for a patient to insert his or her fingers in order to easily thread and unthread connections. This gap is typically approximately 0.65 inches between the fluid line organizer and the end of the middle guide  146 , and approximately 0.87 inches between the fluid line organizer and the ends of outside guides  144 ,  148 . However, any appropriate length of gap can be chosen that allows the patient to insert his or her fingers (e.g., between 0.5 and 1.5 inches). 
         [0060]    A hole  160  is located approximately 1.5 inches from the back edge  147  on the centerline of the base  143 . A bolt  161  can attach the alignment assembly  104  to a table  106  via the hole  160  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The hole  160  and the bolt  161  are sized such that the alignment assembly  104  can rotate freely about an axis of rotation defined by the length of the bolt  161 . Alternatively, the bolt  161  may be a screw, a dowel, or other attachment device. 
         [0061]    Enabling the alignment assembly  104  and the fluid line organizer  102  to rotate relative to a table  106  provides the patient the ability to change the orientation of the alignment assembly  104  and the fluid line organizer  102  relative to the table  106  as well as to the patient&#39;s body. When connecting or disconnecting various attachments to or from the fluid line organizer  102 , the patient can rotate the attached organizer  102  and the alignment assembly  104  to a position that is most comfortable for the patient. This rotation can be towards a position that eases use for either a left handed or right handed person. In addition, this rotation can permit small adjustment angles during use, allowing the patient to employ the same combination of hand and arm motions multiple times, rather than changing his or her body positioning to access each connection access port  127 ,  128 ,  129 . This ability to rotate is particularly advantageous to patients who have impaired mobility, as the alignment assembly  104  can be moved into positions that are within the patient&#39;s range of motion. The ability to rotate the fluid line organizer  102  and the alignment assembly  104  relative to the patient is also particularly advantageous to patients who are visually impaired. Repeating the same sequence of moves allows a visually impaired person to maintain spatial orientation, rather than attempting to successfully connect two objects with different motions and without visual cues. 
         [0062]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , the base  143  and the fluid line organizer riser  140  each form multiple through holes  170 . The through holes  170  allow the alignment assembly  104  to be screwed to the back of organizer  102 . Suitable screws can be inserted through the base  143 , the fluid line organizer riser  140 , and into the back face of organizer  102 . In some implementations, the through holes  170  are threaded. Aligned holes in the organizer and organizer riser  140  can alternatively or additionally be threaded. 
         [0063]    Typically, the alignment plate  104  is assembled from five individual parts: the three guides, the assembly base  143  and the fluid line organizer riser  140 . All pieces are formed separately and are screwed and/or glued together. 
         [0064]    The base  143 , the fluid line organizer riser  140 , and the guides  144 ,  146 ,  148  are typically injection molded components preferably made of a biocompatible high-impact thermoplastic material. Examples of biocompatible high-impact thermoplastic materials include polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polysulfone, and other medical grade plastic materials. 
         [0065]    The dialysis solution line alignment system  100  including alignment assembly  104  and the fluid line organizer  102  when assembled is lightweight for easy manipulation. Typically, the dialysis solution line alignment system  100  weighs less than 2 lbs. (e.g., approximately 1.96 lb.). 
         [0066]    The dialysis solution line alignment system  100  can be used by a patient to perform peritoneal dialysis. To perform the peritoneal dialysis treatment, the patient fluid line  108  is connected to the abdominal cavity of the patient. Any of various known methods can be used to connect the patient fluid line  108  to the subject. For example, the patient fluid line  108  can be fluidly connected to a port or catheter implanted within the abdominal cavity of the patient. 
         [0067]    Prior to a treatment cycle, the alignment assembly  104  is fixed to the table  106 . The base  143  of the alignment assembly  104  is attached via a bolt  161  through the through hole  160 . Once attached, the base  143  is free to rotate about the bolt  161 . This set up step may be performed before each treatment cycle, or may be performed once and left in place for multiple treatment cycles. 
         [0068]    To begin treatment, the disc  117  is inserted into the cylindrical center cavity  115  in the center of the main body  113 . Graspable knob  118  on the top surface of the fluid line organizer body  113  provides a large landmark indicating which side of the fluid line organizer body  113  is up. Fluid lines  110 ,  112 , and fluid line attachment  105  that are connected to the disc are inserted into the cylindrical side channels  120 ,  121 , and front notch respectively. The connected fluid lines  110 ,  112 , and the fluid line attachment  105  can be fit into their respective channels and notch by feel, without the aid of visual cues. When properly inserted, the disc  117  is in a first position that fluidly connects the fluid line attachment  105  to the first fluid line  110 . 
         [0069]    The first of a series of screw connections is then made to the fluid line organizer  102 . The patient rotates the alignment assembly and attached organizer  102  to an angle at which he can comfortably touch guide  144 . The patient then locates groove  150  on top of the guide  144 , and, holding a sterile fluid line cap  107 , follows the groove until the fluid line cap  107  is fitted into the access port  128 . The patient then screws the fluid line cap  107  into place. 
         [0070]    The patient may also optionally rotate the alignment assembly  104  slightly into a position that makes manipulation of attachments along the central guide more comfortable. This slight rotation step is optional for any of the screwing/unscrewing connection steps. The patient locates the groove  150  on the guide  148 , and slides the patient fluid line  108  into a mating position with the access port  129 . At its proximal end the patient fluid line  108  is attached to the patient&#39;s abdominal cavity, and at its distal end it is attached to a screw-fastened cap that prevents contamination of the patient fluid line  108 . Once the patient fluid line  108  is fitted into place, the patient screws the cap of the fluid line into access port  129 . 
         [0071]    The patient then locates the central guide  146 , and its guiding groove  150 . The patient may also optionally rotate the alignment assembly  104  slightly into a position that makes manipulation of attachments along the central guide more comfortable. The patient then follows the central guide  146  to the central fluid line attachment  105 , which is located in its attached position in disc  117 . The patient unscrews a safety cap from the fluid attachment  105 . 
         [0072]    Next, the patient again locates the third guide  148  and follows the patient fluid line  108  and the guide  148  to the access port  129 , where he unscrews the fluid line from its cap, which remains in the access port  129 . Using the central guide  146 , he locates the fluid attachment  105  and screws the patient tube  108  into place in fluid attachment  105  seated in access port  127 . 
         [0073]    The patient has now attached the patient fluid line  108  to the fluid line organizer  102  such that spent dialysate may be drained from the abdominal cavity. A suitable valve or clamp located on the patient fluid line  108  can be released to allow the spent fluid to drain from the abdominal cavity, and in turn through the patient fluid line  108 , the disc  117 , and fluid line  110  into an appropriate waste container. The fluid drains under the force of gravity. 
         [0074]    Once the drain is complete, the patient turns the graspable knob  118  to a second position. Once in the second position a fill bag of new dialysate attached to fluid line  112  becomes fluidly connected through the disc  117  to the fluid line  110 . New dialysate drains (under gravimetric forces) through the disc  117  and into the waste container via fluid line  110 . 
         [0075]    After approximately five seconds of flow, the patient turns the graspable knob  118  to a third position. In the third position, the new dialysate and fluid line  112  become fluidly connected to the patient fluid line  108 . New dialysate drains through the fluid line  112 , the disc  117 , and the patient fluid line  108  to fill the abdominal cavity. 
         [0076]    When the fill is complete, the patient turns graspable knob  118  to a fourth position that fluidly disconnects the patient fluid line  108  from the disc  117  and the fluid line organizer  102 . 
         [0077]    The patient locates the first guide  144 , and locates the fluid line cap  107  placed there earlier. The patient unscrews the safety cap at the proximal end of the fluid line cap  107 . 
         [0078]    The patient then locates the second guide  146 , and follows the guide to encounter the attachment of patient fluid line  108 . The patient fluid line  108  is unscrewed from the fluid line attachment  105 . 
         [0079]    The patient once again locates the first guide  144 , and slides the patient fluid line  108  along the guide until it connects with fluid line cap  107 . The patient screws the patient fluid line into the fluid line cap  107 , and then unscrews the fluid line cap  107  from the fluid line organizer  102 . The treatment cycle is now complete. 
         [0080]    While various embodiments have been described above, other embodiments are possible. For example, while a table  106  has been described, other types of support members could be used. The support member could be provided by the manufacturer or could be a support member provided by the patient. The support member can be any fixed object such as a desk or shelf. To allow mobility for the patient, the support member may also be a mobile object, such as a cart, stand, or tray. 
         [0081]    While the alignment assembly  104  has generally been described as being attachable to a flat table, other configurations are possible. For example, referring to  FIG. 4 , a dialysis solution line alignment system  200  includes slot a  132  which is configured to receive IV pole adaptor  205 . The slot  132  is formed between the fluid line organizer  102  and the riser  140 . IV pole adaptor  205  is configured to attach the dialysis solution line alignment system  200  to a non-flat surface such as an intravenous (IV) pole  206 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment in which the dialysis solution line alignment system  200  is suspended from an IV pole. When viewed from the side IV pole adaptor  205  has an “S” outline, where the top protrusion  207  of the “S” inserts into slot  132  on the fluid line organizer  132 . The “spine” including the far end of top protrusion  207 , the slanted protrusion  208  and bottom protrusion  210  of IV pole adaptor  205  contains slots  211  that fit around IV pole  206 . IV pole adaptor  205  is configured to fit around standard IV poles, which are typically one inch in diameter. 
         [0083]    Both sides of slanted protrusion  208  have threaded screw holes  213 . Long screws can be threaded through the threaded screw holes  213  and to apply radial force to the IV pole  206 . By tightening the screws, IV pole adaptor  205  can be attached the IV pole  206 . When slightly loosened, the screws may permit IV pole adaptor  205  to rotate around the IV pole  206  into the various positions desired by the patient during use of the dialysis solution line alignment system  200 . When fully loosened, the height of IV pole adaptor  205  can be adjusted, or it can be removed from the IV pole  206 . 
         [0084]    In a suspended configuration such as shown in  FIG. 5 , it is desirable to bring the center of mass of the assembled organizer  102  and alignment assembly  204  as close as possible to IV pole. This proximity minimizes induced vibrations due to movement of the IV pole or to accidental striking or mishandling of the dialysis solution line alignment system  200 . To reduce the distance between the center of mass of the combined organizer  102  and the alignment assembly  204 , the distance  203  from the fluid line organizer and riser  140  to the back edge  247  of the alignment assembly is shortened to 8.5 to 9.5 inches. This shortened base  243  also has the advantage of decreasing the mass of the suspended dialysis solution line alignment system  200 . 
         [0085]    In some implementations, other devices or techniques are used to connect the guides  144 ,  146 ,  148  to the base  143 . For example, alternatively or in addition to glue and/or screws, other fasteners (e.g., bolts, rivets, or other fasteners) can be used. 
         [0086]    While the alignment device  104  has been described as having components that are formed separately and then coupled together, the alignment device can alternatively be formed as one integral piece. For example, injection molding or die casting techniques can be used to form a one-piece alignment device. 
         [0087]    While various components of the alignment assembly  104  have been described as being formed of medical grade plastics, other types of materials can be used. For example, alignment assembly  104  can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, or other material that can be cleaned and/or sterilized before use. The guides  144 ,  146 ,  148 , the base  143 , and the fluid line organizer riser  140  may not necessarily be solid pieces. In some cases, for example, they are hollow. Hollow pieces can be formed by extrusion, rolling, bending, or other method known in the art. 
         [0088]    While the dialysis solution line alignment system has been described as a component for a peritoneal dialysis system, similar line alignment system can alternatively or additionally be used with other types of body fluid treatment systems where attachment of fluid lines to a device is required. Examples of other types of blood treatment systems include 
         [0089]    Use of gravimetric forces to generate fluid flow has been described; however appropriate pumps or rollers could be used to push fluid through the fluid lines, and into and out of the abdominal cavity. 
         [0090]    A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.