Patent Description:
Peritoneal dialysis machines have mounting fixtures that function as an extra hand and facilitate the maintenance of sterile conditions by helping operators avoid contacting the tips of sterile lines, including attached connectors, with non-sterile surfaces. Such devices, known as organizers, allow for single-handed manipulation by a user.

In a prior art organizer, a mount (support that holds the fluid line) pivots on a stationary support. The mount is permitted to pivot downwardly upon the application of a sufficient force to the mount to avoid excessive torque being applied which can damage the housing of the peritoneal dialysis device. In this regard, the mount can pivot on a hinge but magnets prevent the pivoting until the breakaway torque is applied at which points the magnets separate and the mount pivots downwardly. In this way, excessive forces are avoided.

From <CIT> a line mount according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is known. From <CIT> a method of supporting a medical treatment fluid line according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is known.

The object of the present invention is to provide a line mount and a corresponding method that allow for the maintenance of sterile handling of fluid lines while providing flexibility to position the line mount in a variety of angles and positions for convenience. This object is solved by a line mount according to claim <NUM>, and also by a method of supporting a medical treatment fluid line according to claim <NUM>. Further embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

As used herein, a ferromagnetic element is one that is attracted to a magnet such as iron or steel or a magnet.

The present Objects and advantages of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent from the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments will hereinafter be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. The accompanying drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Where applicable, some features may not be illustrated to assist in the description of underlying features.

<FIG> shows a treatment machine housing <NUM> with a display <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. <FIG> show a mount <NUM> with a treatment line <NUM> separated (<FIG>) and engaged with the mount <NUM> (<FIG>) according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The way the mount <NUM> is attached to the housing <NUM> is illustrated in the following figures.

<FIG> show the treatment machine housing <NUM> with mounts <NUM> ready to attach to the housing <NUM> (left side of <FIG>) and attached (right side of <FIG>), respectively, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Referring now also to <FIG>, it shows alignment of a mount <NUM> with magnets (also referred to as ferromagnetic elements) 107A, 107B and 107C on the treatment machine housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has an integral display <NUM>. The details of the housing <NUM> are not specific to the invention and are shown by way of example, only. Magnets or ferromagnetic elements are shown at <NUM> and 107A-107C. The magnets or ferromagnetic elements attract magnets or ferromagnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> of a line holder <NUM> that carries the mount <NUM> at its end. When the line holder <NUM> is brought in contact and aligned so that magnets <NUM> and <NUM> are aligned with respective ones of the magnets or ferromagnetic elements <NUM> and 107A-107C, the line holder <NUM> is held in position on the side of the housing <NUM> thereby positioning the mount <NUM> in a convenient location for use as a third hand for the management and organization of fluid lines during use of the treatment machine. That is, a treatment line <NUM> with a connector <NUM> can be positioned in the mount <NUM> which may be shaped to engage and hold the connector <NUM>, for example, as shown in <FIG>. In <FIG> the treatment line <NUM> and mount <NUM> are shown separated and ready to be engaged.

<FIG> shows the line holder <NUM> in position and orientation ready to be engaged with the magnets or ferromagnetic elements shown at <NUM> and 107A-107C on either side of the housing <NUM> and prior to attachment. The user may choose combination of the magnet or ferromagnet element among 107A, 107B, and 107C such that the line holder <NUM> is held at a selected angle. <FIG> shows the line holder <NUM> attached to the housing <NUM> by means of the magnets or ferromagnetic elements <NUM> and 107B such that the mount <NUM> is held straight out and approximately horizontal. By selecting the magnet or ferromagnetic element 107B and thereby orienting the line holder <NUM>, the mount <NUM> is placed at a predefined position relative to the housing <NUM>. The position and orientation may be changed by selecting magnet or ferromagnetic element <NUM> with either 107A or 107C as can be confirmed by observation of <FIG>, where the line holder <NUM> is aligned with that pair of magnets or ferromagnetic elements on the other side of the housing <NUM>. This lowers the position of the mount <NUM>. If the magnets or ferromagnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> of a line holder <NUM> are aligned with the magnets or ferromagnetic element <NUM> in combination with magnets or ferromagnetic elements 107A, the position of the mount <NUM> is higher. This allows a user to select a vertical position of the mount <NUM> for convenience. In addition, a user is able to select the side of the housing <NUM> on which to position the line holder <NUM> and thereby position the mount <NUM>.

Note that one of each complementary pair of a magnet or ferromagnetic element may be used. Examples of ferromagnetic elements are iron or steel. Magnets or ferromagnetic elements <NUM> and 107A, 107B, and 107C may be attached inside the housing <NUM> so that the side of the housing remains smooth. In embodiments, the housing may bear markings or indentations to indicate where the magnets or ferromagnetic elements <NUM> and 107A, 107B, and 107C are located in order to facilitate the attachment of the magnets or ferromagnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> of the line holder <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a mounting system employing magnets according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. A magnet or ferromagnetic element <NUM> is provided on a fluid line having a connector <NUM>. A magnet or ferromagnetic element <NUM> is also provided at two positions on the housing <NUM>. The fluid line <NUM> may thereby be attached to the housing <NUM> conveniently.

<FIG> shows another variation of the embodiment of <FIG>. In the present case, the magnets that permit the angle of the line holder <NUM> to be selected are arrayed toward the rear end of the housing <NUM>. The ferromagnetic element 106A, which may be a magnet or ferromagnetic element, may be supported on a boss or recessed with a protruding complementary magnet or ferromagnetic element on the line holder <NUM> facing it and engaging it. The presence of the recess or boss makes the line holder support positively and interferingly engage with the housing thereby making the connection more secure than if the surface were smooth and relied entirely on magnetic attraction. <FIG> also shows the line holder <NUM> in position and orientation ready to be engaged with the magnets or ferromagnetic elements shown at <NUM> and 107A-107C on either side of the housing <NUM> and prior to attachment. The user may choose combination of the magnet or ferromagnet element among 107D, 107E, and 107F such that the line holder <NUM> is held at a selected angle. Note that the <NUM> engages with the flexible tube <NUM> without relying on the connector <NUM> at the end of the tube <NUM>. That is the gap in the mount <NUM> is tight enough to grip the tube <NUM>. This leaves the connector free for removal of a cap and connection of a mating connector.

In the present disclosure, elements are identified as either magnets or ferromagnetic elements. Since magnets can be attracted to other magnets or to ferromagnetic elements, it should be evident that a complementary pair of a ferromagnetic elements with a magnet or a pair of magnets may produce the functional arrangement described herein.

Note that in the described embodiments, the magnets or ferromagnetic elements <NUM> and 107A-017C can be mounted inside a plastic housing <NUM> so they are not visible from the outside. Note also that pairs of magnets or ferromagnetic elements can be positioned in a variety of locations on the housing <NUM> to allow a variety of positions and orientations of the line holder <NUM> and mount <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another form of mount having multiple slots for holding tubes, according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. A line holder <NUM> has three slots <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> providing the ability to hold multiple lines or to position the line in various positions. The line holder <NUM> is in other respects the same as line holder <NUM> of the previous embodiments. The line holder <NUM> has magnets or ferromagnetic elements at <NUM> and <NUM> which can be attached at any pair of magnets or ferromagnetic elements that include 106A (<FIG>), which may be paired with 107D, 107E, or 107F to position the line holder <NUM> at various angles and positions.

<FIG> shows the line holder <NUM> of <FIG> mounted on a treatment machine housing <NUM>. The line holder <NUM> is paired with magnets or ferromagnetic elements 107E and 106A. In the drawing of <FIG>, magnets or ferromagnetic elements at <NUM> and <NUM> of the line holder <NUM> are paired with the magnets or ferromagnetic elements at 107E and 106A. Slot <NUM> holds the line <NUM> with a slight grip so that the connector <NUM> extends somewhat away from the line holder <NUM> toward the front of the machine housing <NUM>. The line <NUM> can be moved between the slots <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The line holder <NUM> may be tilted to different angles by choosing a different magnet or ferromagnetic element among 107D and 107F. As indicated above, the machine housing <NUM> may have an integrated display <NUM>.

Note that although the drawings show magnets or ferromagnetic elements on the outside of the housing it will be understood that they can be mounted within the housing so that they are not visible. Also, the housing may have bosses or recess located where the magnets or ferromagnetic elements attach such that there is a positive engagement between the ones on the line holder and the housing. Sole or complementary bosses and recesses may be positioned on the housing, the holder, both, or either.

Note that in <FIG>, the array of magnets or ferromagnetic elements are spread out toward the rear of the housing and in <FIG> they are spread out toward the front of the housing. It should be clear to the reader that the ability to select an angle for the line holder <NUM> may be provided in either fashion and either one may be used with any of the disclosed embodiments.

According to embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a line mount with a treatment machine housing having one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements mounted thereon. A line holder has at least one complementary one of magnets and ferromagnetic elements such as to cause the line holder to attached magnetically to the housing. The one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements are numbered and arranged to permit the line holder to be supported thereby in multiple positions and orientations relative to the housing.

According to first embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a line mount on a treatment machine housing having one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements mounted thereon. A line holder has at least one complementary one of magnets and ferromagnetic elements such as to cause the line holder to be attachable magnetically to the housing. The one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements are numbered and arranged to permit the line holder to be supported thereby in multiple positions and orientations relative to the housing.

The first embodiments may include ones in which the one or more is at least two and the line holder has a longitudinal aspect with an axis that runs between the at least two when supported by the housing.

The first embodiments may include ones in which the line holder is a longitudinal member with a mount shaped to engage a fluid line.

The first embodiments may include ones in which the line holder is a longitudinal member with a mount shaped to engage a fluid line of a connector of a fluid line.

According to second embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a line mount system for a treatment machine housing having one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements mounted thereon. A line holder has at least one complementary one of magnets and ferromagnetic elements such as to cause the line holder to be attachable magnetically to the housing.

The second embodiments may include ones in which the one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements is at least two magnets or ferromagnetic elements on either side of the treatment machine housing.

The second embodiments may include ones in which the line holder has multiple slots for receiving flexible lines.

The second embodiments may include ones in which the housing has a boss or a recess onto or into which one of the ferromagnetic elements of the line holder fits.

According to third embodiments the disclosed subject matter includes a method of supporting a line. The method includes providing a treatment machine housing having one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements mounted thereon. The method includes providing a line holder having at least one complementary one of magnets and ferromagnetic elements such as to cause the line holder to be attachable magnetically to the housing. The one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements are numbered and arranged to permit the line holder to be supported thereby in multiple positions and orientations relative to the housing. The method includes moving the line holder from one side of the treatment machine housing, selecting a position of the line holder and attaching the line holder to the housing such that it is held in position by magnetic attraction.

The third embodiments may include ones in which the one or more is at least two and the line holder has a longitudinal aspect with an axis that runs between the at least two when supported by the housing.

The third embodiments may include ones in which the line holder is a longitudinal member with a mount shaped to engage a fluid line.

The third embodiments may include ones in which the line holder is a longitudinal member with a mount shaped to engage a connector of a fluid line.

According to fourth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a method supporting a medical treatment fluid line. The method includes providing a treatment machine housing having one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements mounted thereon. The method includes providing a line holder having at least one complementary one of magnets and ferromagnetic elements such as to cause the line holder to be attachable magnetically to the housing. The method includes moving the line holder from one side of the treatment machine housing and selecting a position of the line holder and attaching the line holder to the housing such that it is held in position by magnetic attraction.

The fourth embodiments may include ones in which the one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements is at least two magnets or ferromagnetic elements on either side of the treatment machine housing.

The fourth embodiments may include ones in which the line holder has multiple slots for receiving flexible lines.

The fourth embodiments may include ones in which the housing has a boss or a recess onto or into which one of the ferromagnetic elements of the line holder fits.

According to fifth embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a line mount with a treatment machine housing having one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements mounted thereon. A line holder has at least one complementary one of magnets and ferromagnetic elements such as to cause the line holder to be attachable magnetically to the housing. The housing or the line holder has a boss or a recess and the line holder having the other of a boss or recess such that the boss fits into the recess when the line holder is attached to the housing.

The fifth embodiments may include ones in which the line holder has multiple slots at different positions allowing a tube to be connected at various vertical points.

The fifth embodiments may include ones in which the boss is a magnet.

The fifth embodiments may include ones in which the one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements is at least two magnets or ferromagnetic elements on either side of the treatment machine housing.

The fifth embodiments may include ones in which the line holder has multiple slots for receiving flexible lines.

The fifth embodiments may include ones in which the housing has a boss or a recess onto or into which one of the ferromagnetic elements of the line holder fits.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the line holder may have multiple slots.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the line holder may have multiple slots adapted for holding a line in a position so that it points away from the front of the machine toward a user.

In variations of the mount, the one or more is at least two and the line holder has a longitudinal aspect with an axis that runs between the at least two when supported by the housing. In further variations, the line holder is a longitudinal member with a mount shaped to engage the connector of a fluid line.

Claim 1:
A line mount, comprising:
a medical treatment machine having a housing (<NUM>) with one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements (107A, 107B, 107C) mounted thereon; and
a line holder (<NUM>, <NUM>) having at least one complementary one of magnets and ferromagnetic elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) such as to cause the line holder (<NUM>, <NUM>) to be attachable magnetically to the housing (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the one or more magnets or ferromagnetic elements (107A, 107B, 107C) being numbered and arranged to permit the line holder (<NUM>, <NUM>) to be supported thereby in multiple positions and orientations relative to the housing (<NUM>), and
the housing (<NUM>) has a boss or a recess onto or into which one of the ferromagnetic elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the line holder (<NUM>, <NUM>) fits.