Luer taper

The Luer taper is a standardized system of small-scale fluid fittings used for making leak-free connections between a male-taper fitting and its mating female part on medical and laboratory instruments, including hypodermic syringe tips and needles or stopcocks and needles. Currently ISO 80369 governs the Luer standards and testing methods.[1]

A syringe with a male Luer-Lock fitting, and a needle with female Luer-Lock fitting (purple) which screws into it

History

Named after the Lüer family who founded the medical instrument maker Maison Lüer in Paris, the two piece syringe was invented by either the employed instrument maker Karl Schneider[2] or Jeanne Lüer together with the glass blower Fournier.[3] It was patented by Jeanne's husband Hermann Wülfing Lüer in 1894, with international patents taken out in the following years. It originated as a 6% taper fitting for glass bottle stoppers (so one side is 1.72 degrees from the centerline). Key features of Luer taper connectors are defined in the ISO 80369-7 standards.[4] It is also defined in the DIN and EN standard 1707:1996[5] and 20594-1:1993.[6] In 1930, Fairleigh S. Dickinson of Becton Dickinson, which had exclusive rights of marketing the Luer-syringe in the United States of America since 1898, patented the "Luer-Lok[7]", a steel fitting that secures the needle to the syringe.[3]

Variants

There are two varieties of Luer taper connections: locking and slipping.[8] Their trade names are confusingly similar to the nonproprietary names. "Luer-Lok" and "Luer-slip" are registered trademarks of Becton Dickinson. "Luer-Lok" style connectors are often generically referred to as "luer lock" (always in lower case), while "luer-slip" style connectors may be generically referred to as "slip tip". Luer lock fittings are securely joined by means of a tabbed hub on the female fitting which screws into threads in a sleeve on the male fitting. The Luer lock fitting was developed in the United States by Fairleigh S. Dickinson. 'Luer lock' style connectors are divided into two types "one piece luer lock" and "two piece luer lock" or "rotating collar luer lock". One piece Luer lock comes as a single mold, and locking is achieved by rotating the entire luer connector or system. In two piece luer lock, a free rotating collar with threads is assembled to the luer and the locking is achieved by rotating the collar.

Slip tip (Luer-slip) fittings simply conform to Luer taper dimensions and are pressed together and held by friction (they have no threads). Luer components are manufactured from either metal or plastic and are available from many companies worldwide.

See also

Record connector, older standard for non-needle small diameter connections in Europe.[9]

References
  1. "ISO 80369-7:2016 - Small-bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications -- Part 7: Connectors for intravascular or hypodermic applications".
  2. "The Life and Death of the Luer | MDDI Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry News Products and Suppliers". Mddionline.com. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  3. Sella, Andrea (27 August 2012). "Lüer's syringe". Chemistry World.
  4. "ISO 594-1:1986 - Conical fittings with a 6 % (Luer) taper for syringes, needles and certain other medical equipment - Part 1: General requirements". Iso.org. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  5. DIN and EN standard 1707:1996 "Conical fittings with a 6 % (Luer) taper for syringes, needles and certain other medical equipment - Lock fittings".
  6. DIN and EN 20594-1:1993 "Conical fittings with a 6 % (Luer) taper for syringes, needles and certain other medical equipment described".
  7. "The Life and Death of the Luer". MDDI Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  8. Ravin A. (1952) A Luer slip with a rotating lock. J. Lab Clin. Med. 39(1), S. 168 PMID 14889106.
  9. Brown, Jim (August 20, 2012). "Sidebar: Air Show Disaster Elevates Luer Connector". Medical Device + Diagnostic Industry.
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