The Luer taper is a

standardized Standardization or standardisation is the process of implementing and developing technical standards based on the consensus of different parties that include firms, users, interest groups, standards organizations and governments. Standardization ...

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 A hypodermic needle (from Greek ὑπο- (''hypo-'' = under), and δέρμα (''derma'' = skin)), one of a category of medical tools which enter the skin, called sharps, is a very thin, hollow tube with one sharp tip. It is commonly used w ...

syringe tips and needles or stopcocks and needles. Currently ISO 80369 governs the Luer standards and testing methods.

History

Named after the Lüer-family who founded the medical instrument maker Maison Lüer in Paris, the two piece syringe invented by either the employed instrument maker Karl Schneider or Jeanne Lüer together with the glass blower Fournier, it was patented by Jeanne's husband

Hermann Wülfing Lüer Hermann Wülfing Lüer (1836–1910) was a German instrument maker seated in Paris, who patented the Luer taper The Luer taper is a standardized system of small-scale fluid fittings used for making leak-free connections between a male-taper ...

in 1894, with international patents taken out the following years. It originated as a 6% taper fitting for glass bottle stoppers (so one side is at 1.72 degrees to the centerline). Key features of Luer taper connectors are defined in the

ISO ISO is the most common abbreviation for the International Organization for Standardization. ISO or Iso may also refer to: Business and finance * Iso (supermarket), a chain of Danish supermarkets incorporated into the SuperBest chain in 2007 * Iso ...

594 standards. It is also defined in the DIN and EN standard 1707:1996 and 20594-1:1993. In 1930, Fairleigh S. Dickinson of

Becton Dickinson Becton, Dickinson and Company, also known as BD, is an American multinational medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems, and reagents. BD also provides consulting and analytics services in certai ...

, which had exclusive rights of marketing the Luer-syringe in the United States of America since 1898, patented the "Luer-Lok"; a steel fitting that secures the needle to the syringe.

Variants

There are two varieties of Luer taper connections: locking and slipping. Their trade names are confusingly similar to the nonproprietary names. "Luer-Lok" and "Luer-slip" are registered

trademark A trademark (also written trade mark or trade-mark) is a type of intellectual property consisting of a recognizable sign, design, or expression that identifies products or services from a particular source and distinguishes them from othe ...

s of

. "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.

References

{{Reflist Biomedical engineering

History

Variants

See also

References