
Luer taper and lock test equipment are specially configured to meet ISO 80369 and ISO 594. Luers are convenient connector devices used in the medical industry, which simplify the administration of liquid and gaseous medical fluids. One of the many advantages Luer fittings provide is the ability to be switch IV bags without extracting and reinserting a needle into the patient. They also allow multiple compatible fluids to be administered through the same central line, reducing the number of entry ports required in the patient's body. The ease with which Luer fittings can be connected, and the compatibility of the connectors between different products, increases the risk of connections between incompatible systems or the administration of substances through the wrong delivery system. The issue of misconnection is known and documented throughout the medical field and a joint working group, including members of the the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, and ISO, has assembled to create a unified set of standards for the design and testing of Luer connections. The collaboration of these organizations has produced a unified standard for Luer connections in ISO 80369-1, which specifies the general requirements of Luer locks and tapers , requiring the incompatibility of connections between certain systems, employing Luer fittings. To ensure incompatibility between systems that do not perform interchangeable functions, forced connections made between these incompatible systems are required to easily fall apart, preventing the perception of a secure connection. By ISO 80369-1, this is defined as the connection separating at or below an applied force of 0.02 N or 2 grams. Testing Luer fittings to ISO standards requires the use of a low force, low torque, axial torsion test machine equipped with special vacuum pressure grips or test fixtures. The machine enables the assembly of threaded Luer lock connectors without exceeding 0.12 Nm and is capable of the force resolution to measure separation forces below the 0.02 N maximum defined by the standard. Contact an applications engineer if you need information on luer taper and lock test equipment made per ISO 80369 or ISO 594. The current standards for testing Luer taper and lock connections are ISO 80369-1 which specifies the general requirements of small-bore connectors for liquids and gases in healthcare applications, ISO 594-1 and ISO 594-2 for conical fittings with a 6 % (Luer) taper for syringes, needles and certain other medical equipment. While ISO 594-1 and ISO 594-2 are active standards, they are scheduled to be replaced by ISO 80369-7, upon its completion. TestResources has experience developing and manufacturing custom test machines and fixtures for customers testing Leur fittings to the requirements of ISO 80369 and ISO 594. The machine families below are two which have been customized for Luer testing.
Applicable Testing Standards
- ISO 594-1 & 2 Separation Force and Unscrewing Torque Testing for Luer Tapers
- ISO 80369-1 Axial Torsional Luer Connector Test Equipment
Recommended Test Machine
Force ratings up to 5 kN (1,125 lbf) and torque ratings up to 20 Nm (177 lbf∙in)
Can apply axial and torsional loads simultaneously
Performs both static and slow-speed dynamic testing
All electric and oil-free operation
Recommended Testing Accessories
Designed in accordance to ISO 594-1 Figure 3A
Includes certification
Optional handle available
Designed in accordance to ISO 594-1 Figure 3B
Includes certification
Optional handle available
Designed in accordance to ISO 594-1 Figure 3C
Includes certification
Optional handle available
Designed in accordance to ISO 594-1 Figure 4
Includes certification
Designed in accordance to ISO 594-1 Figure 5
Includes certification
Designed in accordance to ISO 594-2 Figure 5
Includes certification
Designed in accordance to ISO 594-2 Figure 6
Includes certification
Designed in accordance to ISO 594-2 Figure 7
Includes certification
Designed in accordance to ISO 594-2 Figure 8
Includes certification