Medical Luers are used in a wide variety of medical device and drug delivery applications. Applications include vascular, enteral, respiratory, epidural and intrathecal delivery systems. Traditionally the ISO and the FDA have recognized and approved only one family of designs for these Luer connections with designs based on ISO 594.
Due to the ubiquitous, easy-to-use and compatible nature of Luer connectors, clinicians can inadvertently connect wrong systems together, causing medication or other fluids to be delivered through the wrong route. To prevent these medical mistakes, an ISO committee is in the process of writing a new standard, ISO 80369. ISO 80369 defines 6 different types of Luer connections, with different designs such that incompatible connectors cannot be connected together. The new standard also defines tests for compatibility, as well as new tests to confirm incompatibility with the other Luer designs.
Below is a list of the new Luer design categories and relevant sections in ISO 80369:
ISO 80369-2 - Part 2: Connectors for breathing systems and driving gases applications
ISO 80369-3 - Part 3: Connectors for enteral applications
ISO 80369-4 - Part 4: Connectors for urethral and urinary applications
ISO 80369-5 - Part 5: Connectors for limb-cuff applications
ISO 80369-6 - Part 6: Connectors for Neuroaxial applications
ISO 80369-7 - Part 7: Connectors with 6% (Luer) taper for intravascular or hypodermic applications
Part 7, intravascular and hypodermic applications, inherits the historical Luer design from ISO 594-1 and 2.
Part 20 of ISO 80369 describes common test methods. These tests are to be completed for all connectors. The purpose of this test protocol is to verify that the design of the small bore connectors meets the functional requirements and non-interconnectability requirements defined in the new standard. Many of the test methods in this section are identical to or derived from the previous ISO 594-1 and ISO 594-2.
Required Equipment
Our 131AT electromechanical Luer test machine is designed specifically for the sequential axial and torsional tests defined in ISO 594. Because of its versatility, it can also be used to perform the ISO 80369 tests.
ISO 80369 requires that new Luer products be tested against certified standard gauges, as in ISO 594. TestResources offers specially designed grips, as well as certified Luer gauges – everything needed to perform your Luer product validation testing. Call an experienced applications engineer today for help configuring your Luer test equipment in accordance with ISO 80369.
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
