Luer Lock Specifications

Luer lock refers to the tip designed for the end of syringes. This locking system secures the needle so it will not be able to move or break free from the syringe. As the years have passed, the Luer lock has gone from being just a metal fitting in a glass bottle or syringe to a wide variety of options in both metal and plastic. The locking mechanism helps protect workers from needle sticks while keeping the syringe sterile, adding a layer of safety for both the patient and worker.

Grade of the Screw Top

• The important factor in the Luer lock system is the 6-percent grade required on the “screwing” mechanism. This grade determines the slant of the thread inside the syringe, making it compatible with all the varying devices. This slant, determined to be enough to lock the needle securely in place, is considered an industry standard.

Adaptors

• Many adaptors work with the Luer lock system. These adaptors give nurses and other healthcare workers to attach needles of various sizes to the end of a syringe, allowing for greater control when distributing the medicine. In addition, different types of needles can be attached, including catheters, which are flexible enough to be inserted into a vein or body opening. All of these adaptors have one side that secures with the 6-percent grade on the Luer system. The other side then works with whatever is being attached to the syringe.

Tips

• Different tips are made for the Luer lock system, as well. Flat tips attach to the top mechanism to keep fluid inside the syringe until dispensed. Larger tips are made to work in conjunction with a needle already attached to the syringe, giving nurses the ability to keep syringes in their pocket without fear of an accidentally stick. Such tips used to be utilized when disposing of needles, but too many people were not getting the tip centered when attempting to recap the needle. This led to accidental sticks and exposure to used needles. The current standard is to throw away the exposed needle in a proper sharps container.

Caps

• All caps and needles must be manufactured in a sterile environment. The Luer lock lets a medical professional attach various pieces without intruding on the sterility of the medicine contained in the syringe. The self-locking screw keeps the syringe's interior away from any human contact, protecting the worker from accidental punctures and exposure to the medicine. Needle sticks are dangerous due to the possibility of disease transmission to healthcare workers.