Luer Taper

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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. Named after the 19th century German medical instrument maker Hermann Wülfing Luer, it originated as a 6% taper fitting for glass bottle stoppers. Key features of Luer Taper connectors are defined in the ISO 594 standards.

There are two varieties of Luer Taper connections: Luer-Lok™ and Luer-Slip™. Luer-Lok™ fittings are securely joined by means of a tabbed hub on the female fitting which engages threads in a sleeve on the male fitting. The Luer-Lok™ fitting was developed in the United States by Fairleigh S. Dickinson. Luer-Slip™ fittings simply conform to Luer taper dimensions and are held together by friction. Luer components are manufactured either from metal and plastic and are available from many companies worldwide.

Luer-Lock™ and Luer-Slip™ are registered trademarks of Becton Dickinson.