The invention relates generally to connecting tubes for medical use. A connector (1) having a conical hollow body (2) and a pierceable sealing diaphragm (10) is attached to a flexible tail portion (12) comprised of two co-operating adhesive-coated strips (24/26). The adhesive on inner surfaces (20) of the strips is protected by peel-away coverings (14) prior to use. In use, a medical tube (16) is introduced into the body through an end (6) and through the sealing diaphragm. The adhesive strips contact the tube to further secure it to the body. Another device, such as a second tube or a drainage bag, connects to the other end (4) of the body.

A manually-severable coupling device for coupling two tubes (12a, 12b), particularly useful in peritoneal dialysis, including a flexible plastic member having passageways (30) therethrough and formed with tubular end sections (31, 32) for receiving tubes (20, 24) to be coupled, an annular groove (33) formed intermediate the tubular end sections defining a flexible, weakened, annular web (33) capable of being severed by rotating one of the tubular end sections (31, 32) with respect to the other, and a finger gripping formation (34, 35) integrally formed in each tubular end section (31, 32) on opposite sides of the weakened annular web (33) grippable by a user to rotate the tubular end sections with respect to each other to sever them from each other along the weakened annular web (33).

A connector is described for intravenous systems which fits over an I.V. needle which is inserted into the system such that the I.V. needle is at all times covered to prevent accidental contact with those using the system. The connector is a sleeve which fits over the I.V. needle and completely covers it. One end of the catheter tube or adaptor fitted to the tube is inserted into the sleeve so that the I.V. needle becomes engaged with the tube.

A catheter with a first component, a second component, and a glue line disposed between the components which is filled with an adhesive layer joining the components. The adhesive layer is formed in two plies, whereby a first adhesive ply is bonded to the first component and a second adhesive ply is bonded to the first adhesive ply and to the second component. Thus, even catheter components which could not be bonded to each other with the use of a single-ply adhesive layer or could only be bonded with inadequate stability can be firmly bonded to each other. Moreover, one of the adhesive plies may be applied in the unassembled state of the components.

The present invention is generally directed to a strain relief device which assists in resisting bending and/or torsional forces while at the same time resisting axial pull forces to avoid separation of the strain relief device from the catheter tube during use. By way of example, the strain relief device of the present invention preferably includes an elongate body formed of an elastomeric material having a lumen formed therethrough along its entire length. The strain relief device lumen may be generally divided into proximal, central and distal portions which may each be of varying and/or different diameters. The strain relief device is preferably placed about a selected portion of the catheter tube, and the proximal and distal portions are bonded to the catheter tube. The inner diameter of the proximal portion may be approximately equal to the inner diameter of the distal portion and the central section has an inner diameter which is significantly larger than the inner diameter of either the distal or proximal portion of the strain relief device. Additionally, the inner diameter of the distal and proximal portions of the strain relief device are only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the catheter tube, and each of the distal and proximal portions includes one or more vent areas to allow air to escape from the central section while the bonding material flows into the proximal and distal portions of the strain relief device.