Abstract: A two-piece connector includes a collar having an aperture in its relatively thick end-wall which bears an internal annular groove. The skirt of the collar is adapted to be slipped over the end of a length of tubing and contains tines to graspingly engage the outer surface of the tubing. The barb portion of the connector is adapted to fit through the aperture in the end-wall to frictionally engage the lumen of the tubing. An interrupted flange at the upper portion of the barb is adapted to twistably engage the internal annular groove in the end-wall to securely lock the barb to the collar.

Abstract: A hand-holdable, portable welding apparatus for smoothly joining the lumens of sections of thermoplastic tubing systems, including those that may be located in a cramped work site. The integrity of the lumens is maintained when the tubes are being welded by use of a selectively rigidizable, non-elastomeric mandrel of PTFE or PFA having a predetermined maximum size dimensioned to the ID of the lumens being joined. The welding unit employs a resiliently mounted coaxial heater block in conjunction with arcuate radiator inserts that are centered about the tubes to be welded regardless of the diameter of the tubes. Spring-loaded dogs grab the periphery of the tubes as they are inserted into the welding unit and prevent them from moving apart when heat is applied.