Abstract: An adapter 10 and a mating trocar element 20 for use in a trocar assembly 30. The adapter 10 is cylindrical in shape with a continuous bore 12 running therethrough. A first end 14 of the adapter 10 has a reduction in diameter and a second end 16 of the adapter 10 is internally threaded 18 along the bore 12. The first end 14 is sized so as to allow frictional engagement with the end of a mating flexible tube 32. The reduction in diameter of the first end 14 preferably corresponds to the wall thickness of the mating flexible tube 32, so as to maintain a continuous outer surface between the adapter 10 and the mating tube of constant outer diameter. The second end 16 is internally threaded 18 along the bore 12 so as to allow fastenable engagement with a threaded end 24 of the mating trocar element 20.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes a connector body having an inlet and an outlet; a flexible tube for intravenous use at the outlet, including a helical coiled spring having a plurality of coils, each coil spaced from an adjacent coil, and a thin cylindrical wall prepared from a protective coating composition completely surrounding the spring to define an inner and an outer wall surface, the cylindrical wall surrounding said spring having a substantially constant wall thickness throughout its length, the coating composition comprising a thermoplastic polymeric material dissolved in a solvent solution, the composition having a solids content ranging from about 4% to about 18%, and said solution comprising a solvent selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylformamide, cyclohexane, and mixtures thereof, formed on a helical coiled spring by dipping the latter therein and then drying at room temperature; and a valve assembly including a first elastic membrane having a