Abstract: An assembly for supporting a cannula comprises a hub which supports the cannula and which includes a post portion which concentrically surrounds a section of the cannula adjacent to the hub. The assembly also includes a cover which is attachable to the post portion of the hub to enclose the cannula. The cover and post portion are coupled together by a "tamper-proof" connection which normally resists removal of the cover, and thereby attests to the sterile integrity of the needle. The connection can be broken in response to the deliberate application of a predetermined rotational force by the user upon the cover and cannot thereafter be recreated, thereby serving as an outward indication that the sterile integrity of the cannula has been compromised. Both the post portion and the cover remain physically intact, despite the breakage of the connection, to permit return of the cover when desired.

Abstract: An assembly is provided which is attachable to a member, such as a cannula, in a uniformly secure fashion in response to heat. The assembly includes a first portion, which is deformable in the presence of heat and into which the member can be slidably inserted, and a second portion, which is disposed about the first portion in an interference fit so as to exert a force inwardly upon the first portion in the direction of the member therein confined. When the member is heated, the first portion becomes deformable, and the force exerted by the second portion serves to constrict the first portion into a tight conformance fit about the member. The member is thereby secured to the assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the first portion is made of an autoclavable thermoplastic polyester whose bonding characteristics are enhanced by the addition of a nonautoclavable copolyester of superior bonding strength. The second portion is preferably an autoclavable elastomer.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting a cannula comprises a hub which supports the cannula and which includes a post portion which concentrically surrounds a section of the cannula adjacent to the hub. The assembly also includes a cover which is attachable to the post portion of the hub to enclose the cannula. The cover and post portion are coupled together by a "tamper-proof" connection which normally resists removal of the cover, and thereby attests to the sterile integrity of the needle. The connection can be broken in response to the deliberate application of a predetermined rotational force by the user upon the cover and cannot thereafter be recreated, thereby serving as an outward indication that the sterile integrity of the cannula has been compromised. Both the post portion and the cover remain physically intact, despite the breakage of the connection, to permit return of the cover when desired.

Abstract: An autoclavable thermoplastic polyester material is attachable to a cannula in response to heat in a uniformly secure manner which lends itself to large scale, automated production techniques.