Abstract: A medical connector and method of using the connector to connect separate sections of medical tubing, especially tubing which is to be implanted in the human body. The connector includes generally cylindrical first and second end portions, the diameter of which are smaller than an enlarged middle portion. The end portions are sized to fit within the lumens of the tubing sections. The connection is made by grasping the enlarged middle portion and slipping each end portion into a respective tubing section until the tubing sections abut tubing stop surfaces located at each end of the enlarged middle portion. The enlarged middle portion makes the connector easy to handle and the tubing stop sections provide for accurate alignment of the connector between the tubing sections.

Abstract: An inhaler (2) includes a body (10) having a dispensing head (6) coupled thereto. Body (10) includes a storage chamber (24) for storing a supply of powdered drugs therein and a storage chamber (26) for holding a dessicating agent. A dispensing cylinder (60) contained in a transverse bore (40) in dispensing head (6) is laterally movable from a first transverse position in which a metering chamber (70) is in alignment with the feed hole (38) to a second transverse position in which chamber (70) communicates with the dispensing passageway (48) of nozzle (30). In the first transverse position, metering chamber (70) may be filled and in the second transverse position the drugs contained in chamber (70) may be inhaled through nozzle (30). In addition, a cylindrical insert (76) received around dispensing cylinder (60) seals storage chamber (24) when inhaler (2) is not in use.