Maintaining the dimensional integrity of thermoplastic tubing ends for receiving a luer

A heat sterilizable, sealed tubing assembly comprising

• a length of thermoplastic tubing having an exterior portion with a normal exterior diameter and an interior bore with a normal interior diameter which undergoes dimensional distortion at a temperature sufficient to effect heat sterilization thereof, and
• an end ca removably engageble on the end of said tubing, said end cap being made of a thermosetting material and including
• exterior wall means defining an end wall operative for engagement against the tubing end to seal the interior portin of the tubing from communication with the atmosphere during heat sterilization, `first interior wall means connected to said exterior walls means and defining an inner member which extends inwardly from said end wall into and axially along the interior bore of the tubing and which has an outer diameter generally equal to the interior diameter of the tubing bore for supporting the interior portion of the tubing at its normal diameter during heat sterilization, and
• second interior wall means connected to said exterior wall means and extending from said end wall outwardly radially spaced from said first interior wall means and having an interior diameter less than the exterior diameter of the tubing for compressing the exterior portion of the tubing radially inwardly toward said first interior wall means during heat sterilization.