Patent ID: 8201854

Claim:
A ferrule for use in a fluid transfer assembly having a fluid conduit, the ferrule comprising: (a) a frusto-conical seal portion having a tapered end and an enlarged end, the frusto-conical seal portion have a first cylindrical bore sized and configured to slidably receive a fluid conduit made from a predetermined material having a hardness, the seal portion formed from a first material suitable to seal the fluid conduit within a first fitting without substantially deforming the fluid conduit, the first material having a hardness no greater than the hardness of the fluid conduit; and (b) a frusto-conical collet portion having a tapered end and an enlarged end, the enlarged end of the collet portion mated with the enlarged end of the seal portion, the collet portion having a second cylindrical bore in substantial alignment with the first cylindrical bore, the collet portion including at least one axial finger extending along the tapered end that is configured to be biased into locking engagement with the fluid conduit, wherein the collet portion is formed from a second material that substantially prevents deformation of the fluid conduit when the finger is biased into locking engagement with the fluid conduit, the second material having a hardness no less than the hardness of the fluid conduit.