Importance

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Abstract

A closed-end catheter having a flat-surfaced valve positioned in a recess about the distal portion of the catheter for preventing retrograde flow of blood therethrough when positioned in a blood vessel of a patient. The valve catheter comprises a flexible material, cylindrical tube having a semi-circular cross-sectional wall extending longitudinally about the distal portion thereof. The laterally facing valve is formed in a planar surface of a flexible material layer attached to the wall in the distal portion of the cylindrical tube. One or more passages extend through the cylindrical tube in which medicaments or fluids can be simultaneously injected or aspirated. The valve is formed by inserting one or more flat-surfaced rods in the passages of the tube to stretch the surrounding wall. A flat-surfaced layer of flexible material is applied over the flat-surfaced rod to the stretched wall. The flexible material layer is cured and one or more longitudinally offset apertures are formed therein with the rods remaining in the passages of the tube. The rods are then removed and a plug inserted into the passages to close the distal end of the catheter. The stretched wall of the distal portion compresses the fluid apertures to a closed position to prevent fluid leakage therethrough when in a relaxed condition.

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First Claim