Patent ID: 8597258

Claim:
A resilient and flexible valved catheter which is made from a resin and which includes a tubular body having a closed distal end, the valved catheter having a valve comprising an openable slit that penetrates from an inner surface to an outer surface of the body, the slit extending in a longitudinal direction along the body in a distal end section of the valved catheter, the openable slit including two sides each having an edge portion, wherein a first one of the edge portions moves more readily than a second one of the edge portions in an outward direction when fluid is caused to flow from an interior to an exterior of the valved catheter by way of the valve, and wherein the second one of the edge portions moves more readily than the first one of the edge portions in an inward direction when fluid is caused to flow from the exterior to the interior of the valved catheter by way of the valve, wherein a thickness of one edge portion of the slit of the valve is thinner than the other edge portion.