Medical fluid infusion and aspiration

A slit valve catheter, comprising:

• an elongated, generally tubular catheter body having an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen, said catheter further including a valve with a generally convex exterior surface portion and a protuberance projecting radially outward from the convex exterior surface portion into the environment and a slit through the protuberance and catheter body, the interior surface defining a generally concave interior surface portion opposite the convex exterior surface portion.

The catheter of claim 23 wherein said interior surface is generally circular in cross-section.

A slit valve catheter, comprising:

• an elongated, generally tubular catheter body having an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen, said catheter further includes a valve with a generally concave exterior surface portion and a protuberance projecting radially inward from the interior surface opposite the concave exterior surface portion and a slit through the protuberance and catheter body, and having a generally uniform wall thickness between the interior and exterior surface in portions adjacent said protuberance.

A slit valve catheter, comprising

• an elongated, generally tubular catheter body having an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a lumen, said catheter further including a first valve and a second valve, said first valve including a protuberance projecting radially from the catheter body and a slit through the protuberance and catheter body.

A slit valve catheter, comprising

• an elongated, generally tubular catheter body having an exterior surface exposed to an environment and an interior surface defining a first lumen and a second lumen, said catheter further including a first valve to said first lumen which has a protuberance projecting radially from the catheter body and a slit through the protuberance and catheter body to said first lumen.

A method of infusing fluid into a body or aspirating fluid from a body comprising:

• delivering into the body a catheter having a generally elongated catheter body including an exterior surface exposed to the body and an interior surface defining a lumen, the catheter further including an aspiration valve and an infusion valve, wherein at least one of said valves includes a protuberance projecting from the catheter body for permitting one of aspiration or infusion while resisting one of infusion or aspiration, and
• varying pressure in said lumen to effect infusion or aspiration.