Patent ID: 8241248

Claim:
A catheter for controlling blood perfusion pressure, the catheter comprising: a body having a proximal open end, a distal end, a lumen extending between the proximal open end and the distal end, and a plurality of orifices disposed thereon, each of the orifices in fluid communication with the lumen; at least one expandable balloon, each of the at least one expandable balloons coupled with the body, having an interior that is in fluid communication with the lumen and adapted to move between an expanded configuration and a deflated configuration; and at least one sensor coupled with the distal end of the body, each of the at least one sensors adapted to gather data relating to a fluid flowing through the lumen; wherein the catheter is configured to be coupled to a flow unit for regulating the flow and pressure of a fluid, the flow unit comprising: an elongated body having an open proximal end, an open distal end coupled with the open proximal end of the body of the catheter, an interior extending between the open proximal end and the open distal end of the elongated body, and a chamber surrounding at least a portion of the elongated body, the chamber adapted to expand and deflate and comprising an interior and at least one port in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and adapted to couple with a fluid source, and at least one flow unit sensor disposed at or near the distal end of the elongated body, each of the at least one flow unit sensors adapted to gather data from a fluid flowing through the interior of the elongated body; and wherein the catheter and the flow unit are configured to operate with a connection assembly for providing a sterile environment, the connection assembly comprising: a cover comprising a body portion, a limb component extending from the body portion, and an interior extending between the body portion and the limb component, the interior configured to encase the distal end of the elongated body of the flow unit and the proximal end of the body of the catheter therein; at least one flushing port in fluid communication with a gas supply and the interior of the cover; and at least one valve in fluid communication with the interior of the cover, the at least one valve adapted to drain gas from within the interior of the cover.