Portable and modular cardiopulmonary bypass apparatus and associated aortic balloon catheter and associated method

A method of perfusing selective regions of a patient's body comprising:

• providing an aortic balloon catheter including (i) an elongated first lumen for delivering fluid to said patient's body, said elongated first lumen having an open internal end for placement in said patient's aorta and an external end for placement outside of said patient's aorta such that said fluid flows into said external end and out of said open internal end and into said patient's blood stream;
• (ii) an elongated second lumen having an open internal end for placement in said patient's aorta and an external end for placement outside of said patient's aorta such that said fluid flows into said external end and out of said open internal end and into said patient's blood stream;
• (iii) a first balloon positioned between said first lumen open internal end and said first lumen external end;
• (iv) a second balloon positioned between said first lumen open internal end and said second lumen open internal end;
• (v) elongated first pilot tubing means in communication with the interior of said first balloon to deliver fluid to said first balloon;
• (vi) elongated second pilot tubing means in communication with the interior of said second balloon to deliver fluid to said second balloon;
• and (vii) pump means in communication with said first and second pilot tubing means for independently providing fluid to and withdrawing fluid from said first and second balloons;
• inserting said catheter into the aorta of said patient;
• and
• selectively inflating either said first balloon or said second balloon or both said first and said second balloons such that said first balloon or said second balloon or both said first and said second balloons are sealingly engaged with the inner surface of said patient's aorta to perfuse selective regions of said patient's;
• and causing said fluid to flow from outside a patient's body into said patient's bloodstream through either said first lumen, said second lumen or said first and second lumen.