Catheter system having a fluid circuit

1. A system for reducing or preventing reperfusion injury to a patient, the system comprising:

a catheter including an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a length therebetween, the elongate shaft including an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen,

an expandable member disposed at or near the distal end of the elongate shaft, and

a handle disposed at or near the proximal end of the elongate shaft, the handle including at least part of a fluid circuit adapted to modulate inflation fluid flow in one direction to inflate and deflate the expandable member.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the handle is non-removably attached to the elongate shaft.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the system is disposable.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the handle includes an actuator to effect inflation or deflation of the expandable member.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the actuator has a first position to actuate inflation fluid flow to the expandable member.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the actuator has a second position to actuates inflation fluid flow to the expandable member.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first position includes a momentary direction.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the second position includes a detentable direction.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system contains no more than one actuator to inflate and deflate the expandable member.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the actuator is a switch, a button, or a lever.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the switch, button, or lever is configured to prevent overinflation of the expandable member.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a safety member to prevent inflation fluid flow.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid circuit provides a closed loop circuit.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid circuit includes a first reservoir and a second reservoir in fluid communication with a two-way splitter.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the first reservoir contains inflation fluid.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the fluid circuit includes a piercing member to pierce the first reservoir.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator actuates the piercing member to pierce the first reservoir to release the inflation fluid.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the piercing member includes lancing device.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the piercing member controllably taps the first reservoir.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the fluid circuit includes a regulator to control pressure from the inflation fluid to the actuator.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the regulator is a valve.

22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator controls inflation fluid flow from the handle to an inflation lumen.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the actuator controls inflation flow through the inflation lumen to the expandable member.

24. The system of claim 22 , wherein the fluid circuit includes a splitter adapted to send the inflation fluid to the inflation lumen of the catheter.

25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the system includes a second splitter having a pulse valve, wherein the pulse valve effectuates a time controlled flow of inflation fluid to the inflation lumen.

26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the fluid circuit includes a check valve to direct flow of inflation fluid from the pulse valve to the inflation lumen.

27. The system of claim 26 , wherein the fluid circuit further includes a connector valve to connect a deflation lumen tube from the expandable member to the check valve.

28. The system of claim 27 , wherein the fluid circuit includes an indicator to provide information about inflation or deflation of the expandable member.

29. The system of claim 28 , wherein the indicator is an air indicator.

30. The system of claim 29 , wherein the air indicator is disposed at the deflation lumen.

31. The system of claim 30 , wherein the air indicator indicates an existence of inflation fluid pressure in the deflation lumen.

32. The system of claim 31 , wherein the existence of inflation fluid pressure in the deflation lumen signifies inflation of the expandable member.

33. The system of claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is a balloon, and further wherein the balloon is sequentially inflatable and deflatable.

34. A catheter comprising:

a fluid circuit including an inflation tube, a deflation tube, and a plurality of valves to modulate flow of inflation fluid in one direction to and from a balloon disposed on the catheter, and

a pressure marker configured to indicate whether the balloon is in an inflated or deflated state.

35. The catheter of claim 34 , wherein the pressure marker is associated with the deflation lumen.

36. The catheter of claim 35 , wherein the pressure marker is associated with the deflation lumen at a proximal section of the catheter.

37. The catheter of claim 35 , wherein the pressure marker is an air indicator.

38. The catheter of claim 34 , wherein the fluid circuit further includes a control system.

39. The catheter of claim 38 , wherein the control system is disposed in a handle attached to the proximal end of the catheter.

40. The catheter of claim 39 , wherein the control system includes a reservoir to house inflation fluid, an actuator, and a plurality of valves to control flow of inflation fluid to and from the balloon.

41. The catheter of claim 34 , wherein the fluid circuit is configured to inhibit overinflation of the balloon.

42. The catheter of claim 41 , wherein the fluid circuit includes a pulse valve to inhibit overinflation of the balloon.

43. The catheter of claim 34 , wherein the inflation fluid is carbon dioxide.