Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator

An extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) is a life-support device that oxygenates blood outside the body when a patient’s lungs or heart cannot function adequately. It’s primarily used during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery or as a bridge-to-recovery therapy for severe respiratory or cardiac failure, allowing the heart and lungs to rest while maintaining circulation and gas exchange.

These devices are typically single-use, regulated as medical technology requiring compliance with safety and performance standards. They may include additional components like heat exchangers or filters, but their core function remains oxygenation via a gas-permeable membrane. Classification and supply vary by jurisdiction, often tied to their critical role in life-support applications.