The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system (ECMO) was originally developed by NASA for use in space. The purpose was to provide astronauts with a way to have supplemental oxygen during long-space flights. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system (ECMO) systems have several advantages over their counterparts. They don't rely on pressure from an external source to maintain an oxygen supply. There is no need for plumbing or hoses. There are no complex mechanical parts. In fact, the membrane itself is just a sheet of flexible cellular plastic similar to tissue paper with a sticky backing.
There is no need to breathe in pure oxygen, as it is continually circulating throughout the body. It is also important to drink lots of water since the system will not work if the amount of oxygen in the air is not maintained. An extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system can be used in any part of the body that is subjected to the disease process, even though it is continuously circulating. It allows patients to be free of the disease process as long as they are alive, as long as they have access to fresh oxygen. Recently, in February 2020, Fresenius Medical Care North America received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Novalung, an ECMO system indicated for acute respiratory or cardiopulmonary failure.
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