I was wondering if there's a difference between an ECMO machine like Phil is on and a ventilator. Sounds like an ECMO machine is for people even a ventilator can't help.
"Why is ECMO used? ECMO is used to help people whose:
-Lungs cannot provide enough oxygen to the body even when given extra oxygen
-Lungs cannot get rid of carbon dioxide even with help from a mechanical ventilator
-Heart cannot pump enough blood to the body ECMO may also be used to support people with heart or lung disease that cannot be cured while they wait for an organ transplant (e.g. new heart and/or lungs)."
Oh, here's an article:
ECMO, or extra-corporeal (outside of the body) membrane (in the machine) oxygenation (providing oxygen), is an invasive therapy used for patients whose lungs are so damaged that ventilation via a breathing tube into the airway attached to a mechanical ventilator is not sufficient to provide oxyge...
www.forbes.com