The Transport Frame AG serves as an accessory to the VitaFlow extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system. Medtronic added the technology through its March 2024 acquisition of MC3 Cardiopulmonary. The VitalFlow system provides temporary support for the heart and lungs.
Medtronic’s Transport Frame AG offers a stable, protected, robust way to transport the entire ECMO system. Its clearance includes in ambulances and fixed aircrafts including rotary and wing.
VitalFlow works by circulating a patient’s blood outside the body through a specialized machine. ECMO adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, essentially taking over the functions of the heart and lungs. It aims to bridge the gap between bedside care and intra-hospital transport through a simple, fully integrated portfolio.
Medtronic launched VitalFlow in Europe last fall after it won CE mark in June. The medtech giant first began rolling out VitalFlow technology in the U.S. in September 2024.
With CE mark, the company plans to launch its new accessory at the EuroELSO Congress this week in Dublin.
“When a patient is in critical condition, and clinicians need to move quickly, every moment counts,” said Dr. Pieter Kappetein, chief medical officer, Cardiac Surgery and Aortic, Medtronic. “By expanding access through transport, we’re helping to support the care of critically ill patients.”
