The leading manufacturers of perfusion equipment are Getinge, Medtronic, LivaNova (heir to Sorin), Terumo and Fresenius (through Xenios). They produce the heart-lung machines, the oxygenators and the ECMO systems that make extracorporeal circulation possible. It is a moderately concentrated market in which these players dominate hospital tenders.
The leading brands
Getinge
HL 40 machines and the Cardiohelp ECMO system, benchmarks in many hospitals thanks to their complete ecosystem.
Medtronic
A broad range of oxygenators and circuits; launched its VitalFlow ECMO system in Europe in 2025.
LivaNova
Heir to Sorin; extracorporeal circulation platforms and the TandemLife support system.
Terumo
Globally used oxygenators and extracorporeal circulation systems, with a strong presence in Asia and Europe.
Fresenius (Xenios)
Cardiopulmonary support and ECMO solutions through its Xenios division.
Other manufacturers
Braile, Eurosets and Nipro round out a moderately concentrated market.
The key components
Beyond the brand, every perfusion circuit shares essential elements: the pump (which replaces the heart), the membrane oxygenator (which replaces the lungs), the heat exchanger, the sensors and the control console. Understanding how they work is part of the perfusionist's training.
CPB and ECMO equipment
Some equipment is designed for operating-room extracorporeal circulation and other for prolonged ECMO support. Systems such as Getinge's Cardiohelp or Medtronic's VitalFlow are specifically aimed at ECMO.
Frequently asked questions
What are the leading perfusion equipment brands?
Getinge, Medtronic, LivaNova (formerly Sorin), Terumo and Fresenius (Xenios).
What is an oxygenator?
The component that oxygenates the blood and removes CO₂ in the circuit, replacing the function of the lungs.
Which ECMO system is best known?
Getinge's Cardiohelp is one of the benchmarks; Medtronic launched VitalFlow in Europe in 2025.