Extracorporeal life support system and methods of use thereof

A method for supporting a human premature fetus in an extrauterine life support system, the method comprising the steps of:

• cannulating the premature fetus to a pumpless oxygenation circuit such that the pumpless oxygenation circuit defines a premature fetus blood path that includes a first portion that provides blood outflow from the premature fetus to an inflow port of an oxygenator, a second portion that passes through the oxygenator from the inflow port to an outflow port of the oxygenator, and a third portion that provides return blood flow from the outflow port to the premature fetus;
• positioning the premature fetus inside an incubation chamber;
• sealing the incubation chamber with the cannulated premature fetus inside the incubation chamber to form a water-tight internal environment for the premature fetus;
• transferring a synthetic amniotic liquid from a supply tank defining a first volume into the incubation chamber defining an internal incubation chamber volume, the first volume being greater than the internal incubation chamber volume;
• submerging the premature fetus in the synthetic amniotic liquid inside the incubation chamber;
• priming the oxygenator with either fetal or maternal blood;
• circulating fetal blood from the premature fetus to the oxygenator and back from the oxygenator to the premature fetus through the pumpless oxygenation circuit wherein the circulating fetal blood is pumped by the premature fetus;
• and
• periodically draining at least a portion of the synthetic amniotic liquid from the incubation chamber and in response to the draining step transferring fresh synthetic amniotic liquid from the supply tank into the incubation chamber.