life-support system

life-support system
    n 1: equipment that makes life possible in otherwise deadly
         environmental conditions; "the astronauts relied on their
         life-support systems" [syn: {life-support system}, {life
         support}]
    2: medical equipment that assists or replaces important bodily
       functions and so enables a patient to live who otherwise
       might not survive; "the patient is on life support" [syn:
       {life-support system}, {life support}]