The heart-lung machine takes over the functions of the heart and lungs during open-heart surgery, allowing the heart to be stopped so that surgeons can operate in a blood-free environment. It was first created in the 1930s and improved upon in the 1950s. The current method involves pumping blood out of the body to an oxygenator before returning it, mimicking the circulatory process. This allows for safer surgery but also has limitations like potential brain damage, though future improvements may address these issues.