A highly controversial suicide device known as the Sarco pod has made headlines after a 64-year-old American woman used it to end her life in Switzerland.

The futuristic, human sized capsule, was designed by Australian euthanasia advocate Dr. Philip Nitschke in 2017.

The Sarco pod is a self-operated device designed to deliver a peaceful and painless death through hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen.

After a person enters the capsule and reclines in a seat, they are required to answer a series of automated questions to confirm their understanding of the process.

Once the questions are answered and the button inside is pressed, nitrogen gas rapidly fills the sealed pod, causing the oxygen levels to drop drastically.

The individual loses consciousness within two minutes and passes away quietly in about five minutes.

According to its inventor, this method ensures an "elective, non-drug, peaceful death at the person’s choosing."

The pod was used for the first time at a private forest retreat in Meris Hausen, Switzerland, near the German border.

The American woman who utilized the pod had reportedly been suffering from long-standing health issues related to severe immune system compromise.