Alberta University Students Design Artificial Heart for Global Competition
A group of innovative students at the University of Alberta is making waves in the field of biomedical engineering by designing artificial hearts for international competition. The student-led initiative, known as Alberta Heart, brings together approximately 40 members who are dedicated to creating innovative cardiac solutions and competing in global biomedical engineering challenges.
From Classroom to Competition
The journey began when Ally Campbell, a biomedical engineering student with previous co-op experience at clothing manufacturer Arc'teryx and a mechanical engineering firm, received an intriguing email from a professor. "I saw this email and I was like, 'Whoa! Building a heart? That seems kind of cool,'" Campbell recalled. That email introduced her to the Heart Hackathon, an international competition where university students from around the world showcase their skills in designing the most innovative and effective artificial hearts.
Since its formation in June 2024, Alberta Heart has achieved significant milestones, raising more than $20,000 in funding and earning finalist status at the most recent Heart Hackathon in Vienna, Austria. The group operates from the Elko Engineering Garage, where members work with 3D printers, vinyl cutters, and sewing machines to bring their cardiac designs to life.
The Science Behind Total Artificial Hearts
At the Heart Hackathon, competitors focus on designing and demonstrating the functionality of what's known as a total artificial heart (TAH). "In the simplest terms, it completely replaces a recipient's heart," Campbell explained. A TAH takes over the critical function of pumping blood throughout the entire body, though current technology primarily serves as a bridge for patients awaiting donor transplants rather than a permanent solution.
Campbell emphasized that the ultimate goal for artificial heart design is to develop destination therapy—a permanent cardiac replacement solution. For patients dealing with heart failure, temporary heart replacements like TAHs can mean the difference between life and death. Currently, only one TAH from industry leader SynCardia has received FDA approval, with their existing model implanted in more than 2,100 patients worldwide.
Fostering Innovation in Biomedical Engineering
The Heart Hackathon represents a collaborative effort between industry and academia to address challenges in artificial heart design. Campbell noted that biomedical engineering is a rapidly growing field, with new TAH options potentially entering the market soon. "The goal of the competition isn't to replace what already exists, it's to spark innovation and creativity," she said.
Key team members include Mattea Krug as Pump Team Lead, Henju Duvenhage as Clinical Assurance Lead, and Allyson Campbell as Project Manager. Their work exemplifies how student initiatives can contribute meaningfully to medical technology advancement while preparing the next generation of biomedical engineers for real-world challenges.
As Alberta Heart continues its work, these University of Alberta students demonstrate how academic passion combined with practical engineering skills can create solutions with the potential to transform cardiac care and save lives worldwide.
