Two University of the Philippines Diliman graduates have won the Philippine leg of the James Dyson Award 2026 for developing a low-cost machine designed to make home dialysis simpler and safer.
Andrew Jacob Buensalido and Allyson Cabrestante created BiDaKidney, a semi-automated machine for patients with chronic kidney disease who undergo peritoneal dialysis at home.
The invention addresses the largely manual process of managing peritoneal dialysis, which requires patients or caregivers to control the flow of dialysis fluid, handle tubing, monitor fluid levels, and record information during treatment.
BiDaKidney uses a controlled pump and built-in weight sensors to move dialysis fluid and measure its volume. It works with standard peritoneal dialysis supplies, potentially allowing patients to use the machine without replacing the materials already provided for their treatment.
By automating several steps, the machine could reduce human error, limit repeated handling of tubing that may increase contamination risks, and ease the daily workload of patients and caregivers.
Unlike hemodialysis, which generally requires patients to visit a dialysis center and use a machine that filters their blood, peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen as a natural filter. It can be performed at home, but patients still require proper training, monitoring, and record-keeping.
The number of Filipinos undergoing dialysis reached 64,845 in 2024, up 22% from 53,296 in 2023, according to figures cited by the James Dyson Award. Kidney disease also remains among the country’s 10 leading causes of death.
“When we started BiDaKidney, we were thinking about how we could help patients spend less of their lives managing dialysis and more of their time living it,” Buensalido said. “If treatment at home can become simpler, safer, and cheaper, patients may be able to continue their care with greater confidence and independence, while easing some of the responsibility carried by their families.”
The team received ₱398,280 from the national award to support further development and potential commercialization. Following feedback from peritoneal dialysis nurses and nephrologists at a tertiary government hospital, the developers plan to improve the machine’s usability and safety features.
They will also explore battery-powered operation during power interruptions and prepare the machine for formal clinical testing and wider patient evaluation.
BiDaKidney will advance to the international stage alongside Philippine runners-up Sentinel, a concrete sensor for detecting structural damage, and OrthoFlex, a portable robotic device supporting elbow rehabilitation for stroke survivors.
A global team of Dyson engineers will announce the international Top 20 shortlist on Oct. 14. James Dyson will select the global winners, who will be announced Nov. 4.