Two University of the Philippines Diliman graduates are working to make home-based dialysis more accessible to Filipino patients through a low-cost, semi-automated machine designed to simplify treatment.
BiDaKidney Wins 2026 James Dyson Award
Mechanical engineering graduates Andrew Jacob Buensalido and Allyson Cabrestante won the Philippine national prize at the 2026 James Dyson Award for developing BiDaKidney, a device designed to make peritoneal dialysis easier to manage at home.
The machine uses pumps and built-in weight sensors to control dialysis fluid flow and monitor fluid volume, reducing manual handling and record-keeping for patients and caregivers. Weighing just 2.5 kilograms, it is designed to work with existing peritoneal dialysis supplies.
Making Dialysis Easier for Filipino Families
Unlike hemodialysis, which is commonly performed in dialysis centers, peritoneal dialysis can be conducted at home. However, the process still requires careful fluid exchanges and monitoring, placing considerable demands on patients and their families.
The need for accessible treatment is significant. According to the National Kidney Transplant Institute, 64,845 patients underwent dialysis in the Philippines in 2024, up from 53,296 in 2023.
Next Steps for BiDaKidney
The team received ₱398,280 in national prize funding to support further development. Their plans include improving safety and usability, exploring battery-powered operation, and preparing for formal clinical testing.
BiDaKidney remains a prototype and is not yet commercially available. The inventors hope continued development will eventually give Filipino patients and caregivers a more manageable option for home dialysis.
