The Invention

Vincent Garvey was awarded the Affordable Dialysis Prize for his invention -  a highly efficient, miniature distiller capable of producing pure water from any source that could be used to make dialysis fluid. It had the potential to save millions of lives each year and transform the way kidney disease is treated around the world. Garvey's invention - the world’s first low cost dialysis system, was unveiled on World Kidney Day, 10 March 2016.

The prize was jointly established by The George Institute for Global Health, the International Society of Nephrology and the Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology and supported by the Farrell Family Foundation.

The original design was intended to fit into a small suitcase and use a solar panel to power its highly efficient, miniature distiller. Conventional dialysis systems cost several tens of thousands of dollars. They are widely available in most developed countries but much less so in countries with limited funds for healthcare.

Professor Vlado Perkovic, then the Executive Director of The George Institute, Australia, said:

“Dialysis has been with us for more than 50 years but there has been no great leap forward in its design or, more importantly, its cost, remaining hugely expensive and out of reach for millions of sick people.

Vincent Garvey's invention has since been developed into a working prototype which has been used in a small-scale clinical trial with dialysis patients who successfully created useable dialysis fluid in their homes.