Break Wave therapy to break big kidney stones safely
Official title: Break Wave lithotripsy to fragment large kidney stones
Funded at Sonomotion, INC. · NIH-11342227 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A noninvasive therapy called Break Wave uses low-frequency ultrasound to fragment large kidney stones (10–20 mm) without surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sonomotion, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Emerald Hills, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $959,892 |
| NIH project number | 4R44DK141289-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11342227 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with 10–20 mm kidney stones who are candidates for noninvasive stone treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stones outside the 10–20 mm range or with contraindications to ultrasound therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to adapt Break Wave therapy to break stones larger than what has been previously treated. It will explore a compact, low-frequency transducer and new materials to generate powerful, focused waves that safely shatter stones in the 10–20 mm range. Preclinical tests will assess effectiveness and safety before any human participation. If successful, this approach could reduce complications and recovery time for patients needing stone treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have a noninvasive option that potentially reduces complications and speeds recovery from kidney stone procedures.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models and prior smaller-stone work suggest promise, but larger-stone results are still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Sonomotion, INC.
Emerald Hills, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levy, Oren — Sonomotion, INC.
- Study coordinator: Levy, Oren
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.