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Ultrasound Lithotripsy

Burst Wave Lithotripsy for Kidney Stones

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By Michael R Bailey, PhD, MS
Research Sponsored by University of Washington
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Individuals scheduled for clinical stone removal via ureteroscopy (URS)
Be older than 18 years old
Must not have
Individuals under 18 years of age
Individuals with a solitary kidney
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up out to 120 days post-procedure
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a new method called BWL that uses gentle ultrasound waves to break kidney stones in patients with stones 12 mm or smaller. The patients are already under anesthesia for a standard stone removal procedure. BWL works by using many softer waves to crack the stones.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for adults with visible kidney stones on a CT scan, who are already scheduled to have stone removal via ureteroscopy. It's not for those under 18, pregnant women, mentally disabled individuals, prisoners, people with bleeding disorders or taking significant anticoagulants, or anyone with certain calcified aneurysms or just one kidney.
What is being tested?
The study is testing Burst Wave Lithotripsy (BWL), a new technique using bursts of low amplitude ultrasound to break up kidney stones. This differs from the high amplitude shock waves used in traditional methods. The trial will see if BWL can effectively fragment stones during surgery.
What are the potential side effects?
Since this is a feasibility study focusing on the effectiveness of BWL in breaking up kidney stones during surgery, specific side effects related to the procedure may vary and will be documented as part of the trial outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am scheduled for a procedure to remove kidney stones using a scope.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I am under 18 years old.
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I have only one kidney.
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I am currently on a significant dose of blood thinners.
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I have a bleeding disorder that hasn't been treated.
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I have a calcified aneurysm in my abdomen or kidney.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~out to 120 days post-procedure
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and out to 120 days post-procedure for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Effectiveness - Volume of Fragments < 2 mm
Safety - Area of Tissue Injury
Secondary study objectives
Effectiveness - Time to Full Comminution
Safety - Adverse Event Assessment

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Treatment GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Subjects in this arm receive the 10-minute burst wave lithotripsy intervention dose during their standard-of-care lithotripsy procedure.

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
Common treatments for kidney stones, such as Burst Wave Lithotripsy (BWL) and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL), work by using sound waves to break down stones into smaller fragments that can be more easily passed through the urinary tract. BWL employs multi-cycle bursts of low amplitude ultrasound, which can effectively fracture stones with potentially less damage to surrounding tissues compared to the high amplitude shock waves used in SWL. This matters for patients as these non-invasive methods can reduce recovery time, minimize pain, and lower the risk of complications associated with more invasive surgical procedures.
Quantitation of response to therapy in calcium urolithiasis.[High energy shockwave-induced acute changes in renal function].

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of WashingtonLead Sponsor
1,815 Previous Clinical Trials
1,913,008 Total Patients Enrolled
5 Trials studying Kidney Stones
3,964 Patients Enrolled for Kidney Stones
Indiana UniversityOTHER
1,039 Previous Clinical Trials
1,219,018 Total Patients Enrolled
3 Trials studying Kidney Stones
133 Patients Enrolled for Kidney Stones
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)NIH
2,444 Previous Clinical Trials
4,331,158 Total Patients Enrolled
7 Trials studying Kidney Stones
618 Patients Enrolled for Kidney Stones

Media Library

Burst Wave Lithotripsy (Ultrasound Lithotripsy) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT03873259 — N/A
Kidney Stones Research Study Groups: Treatment Group
~6 spots leftby Nov 2025