HistoSonics Treats First Patients Evaluating the Edison® Histotripsy System for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 30, 2026--

HistoSonics, the developer of the Edison® Histotripsy System and novel histotripsy therapy platform, today announced the successful treatments of the first patients in WOLVERINE, a prospective feasibility trial evaluating the Edison® Histotripsy System for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, a teaching hospital for The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The Edison System is a novel, non-invasive, image guided platform that uses the mechanical properties of focused ultrasound, called histotripsy, to destroy unwanted tissue without the need for invasive procedures, and with potentially fewer side effects than traditional, invasive therapies.

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WOLVERINE is a prospective, multi-center, single-arm feasibility trial designed to evaluate the safety of the Edison® Histotripsy System for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The trial is expected to enroll and treat up to 20 patients. Following treatment, participants will undergo imaging within 72 hours of the procedure to assess the immediate treatment effect. Patients will then be followed longitudinally to further evaluate safety and procedural outcomes.

“BPH affects millions of men worldwide and most of the existing treatment options require invasive procedures or lengthy recovery times,” said Mike Blue, Chairman and CEO, HistoSonics. “We believe histotripsy’s ability to mechanically destroy targeted tissue, completely non-invasively, has the potential to transform how BPH is treated. In addition, this milestone represents significant progress in our pursuit to expand the unique benefits of histotripsy over a significant number of serious clinical conditions throughout the body.”

“We are excited and extremely proud that Prince of Wales Hospital is the first center in the world to offer this novel treatment approach in a clinical trial and potentially benefit patients with BPH in the future,” said Dr. Peter Chiu, study investigator and Associate Professor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. “If shown to be safe and effective, the non-invasive nature of histotripsy has the potential to change how BPH is treated for many patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms around the world.”

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the most common urological conditions affecting aging men. Approximately 50 percent of men over the age of 50 and up to 80 percent of men over the age of 80 experience symptoms associated with BPH. Globally, more than 110 million men are affected by the condition, and its prevalence is expected to continue increasing as populations age.

The Edison Histotripsy System is currently cleared in the United States for the destruction of liver tumors. The use of the Edison System for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia is currently limited to investigational use.

About HistoSonics

HistoSonics is a privately held medical device company developing a non-invasive platform and proprietary sonic beam therapy utilizing the science of histotripsy, a novel mechanism of action that uses focused ultrasound to mechanically destroy and liquefy unwanted tissue and tumors. The company is currently focused on commercializing their Edison System in the US and select global markets for liver treatment while expanding histotripsy applications into other organs like kidney, pancreas, prostate, and others. HistoSonics has offices in Ann Arbor, MI and Minneapolis, MN. For more information on the Edison Histotripsy System please visit: www.histosonics.com. For patient-related information please visit: www.myhistotripsy.com.

HistoSonics Non-Invasive Edison Histotripsy System. Image credit: HistoSonics

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Senior officials in Kyiv are taking a swipe at the head of German defense giant Rheinmetall, whose unflattering comments about Ukrainian drone technology and the role of women in the war against Russia ignited a social media backlash.

Rheinmetall AG’s Chairman and CEO Armin Papperger likened Ukraine’s development of cutting-edge drone expertise as like playing “with Lego” and said the drones are being built by “Ukrainian housewives.”

“They have 3D printers in the kitchen, and they produce parts for drones,” Papperger said in comments to The Atlantic magazine published Friday. “This is not innovation.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is offering his country’s advanced drone technology to Gulf countries amid the Iran war, on Monday described Papperger’s remarks as “strange.”

“If every Ukrainian housewife can really produce drones, then every Ukrainian housewife could also be the CEO of Rheinmetall,” he told reporters via voicemail on WhatsApp. “I congratulate our defense-industrial complex on being at such a high level.”

Ukraine has quickly grown into one of the world’s leading producers of cutting-edge, battle-tested drone interceptors that are cheap and effective.

Rheinmetall, one of Europe’s biggest arms manufacturers with almost 10 billion euros ($11.5 billion) in sales last year, supplies ammunition, air defense and combat vehicles to Ukraine.

After Papperger’s comments appeared, Ukrainians took to social media to berate him under the hashtag #MadeByHousewives.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko praised the role of Ukrainian women in the effort to thwart Russia’s all-out invasion of February 2022.

“Ukrainian women are indeed an essential part of Ukraine’s war effort and of Europe’s security,” she posted on X late Sunday. “They have stepped with courage into many areas once seen as male-dominated, bringing energy, discipline, and determination.”

“And they are doing this while raising our next generation and caring for their families under wartime pressures,” she added.

Zelenskyy adviser Alexander Kamyshin said he regularly visits military manufacturing plants and sees men and women working side by side.

“They are great housewives, yet they have to work hard in the military factories,” he said on X, adding: “They deserve respect.”

Rheinmetall responded Sunday on X, saying that the company has “the utmost respect” for Ukrainian people fighting Russia.

“Every single woman and man in (Ukraine) is making an immeasurable contribution,” it said. “The innovative strength and the fighting spirit of the Ukrainian people are an inspiration to us.”

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

A student soldier of the Yatagan School for Unmanned Aerial Systems launches a training target drone during drills in the Kyiv region, Ukraine, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)