FDA Clears Felix NeuroAI Wristband for Essential Tremor Treatment

Fasikl has garnered U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for the first-of-its-kind Felix NeuroAI Wristband for treating essential tremor in the upper limbs.

“The Felix wristband represents a significant step forward in noninvasive, personalized treatment options for essential tremor,” said Rajesh Pahwa, M.D., Laverne and Joyce Rider Professor of Neurology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, director of the Movement Disorder Program at The University of Kansas Health System. “For many patients, current treatment options fall short—pharmaceutical treatments are helpful for less than 50% of the patients, and deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound, while effective, require surgical intervention. This new AI wearable wristband backed by clinical evidence is an effective treatment option in patients with essential tremor.”

Essential tremor is the most common type of tremor disorder, affecting approximately 7 million people in the United States, and is about seven times more common than Parkinson’s disease.^1,2 It causes involuntary, rhythmic shaking, most often in the hands, which can make simple and everyday activities like drinking from a glass or tying shoelaces difficult.³ Traditional treatment options are limited, with oral medications providing inconsistent relief and often accompanied by undesirable side effects.⁴ Surgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), while effective, require invasive procedures, carry surgical risks, and may not be suitable or desirable for all patients, particularly older adults or those with coexisting health conditions.⁴

Unlike surgical or pharmacologic interventions, Felix is a noninvasive, wearable device that connects to Fasikl’s cloud-based AI platform, enabling continuous brain-AI co-adaptation and personalized therapy. Worn on the wrist, it uses the cloud to dynamically adjust stimulation, offering all-day symptom relief while seamlessly fitting into the wearer’s lifestyle.

The FDA clearance of Felix is supported by data from the TRANQUIL study, a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial that met its primary endpoint. Results showed the Felix wristband significantly reduced tremors and displayed statistically and clinically significant improvement in the users’ ability to perform daily activities compared to those using the sham device (“placebo effect”). Efficacy was consistent across demographics, with no serious device-related adverse events reported. Results were presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in April, reinforcing Felix’s safety and potential as a first-of-its-kind, noninvasive, AI-powered treatment.

“FDA clearance of Felix marks a defining moment for Fasikl and the millions of people living with essential tremor who have long been underserved by existing therapies,” Fasikl CEO Zhi Yang, Ph.D.. “This breakthrough in noninvasive, intelligent, and personalized neuromodulation marks the emergence of AI therapeutics in disease treatment. It offers a new option that is potentially more effective, safer, and more scalable. Our next step is to execute the commercialization plan to support Felix’s initial product launch.”

The Felix NeuroAI Wristband will be available by prescription through healthcare providers in select U.S. regions this year, with nationwide availability expected in 2026.

Based in Minneapolis, Fasikl is developing advanced, AI-powered neural technologies. A 2019 spin-off from the University of Minnesota, Fasikl leverages its proprietary platform to capture neural signals directly from peripheral nerves, enabling intelligent, adaptive therapy. The company is on a mission to transform the treatment landscape for movement disorders, paralysis, and other neurological impairments through cutting-edge neuromodulation innovations. Fasikl’s portfolio includes the investigational Fasikl-X Nerve-Computer Interface.

References
¹ Louis ED, Ottman R. How many people in the USA have essential tremor? Deriving a population estimate based on epidemiological data. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y). 2014;4:259. https://doi.org/10.7916/D8TT4P4B
² Marras, C., Beck, J. C., Bower, J. H., Roberts, E., Ritz, B., Ross, G. W., Abbott, R. D., Savica, R., Eeden, S. K. V. D., Willis, A. W., Tanner, C., & Group, on behalf of the P. F. P. (2018). Prevalence of Parkinson’s disease across North America. npj Parkinson’s Disease, 4(1), 21. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-018-0058-0
³ Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2025, March 15). Essential tremor. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-tremor/symptoms-causes/syc-20350534
⁴ Diaz, N. L., & Louis, E. D. (2010). Survey of medication usage patterns among essential tremor patients: movement disorder specialists vs. general neurologists. Parkinsonism & related disorders, 16(9), 604-607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2010.07.011