California-based company Cala Health has unveiled its advanced Cala kIQ system, a wearable medical device designed to deliver therapy for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. The cutting-edge system employs a therapy known as transcutaneous afferent patterned stimulation (TAPS), which has undergone thorough validation through clinical studies and real-world evidence.
Historically, the main treatment options for conditions such as essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease were medication or surgery. Nonetheless, Cala kIQ presents a non-invasive and non-pharmacologic alternative that minimizes side effects. By measuring each patient’s unique tremor physiology, the system customizes a stimulation pattern to provide effective tremor relief. The device, worn on the wrist, enables patients to conveniently access on-demand therapy from the comfort of their own homes.
CEO Renee Ryan expressed Cala Health’s commitment to expanding patient access and driving innovation in TAPS therapy. The company’s extension into Parkinson’s disease treatment represents a significant stride towards reaching a broader population afflicted with action hand tremors and delivering this potent treatment to more individuals in need.
Wearable Medical Device for Parkinson’s Treatment
- FDA Clearance: The kIQ system has obtained recent FDA clearance, making it the first and only authorized wearable medical device for treating action hand tremors in patients with essential tremors and Parkinson’s disease.
- Wrist-Worn Design: With its innovative wrist-worn design, the kIQ device offers convenient and immediate access to Cala’s TAPS therapy, providing a non-invasive alternative for patients.
- Personalized Stimulation: By continuously monitoring and analyzing tremors, the kIQ system generates personalized stimulation patterns tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
- Targeted Stimulation: Integrated into regular TAPS sessions, these personalized patterns stimulate the nerves in the wrist to effectively target the tremor-associated areas of the brain.
Patients can undergo 40-minute therapy sessions up to five times a day for maximum convenience. Following each session, the device automatically transmits data to Cala’s online patient portal. Users have the option to share comprehensive reports summarizing their results directly with their healthcare providers. Clinical studies have demonstrated the significant reduction of tremor strength achieved with Cala’s TAPS therapy, with over 90% of essential tremor patients experiencing a reduction of at least 50% after using the device. The therapy’s effects can manifest during the session and persist for up to 60 minutes afterward, proving beneficial for minimizing tremors during specific tasks or events.
Dr. Pravin Khemani, a neurologist based in Seattle, emphasized the detrimental impact of tremors on patients’ mental health and daily activities. He underscored the importance of effective and safe options for managing symptoms in individuals with action hand tremors, highlighting the potential of TAPS therapy to make a substantial difference.
Cala’s foray into Parkinson’s disease treatment follows the company’s receipt of the FDA’s breakthrough device designation in 2020 for its tremor treatment system. Additionally, Cala Health has expressed interest in exploring further applications of its neurostimulation approach, aiming to provide solutions for chronic diseases such as psychiatric and cardiological conditions, as well as autoimmune disorders.
The introduction of Cala Health’s kIQ system signifies a significant advancement in the field of wearable devices for neurological disorders. With its personalized therapy, user-friendly design, and real-time data insights, the kIQ system opens up new possibilities for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease, offering them a safe and effective treatment option.
