More than 30 million people worldwide, including over 100,000 people in the Netherlands, suffer from trembling hands. This can result from neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, essential tremor, dystonia, and MS. These involuntary shakes, tremors, make daily activities such as eating, writing, or drinking difficult or impossible. Besides having a major impact on independence, tremor also affects social functioning. Due to embarrassment, people often withdraw from social gatherings.
IJsbrand de Lange, a mechanical engineering graduate from TU Delft, began his search for a solution in 2017: ‘Medication against tremor often does not work sufficiently, and also causes many side effects. Ultimately, only 12% of essential tremor patients are satisfied with their care. Because of my background, I looked at tremor from a different perspective: unwanted mechanical vibrations. A problem that is easily suppressed in machines. So why not in humans? This question started my mission to develop a solution that gives people with tremors back control of their lives.’
Medication against tremor often does not work sufficiently, and also causes many side effects. Ultimately, only 12% of essential tremor patients are satisfied with their care.” –
IJsbrand de Lange, CEO & founder
Groundbreaking innovation
This quest led to the development of the STIL Orthosis, a fully mechanical orthosis that significantly reduces trembling hands, making life easier for people with tremor. By adding damping to the joints of the forearm, tremor is filtered out, but voluntary movement remains possible. No electrical muscle or nerve stimulation is involved.
Unlike most treatment methods for tremors, the STIL orthosis is non-invasive. The device is placed around the arm and hand and no surgery is involved. In addition, the benefits are immediate when used.
Start of European expansion
In 2022, STIL’s effectiveness was demonstrated in a clinical study, obtained ISO 13485 and CE certification, and the solution was registered with the FDA. Since 2023, it has been officially available in the Netherlands through orthopedic distributors and STIL is already helping hundreds of Dutch people get rid of their trembling hands. After entering the German market in autumn 2024, Belgium and Italy followed in 2025.
Part of the success formula
And that’s just the beginning for STIL, De Lange explains: ‘Tremor is a chronic problem, and this is only getting worse. The number of Parkinson’s patients alone has doubled in the past 25 years, and almost 6% of people over 65 years old are affected by tremor. So, the increasing aging population will add to this. Our goal is to make our orthosis available worldwide and bring relief to millions of people.’
Our goal is to make our orthosis available worldwide and bring relief to millions of people.” –
IJsbrand de Lange, CEO & founder
€2 million growth capital
To accelerate STIL’s growth, growth financing has been raised. The raised capital will be used to expand sales to the European and later US markets, launch a new product that can aid even more tremor types, bring down the cost price of the current orthosis, and accelerate the pathway to reimbursement.
