The Spine Blogger reached out to a few of his design colleagues to solicit their opinions on the Vertebron Low-Torque Pedicle Screw System (LTPSS). The consensus was that the Blocker, Rod, and Rod Persuader interface were not designed well, in addition, the company lost some of its early surgeon advocates due to their inability to modify some of the designs in a timely manner. Isn't this a reoccurring theme among most start-up/early growth stage companies? David Paul, where are you to teach these people some basics in responsiveness?
Is there a lesson to learn? Hopefully, no other start-up/early-growth stage company ever follows this business model, one that was predicated on stiffing its vendors, employees and investors. This was a company that was run on "truth or dare." Unlike the Three Wise Men of biblical lore in search of the Messiah, they were not men of integrity. They were seeking gold rather than the truth, never finding the guiding star that would take them to fame and fortune. Though their names were not Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, they were better known as Affifi, Khalili, and Natarajan.
So today marks the beginning of a new era for Vertebron's products. Hopefully Dr. Brooks and COO Michael Kvitnitsky can make Beef Wellington out of chop meat. Good Luck!
Speaking of US Spine, I see that there are some new management profiles (pics to come later) on there site for a COO and CFO. The bios speak of vast medical device experience, yet the name(s) do not ring a bell.....hmmm
ReplyDeleteDuke: I have never heard of these guys, but I do think it is funny that US Spine keeps publicizing how Sendro took the company from $700m to $9mm per month. I guess if US Spine is willing to use the Blackstone model, of buying as many surgeons as they can, they should do just fine! In addition, how many VP of Sales does one company need. You know what Jerry Garcia sang: "I spent 20 years in prison doing life without parole!" We're all just waiting for the hammer to fall!
ReplyDeleteI saw US Spine's latest press release mentioning an MIS product deemed the 'javelin'. What is next the shot put and discus pedicle screw system. I may be an engineer, but I think I could have come up with a better product name than that!!
ReplyDeleteDude! Merle Haggard sang "Mama Tried" which has the line "I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole".
ReplyDeleteC'mon man, keep it straight or us spine rednecks will keep it straight for you... now where is my chewing tobacco? :)
TSB gets burned. Well, it's like Leo Kottke says: "I'd like to settle down, but they wont let me / A fugitive remains a rolling stone." Or, wait, was that Kingfish?
ReplyDeleteorthoneuroeng: I don't think javelin is a bad name necessarily. In any case, I don't think that the name sells the product at all...am I wrong? The opposite, however, may be true; a poorly named product diminishing prospective interest because of that name. There are certain companies I would not want to be a rep for because I would be embarassed to tell my prospects the names of my bag's contents. I'll not name names, but I think there is a clear front-runner. Any guessers?
Dynamo: You are absolutely correct that Merle Haggard wrote the song, the only problem is that the only version that a honorary redneck like the TSB has ever heard was by The Dead! Thanks for keeping it straight! See y'all at the next Dead Concert
ReplyDeleteEasy for David Paul to be responsive with all of Synthes behind him.
ReplyDeleteCerevertebral: You are absolutely correct, yet, remember what a great philosopher once said; "Those we fail to plan, plan to fail." Regardless whether you like his escapades or not, he is responsive.
ReplyDeleteMM, I indeed don't like his escapades. They represent the ultimate of all that is morally wrong in this industry, and so far he got away with it.
ReplyDeleteCerevertebral: As more and more of our readers voice their opinion, maybe, just maybe, something will be done to clean this industry up. Our readers are not the only voices that are unhappy with what our industry has turned into. This type of behavior leads to government monitoring healthcare, the DOJ levying fines on the industry, and the FBI investigating companies that BRIBE surgeons to use their products. Somewhere along the way, running a company and building a business was not good enough for our fearless leaders, everyone wanted to be a "wheeler and dealer" and hit the lottery. Unfortunately, many people don't understand that hitting the jack pot is pure luck, that's why there are only a few Bill Gates and Warren Buffets in this world.
ReplyDelete