The VariGrip is a Hook System, The VariLift is an expandable cage available in Europe for the Cervical and Lumbar Spine, the VariAnchor, that is a sacral attachment along with the MAPS an acronym for Multi-Axial Positioning System designed for optimizing maximum strength with the pedicle, a system that requires minimal rod contouring and increased torsional strength that reduces the need for cross connectors.
So what do our readers think? Is this another up and coming spine company or is this another spine company, TSB wants to know what you think?
Your Kidding right? These products are 12-15 years old. An expandable PLIF cage? That would have been great about 8 years ago when surgeons still did PLIFs.
ReplyDeleteBrian: Of course I'm kidding, I wanted to get your opinion because Google Alert made such a big deal out of their announcement. Hopefully, before anyone jumps off the bridge they will ensure that they have their bungee cord. PS: I would assume that their are some patent infringements on that expandable cage, but you know what they say, until you're really generating revenue and taking market share no need to get exciting especially when the cage is titanium. Thanks for your input.
ReplyDeleteAll the products you listed were sold by Advanced Spine quite a few years back. What a joke!!
ReplyDeleteNow y'all understand how ridiculous the industry has gotten
ReplyDeleteA huge joke! The third post is exactly right, all old Advanced Spine technology.
ReplyDeleteIs that an oxymoron, "old advanced" ?
ReplyDeleteAt least they are innovative.
ReplyDeleteThe Wenzel Spine website is pathetic, unbelievable and embarrassing. Why would a certified neurosurgeon take any pride in any of these products? Maybe one that has been at it for 32 years. Keep up the good work Neely's!!
ReplyDeleteWe can start a new TV station that specializes in Medical Devices and call the first segment "Down Home with the Neely's." Dr. Neely and Chad can cook up some BS to the viewers, oops I mean investors. It's good old home cooking. Where does it all end?
ReplyDeleteWhy are we even wasting a blog post on this bologna? Seriously, is this what we're left with in this industry?
ReplyDeleteIt's the dog daze, in spine. Not much is going on, companies either have just come from their NSM's or are in the process of having them and it's tragic that major news services are reporting about "old, old, old" technology. Besides, our readers would be surprised as to how many investors read our blog. Hopefully, your opinions will shed some light on how irresponsible it would be to even consider investing in a company like Wenzel.
ReplyDeleteMM -
ReplyDelete"Hopefully, your opinions will shed light on how irresponsible it would be to even consider investing in a company like Wenzel."
Seriously???!! You're feigned following has inflated your ego.....
Investors have MILLIONS of dollars on the line and what are they going to use for market research and analysis to make a good decision? Clinical data? Interviewing surgeons who have used the product? Design history and rational? Cost and reimbursement issues? Future product development and IP???
NO! They will come to a yellow and orange blog site run by someone who seemingly hates the industry he's in, and read comments by anonymous writers who are tearing into real people and real products that don't have the luxury of hiding behind umemployment and free time to cry about the state of their industry....THAT's how they'll decide to invest their hard earned money!
All this time I thought it was so much more complicated.
I don't know the first thing about this company or the value proposition of some of their featured products or what they have in their pipeline,like a lot of the small companies out there. I DO know that they seem to be fighting to start a company and provide care for patients and a living to their families in the midst of a horrible economy and trying times....which I would bet anything is more than you could say.
I'll say it here, I don't know if anyone will read this far down in the comments. But your site has RUN ITS COURSE. Either leave the industry and quit complaining and let the big boys carry on, OR come out from hiding, tell us who you are and we can match your experience and skill sets us to your analysis and have a more honest debate.
Any irony that the previous post asks for MM's identity yet posts anonymously?
ReplyDeleteAs you can see, I'm for anonymity since the industry is small enough that word can spread quickly despite the freedom of speech we enjoy. But, let's just assume MM has a decent discussion amongst professionals in mind when asking for our opinions and not specific agendas for or against particular companies. Again, the point of a blog is not necessarily to report straight facts; it's an opportunity to discuss the state of affairs, as it were, in the industry among people in and around the industry.
To anonymous Feb23 9:13AM:
ReplyDeleteThank you for offering perspective. I too have no ties to Wenzel Spine, but I do love this industry. I am excited to come to work, be oftentimes fascinated by what I encounter in it, and earn a decent living to support my family.
I am not a tenured industry pro, but I feel fortunate that I am in a position to bring fresh thought to old problems. The fruit of my efforts may be belittled as unimaginative or old, but perhaps in the hands of one real surgeon, it can offer even an incremental improvement that may make a very real difference in one real person's life...And for that, I'll feel as though I've furthered our industry, made a difference, and I'll be inspired to make my next contribution even greater.
I've enjoyed following this blog since discovering it, but you're right - SB feels more an more like a platform for underinformed egotistical haters to bash real folks' work and dreams. I appreciate that this is a blog and everyone is entitled to their own opinions, regardless of how disrespectfully they may express them.
My simple hope is that SB would continue to be an informative, open forum that inspires true dialogue and steers itself clear of smelling more like cafepharma.
Obviously your opinion of the investors must be pretty low if you believe for one second that they predicate their decisions based on our blogspot, or, the comments that are made by our readers. If you do, then you have never played in that space. If you really believe that my readers have inflated my ego, you really don't know me, that's why I have a day job. Contrary to your opinion, I love my industry, I just don't believe all the BS that some companies espouse. If you're attempting to defend Wenzel just come out and say it. But I would like to hear your rational for why anyone would want to use a product like VariLift? A titanium cage? Ten year old technology? Have we had problems with PEEK filled with INFUSE, or any other magic dust? Should we go backwards to go forwards? You must be S****#$& me.
ReplyDeleteI have stated this on numerous occasions to those that don't like our blog, if it offends you, you have the right to voice your opinion, which you notice I do not delete, or, you have the choice to read OTW or Orthoworld. This is your chance to state your case for this company's product portfolio, and don't give me the sob story that these people are fighting to start a company. By the way if you really read my blog, you would have noticed that I never said anything offensive about the company. I asked; "is this an up and coming company or is this another spine company?" That my friend are the facts. As for our readers comments, they have every right to voice their opinions like you have yours. Thanks for your comments and keep putting in those stand-alone cages.
A quick search reveals that "Wenzel Spine" is not an FDA registered organization, and has no product clearances.
ReplyDeleteTherefore they are breaking the law by marketing products and a company that has no legal right to market, including via press release or website, medical devices in the USA.
It seems like every fool, no matter how ignorant or unprepared feels they can be a spine company. I wish the FDA spent more time cleaning up these fly-by-night operations.
Anonymous 12:58:
ReplyDeleteDreams you must be kidding where have you been for the last ten years. The answer is, not in the spine industry. If you are willing to attempt selling a titanium cage, good luck since non of us are looking in the rear view mirror.
In fairness to TSB, who I don't agree with all the time, where in the original blog did TSB attack Wenzel.
I'm scratching my head on this one. Why would someone invest in this?
ReplyDeleteSpineDoc1,
ReplyDeleteCheck out the website. In all fairness, I dont think they are marketing in the US at this time.
To February 23, 2010 9:13 AM ,
spare me the violins...lets be honest and call a spade a spade. Its another Dr. his buddies and his son, getting in business for themselves . Thats fine, this is America and as long as its legal, so be it.
But do we really need to know about the CEO's grandfather and his WW2 service when selecting a new "minimally invasive" technology?
This blog has definitely not run its course. I visit several times a day to find out what really is going down in the industry ive been tied to and worked in for 20 years at as a peon...
ReplyDeleteWenzel's products were previously marketed by Encore Medical. Encore Medical purchased Osteoimplant Technology in 2005. Osteoimplant Technology marketed spine products from Advanced Spine, which included the VariGrip and VariFix.
ReplyDeleteThis method is not unusual. Nothing break through but a small cluster of docs may be using this on a regular basis. It has been going on with hips for years.
ReplyDeletevarilift cages... a.k.a. tyche cages from korea!
ReplyDeleteidentical, both suck!
Just been contacted by Wenzel to include them in my distributorship. They bill themselves as stand alone, no need for pedicle screws and MIS. Could it be that all the negative posters who live on pedicle screw and rod hardware feel a little threat here in the market? Not trying to stir the pot but just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI have a degenerative disc at l5-s1.Can anyone give me some advice on the best fusion procedure and /or device/product? There is so much out there and I don't have a clue how to select the right one. Thanks!
ReplyDelete