Monday, December 13, 2010
It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Centinel Spine
Wow, a wild weekend in this crazy world. Hope everyone survived the snowfall towards the end of the week, and, the wild barrage of bloggers having a verbal tete-a-tete due to our last post. Didn't think that anyone's head would explode. By the looks of things, TSB was wrong. I was sitting on my porch this weekend watching the Yellow billed Magpie and wondering if stem cells have a migratory behavior? I guess I'll just leave that for others to write about. But before TSB has to get back to reality, word on the Street is that times are getting tougher at Centinel Spine. Cash flow is tighter than the G string on a banjo. Supposedly, there will be no bonuses emanating from their 505 Park Avenue offices this Christmas, nor, will there be any Purple Brioni ties being given as Christmas gifts. Belts are in. There's been plenty of belt tightening going on. Are the Purple People Eaters trying to figure out how to hold onto a sinking ship? Could transferring international distribution rights to the STALIF, and some other products acquired from Surgicraft save the day? This might be a scenario that even Musculoskeletal Man can't save. Is filing bankruptcy imminent? The spine world wants to know what you know?
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hi. what will be the next spine related company to go public?
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the war of attrition. We all know how this story ends. Any employee working for this company should start seeking new opportunities.
ReplyDeleteI'll make room form the centinel spine brochure right next to my Rio Spine.
Hmm, now I need to start making a list of completely wiped out spine companies...
can we predict the next 5 to fall and the next 5 that might eventually get bought out/go public..etc... if you want to talk about adding real value to the viewers, that would indeed do it!!
ReplyDeleteHow come when I meet women at a bar and I tell them I'm in med sales they still would prefer to go home with the accountant that makes 1/3 of what I make!? I'm not fat yet either--
ReplyDelete@7:59AM......Cafepharma called. It wants ur ignorant post back!
ReplyDeleteMSM-
ReplyDeleteim not sure why you seem to have some axe to grind with there guys- they really arent a bad bunch and while I dont think things are THAT bad at Centinel, I do know of a couple of persons that they could shed w/in management which would save them some monthly payroll and probably be even better off than they are today-
Just because TSB posts what's been heard on the Street, does that mean that someone has an axe to grind? I don't believe I have ever read a post that specifically stated they were bad people. Based on the collateral damage that these fellas have left behind them, I guess sometimes pay back is a bitch. I'm sure the VB can do a much better job at managing themselves, a little bit of humility goes a long long long long long way. TSB keep doing what you're doing, obviously we do get it from other industry venues because they are all interconnected.
ReplyDelete7:59. That is too funny! By the way,you're answer maybe your breath or the lame spiky/messy haircut that some try to pull off, badly
ReplyDeleteJust trying to help
Anyway, consolidation, attrition, or just good ol' eradication, the number of boutique spine companies will fall. Just like in totals, big margins supplied many companies. The margins fell and the big guys were left. Sa,e thing is happening here. If you're with a small/startup, make sire they have some great technology that'll support you or catch the eye of a big player.
What do I know, I'm just a lounge singer. Carry on
Star Wars, Nothing but Star Wars, Nothing but Star Wars, don't let them end.
ReplyDeleteBill Murray one night only at the Holiday Inn Jetport
I think this is way better than CafePharma.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should show her the angulation of your pedicle screw 7;59!
TSB, what is your major issue with both Centinel Spine and the VB's? It seems like you rip them pretty often, some being the truth, and some being just a negativity against them.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am not exactly in favor of some of the things they do nor on their side, and also think their products are comparable to anything out on the market, I do think there is some anger towards them.
Are you a former employee, have you worked with them in the past?
I know some of their sales people/managers. Some being very good. Some not so much.
Like I said, I am not trying to defend them (they have done enough against my company for them to piss me off), but I'd just like to know why the hostility towards them.
Either way, keep on posting.
Anonymous 1:27
ReplyDeleteA blog that posts poor business practices is negative regardless of whomever the post is about. When you're in the news, you're in the news regardless whether it is good news or bad news. What would you like TSB to post, that he heard that people forgoing their salaries and bonuses just don't understand that they should be making sacrifices so that others can be rich at their expense? You must be kidding. Funny, I read this post a few times and don't sense any hostility. You read what you want to read into what you read. Please highlight the hostilities and make us understand because that's not my perception of this post.
I believe what 1:27 might be saying is the constant references to cigar parties, cohibas, bbq sauce, etc. Those arent necessarily bad, but the way the comments are, do show some resentment. Then that filters over into the comments about the business practices. Either way, its a fair question to ask. If there is no negativity, then MM should say that. If there is, then please explain why.
ReplyDeleteBy all means, post about forgoing salaries, bonuses, etc.
Im mixed on this. It does seem like it previous posts, there is some definite resentment and hostility, but not necessarily on this post. So maybe 1:27 is referring to the cumulation of multiple posts about VB and Centinel.
thats my 2 cents for what its worth
You people are crazy. Spending investors capital on non-sense like cigars, champagne etc,,,is a complete disregard for investors money, but then you know what I alway say, everyone is a big shot when its someone else's cash. Is that resentment, no, as a reader I view this as someone who has some integrity about how they would manage others money. After being at a few of these soiree's myself it's pretty obvious that some people really don't care how they are perceived.
ReplyDeleteCentinel is reported to be on the ropes and asking employees to forego pay while VB hosts their annual Christmas Soiree this past Friday in midtown manhattan entertaining god knows who! Maybe a little less flash would leave a little more cash.
ReplyDeleteTSB :
ReplyDeleteI would like to send a message to the VB's via your blog
I'd rather give my love to a poor guy that has a love that's true
Than to be fooled around and get hurt by you
Cause when I give my love, I want love in return, Now I know this is a lesson , Mr. Big Stuff you haven't learned, Mr. Big Stuff who do you think you are?
Centinel Spine RIP!
Lifespine is going to fold next. Most business comes from a surgeon in Chicago that is a major investor.
ReplyDeleteBam! Slamming LifeSpine? Those guys are all gents!
ReplyDeleteGotta love it when someone from Lifeline blows its own horn
ReplyDeleteI kinda like the idea of the "Spine Company Dead Pool." Who is on life support? Who is next to parish? I wonder if Paypal will let us kick in $10 a reader with your top 5 votes. Winner's split the pot. Now we're talking...
ReplyDeleteI'd like to invest some casheesh. How about a watermelon bar in WVA?
ReplyDelete5:23PM, your information is incorrect. Life Spine doesn't rely upon one surgeon's business. How much can one surgeon do? Maybe do your homework before you spout off as a "know it all".
ReplyDeleteLife Spine, Thin Skinned company going nowhere litigating with everyone a real professional organization
ReplyDeleteHow about Spinal Elements - what's the story with them lately?
ReplyDeleteCome you ladies and you gentlemen, a-listen to my song.
ReplyDeleteSing it to you right, but you might think it's wrong.
Just a little glimpse of a story I'll tell
"Bout an East Coast city that you all know well.
It's hard times in the city,
Livin' down in New York town.
Old New York City is a friendly old town,
From Washington Heights to Harlem on down.
There's a-mighty many people all millin' all around,
They'll kick you when you're up and knock you when you're down.
It's hard times in the city,
Livin' down in New York town.
Well, it's up in the mornin' tryin' to find a job of work.
Stand in one place till your feet begin to hurt.
If you got a lot o' money you can make yourself merry,
If you only got a nickel, it's the Staten Island Ferry.
And it's hard times in the city,
Livin' down in New York town.
rip lifespine.
ReplyDeleteAmen 2:52. The yardstick by which to measure a company is- would you invest in them with your own money? In Centinel's case nobody here would
ReplyDeleteThe VBs have swindled enough investors by selling them a load of bullshit and have have nothing to show for since except empty bank accounts.
There is nothing worse than the snobbish pretense of mediocre companies masquerading as great ones.
Centinel should do the honorable thing and declare bankruptcy.
What about Alphatec? MM, do you know any of these guys?
ReplyDeleteI do not see much Spinal Elements so not sure how they are doing.
ReplyDeleteLifespine Gents? Lifespine founder needs a padded room, prozac, electric shock. Have lost all of the good engineering staff. You will defend them when you get the treat letter that they are going to have the police raid your house looking for stolen property that doesn't exist.
ReplyDeletePrieto v. Life Spine, Inc.
ReplyDeletePlaintiff: Juan Lara Prieto
Defendant: Life Spine, Inc.
Case Number: 4:2010cv00482
Filed: May 11, 2010
Court: Missouri Western District Court
Office: Kansas City Office [ Court Info ]
County: Jackson
Nature of Suit: Torts - Injury - Other Personal Injury
Cause: 28:1332
Jurisdiction: Diversity
Jury Demanded By: Defendant
Plaintiff: Centinel Spine, Inc.
ReplyDeleteDefendant: Life Spine, Inc.
Case Number: 1:2009cv09221
Filed: November 6, 2009
Court: New York Southern District Court
Office: Foley Square Office [ Court Info ]
County: NewYork
Presiding Judge: Judge Richard J. Holwell
Nature of Suit: Intellectual Property - Trademark
Cause: 15:1125 Trademark Infringement (Lanham Act)
Jurisdiction: Federal Question
Jury Demanded By: Plaintiff
Centinel Spine VP of Marketing...now with Wenzel Spine
ReplyDeleteDid we really think he was ACTUALLY the VP of Marketing? please. he probably didnt even do anything, and just collected his fat paycheck. He did nothing for that company and everyone knew it.
ReplyDeleteTime for this door to close. A long history of no success, patient problems and bad treatment of employees. Let the guy move on and be happy.
ReplyDelete@ 10:36patient problems?? what are you referring too? can you post proof? where are you getting that from?
ReplyDeleteWenzel Spine, Chad Neely co-founder ceo and Warren Neely co-founder neurosurgeon, brothers I take it?? Must be tough getting his brothers business, sounds a little on the shady side to me.
ReplyDeletewho's the best attorney to call to whistleblow?
ReplyDeleteChad and Warren Son and Father
ReplyDeleteeven better!
ReplyDeleteLifespine will be gone when more people are aware of rust on instruments after one case that are made in china. It is a shell company and look what hapened to all the drywall made in China, lead based toys, and LS trusts them to make Instruments. They should send out tetanus shots in the sets.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed how little people in our industry know about medicine and biology in general. Tetanus does not come from rust dummy, it is a strain of Clostridium that lives in the soil. It is an obligate anaerobe(cannot survive in the presence of oxygen.) The whole basis for giving a tetanus shot if you step on a rusty nail is based on the concept that, typically a rusty nail is laying in the dirt, where Clostridium lives. The wound that you get from a nail is typically a puncture wound, which does not open up for oxygen to permeate the area, which would kill the Clostridium. So, stepping on a rusty nail is sort of the perfect storm for tetanus to develop. There is absolutely 0% chance of getting tetanus from a set of instruments that are showing rust after sterilization.
ReplyDeleteC. tetani can also produce spores, that can survive on the skin or when exposed to oxygen, but they typically are found in soil as well, that is why you may get a shot when you cut yourself on something that has been on the ground...it still has nothing to do with rust.
This is not to say that it is ok for Lifespine to make and employ rusty instruments, and your post was sort of funny. I just had to respond, because I am so sick of the dolts in this business who really have no business to be in this business.
A biology degree, or something equivalent, should be a prerequisite for employment as a medical device rep. Time and time again it bears out that the breadth of understanding that comes with it invokes a certain sense of credibility and trust with surgeons.
If you made the comment above to a doc, he may not tell you that you don't know what the hell you are talking about, and he may just sort of laugh under his breath, but he will really be laughing about the fact that you are a doofus, rather than the fact that you funny. It is guys like you that allow surgeons to think that we are all just a bunch of used car salesmen, that have very little or no clinical basis for existing. You bring us all down.
Too bad the managers and VP's are just as superficially trained, for the most part. Go sell copiers or hard drives.
... and it's your overestimation of the importance of knowing such crap that's probably holding you back. No doc actually cares whether you hold common misconceptions regarding the origins of tetanus. If you're actually incorporating such minutae in your discussions, step aside while we take over your bored customer's business! I'm no expert on instruments, but I believe the propensity to rust is an indicator of the quality of the material or processes used to make them. Nobody wants crappy instruments, and that was his point.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101216006275/en/1500th-Implant-Milestone-Reached-Centinel-Spine’s-STALIF
ReplyDeleteOMG are you upset. Go take a prozac. The bottom line is your implants and instruments suck, stop blaming failures on surgeon users and admit the fact that you suffer from lowT and have failed investors, patients, and surgeons.
ReplyDeleteRust on instruments can be something as simple as not passivating the instrument after laser etching, or not properly neutralizing acid after etching. It happens a lot more than you think. It does not necessarily mean the instruments are poorly made or of bad quality. Just need a little better quality control.
ReplyDeleteTSB:
ReplyDeleteDid you see Centinel's press release. The emperor with no clothes Michael Will was quoted. I guess he must have pictures of someone to land there again, talk about an empty suit
Jon Luedke rules!
ReplyDeleteRusty instruments and drill bits are as morbid as the guys who runs that place!
ReplyDeleteSaw the LS Posterior Cervical System in the hospital yesterday. My god man pull your head out pretty obvious what system you copied! I hope Biomet never sees that you copied the Altius Mini. Why do you recruit engineers? Really all you need is a zerox machine to copy products.
ReplyDeletewhat is the game here with them? dont understand how you can copy products
ReplyDeletelike that. mdt would shut them down.