Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Greatly appreciated! In the context people post about them, it made them appear slightly shadier than they really are. But only slightly!
Who are these "Market makers"? I have seen the term here numerous times but I really don't know who they are or why they do what they do, which seems to be to artificially reduce PPS for reason I am unaware of.
But the Multi-level Marketing model hasn't been as effective lately, despite the internet. It's so 70's! What TRXC needs is a good, modern 80's style Infomercial! Ron Popeil can hawk the official Alf-X Home Surgery Kit! When your child gets bored with the game Operation!, he/she can move on to the real thing! Use ALF-X to Take Out Wrenched Ankle!
(Warning: product is not licensed for home use by non-licensed practitioners. Home surgery is only to be performed at user's and patient's risk. FDA has not approved ALF-X for indications such as Taking Out Wrenched Ankle and Removal of Funny Bone. Bandages and legal counsel not included. Do not use if you have depression or thoughts of suicide. For operations lasting over four hours, consult your physician and stop taking little blue pills before operating surgical robotic equipment.)
I wonder if some pre-market or post-market activity is being looked at for the numbers you get.
Right now (6:42AM) Bid and Ask are both showing dashes (--) on Scottrade. That is also unusual.
Scottrade tells me down .01 to .32 at close.
It squeaked through while I wasn't looking! Okay, now I'm entirely for upward motion only. That was the last of my available funding for a long time...
That's the one... not holding my breath though.
I have 19K shares on a lowball bid... close to filling this morning but not quite. It went the other way instead. Either way, I win! Either I get cheap shares, or the ones I already own are worth more!
Sometimes this level of optimism can be very tiring... I need a nap.
Regarding milestones...
In Mr. Barker's most recent letter, there is a paragraph on Milestones and Commercialization. The paragraph pertains almost entirely to funding, from which I infer that the milestones are dependent upon funding, so there is still has an element of mystery getting to the goal line. Hopefully the new CEO will be good enough with fundraising that they can lock in a pretty firm timeline shortly thereafter.
It's okay and often necessary to make contact; I think the purpose of the patent is a method of detection when contact is made. Presumably the software can then lock the controllers from proceeding further in the direction of the contact, because the end effectors can't keep going. Maybe it will give the surgeon the option of locking one side or making one side dominant using foot pedals, so one can push the other but the motion will all be properly tracked and fed back into the controller positions. Just a guess... but they really do need to know where things are at all times.
Could be quite a problem if not mitigated. Particularly depending on what their source of motion is (type of motor or actuator). The two handsets at the control station do not appear to be able to interfere with each other; you don't want the controls to hit each other or get in each other's way. But there should be some overlap in the range of motion of the end effectors, so a collision is quite possible. When they collide, the system could continue to try to move them in some way when the motion is blocked. If it cannot accurately track the actual motion at the end effector, the controllers and end effectors could basically get out of sync, and it would have to somehow "re-zero" the relationship between the controller and end effector. This might not be desirable in the middle of a procedure.
If they detect the collision, they can immediately lock the controller from moving any further in the direction of the collision, and maintain sync between the controllers and end effectors. It could be a collision with the other end effector or with something else in the surgical field. Haptic feedback techniques are another way to help with this problem; they give the controller a feel of resistance proportionate to the actual force in each axis on the end effector, so the surgeon basically can feel when he bumps into something, or can vary his/her input force in any direction as needed.
Can anyone do some digging to see if Apple has any interest in the medical device market with some pre-existing initiatives? If so, then it might be a feasible rib to tickle.
As for hypothetical names, one of the best sounding options would have to be ruled out, and that would be iBot. I worked for DEKA Research and Development (Dean Kamen's place) for almost a decade, and a few years of that duration was spent on the iBot, a motorized wheelchair which would climb stairs, curbs, obstacles, and also rise up on two wheels to balance the user at a standing human's height - the Segway was spun off of this project using the balancing technology. Long and short of it, that was the iBot so a great name for an Apple/Titan partnership is already assigned elsewhere.
My concerns with this sort of partnership include possibly selling off our interests for a tenth of the actual value, or stepping on Mr. Barker's toes if they already have some irons in the fire. I'd hate to stir up something new (with new risks) if they already have something better in the works.
I dropped of f the check at my local Scottrade office after work Friday - Veteran's Day, so absolutely no chance of it getting deposited. Still hasn't hit my Scottrade account this morning, so that's why we were up almost 6% when I last checked... because it has to jump before I get in, and then drop. Murphy's Law... and Murphy loves me!
I think some of it comes down to them following a somewhat normal development process, fairly incremental in nature. Due to costs, they probably aren't building more than one or two systems at a time unless they have a specific reason, and each successive build incorporates the latest design changes. Since that is the typical development process, they may not see that type of information as being newsworthy. Also, to quantify the number of machines they have, they would have to draw some arbitrary line in the sand as to what revision they consider to be current or reasonably upgradeable to current revision. Software compatibility might be the biggest differentiator for that determination.
I don't recall specifics, but one of their communications earlier this year mentioned something about 5 systems being readied for something...
As for stock price being where it is, I can only guess that by some divine intervention, it is being artificially suppressed until I can round up to 150K shares total. So consider that a warning to everyone... whenever I buy more shares, the price immediately drops afterward, and I'm probably buying this week.
Probably the best place to start is with the video on the web site. They used to have a couple other videos kicking around, but there is still one showing a partial nephrectomy on their web site. It is worth a look. My wife was the first OR nurse in NH to be trained on the da Vinci system way back when, and knows the ins and outs of robotic surgery quite well. She was impressed by what she saw in the videos. I suspect SurgTech on this message board can also offer a viable professional opinion of the technology; I'd actually like to hear his thoughts on this as well (ST? Your thoughts, please? When you get a chance...). The basic technology is there and appears sound. They need the last round of fine-tuning of the hardware for the FDA's new Human Factors guidelines, and the software will need to be finalized and fully V&V tested. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more of their pending patents approved soon; I don't know if pending means merely applied for, or if it means applied, initially reviewed without rejection, and just waiting for paperwork to come back.
There is work to be done but they are probably 85% there, without regard to the earlier Amadeus sidetrack. Just a ballpark figure from what I know. I've been playing with medical devices since 1982, and in the development world since 1993, so I have some basis for my guesstimate. It's the accounting and finance side that I'm weak on... which is why I think all of us contributors here make a darn fine team!
I think the new CEO is step one, and if he does what is necessary, we will have a firm plan forward with timelines within a few weeks of his start. Certainly not intended to be a bad reflection on Mr. Barker for not doing that; his primary focus seems to be (and needs to be) getting the new CEO in place (and getting development re-started, which he did). The new guy's job will be schedule and organization and funding oversight etc. etc. Probably best to have him on board and up to speed somewhat before trying to lock in an unrealistic timeline. A check to Scottrade is in my car for drop-off on my way home. Usually, that means the stock price will jump about 15% between now and when the funds are available in my account!
Isn't that ALF-X system the one they practically gave to the Italian organization that helped them with clinicals?
I still see ALF-X and think of Gordon Shumway...
I'm thinking it's a screaming buy, but that doesn't mean it won't trickle down more before it rises. I too am dreaming of a green Christmas, but most likely Christmas 2019 or so!
JMAC - I'm putting another $6K into my Scottrade account and ready to grab a few thousand more shares - that should get me to a nice even 150K shares total. For me, that's a healthy chunk of change but I guess it reflects my long-term confidence level. And my desire to retire in a few years. I'm not in this for the buck-a-share buyout; I need this on the market and competing as Titan vs. ISRG!
I'm on Lennox St at the top of the hill! I'm at the south end of Lennox but now that leaves are mostly down, I can see the Julia cul-de-sac once again. I'll send a note out to your email...
I live right up the hill from Tap House! And the owner Dan lives in my neighborhood! Would be a great place to talk about Titan! Gotta stay on the message board topic here...
I shall consider my heart blessed, given that I used the superfluous "s" at the end of "all y'all" earlier!
I am a Hooksettite! Hooksetter? Not a Hooker... But I live in Hooksett. And you? Maybe we can find some scotch locally to prep for the Vegas trip!
I had the opportunity this morning to finally write to Mr. Barker and thank him for the shareholders letter. I told him we are very appreciative, and I asked him if he felt the current methods of communication are the preferred method moving forward. Certainly the shareholders letter is a better means of communicating than press releases, which are really more of a tool for making an announcement rather than status and update type information. And I don't know if the bulk mailing on our part will be necessary moving forward; it was a great way for us to get their attention initially, but it feels a little neanderthal for the state of our relationship with them at this point. I asked for his input on this topic, and if/when I hear anything, I'll be sure to let all y'alls know! (Did I get that right? New Hampshire isn't as far south as I'd like it to be! And my Air Force days in Texas were over 30 years ago now.)
Wow!! I'm really starting to like Barker! And Hypocrates, thanks for posting the link! I had signed up for their communications and haven't received it yet by that channel.
Once again, I guess I will have to go back to the drawing board for content for another letter. This is an excellent communication, giving us the vast majority of the info we have been seeking. I like the way he also points out that they too are all shareholders. He mentions using the engineering units at trade shows and conferences; he even addresses the timeline despite having no firm dates yet (acknowledging our concern about it)...
I am extremely pleased also to see "including increased communications and investor relations activities and also including and incorporating feedback from shareholders into our efforts." I see this as a direct indication that they do value our input and are inviting us to continue, so I guess we should keep our periodic letter writing campaign going.
I think the next letter can be deferred until we fully digest their latest note. I also think we might take it upon ourselves as individuals to reach out to Mr. Barker, let him know that you are a contributor and sender of the letters, and thank him and the organization for acknowledging our concerns and offering us the info we have been wanting and lacking in the past.
I see this particular one as the true turning point in their communications. It has certainly been better since our first letter, but this one has really made my day!
Happy to help! And glad it is deemed helpful! Hopefully it is helping me too, so maybe I'm just being a selfish jerk by trying to get the price back up... But I look at our group here as a team with the similar goals; the only real differences I see is that I'm hoping for the big win with Titan selling units and making money; others would prefer the quicker solution of a buyout. But either way, we need progress and certain milestones to be met, so for the short term we are all in sync.
I think they are on the right path at this point but they have been easily distracted in the past, and due to funding issues it's a slow road now. Hopefully they can stay focused on the real goals. To that end, I'll be working on letter #3 this week. Primary points on my hit list:
Is the main goal now getting certification for EU? What are the most significant obstacles? What additional work will be required for subsequent FDA clearance? Are we actively working with both agencies at this point?
Is Plexus back to work for us, either directly contracted or through Ximedica?
How many documented procedures are required to prove SPORT's ""task based" functionality versus a predicate device, and how far along are we on that path?
What efforts are being made to enhance SPORT's exposure to the marketplace? Can a recent (not necessarily latest but with basic functionality) device be stored in Europe for more convenient availability for demo use without breaking the budget? What other marketing efforts are underway?
Please post additional ideas... as I mentioned before, I do need to re-work these ideas in such a way as to be "answerable" in the form of a press release, or maybe request a PR strictly for the purpose of status updates.
I'm down about $5500 today when the Dow is jumping for joy at darling Hill's re-exoneration by her buddies - I saw that coming as soon as they announced the re-opening of the investigation. But to the real point of this message, I need to ask (because I really am not a savvy investor; I just pick stocks that I think have potential because they are backed by technology I believe in)...
Who are these "Market Makers" and what is their function? Who do they represent? Who's money are they playing with?
Thanks in advance for the insight!
Apparently so... and to businesses that provide services specifically to them. I think the term applies to "Native Canadians" much like we have "Native Americans" here in the US. And ours also get a lot of favoritism from our government.
I poked around for grant money available from Canada... An awful lot of them are specific to businesses catering to the Aborigine population up there. Very few seem to be tech-specific, and all are geared toward much smaller businesses. Most grants are under 6 digits and would have no significant impact on Titan's position.
I'm building the list, and looking toward next Friday for a send date. I should have a draft out here on Thursday for comments. Big K had a great list of "talking points" a couple days ago and I have added to it since then (a unit for EU showcasing, now adding patent status inquiry as well - that alone should be worthwhile for a PR!).
To Big K... My first was a '71 fastback, 302/3-speed manual, Hurst option. Favorite was my '73 Mach 1, 351C; had it for 11 years. Wish I still did. Currently assembling a '66 convertible. Looking at a 289 4bbl; I have a low mileage 5-speed from an '85 GT; will run a 9" clutch to make everything fit. Looking forward to my first ragtop on the road!
Great input! All these are copied into my notes for the next letter.
A couple of these were touched upon before but they certainly could use a reminder.
My challenge will be to put these in such a way that they can be answered; their main means of communication is via press release and maybe we will need to be asking them for a status-based press release which can address these types of concerns. We can't realistically expect them to issue a PR with direct answers to questions which the rest of the general public wasn't privy to, so maybe we can put the questions in an appropriate context to help them make the answers look like "releasable" information. I think I'm up for that.
Let's use the next few days to get a few more ideas together for the letter and maybe next Friday or so we can send out letter number three. Reasonable goal?
I appreciate the vote of confidence!
I'm still not giving up hope that we can go it alone. I've been fortunate to keep my cost average pretty low so I shouldn't get burned too badly in the event of a buyout, but not everyone is in the same boat. And I didn't buy in to break even; I bought in because I thought this was a likely winner to get me closer to retirement.
If a buyout scenario comes too quickly, I don't foresee getting more than double current PPS at that time. I was hoping for something ultimately in the $10 to $20 range by 2020 or so, not 75 cents. If Longtai comes through, I believe we should get to the finish line and be able to go it alone, to all of our benefits. Otherwise, a lot of us will have lost a lot of money. And that's if we are lucky enough to get double the PPS in a buyout - but it could be a 10% bump over PPS, in which case we are all SOOOO hosed...
I agree that the next financing round will be critical. I am hoping that the current funding can get the design work done for the freeze. That is an announcement which would stir up more interest and help with fundraising for trials (including building SPORTs for trials with production hardware). Ahh, to dream...
What are our main points of discussion for another letter at this point?
-Marketing and Sales team activities/justification for existence
-CEO search status
-Funding/burn rate
-More communications
Most of those were addressed to some degree in the last letter. We could really use some "fresh material" to make it worthwhile and maintain some degree of professional integrity. We wouldn't like it if their next press release is just a re-hash of old material.
What else? Let's get some new, good ideas together and I'll happily do my best to drive the points home in letter #3!
Anyone out there? I see no traffic since yesterday afternoon!
Thanks! I'll be setting up for round 3 in a week or so; we'll see what happens between now and then. It sure would be nice if there was some good news from them for us to comment on...
I think their currently planned timeline is achievable if the right things are in place. The hardware design appears to be fairly mature except for the few odd things for Human Factors; that should be all that is left to get final hardware the design freeze. They can collect data in the meantime on the rest of the hardware, and finish usability focusing on the new pieces, with only limited regression testing on the rest of the system.
My bigger concern is the software at this point. I have heard almost nothing about it and I don't think Plexus is active for us at the moment (please let me know if anyone has heard otherwise).
If they are working with the FDA in advance (maybe their Early Feasability program) then 6 months from design freeze is a reasonable estimate. I have no idea what the CE mark entails except the general feeling seems to be that it is quicker and easier than a 510K FDA clearance.
I just need to convince my wife to left me drop a little more money on this stock before it climbs much more. I don't know what will actually trigger the PPS but I wouldn't mind having a little more in my portfolio before it happens.
Agreed! Maybe we need to propagate this link a bit further ourselves!
Not bad... Surprised we hadn't seen it earlier!