Honestly, the talk of ISRG being involved here isn't at all helpful IMO. ISRG, J&J and anyone else in big pharm have departments of emerging technology scouring the medical world for the cure for cancer. They're not in the dark on LTC. They are more than likely in the know.
Going back to 2008, we know now that there was no deal contingent on FDA approval and today's BOD letter strongly suggests that, no, there isn't a partner with deep pockets in the wings. On the contrary, the company finds itself in the familiar position of having to raise money to stay visible. This is what they themselves state in the letter. The big difference now is that there's no more tapping DR's amazingly generous pockets to keep the lights on and the wolves at bay.
The BOD seems to make it pretty clear that nobody is beating down the CTGI doors to have a JV interest in LTC. Hiring a management company is quite a different matter than forming a partnership...at least the kind of partnership we all hoped LTC would attract...the one where we supply the amazing technology and the partner supplies the coin. The question is why aren't there any takers for LTC? We had Frank D and Richard A peddling LTC before it was approved.....
I looked at the LTC website. An extract of the old Gyrus/LTC comparison follows:
Conclusion
• The LTC system produces consistent and reliable seals.
• Both systems met the performance criteria of holding a
pressure of approximately 350 mm of Hg for a period of 10
seconds.
• The seal burst pressures made with the two system were
statistically equivalent, although the LTC system seal
pressures were slightly higher.
• The LTC system produces seals with virtually no tissue
sticking to the forceps while the Gyrus system produced a
slight amount of sticking.
• The automated LTC system employs a unique output that
controls the tissue temperature to a narrow range,
effectively minimizing damage to normal tissue and
preventing over-desiccation and charring in the seal itself.
• The LTC system produced significantly less lateral thermal
spread from the edge of the jaw than the Gyrus system.
Is LTC a better mousetrap? For sure. Is it, in its current FDA approved state, that much better? Even the study suggests not. The real value in LTC is its unique ability to suture lungs, livers, pancreases, etc. Until that application of LTC is proven and approved, we better hope CCTI has some serious punch.
