Haha. Let me guess, these same surgeons use Alexis for breast surgeries and Path regularly. They are concerned about eliminating sharps completely in the OR. They are also the same surgeons that believe in the sequential helix tip and vertical integration. They want a true M/L clip from a 5mm applicator. With all of those outstanding accomplishments, you are making 500k. Great job. You should teach how to sell because you are truly a master and at the pinnacle of the profession. Or.... you are in marketing and have no idea what you just typed.
Like I said, I don't love everything Applied, and agree that some of the things you point out that Applied tells us is bullshit, or at very least shows a disconnect with real ORs, not favorite surgeons we pay as consultants who give us BS positive spin to put on our stuff. To your points: 1) I've had NO surgeons interested in Alexis on breasts, 2) the concept of reducing sharps (not eliminating) is attractive to ORs but will cause no one to stop using a Veress needle if that's how they were trained and are what they're comfortable with, 3) not sure what you mean about "believe" in sequential helix tip, but I point it out as a difference from what they were using simply so they know why they need to modify their previous technique (i.e. "more twist, less push").
On the other points, Gelpoint Path's low usage isn't due to any product fault or lack of surgeon enthusiasm, it's due to the infrequency of even a busy colorectal practice getting a patient with a non-invasive polyp 5-12cm from the anal verge. This is a great product that even general surgeons in rural community hospitals can use, and when they do it often means the difference between a 45 minute procedure with no abdominal incisions vs. a low anterior resection. Those words are from numerous surgeons I've worked with.
On vertical integration, if you've had no one latch onto the fact that we design, develop and manufacture everything domestically in the US then I am baffled. I'm not saying everyone I discuss that with responds, but I would say about 1 in 5 see it as a positive differentiator for us. It won't suddenly turn someone who doesn't like our products to suddenly like them, but from my experience has influenced some people's overall impression of Applied favorably.
On the concept of having a "true M/L clip in a 5mm applicator", I'd say that's the only thing that had kept our Universal clip business at all. Surgeons absolutely saw the difference in security with our clip, and put up (for a while) with the inconsistant performance of our clip applier because of it. Are you saying none of your surgeons who tried ours felt our clip was better and more secure? If we truly do launch a smooth, consistant 5mm applier with our better clip, and (as usual) a better price I do believe we can become market leader in the clip category as well.
So yes, you have to seperate out the bullshit from corporate and find what the reality is, but when it comes to the original topic, trocars, they have benefits that are sellable. Just my opinion based on my experience, and yours obviously differs.