Use of estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investment securities with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Due to the short-term maturity of such investments, the carrying amounts are a reasonable estimate of fair value. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on-hand and highly-rated U.S. government backed money market fund investments.

Revenue recognition

The first generation Pure-Vu System – The Company developed a first generation medical device system (a “Workstation”) and single use disposable sleeve (a “Disposable”) designed to improve a colonoscopy procedure. In market development accounts, the Company places its Workstations in a healthcare professional’s office at no charge. The Disposables are used in conjunction with the Workstation. The Company typically entered into agreements for an evaluation period that have terms of two and three months and can be extended for successive periods by written agreement by both the Company and the customer. The Company initially provides the customer with a free demonstration pack of Disposables so that the customer can evaluate both the Workstation and Disposables. After the evaluation period, the Company may charge a fee for the first generation Disposables shipped once the free demonstration pack is used. The Company recognized revenue for the fees charged over the term of the arrangement, which equates to usage.

This type of arrangement for the first generation system was treated as a short-term operating lease, and thus is outside the scope of ASC 606 and is accounted for in accordance with ASC 842, Leases. Effective January 1, 2019, there was no material impact upon the adoption of ASC 842 related to these arrangements. While this arrangement is not an operating lease contractually, this arrangement is viewed as an operating lease for accounting purposes since in this arrangement the Company provides the customer the rights to use the Workstation and Disposables, and the customer controls physical access to the Workstation while controlling the utility and output during the term of the arrangement.

The second generation Pure-Vu System – Following the FDA clearance of the second generation Pure-Vu® System (“Pure-Vu® GEN2”), Motus GI initiated its commercial launch in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company recognizes revenue under the core principle according to ASC Topic 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) to depict the transfer of control to the Company’s customers in an amount reflecting the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to. In order to achieve that core principle, the Company applies the following five step approach: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (5) recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied.

Commercial placements of the second generation system include the Workstation, sale of the Disposables, and a service plan. The Workstation is operational without any significant customization and modification and the Disposables are specialized consumables that are readily available for purchase from the Company. Therefore, revenue from the sale of a Workstation is recognized after the customer commits to purchase the Workstation and the Workstation is delivered, which is when title is transferred. Disposables are identified as a separate performance obligation, and therefore, revenue from the sale of Disposables is recognized when the Disposables are delivered to the customer and title is transferred.

A free one-year service plan is included with the purchase of any second generation Pure-Vu Workstation. An extended service plan with varying support and maintenance of the Workstation is offered for sale after the free one-year service plan period. In the case of the free one-year service plan, a portion of the Workstation sales price is deferred and recognized ratably over the one-year service plan term based upon the relative standalone value. The standalone selling price of the Workstation is set at the beginning of the contract based on observable prices from standalone sales of the Workstation, however, at times, the Company has offered discounts from that price to certain customers. The standalone sales price of the one year service plan is based on the expected costs of replacement parts and direct costs to perform the service plus a standard margin, as set by the Company. The standard margin assumed is consistent with the margin expected in pricing the extended service plan. Revenue for the extended service plans is recognized ratably over the term of the service plan contract period.

At times, the Company may include a limited time free trial to potential customers to evaluate the Workstation for a period of up to 180 days. Management does not collect any upfront payments or deposits prior to commencing a free trial period. No revenue is recognized for the Workstation during the duration of a free trial, however, any Disposables purchased by the evaluator are recognized when delivered, as described above.

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized revenue of $107 and $36, respectively. Revenue is comprised of the sale of Workstations and Disposables.

Deferred revenue was de minimis at December 31, 2019 and $0 at December 31, 2018.

The Company has contract assets related to accounts receivable of approximately $65 and $5 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for any potential uncollectible amounts. The Company makes estimates for the allowance for doubtful accounts based upon its assessment of various factors, including historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of our customers, current economic conditions, and other factors that may affect customers' ability to pay. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease standard using the optional transition method under which comparative financial information will not be restated and continue to apply the provisions of the previous lease standard in its annual disclosures for the comparative periods. In addition, the new lease standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the package of practical expedients. As such, the Company did not have to reassess whether expired or existing contracts are or contain a lease; did not have to reassess the lease classifications or reassess the initial direct costs associated with expired or existing leases.

The new lease standard also provides practical expedients for an entity's ongoing accounting. The Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption under which the Company will not recognize right-of-use ("ROU") assets or lease liabilities, and this includes not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases. The Company elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for certain classes of assets (facilities).

On January 1, 2019, the Company recognized ROU assets of $1,065 and lease liabilities of $1,074 and no adjustment was made to the Company's accumulated deficit. The adoption of the new lease standard did not impact the Company's consolidated statement of comprehensive loss or its consolidated statement of cash flows.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. For the Company's operating leases, the ROU asset represents the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent an obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Since all of the lease agreements do not provide an implicit rate, the Company estimated an incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of the lease payments. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, subject to any changes in the lease or expectations regarding the terms. Variable lease costs such as operating costs and property taxes are expensed as incurred.

Share based compensation

Adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2018-07

The Company has adopted Accounting Standards Update 2018-07 (“ASU 2018-07”), “Improvement to Nonemployee Share based Payment Accounting”, which expands the scope of ASC 718 to include share- based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The new guidance will be applied prospectively to all new awards granted after the date of adoption. In addition, the new guidance will be applied to all existing equity-classified awards for which a measurement date has not been established under ASC 505-50 by the adoption date by remeasuring at fair value as of the adoption date, and recording a cumulative effect adjustment to opening accumulated deficit on January 1, 2019.

For the Company’s equity-classified awards for which a measurement date has not been established under ASC 505-50, the fair value on January 1, 2019, the adoption date, approximated the value assigned on December 31, 2018, therefore no cumulative adjustment to opening accumulated deficit was required.

Under the revised guidance, the accounting for awards issued to non-employees will be similar to the model for employee awards, except that ASU 2018-07:

Employee and Non-Employee Share Based Compensation

The Company applies ASC 718-10, “Share- Based Payment,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expenses for all share based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options under the Company’s stock plans and equity awards issued to non-employees based on estimated fair values.

ASC 718-10 requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based option awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The fair value of the award is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. The Company recognizes share based award forfeitures as they occur.

The Company estimates the fair value of granted option equity awards using a Black-Scholes options pricing model. The option-pricing model requires a number of assumptions, of which the most significant are share price, expected volatility and the expected option term (the time from the grant date until the options are exercised or expire). Expected volatility is estimated based on volatility of similar companies in the technology sector. The Company has historically not paid dividends and has no foreseeable plans to issue dividends. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from governmental zero-coupon bonds with an equivalent term. The expected option term is calculated for options granted to employees and directors using the “simplified” method. Grants to non-employees are based on the contractual term. Changes in the determination of each of the inputs can affect the fair value of the options granted and the results of operations of the Company.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company issues restricted stock units under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. The fair value of the restricted stock units is based on the closing stock price on the date of grant and is expensed as operating expense over the period during which the units vest. Each restricted stock unit entitles the grantee to one share of common stock to be received upon vesting up to four years after the grant date. Recipients of restricted stock units have no voting rights until the vesting of the award.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss as incurred.

Debt issuance costs

Debt issuance costs represent the costs associated with the issuance of a debt instrument and are amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the related debt instrument. The Company records debt issuance costs as a debt discount and is a reduction of the carrying amount of the debt liability.

Income taxes

The Company provides for income taxes using the asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and the tax rates in effect when these differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had a full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. 

The Company is subject to the provisions of ASC 740-10-25, Income Taxes (ASC 740). ASC 740 prescribes a more likely-than-not threshold for the financial statement recognition of uncertain tax positions. ASC 740 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. On a quarterly basis, the Company undergoes a process to evaluate whether income tax accruals are in accordance with ASC 740 guidance on uncertain tax positions. There are currently no open Federal or State audits. The Company has not recorded any liability for uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded zero income tax expense. No tax benefit has been recorded in relation to the pre-tax loss for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, due to a full valuation allowance to offset any deferred tax asset related to net operating loss carry forwards attributable to the losses.

Recently issued accounting standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses" to improve information on credit losses for financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. ASU 2016-13 replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses. In April 2019 and May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, "Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments" and ASU No. 2019-05, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief" which provided additional implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, "Financial Instruments - Credit Loss (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842)," which defers the effective date for public filers that are considered small reporting companies ("SRC") as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Since the Company is an SRC, implementation is not needed until January 1, 2023. The Company will continue to evaluate the effect of adopting ASU 2016-13 will have on the Company's financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Changes to Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements", which will improve the effectiveness of disclosure requirements for recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 removes, modifies, and adds certain disclosure requirements, and is effective for all entities for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40)—Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service". ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license), by requiring a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to capitalize certain implementation costs as if the arrangement was an internal-use software project, and is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations upon adoption.