Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS)
"Surgical robotics has delivered on its promise of making surgery less invasive, shortening recovery times, and lessening the trauma for patients while providing economic value for our hospital customers."
Bob Duggan
Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) devices enable surgeons to use computers and installed software to control and move surgical instruments through one or more tiny incisions in a patient’s body for a variety of surgical procedures. The technology massively reduces the invasive effects of surgery, resulting in reduced patient trauma, improved outcomes, and speedier recoveries.
Compared to traditional open procedures that require large incisions, Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci surgical system uses a few small incisions. The surgeon sits at a console next to the patient and operates through small incisions using tiny, wristed instruments. The da Vinci system translates every hand movement the surgeon makes in real-time to bend and rotate the instruments precisely. It also controls a camera for viewing the surgical area in magnified, high-definition 3D.
The current company was formed when Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion (a previous Bob Duggan company) merged. Both had been developing this revolutionary technology along similar lines, and the merger allowed them to combine their knowledge and strengths. The technology includes operative surgical robotics, telesurgery, and operating room integration to serve hospitals, doctors, and patients better.
At the time of the merger, Bob Duggan said, “Surgical robotics has delivered on its promise of making surgery less invasive, shortening recovery times, and lessening the trauma for patients while providing economic value for our hospital customers. Separately, our companies wouldn’t be able to accomplish for patients and our shareholders what we will be able to accomplish together. By sharing our complementary technologies in networking, articulation, control, and visualization, we believe we will significantly strengthen the surgical capabilities of both the da Vinci and ZEUS product platforms.”
Intuitive’s multi-functional da Vinci instruments with EndoWrist technology allow fully-wristed dexterity with a minimally invasive approach. Inspired by the human hand—but with a greater range of motion—the graspers, needle drivers, and energy instruments enable surgical precision. With a variety of modalities, instruments can be used for a range of procedures. The da Vinci system seamlessly adjusts hand-to-instrument ratios, and tremor reduction further enhances fingertip control.
Intuitive acquires Schölly Fiberoptic’s robotic endoscope business
15 Jul 2019
Go to linkU. S. FDA grants clearance for Ion by Intuitive
19 Feb 2019
Go to linkIntuitive submits new robotic-assisted platform to FDA for obtaining lung biopsies
06 Sep 2018
Go to linkIntuitive receives FDA clearance for first 60mm stapler
05 Jul 2018
Go to linkIntuitive announces innovative single port platform — the da Vinci SP® surgical system
31 May 2018
Go to linkIntuitive begins direct operations in India
29 May 2018
Go to linkNew study shows robotic-assisted surgery benefits for inguinal hernia repair
03 May 2018
Go to linkNew study reports favorable results for Intuitive Surgical’s flexible robotics platform
02 Nov 2017
Go to linkIntuitive receives FDA clearance for latest da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgical system
30 May 2017
Go to linkIntuitive receives CE Mark for latest da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgical system
26 Apr 2017
Go to linkIntuitive and Fosun Pharma establish joint venture to research, develop, manufacture, and sell lung cancer diagnostic and therapeutic tools in China
29 Sep 2016
Go to linkNew study shows robotic-assisted surgery benefits for ventral hernia patients
16 Aug 2016
Go to linkCost savings associated with robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
28 Mar 2016
Go to linkIntuitive announces U.S. clearance for da Vinci Xi Single-Site instruments and accessories
16 Mar 2016
Go to linkIntuitive announces U.S. clearance for da Vinci Xi EndoWrist stapler 30 instruments and reloads
14 Mar 2016
Go to linkRobotic-assisted benign hysterectomy yields better results in clinical outcomes
29 Feb 2016
Go to linkIntuitive and Hill-Rom announce U.S. clearance for Integrated Table Motion
21 Jan 2016
Go to linkIntuitive brings stapler instrumentation to da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical systems in the U.S., Europe & Asia
14 Jul 2015
Go to linkNew study finds that robotically assisted surgery for kidney cancer increases access to partial versus radical nephrectomy, reducing mortality, renal failure and long-term costs
03 Feb 2015
Go to linkTop medical centers awarded Da Vinci(R) technology grants for robotic surgery simulation practice
13 Nov 2014
Go to linkIntuitive receives FDA clearance for first single-site(R) wristed needle driver for da Vinci(R) Si(R) surgical system
29 Sep 2014
Go to linkFDA clears Da Vinci(R) system use in benign base of tongue resection procedures
18 Sep 2014
Go to linkTen-fold growth in surgeons trained in minimally invasive Da Vinci(R) colorectal surgery
04 Sep 2014
Go to linkIntuitive receives Firefly(TM) FDA clearance for da Vinci(R) Xi(TM) surgical system
21 Aug 2014
Go to linkWomen more satisfied with Da Vinci(R) robotic-assisted hysterectomy than other surgical approaches
21 Jul 2014
Go to linkIntuitive to begin direct sales of da Vinci(R) surgical systems in Japan
01 Jul 2014
Go to linkIntuitive receives CE mark for the da Vinci(R) Xi(TM) surgical system
25 Jun 2014
Go to linkIntuitive sponsors new women’s cancer research database in collaboration with the society of gynecologic oncology
09 Jun 2014
Go to linkNew studies demonstrate benefits of robotics for lung surgery
28 Apr 2014
Go to linkIntuitive announces FDA clearance of da Vinci(R) Sp(TM) surgical system
22 Apr 2014
Go to linkIntuitive announces new da Vinci(R) Xi(TM) surgical system
01 Apr 2014
Go to linkDatabase study shows shorter hospital stay, fewer complications for robotic-assisted prostate surgery versus open surgery
09 Jan 2014
Go to linkStudy shows robotic-assisted prostate surgery reduces hospital readmission and complication rates compared to open surgery
19 Dec 2013
Go to linkNew study finds robotic-assisted lung surgery offers improved patient outcomes compared to open surgery
04 Nov 2013
Go to linkTwo new analyses demonstrate that robotic-assisted surgery results in fewer complications compared with open surgery for urologic cancers
24 Oct 2013
Go to linkIntuitive announces clearance to expand use of fluorescence imaging in gallbladder surgery
23 Sep 2013
Go to linkMinimally invasive prostate surgery safer than open surgery
16 Sep 2013
Go to linkCost comparisons draw different conclusions in review of robotic-assisted, laparoscopic and open surgery for hysterectomy
29 Apr 2013
Go to linkRobotic-assisted hysterectomy reduces hospital readmission rates and associated costs for women with benign disease compared to other surgical methods
05 Feb 2013
Go to linkIntuitive announces new Endowrist(R) One(TM) vessel sealer for the da Vinci(R) Si(TM) surgical system
04 Jan 2012
Go to linkIntuitive announces new single-site(TM) instrumentation for the da Vinci(R) Si(TM) surgical system
12 Dec 2011
Go to linkIntuitive announces new da Vinci(R) Si(TM) surgical system
02 Apr 2009
Go to linkIntuitive receives FDA clearance for gynecological laparoscopic procedures
26 Apr 2005
Go to linkIntuitive announces record $35.5 million third quarter revenue
26 Oct 2004
Go to linkChanges to the Board of Intuitive announced.
21 Dec 2003
Go to linkIntuitive and Computer Motion announce merger agreement.
07 Mar 2003
Go to linkU.S. FDA clears SynchroSeal and E-100 Generator for da Vinci X/Xi platforms
26 Nov 2019
Go to link3 key takeaways from Intuitive Surgical’s monster third quarter
21 Oct 2019
Go to linkPaging Dr. Robot
30 Sep 2019
Go to linkAre Intuitive Surgical robots the best IDEA in medtech?
22 Aug 2019
Go to linkLong-distance remote surgeries allowed under revised guideline
13 Aug 2019
Go to linkIntuitive Surgical: where do we go from here?
04 Jun 2019
Go to linkCould single-port surgical robots lead to standard systems?
28 May 2019
Go to linkIntuitive Surgical upside if da Vinci systems reaches 25% share in global surgical robots market?
27 Mar 2019
Go to linkIntuitive Surgical wins another indication for da Vinci SP
15 Mar 2019
Go to linkMedical Design & Outsourcing: here’s how Intuitive Surgical is innovating to stay competitive
14 Dec 2018
Go to linkNew robots and recurring sales push Intuitive Surgical even higher
23 Oct 2018
Go to linkIntuitive Surgical beats expectations, driven by da Vinci system
19 Jul 2018
Go to linkHow Intuitive Surgical turned medical sci-fi into reality
23 Oct 2017
Go to linkIntuitive Surgical, Inc. – Consenus Indicates Potential 12.0% Upside
12 Nov 2013
Go to link“We believe both the da Vinci(TM) and ZEUS(R) surgical system platforms will play an important and complementary role in the future of our new company with each delivering unique benefits to our customers."
Lonnie Smith
Intuitive Surgical President and CEO
Intuitive acquires Schölly Fiberoptic’s robotic endoscope business
15 Jul 2019
U. S. FDA grants clearance for Ion by Intuitive
19 Feb 2019
Intuitive submits new robotic-assisted platform to FDA for obtaining lung biopsies
06 Sep 2018
Intuitive receives FDA clearance for first 60mm stapler
05 Jul 2018
Intuitive announces innovative single port platform — the da Vinci SP® surgical system
31 May 2018
Intuitive begins direct operations in India
29 May 2018
New study shows robotic-assisted surgery benefits for inguinal hernia repair
03 May 2018
New study reports favorable results for Intuitive Surgical’s flexible robotics platform
02 Nov 2017
Intuitive receives FDA clearance for latest da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgical system
30 May 2017
Intuitive receives CE Mark for latest da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgical system
26 Apr 2017
Intuitive and Fosun Pharma establish joint venture to research, develop, manufacture, and sell lung cancer diagnostic and therapeutic tools in China
29 Sep 2016
New study shows robotic-assisted surgery benefits for ventral hernia patients
16 Aug 2016
Cost savings associated with robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
28 Mar 2016
Intuitive announces U.S. clearance for da Vinci Xi Single-Site instruments and accessories
16 Mar 2016
Intuitive announces U.S. clearance for da Vinci Xi EndoWrist stapler 30 instruments and reloads
14 Mar 2016
Robotic-assisted benign hysterectomy yields better results in clinical outcomes
29 Feb 2016
Intuitive and Hill-Rom announce U.S. clearance for Integrated Table Motion
21 Jan 2016
Intuitive brings stapler instrumentation to da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical systems in the U.S., Europe & Asia
14 Jul 2015
New study finds that robotically assisted surgery for kidney cancer increases access to partial versus radical nephrectomy, reducing mortality, renal failure and long-term costs
03 Feb 2015
Top medical centers awarded Da Vinci(R) technology grants for robotic surgery simulation practice
13 Nov 2014
Intuitive receives FDA clearance for first single-site(R) wristed needle driver for da Vinci(R) Si(R) surgical system
29 Sep 2014
FDA clears Da Vinci(R) system use in benign base of tongue resection procedures
18 Sep 2014
Ten-fold growth in surgeons trained in minimally invasive Da Vinci(R) colorectal surgery
04 Sep 2014
Intuitive receives Firefly(TM) FDA clearance for da Vinci(R) Xi(TM) surgical system
21 Aug 2014
Women more satisfied with Da Vinci(R) robotic-assisted hysterectomy than other surgical approaches
21 Jul 2014
Intuitive to begin direct sales of da Vinci(R) surgical systems in Japan
01 Jul 2014
Intuitive receives CE mark for the da Vinci(R) Xi(TM) surgical system
25 Jun 2014
Intuitive sponsors new women’s cancer research database in collaboration with the society of gynecologic oncology
09 Jun 2014
New studies demonstrate benefits of robotics for lung surgery
28 Apr 2014
Intuitive announces FDA clearance of da Vinci(R) Sp(TM) surgical system
22 Apr 2014
Intuitive announces new da Vinci(R) Xi(TM) surgical system
01 Apr 2014
Database study shows shorter hospital stay, fewer complications for robotic-assisted prostate surgery versus open surgery
09 Jan 2014
Study shows robotic-assisted prostate surgery reduces hospital readmission and complication rates compared to open surgery
19 Dec 2013
New study finds robotic-assisted lung surgery offers improved patient outcomes compared to open surgery
04 Nov 2013
Two new analyses demonstrate that robotic-assisted surgery results in fewer complications compared with open surgery for urologic cancers
24 Oct 2013
Intuitive announces clearance to expand use of fluorescence imaging in gallbladder surgery
23 Sep 2013
Minimally invasive prostate surgery safer than open surgery
16 Sep 2013
Cost comparisons draw different conclusions in review of robotic-assisted, laparoscopic and open surgery for hysterectomy
29 Apr 2013
Robotic-assisted hysterectomy reduces hospital readmission rates and associated costs for women with benign disease compared to other surgical methods
05 Feb 2013
Intuitive announces new Endowrist(R) One(TM) vessel sealer for the da Vinci(R) Si(TM) surgical system
04 Jan 2012
Intuitive announces new single-site(TM) instrumentation for the da Vinci(R) Si(TM) surgical system
12 Dec 2011
Intuitive announces new da Vinci(R) Si(TM) surgical system
02 Apr 2009
Intuitive receives FDA clearance for gynecological laparoscopic procedures
26 Apr 2005
Intuitive announces record $35.5 million third quarter revenue
26 Oct 2004
Changes to the Board of Intuitive announced.
21 Dec 2003
Intuitive and Computer Motion announce merger agreement.
07 Mar 2003
U.S. FDA clears SynchroSeal and E-100 Generator for da Vinci X/Xi platforms
26 Nov 2019
3 key takeaways from Intuitive Surgical’s monster third quarter
21 Oct 2019
Paging Dr. Robot
30 Sep 2019
Are Intuitive Surgical robots the best IDEA in medtech?
22 Aug 2019
Long-distance remote surgeries allowed under revised guideline
13 Aug 2019
Intuitive Surgical: where do we go from here?
04 Jun 2019
Could single-port surgical robots lead to standard systems?
28 May 2019
Intuitive Surgical upside if da Vinci systems reaches 25% share in global surgical robots market?
27 Mar 2019
Intuitive Surgical wins another indication for da Vinci SP
15 Mar 2019
Medical Design & Outsourcing: here’s how Intuitive Surgical is innovating to stay competitive
14 Dec 2018
New robots and recurring sales push Intuitive Surgical even higher
23 Oct 2018
Intuitive Surgical beats expectations, driven by da Vinci system
19 Jul 2018
How Intuitive Surgical turned medical sci-fi into reality
23 Oct 2017
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. – Consenus Indicates Potential 12.0% Upside
12 Nov 2013
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