Intuitive Surgical warns on da Vinci scissor crack risk

May 10, 2013 By Brad Perriello

Intuitive Surgical (NSDQ:ISRG) warned hospitals of the risk of "micro-cracks" in some of the curved scissors used with its da Vinci surgical robot that could cause internal burns.

Investors reacted to the CNBC report this morning by sending share prices down 2.5% to $493.25 in pre-market trading before opening at $493 even. ISRG shares were trading at $495.01 as of about 2.1 this morning, down 2.1% from yesterday’s $505.80 close.

The cable news channel reported this morning that Intuitive "issued an ‘urgent medical device notification’ alerting hospitals that it has ‘identified a potential issue’ with the scissors.

The cracks in the EndoWrist monopolar curved scissors can cause leaks that "may create a pathway for electrosurgical energy to leak to tissue during use and potentially cause thermal injury," according to the warning. "These micro-cracks may not be visible to the user."

"To date, in over a million surgeries with these instruments, the company has no confirmed evidence of patient injury attributable to this issue," Intuitive told CNBC today.

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