It’s been a year of change at Intuitive Surgical (Nasdaq: ISRG) , but the leader in surgical robotics continues to push forward with innovation.
Significant personnel moves took the headlines this year, while the leading da Vinci surgical robot continues to advance.
da Vinci 5 system won FDA clearance last year, then picked up CE mark in July. The company began its commercial rollout in the U.S. this year.
In May, Intuitive also won FDA clearance for a new indication for its da Vinci single port (SP) system. Later on, the company announced a demonstration that showcased its telesurgery capabilities for surgical robotics. It also recently reported second-quarter financial results that impressed analysts.
With these developments, Intuitive remains a fixture in the medtech world. At DeviceTalks West, multiple figures from Intuitive will be speaking to some of these developments and the broader landscape of the medtech world.
Intuitive’s Brian Miller will sit on a DeviceTalks West panel exploring how the industry is preparing for the potential — and the problems — of telesurgery. Iman Jeddi, SVP and GM of Single Port Surgery, will sit down for the event’s closing keynote interview to discuss Intuitive’s strategy for da Vinci 5. Check these discussions out at DeviceTalks West, Oct. 15–16, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. Register now at West.DeviceTalks.com. Here’s a 25% off discount code: MD25OFF
Ahead of DeviceTalks West, read more about the biggest stories out of Intuitive so far this year.
5. FDA clears Intuitive curved vessel sealer device for surgical robot
In July, Intuitive announced that the FDA cleared the latest advanced energy instrumentation for its da Vinci systems.
The surgical robotics leader developed the Vessel Sealer Curved instrumentation for use with its multiport robotic systems. It designed the fully wristed, advanced bipolar electrosurgical instrument to seal, cut, grasp and dissect tissue. The company says it marks the first FDA clearance for its advanced energy instruments for the transection of lymphatic vessels.
Intuitive says Vessel Sealer Curved offers enhanced multifunctionality and precision. Its slim, curved jaw follows the natural contours of anatomy. This helps to improve visibility and control, especially in tight spaces and around critical structures. The instrument has a mechanical blade that cuts closer to the tip, offering versatility as a dissector.
The FDA cleared the instrumentation for grasping and blunt dissection of tissue.
4. Intuitive to establish direct presence in new European countries
At the start of the year, Intuitive put a major geographic expansion in motion through an agreement with current distributors ab medica, Abex, Excelencia Robotica and their affiliates.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the agreement enables Intuitive to purchase those distributors’ Intuitive product-related business. The company expects the deal to close in 2026, following the receipt of approvals and the meeting of closing conditions.
The deal would enable Intuitive to establish a direct presence in Italy, Spain and Portugal. It also plans to expand into Malta, San Marino and associated territories by acquiring the da Vinci and Ion distribution businesses in those countries.
Once the company closes the deal, it will wholly own the da Vinci and Ion business of the three distributors. It plans to integrate business operations into its European commercial and marketing organization. SVP and GM Dirk Barten leads that unit.
3. Intuitive to lay off 331 workers in California
Amid the positive developments for Intuitive this year, the company did have to begin the elimination of 331 roles in California.
The company said in a WARN letter in August that it plans to cease operations for graveyard and weekend shifts for its Ion instruments and accessories production, as well as all related logistics and quality operations activities in Sunnyvale. All roles supporting these shifts will be eliminated. The headcount cut goes into effect on Oct. 27, 2025.
Intuitive said it aimed to retain the employees whose shifts were eliminated but on its standard shift schedule. However, it said it understands that some roles on that schedule may not be suitable for the affected employees and that it would assist in their transition to alternate employment.
The Ion robotic bronchoscopy system — which the FDA cleared in 2019 — produced by these eliminated positions is a robotic-assisted, catheter-based platform. Ion enables minimally invasive biopsy deep within the lung. Fiber optic shape sensor technology along the catheter’s length provides its precise location and shape information throughout the procedure.
2. Intuitive aims at the heart with a new cardiac surgery leader
When Darla Hutton announced her new role as Intuitive’s global VP of cardiac surgery in April, it signaled a renewed focus on the heart at Intuitive, decades after the company initially launched to develop surgical robotics for cardiac surgeries.
While Intuitive went on to find success in robotic surgeries for other areas, Hutton’s appointment means the company has a leader focused on “enabling cardiac surgeons and care teams to deliver outstanding clinical outcomes.”
The company’s early FDA clearances came for laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and intracardiac mitral valve repair surgery. Intuitive’s surgical robotics technology can also be used to perform minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgeries. A significant driver behind the company’s development into the leader in surgical robotics can be attributed to the demand for robotic-assisted prostatectomies. Intuitive executives have long said that the company “aimed for the heart but hit the prostate.”
In its latest annual report, Intuitive identified cardiac surgery as one of two areas where customers have recently shown increased interest.
1. Intuitive Surgical is making a CEO change
While Hutton’s appointment was a significant one, Intuitive’s biggest change of the year — and its biggest headline — came out of the corner office.
In May, the company announced that it promoted President Dave Rosa to the position of CEO, effective July 1, 2025. Previous CEO Gary Guthart transitioned to become the executive chair of Intuitive’s board of directors.
Guthart joined Intuitive in 1996 as a control systems analyst within the company’s first engineering team. He received a promotion to VP of engineering in 1999, then to SVP of product operations in 2002. In 2006, he took on the role of president and COO. After becoming Intuitive’s CEO, he oversaw its continued dominance in the soft tissue robotics space.
Rosa, meanwhile, first joined Intuitive as its ninth employee in March 1996, with his tenure now more than 29 years long. Since then, his roles include leadership positions across engineering, clinical and product development, marketing, regulatory and quality affairs and the commercial organization. He became EVP and chief business officer in 2019, then moved to chief strategy and growth officer three years later. He became Intuitive’s president in 2023 and joined the board of directors last year.
Intuitive’s Brian Miller will sit on a DeviceTalks West panel exploring how the industry is preparing for the potential — and the problems — of telesurgery. Iman Jeddi, SVP and GM of Single Port Surgery, will sit down for the event’s closing keynote interview to discuss Intuitive’s strategy for da Vinci 5. Check these discussions out at DeviceTalks West, Oct. 15–16, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. Register now at West.DeviceTalks.com.
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