Executives from Intuitive Surgical recently reported key insights at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, highlighting a notable surge in procedure growth for their da Vinci robotic platform, particularly in general surgery and after-hours care. In the fourth quarter of the previous year, U.S. procedures utilizing the da Vinci system increased by 15%, with after-hours operations, such as gallbladder removals and appendectomies, seeing an impressive 35% growth.
CFO Jamie Samath indicated that this growth is a result of the company’s strategic ramp-up in introducing its latest system, the da Vinci 5, which is set to be widely available in the U.S. by the third quarter of 2025. The da Vinci 5 has already gained approval in Korea, Japan, and Europe, surpassing expectations with approximately 1,200 units installed globally and around 270,000 procedures performed.
Notably, the new generation da Vinci 5 boasts 11% higher utilization rates compared to its predecessor, the da Vinci Xi. CEO Dave Rosa emphasized that this design success aligns with the goals of enhancing surgeon autonomy and operational efficiency.
In making decisions about adding or expanding robotic programs, health systems are increasingly evaluating not just the robots’ capabilities but also the entire support ecosystem, including training and infrastructure. Rosa noted the positive trajectory for the da Vinci 5 as health systems continue to choose Intuitive’s offerings.
Since the limited launch of the da Vinci 5 began in March 2024, Intuitive has integrated notable features such as a force measurement gauge for tissue, a highly praised curved vessel sealer, and the capability to manipulate 3D models in real-time on the surgeon console. The company is actively developing further enhancements, including advanced molecular imaging capabilities.
As competition intensifies from new entrants like Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson, Rosa confidently stated that Intuitive’s dedicated R&D efforts and extensive engineering resources position them advantageously in the evolving marketplace. Medtronic, which received FDA clearance for its Hugo robotic system, is expanding into general surgery and gynecology, while Johnson & Johnson is seeking FDA classification for its Ottava system.
Looking ahead, Intuitive projects a growth rate of 13% to 15% in worldwide procedures using the da Vinci systems for 2026, albeit lower than the anticipated 18% growth for 2025. Rosa noted that the growth drivers are expected to mirror those of the previous year, primarily fueled by general surgery and acute care, while also monitoring potential impacts from changes to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid funding.
Overall, the strong performance of the da Vinci robotic system and the promising outlook for future growth reflect Intuitive Surgical’s solid position within the robotic surgery market, benefiting both health systems and patients alike.