Intuitive Surgical is developing robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques and tools. The Companys da Vinci® Surgical System offers surgeons superior visualization, enhanced dexterity, greater precision and ergonomic comfort for the optimal performance of MIS. The da Vinci System enables surgeons to perform even complex procedures such as open-heart surgery through 1-2 cm incisions. The firm designs, manufactures, and markets da Vinci surgical systems for various surgical procedures, including urologic, gynecologic, cardiothoracic, general, and head and neck surgeries. Its da Vinci surgical system consists of a surgeons console or consoles, a patient-side cart, a 3-D vision system, Firefly fluorescence imaging product, da Vinci skills simulator, and proprietary wristed instruments. It also manufactures EndoWrist instruments consisting of forceps, scissors, electrocautery, scalpels, and other surgical tools, which incorporate wrist joints for natural dexterity for various surgical procedures. In addition, the company offers da Vinci single-site instruments and accessories that allow da Vinci Si surgical systems to work through a single incision than multiple incisions; and EndoWrist one vessel sealer, a wristed single-use instrument intended for bipolar coagulation and mechanical transection of vessels up to 7 mm in diameter and tissue bundles that fit in the jaws of the instrument. Further, it sells various vision and accessory products for use in conjunction with the da Vinci surgical system as surgical procedures are performed. The companys accessory products include sterile drapes used to ensure a sterile field during surgery; and vision products, such as replacement 3-D stereo endoscopes, camera heads, light guides, and other items. The research that eventually led to the development of the da Vinci Surgical System was performed in the late 1980s at non-profit research institute SRI International
