An instrument cluster on Intuitive’s da Vinci SP surgical system. | Supply: Intuitive Surgical
A federal choose in Northern California has entered a judgment as a matter of regulation in favor of Intuitive Surgical Inc. in an antitrust lawsuit filed by a surgical instrument servicer.
In its lawsuit filed in 2021, Glendale, Ailing.–primarily based Surgical Instrument Service Co. (SIS) had accused Intuitive of utilizing an alleged monopoly within the multiport soft-tissue surgical robotics area. It allegedly compelled healthcare suppliers to buy new EndoWrist devices due to programmed utilization limits and contractual phrases that prohibit third-party repairs.
Nonetheless, Decide Araceli Martínez-Olguín dominated yesterday that SIS had failed below case regulation — citing a 2023 appeals courtroom determination within the Epic Video games v. Apple case — to show there was an aftermarket for repaired and alternative EndoWrists. Martínez-Olguín additionally stayed any proceedings on Intuitive’s counterclaims, pending any enchantment on SIS’s claims.
In an announcement shared with MassDevice, Intuitive welcomed the judgment.
“This judgment affirms Intuitive’s dedication to affected person security, which is guided by the design, testing, and validation of our surgical techniques and EndoWrist devices,” it acknowledged. “Intuitive helps wholesome, lawful competitors, balanced by our duty to guard affected person security and supply surgeons with secure and confirmed instruments and applied sciences.”
Intuitive nonetheless isn’t fully away from antitrust fits. Martínez-Olguín can be presiding over a separate antitrust go well with filed by well being suppliers whose attorneys are in search of class-action standing.
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Intuitive faces uncertainties in 2025
Earlier this month, Intuitive Surgical introduced its preliminary fourth-quarter outcomes, which spotlight vital da Vinci surgical robotic process development. The firm’s shares rose almost 5% to $565 apiece in early-morning buying and selling on Jan. 15 following the discharge of the preliminary outcomes.
Intuitive reported 17% development in worldwide da Vinci procedures in 2024. For the fourth quarter, that development totaled 18%. The surgical robotics chief mentioned it anticipates 13% to 16% process quantity development for da Vinci in 2025 as nicely.
Placements of da Vinci additionally elevated by 11% — from 1,526 vs. 1,370 — compared with 2024. Intuitive mentioned 362 of these placements have been its latest-generation da Vinci 5 system.
Final week, Intuitive additionally introduced that it plans to determine a direct presence in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. As well as, it plans to increase into Malta, San Marino, and related territories by buying the distributors of its da Vinci and Ion techniques in these international locations.
Whereas Intuitive entered 2025 with robust 2024 numbers, potential tariffs may hinder its operations. BTIG analysts Ryan Zimmerman and Iseult McMahon lately mentioned that round 90% of the corporate’s instrument and accent product manufacturing takes place at a facility in Mexicali, Mexico.
With President Trump calling for 25% tariffs on items coming to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1, analysts questioned the earnings per share (EPS) influence that elevated tariffs might need on Intuitive.
Editor’s observe: This text was syndicated from The Robotic Report‘s sibling website, MassDevice.
