An instrument cluster on Intuitive’s da Vinci SP surgical system. | Source: Intuitive Surgical
A federal judge in Northern California has entered a judgment as a matter of law in favor of Intuitive Surgical Inc. in an antitrust lawsuit filed by a surgical instrument servicer.
In its lawsuit filed in 2021, Glendale, Ill.–based Surgical Instrument Service Co. (SIS) had accused Intuitive of using an alleged monopoly in the multiport soft-tissue surgical robotics space. It allegedly compelled healthcare providers to purchase new EndoWrist instruments because of programmed usage limits and contractual terms that prohibit third-party repairs.
However, Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín ruled yesterday that SIS had failed under case law — citing a 2023 appeals court decision in the Epic Games v. Apple case — to prove there was an aftermarket for repaired and replacement EndoWrists. Martínez-Olguín also stayed any proceedings on Intuitive’s counterclaims, pending any appeal on SIS’s claims.
In a statement shared with MassDeviceIntuitive welcomed the judgment.
“This judgment affirms Intuitive’s commitment to patient safety, which is guided by the design, testing, and validation of our surgical systems and EndoWrist instruments,” it stated. “Intuitive supports healthy, lawful competition, balanced by our responsibility to protect patient safety and provide surgeons with safe and proven tools and technologies.”
Intuitive still isn’t entirely clear of antitrust suits. Martínez-Olguín is also presiding over a separate antitrust suit filed by health providers whose lawyers are seeking class-action status.
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Intuitive faces uncertainties in 2025
Earlier this month, Intuitive Surgical announced its preliminary fourth-quarter results, which highlight significant da Vinci surgical robot procedure growth. The company’s shares rose nearly 5% to $565 apiece in early-morning trading on Jan. 15 following the release of the preliminary results.
Intuitive reported 17% growth in worldwide da Vinci procedures in 2024. For the fourth quarter, that growth totaled 18%. The surgical robotics leader said it anticipates 13% to 16% procedure volume growth for da Vinci in 2025 as well.
Placements of da Vinci also increased by 11% — from 1,526 vs. 1,370 — in comparison with 2024. Intuitive said 362 of those placements were its latest-generation da Vinci 5 system.
Last week, Intuitive also announced that it plans to establish a direct presence in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. In addition, it plans to expand into Malta, San Marino, and associated territories by acquiring the distributors of its da Vinci and Ion systems in those countries.
While Intuitive entered 2025 with strong 2024 numbers, potential tariffs could hinder its operations. BTIG analysts Ryan Zimmerman and Iseult McMahon recently said that around 90% of the company’s instrument and accessory product production takes place at a facility in Mexicali, Mexico.
With President Trump calling for 25% tariffs on goods coming to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1, analysts questioned the earnings per share (EPS) impact that increased tariffs might have on Intuitive.
Editor’s note: This article was syndicated from The Robot Report‘s sibling site, MassDevice.
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