Forget Tech Stocks: The Medical Device Maker That's Essential to AI Healthcare

Core Insights - The article discusses the advancements and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of robotic surgery, particularly focusing on Intuitive Surgical and its da Vinci surgical robots [1][6]. Company Overview - Intuitive Surgical manufactures the da Vinci surgical robot, with over 11,106 systems installed globally by the end of 2025, representing a 12% increase from the end of 2024 [2]. - The number of surgeries performed using da Vinci robots increased by 18% year over year, indicating strong demand for robotic-assisted surgery [2]. AI Integration - The FDA approved an AI-based enhancement to Intuitive Surgical's Ion endoluminal system at the end of 2025, which aids surgeons in making real-time decisions during surgery [3]. - The integration of AI is seen as the beginning of a revolution in robotic surgery, with Intuitive Surgical's extensive database of surgeries providing a valuable resource for AI learning [4]. Future Prospects - The potential future of AI in surgery includes AI systems performing surgeries autonomously, utilizing the extensive database to tailor procedures to individual patients [5]. - This advancement could enable high-quality surgical care to be accessible globally at any time [5]. Data Utilization - Intuitive Surgical has several options for utilizing its surgical data, including retaining it for exclusive use, selling it to advance AI surgery, or being acquired by a technology company interested in the data [7].