This podcast episode interviews Karl Thiel about Intuitive Surgical, a leading robotics company in minimally invasive surgery. The discussion covers their flagship DaVinci Surgical System, its applications (urology, gynecology, general surgery), and its evolution over 25 years, including the addition of force feedback in the latest model. The interview also explores Intuitive's other robotic platform, the ION, used for lung biopsies, and the company's competitive landscape and R&D spending (nearly 14% of revenue in Fiscal 24). Finally, the FDA approval process for medical devices is explained, highlighting Intuitive's use of the simpler 510K pathway. Listeners gain insights into the medical robotics industry and Intuitive Surgical's strategic positioning.
