Welcome to the IntuitiveTalks podcast. Surgical robotics presents an enormous opportunity for companies. There are surgeon shortages, sporadic healthcare, and miraculous technological advancements in both robotics and communications. So to understand where this sector is heading, we’ve invited senior executives from Intuitive to share their company’s impressive stories. Change is coming. Consider these episodes to be guideposts for the future to follow.

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In this first episode of the new IntuitiveTalks Podcast, we’ll start right at the beginning.  CEO Gary S. Guthart recalls how a court side basketball conversation led to his introduction to the early form of a surgical robot and convinced him to join. He also shares his expectations for the surging surgical robotics field, including how the company will view emerging competition. 
This episode is sponsored by Tegra Medical.

CEO Gary Guthart explains how Intuitive grew into the dominant force in surgical robotics

In the second episode of IntuitiveTalks, two senior executives explain how the company gets surgeons and hospitals to understand the benefits of the Da Vinci system.

EVP Dr. Myriam Curet, who describes herself as a late adopter of technology, shares why she opted to join Intuitive as CMO early on after trying the Da Vinci robot. 

Similarly, SVP Gillian Duncan, who heads physician training and development, says her early experience with the robotic system convince her to leave her academic career to join the robotics pioneer.

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IntuitiveTalks – How Curet and Duncan make the surgical robot case to surgeons and hospitals

In this episode, we learn about the data collecting during surgical robotic systems. Chief Digital Officer Brian Miller and Tony Jarc, Director, Research and Data Science , detail the importance of data being collected by Intuitive’s surgical robotic systems and how the company uses the data to help guide surgeons in the future.

How Intuitive’s surgical robots collect the data that can help improve surgical performance

In this episode, we learn about Intuitive’s OTHER ground-breaking robot, the ION endoluminal system.  This episode is sponsored by Maxon Group.

ION allows for robot-assisted bronchoscopic procedures such as biopsies in the hardest to reach areas of the lung. The FDA cleared the ION system in 2019.

We speak with Charlie Dean, vice president and general manager of the endoluminal business unit at Intuitive, an engineer who has spent his career working to make smaller, more effective minimally invasive tools.

We also talk with Oliver Wagner, MD, vice president and medical officer of the endoluminal division. Wagner explains how his long-time pursuit of NOTES led him to join Intuitive. He also sees a future where ION can serve as a platform for many other devices.

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How Intuitive’s ION could clear a pathway into the lung for better biopsies and treatments

In this episode of IntuitiveTalks, we take our first look at Intuitive’s Future Forward program, a three-piece initiative to better understand how the company fits best into an evolving healthcare landscale. Our guests are Julian Nikolchev, an experienced medical device entrepreneur and investor who now serves as SVP, Development and Strategy at the Intuitive. Nikolchev led the creation of Intuitive Ventures, a $100 million corporate venture capital program led by our second guest, Oliver Keown, MD, a physician turned investor who is leading the creation of an intriguing portfolio of digital and medical device companies that will help inform Intuitive’s future. You can see Intuitive’s full team and portfolio here. https://ventures.intuitive.com/

IntuitiveTalks – How a new venture group keeps Intuitive’s eyes focused forward on the future

In this episode of IntuitiveTalks, Jonathan Conta, vice president of product management, shares Intuitive’s vision for its da Vinci SP system, a single-port system. Rather than using four arms outside the body that require multiple ports, da Vinci SP can create triangulation inside the body. Intuitive has secured broad approval for the system in Korea, but broader US approval has been coming slowly. The company is working with surgeon customers and internal engineering teams to find the right fit for da Vinci SP. The episode is sponsored by Biomerics.

Intuitive’s Conta details how the da Vinci SP (single-port) system could build a larger US Market

In this episode we’ll talk with Kathryn Rieger, PhD, senior director, human factors and user research at Intuitive, about how the surgical robotics leader is working with surgeons to understand how to make its surgical systems easier to use or, for lack of a better word, intuitive. Where should buttons go. What does the blue blinking light mean? And should surgical robotics systems follow a similar template to make it easier for surgeons to master different systems. Thanks to Elsner Engineering Works for sponsoring this episode.

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Human factors design’s Rieger explains how Intuitive is working to make its systems more … intuitive

This episode of IntuitiveTalks is taken from the keynote interview Intuitive CEO Gary Guthart gave at DeviceTalks West. In this conversation Guthart will provide additional details of Intuitive’s move into endoscopic robotics including the ION robot. He'll give his assessment of the growing competition in surgical robotics and what it means for Intuitive. Finally, he shares why he thinks the term surgical robotics may have no meaning in the future. This episode is sponsored by Optikos.
 
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Intuitive CEO Guthart shares views on ION ablation, rising competition and robotic surgery’s future

In the first episode of IntuitiveTalks' newest season, Dave Rosa, who served as  executive vice president and chief strategy and growth officer at the time of the interview, shares a look into the past and a glimpse into the future of Intuitive. What did Intuitive look like early on? How does Intuitive define itself today? And what direction is Intuitive heading to further embed itself into the minimally-invasive hall of fame? Rosa was named president of the company in May 2023. Thanks to Maxon Group for sponsoring this episode.

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Rosa highlights Intuitive’s past and present to bring its future strategic vision into sharper focus

In this episode of IntuitiveTalks, David Robinson, VP of Multiport Design Engineering at Intuitive, delves into the intricacies of the company's multiport system, a flagship product that has been continuously refined since its inception.

Robinson discusses the development of the surgical stapler and the surgical table, two key system components, and highlights the unique challenges faced in designing a robotic surgical stapler and ensuring the surgical table could move in sync with the robotic arms for precise operations.

The episode also explores the evolution of the multiport system and how additions like the stapler, vessel sealer, and table motion capability have significantly enhanced the system's functionality.

Finally, Robinson underscores the importance of critical feedback from surgeons in driving these improvements and shares his excitement about the future of Intuitive Surgical and the impact of their work on improving patient care. Tune into this episode for a fascinating look into the world of robotic-assisted surgery and the ongoing efforts to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes.

Join us and hundreds of other medtech insiders at DeviceTalks West, October 18-19 in Santa Clara, Ca. Find out more at west.devicetalks.com.

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Intuitive’s Robinson shares a deeper look into the design challenges of a multi-port surgical system

In this episode of IntuitiveTalks, Glenn Vavoso, a U.S. Navy Veteran and SVP and General Manager APAC at Intuitive, begins by sharing how his time in the Navy led him on a winding road to medtech and, later, valuable insights into the company's strategic expansion in Asia's medical device market, including a $100 million investment.

Also, in the episode, Vavoso discusses the factors that led to Intuitive's transition from a distributor model to a direct selling model, highlighting the importance of being close to the customer and directly involved in the market. He also provides an overview of the attitude and adoption limitations towards surgical robotics in various Asian countries, focusing on Japan and Korea, and his strategy to overcome the obstacles. He further delves into the competitive landscape of surgical robotic systems in Asia, revealing that there are 11 active market-released competitive robotic systems in the region. Despite the competition, he emphasizes that there is more opportunity ahead than behind, especially in top-tier institutions. 

Lastly, Vavoso also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on their operations, explaining how the pandemic has led to a shift in their approach to customer engagement and remote communication with surgeons and hospital executives.

Check out the episode to learn how by focusing on opportunities in China and South Korea, building local partnerships, and utilizing virtual tools, Vavoso has charted a course for Intuitive to increase its reach and impact throughout Asia.

Join us at DeviceTalk West this October 18-19 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Visit West.DeviceTalks.com to see our lineup of speakers, panels, and sessions.

Intuitive's Vavoso on the rise of surgical robotics in Asia

In this episode of IntuitiveTalks, Tony Jarc, Sr. Director of Digital & Machine Learning at Intuitive, walks us through the evolving landscape of surgical robotics, highlighting the transformative potential of AI and machine learning in enhancing surgical procedures, providing real-time guidance to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.

Jarc also introduces Case Insights enabled by the My Intuitive hub, a digital tool designed to offer surgeons valuable post-operative feedback. But the platform's potential goes beyond the data.

Jarc also underscores the significance of collaborating with surgeons from the early stages of product development to ensure its useability and effectiveness. As surgical robotics continue to advance, Jarc's insights provide a glimpse into how technology and human expertise can work in tandem for improved surgical procedures. Listen now to learn more about how Intuitive is not just embracing the intersection of AI and surgical robotics but using it to guide future opportunities.

Thank you to TECAN, for sponsoring this episode of IntuitiveTalks. Visit tecan.com/paramit-design-to-manufacturing to hear from TECAN’s leadership team in an expert video series and to download TECAN’s Product Requirements Checklist to help you prepare for your product development.

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Intuitive's Tony Jarc discusses the next leap in surgical robotics with AI integration

In this special episode of IntuitiveTalks, recorded live from DeviceTalks West, Dave Rosa, President of Intuitive, shares the experience of the company's pioneering role in surgical robotics. Rosa reflects on the initial skepticism faced by the company and the subsequent validation of their work as the industry has grown to embrace robotic assistance in surgery. He also discusses the balance between innovation and the practicalities of scaling a business, emphasizing the importance of reliability and supply chain management in healthcare technology.

Rosa also addresses the future of surgical robotics, hinting at a shift towards more compact and specialized devices that could transform patient care. He highlights the economic benefits of robotic surgery, particularly its potential to reduce the overall costs of healthcare while improving surgical outcomes.

A must for all medtech stakeholders, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on leading a company at the forefront of medical technology. Rosa's conversation is a blend of personal experience and professional insights, providing valuable lessons on growth, adaptation, and the continuous effort to improve surgical care.

Thanks to maxon Group for sponsoring this episode. Visit https://www.maxongroup.us/maxon/view/content/medical to learn more about how maxon Group works with medical device companies.

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Intuitive's Dave Rosa shares insights on surgical robotics’ evolution, offers advice to new players

In this episode of IntuitiveTalks, we welcome back Myriam Curet, MD, EVP & Chief Medical Officer at Intuitive, to discuss the transformative impact of surgical robotics on patient care, focusing on the evolution of the DaVinci system, including the recent DaVinci 5 launch.

In the episode, Dr. Curet explains how surgical robotics like DaVinci have shifted from being seen as advanced technology to becoming an integral part of surgical practice, enhancing patient outcomes and surgeon efficiency. She also stresses the significance of real-world data and meta-analyses in validating surgical robotic systems and providing a profound understanding of their benefits across various categories of surgery. Lastly, Dr. Curet offers a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous development and approval process of the DaVinci 5 system.

Thank you to Paragon Medical for sponsoring this episode of IntuitiveTalks. Please visit https://www.paragonmedical.com/ to learn more about how Paragon Medical supports medical device companies.

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Intuitive CMO Myriam Curet unpacks DaVinci 5 launch, growing robotics adoption, and clinical impact

In this episode of IntuitiveTalks, Dirk Barten, Senior VP and GM of EU Commercial and Marketing at Intuitive, takes us through Europe's unique surgical robotics landscape. He discusses the differences in adoption rates between the US and Europe, where surgical robotics uptake has lagged by about five to seven years.

Barten also explains the critical role Intuitive’s digital ecosystem plays in supporting surgeons and healthcare teams throughout Europe. Through tools like tele-education and digital hubs, Intuitive is providing accessible training and data support, which he believes are essential in driving improved patient outcomes and meeting hospitals' needs for more integrated and efficient surgical solutions.

In addition, Barten explores how healthcare system consolidation in major European countries is reshaping hospital networks, leading to increased centralization of complex procedures. He highlights Intuitive’s investment in expanding its infrastructure across Europe, with new sites in Switzerland, Germany, and the UK, underscoring Intuitive’s confidence in the region’s growth potential despite ongoing economic pressures.

Thank you to Kollmorgen for sponsoring this episode. To learn more about how Kollmorgen works with medical device companies, please visit: www.kollmorgen.com. 

And that’s not all! Explore some of Kollmorgen’s success stories below:
1. Kollmorgen and Stereotaxis Advance the Precision and Safety of Surgical Robots | https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/case-studies/kollmorgen-and-stereotaxis-advance-precision-and-safety-surgical-robots
2. Enabling New Surgical Possibilities with High-Torque, Low-Temperature and Compact-Size Motors | https://www.kollmorgen.com/en-us/case-studies/enabling-new-surgical-possibilities-high-torque-low-temperature-and-compact-size

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Intuitive’s Barten on Europe’s surgical robotics adoption, healthcare shifts & regulatory demands

Where does Iman Jeddi see Intuitive’s da Vinci 5 - and robotics - fit into the future of surgery?

In this episode of IntuitiveTalks, Iman Jeddi, PhD, senior vice president and general manager of the company’s multi port platform, shares a vision for the future of surgery where robotic systems elevate the performance of surgeons and deliver greater care equity.

Jeddi’s career started in biomedical engineering, taking her through several start-ups and ultimately, Abbott. Her lifelong career goal to create technology that improved care for the many led her to join Intuitive Surgical in 2013.

Jeddi has held multiple leadership roles in engineering, operations, and quality. Prior to taking her current post, Jeddi was general manager of the single-port platform, da Vinci SP, so she brings a uniquely comprehensive perspective to the company’s surgical robotic portfolio.

The interview begins and ends with a personal story illustrating her belief in building medical devices and tools that can deliver better care for as many patients as possible.

Thank you to Aptyx for sponsoring this episode of IntuitiveTalks! Please visit www.aptyx.com to learn more about how Aptyx can help you manufacture your competitive edge.

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Where Intuitive's Iman Jeddi sees da Vinci 5 - and robotics - fitting into the future of surgery

The DeviceTalks Podcast Network delivers news, insights and commentary from MedTech industry leaders, primarily from the largest OEMs in healthcare. Our podcasts will inspire MedTech professionals to create better MedTech devices and companies.

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