
<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Selected
Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated February 6,
1998 (except for Note 7, as to which the date is April 21, 1998) in the
Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of Intuitive Surgical,
Inc. for the registration of shares of its common stock.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Palo Alto, California
April 21, 1998
