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                                                                    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 Amendment
No. 1 to 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
June 1, 1998
    
