<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001035267-18-000059.txt : 20180420
<SEC-HEADER>0001035267-18-000059.hdr.sgml : 20180420
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180420190108
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001035267-18-000059
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180419
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180420
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180420

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Friedman Michael A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001298083

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30713
		FILM NUMBER:		18767744

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		28903 NORTH AVENUE PAINE
		CITY:			VALENCIA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91355

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INTUITIVE SURGICAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001035267
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ORTHOPEDIC, PROSTHETIC & SURGICAL APPLIANCES & SUPPLIES [3842]
		IRS NUMBER:				770416458
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1020 KIFER ROAD
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94086
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4085232100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1020 KIFER ROAD
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94086
</SEC-HEADER>
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<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were acquired from the vest and release of an RSU grant previously issued to the Filer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These options were exercised and the underlying shares sold pursuant to a 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by the reporting person on February 23, 2018.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Non-statutory stock option granted pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.  Option shall vest 1/3rd one year after the date of grant and 1/36th each month thereafter.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Options will vest 100% on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date of grant or the date of the next annual stockholders meeting.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Non-statutory stock option granted pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.  Option shall vest 100% one year after the date of grant or at the next Shareholders Meeting, whichever should take place first, provided that vesting will cease on termination of the Directors service to the Company.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">100% of the grant will vest on the anniversary date of the grant or the next Annual Shareholders Meeting, whichever takes place first, provided however that vesting will cease on termination of the Director's service to the company.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are granted pursuant to the 2010 Incentive Award Plan.  The RSUs fully vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Lori Serrano For: Michael A Friedman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-04-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
