    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0001035267-18-000039-index.html : 20180302
    <SEC-HEADER>0001035267-18-000039.hdr.sgml : 20180302
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180301180508
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001035267-18-000039
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEF 14A
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		11
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20171231
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20180302
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180301
    EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20180302

    FILER:

    	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

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		DEF 14A
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30713
    		FILM NUMBER:		18659290

    	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>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>DEF 14A
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>isrg-20171231xdef14a.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>DEF 14A
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: isrg-20171231xdef14a.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
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    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>chart-2eeb858c44ae534a9d8a02.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: chart-2eeb858c44ae534a9d8a02.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>chart-63e208c87fcc5f37813a02.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: chart-63e208c87fcc5f37813a02.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>chart-b2443cd672475ffc8d2a02.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: chart-b2443cd672475ffc8d2a02.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>logoa07.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: logoa07.jpg

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    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>notice1a01.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: notice1a01.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>notice2a01.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: notice2a01.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>8
    <FILENAME>notice3.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 8 - file: notice3.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>9
    <FILENAME>notice4.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 9 - file: notice4.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>10
    <FILENAME>proxycard1a06.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 10 - file: proxycard1a06.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>11
    <FILENAME>proxycard2a03.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 11 - file: proxycard2a03.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>