<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001567619-20-008488.txt : 20200427
<SEC-HEADER>0001567619-20-008488.hdr.sgml : 20200427
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20200427160211
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001567619-20-008488
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20200423
FILED AS OF DATE:		20200427
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20200427

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NACHTSHEIM JAMI K
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001223017

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30713
		FILM NUMBER:		20819915

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>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-04-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001035267</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INTUITIVE SURGICAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ISRG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001223017</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NACHTSHEIM JAMI K</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1020 KIFER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SUNNYVALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94086</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-04-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>262</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1107</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-04-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>262</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>262</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-04-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>255</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>255</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>255</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>513.22</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-04-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>766</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2030-04-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>766</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>766</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis upon vesting.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">On April 25, 2019, the Reporting Person was granted 262 RSUs, vesting as to 100% on the earlier of the one year anniversary of the date of grant or the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">100% of the RSUs shall vest on the earlier of the one year anniversary of April 23, 2020 or the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to the Reporting Person's continued service as a director to the issuer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">100% of the shares subject to the option shall vest on the earlier of the one year anniversary of April 23, 2020 or the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to the Reporting Person's continued service as a director to the issuer.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Exhibit 24.1 - Power of Attorney</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Donna Spinola For: Jami K Nachtsheim</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-04-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>poa_nachtsheim.htm
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>
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    <div style="text-align: center; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">POWER OF ATTORNEY</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div><br>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 72pt; font-size: 12pt;">Know all by these present, that the undersigned hereby authorizes (i) Lori Serrano, (ii) Donna Spinola, (iii) Brian King and (iv) Siang
      Chin of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (the &#8220;<font style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Company</font>&#8221;) and (v) any attorney employed in the Menlo Park, CA office of Latham &amp;
      Watkins LLP, and each of them individually to execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned&#8217;s capacity as an officer and/or director of the Company, Forms 3, 4 and 5, and any amendments thereto, and cause such form(s) to be filed
      with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the <font style="font-weight: bold;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">SEC</font><font style="font-weight: bold;">&#8221;</font>) pursuant to Section&#160;16(a) of the Securities Act of 1934, relating to the undersigned&#8217;s beneficial
      ownership of securities in the Company.&#160; The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any
      of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact,
      or such attorney-in-fact&#8217;s substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney and the rights and powers herein granted. The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in
      such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming, nor is the Company assuming, any of the undersigned&#8217;s responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</div>
    <div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 72pt; font-size: 12pt;">This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 with
      respect to the undersigned&#8217;s holdings of, and transactions in, securities issued by the Company, unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact.</div>
    <div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 72pt; font-size: 12pt;">IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 25<sup style="vertical-align: text-top; line-height: 1; font-size: smaller;">th</sup> day of April 2019.</div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div style="margin-left: 216pt;"><font style="font-size: 12pt;"><u>/s/&#160; Jami Kay Nachtsheim</u></font><font id="TRGRRTFtoHTMLTab" style="display: inline-block; text-indent: 0px; font-size: 1px; width: 252pt">&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="text-indent: 216pt; font-size: 12pt;">Signature</div>
    <div><br>
    </div>
    <div style="text-indent: 216pt; font-size: 12pt;"><u>Jami Kay Nachtsheim___</u></div>
    <div style="text-indent: 216pt; font-size: 12pt;"><u></u>Print Name</div>
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