SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (“Financial Statements”) of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries have been prepared on a consistent basis with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and include all adjustments, consisting of only normal, recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the information set forth herein. The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, therefore, omit certain information and footnote disclosure necessary to present the Financial Statements in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). These Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on February 10, 2021. The results of operations for the first three months of fiscal year 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year or any future periods. The Financial Statements include the results and the balances of the Company’s majority-owned joint venture (referred to herein as the “Joint Venture”) with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (“Fosun Pharma”). The Company holds a controlling financial interest in the Joint Venture, and the noncontrolling interest is reflected as a separate component of consolidated stockholders’ equity. The noncontrolling interest’s share of the earnings in the Joint Venture is presented separately in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Risks and Uncertainties The Company is subject to additional risks and uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent of the impact on the Company's business is highly uncertain and difficult to predict. The Company's customers continue to divert certain resources to treat COVID-19 patients and defer certain elective surgical procedures, both of which may impact the Company's customers' ability to meet their obligations, including to the Company. Furthermore, capital markets and economies worldwide have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is possible that the impact could cause an extended local and/or global economic recession. Such economic disruption could have a material adverse effect on our business as hospitals curtail and reduce capital and overall spending. Policymakers around the globe have responded with fiscal policy actions to support the healthcare industry and economy as a whole. However, the magnitude and overall effectiveness of these actions remains uncertain. The severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the duration and severity of the pandemic and the extent and severity of the impact on the Company's customers, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. The Company's future results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected by delays in payments of outstanding receivables, supply chain disruptions, uncertain or reduced demand, and the impact of any initiatives or programs that the Company may undertake to address financial and operational challenges faced by its customers. For example, we have experienced, and could continue to experience, increased difficulties in obtaining a sufficient amount of materials in the semiconductor and other markets. We are engaged in activities to seek to mitigate such supply disruptions by, for example, increasing our communications with our suppliers and modifying our purchase order coverage and inventory levels. As of the date of issuance of these Financial Statements, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may materially adversely affect the Company's financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations is uncertain. Recent Accounting Pronouncements The Company continues to monitor new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB and does not believe any accounting pronouncements issued through the date of this report will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Significant Accounting Policies There have been no new or material changes to the significant accounting policies discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, that are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company.