SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	Sep. 30, 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 nine 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. Common Stock Split Shares issued pursuant to the three-for-one stock split (the "Stock Split") of the Company's issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share, were distributed on October 4, 2021, to stockholders of record as of September 27, 2021. All share and per-share information presented in the Financial Statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Stock Split. 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. In certain regions, the Company’s customers continue to divert resources to treat COVID-19 patients and defer some elective surgical procedures, both of which may impact the Company’s customers’ ability to meet their obligations, including to the Company. Furthermore, 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 their economies. 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, including shortages and inflationary pressure, 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. In particular, we have experienced increased difficulties in obtaining a sufficient amount of component materials used in our products, including those in the semiconductor market, as global supply has become significantly constrained due to increased demand in semiconductors and other materials. Additionally, prices of such materials have increased due to the increased demand and supply shortage. The Company is engaged in activities to seek to mitigate supply disruptions by, for example, increasing our communications with our suppliers and modifying our purchase order coverage and inventory levels. However, the global semiconductor supply shortage is likely to remain a challenge for the foreseeable future. We have also experienced challenges in logistics, as certain shipping routes have been impacted by port closures. Such global shortages in important components and logistics challenges have resulted in, and will continue to cause, inflationary cost pressure in our supply chain. To date, these challenges have not materially impacted our ability to deliver product and services to our customers. However, if shortages in important supply chain materials in the semiconductor or other markets continue, we could fail to meet product demand, which would adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Increased labor shortages globally, including staff burnout and attrition, could also impact our ability to hire and retain personnel critical to our manufacturing, logistics, and commercial operations. We are also highly dependent on the principal members of our management and scientific staff. Attracting and retaining qualified personnel is critical to our success, and competition for them has become more intense. The loss of critical members of our team, or our inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, could significantly harm our operations, business, and ability to compete. In addition, hospitals are also experiencing staffing shortages and supply chain issues that could impact their ability to provide patient care. 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. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments In July 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2021-05, Lessors - Certain Leases with Variable Lease Payments, which amends the lessor lease classification guidance in ASC 842 for leases that include any amount of variable lease payments that are not based on an index or rate. The Company has early adopted this ASU as of July 1, 2021, on a prospective basis. The standard had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 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