In a major leap for remote surgery, Intuitive Surgical has successfully completed a 4,000-mile telesurgery demonstration using its next-generation da Vinci 5 robotic system, highlighting the potential of long-distance surgical collaboration.
The transatlantic procedure took place during the Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS) conference in Strasbourg, France, with Dr. Doug Stoddard operating from Peachtree Corners, Georgia, and Dr. Andrea Pakula stationed in Strasbourg. The two surgeons were connected through Intuitive’s dual-console setup, enabling them to share control of surgical instruments on a lifelike tissue model specifically developed by the company.
The demonstration showcased real-time handover of control between the consoles and included force feedback, allowing both surgeons to physically sense the interaction with the model tissue—a milestone in remote surgical realism.
While still in the investigational phase, Intuitive’s telesurgery software aims to expand access to minimally invasive care worldwide. CEO Dave Rosa emphasized the company’s long-standing, safety-focused approach:
“We’ve built robotic surgical technology from the ground up, with a focus on safety and delivering real clinical value. Telesurgery holds promise, but success will depend on infrastructure and thoughtful development.”
Telesurgery is part of Intuitive’s broader telecollaboration suite, which includes telementoring, teleproctoring, and dual-console surgery, all designed to improve surgical training, coordination, and outcomes.
The concept isn’t entirely new for Intuitive. The company was involved in “Operation Lindbergh” in 2001, the world’s first transatlantic telesurgery between New York and Strasbourg. Brian Miller, Intuitive’s EVP and Chief Digital Officer—who also supported that earlier operation—noted:
“Our goal has never been just to be first, but to build a robust, reliable platform for safe, remote surgery.”
The telesurgery demo comes amid a broader commercial rollout of the da Vinci 5, which received FDA clearance last year and CE Mark approval last week. The system incorporates foundational computing power, machine vision, and advanced instrumentation—ushering in what Intuitive calls a new era of digital surgery.
Later this year, Iman Jeddi, SVP and GM of the company’s Multiport Platform, will delve into this transformation during his keynote at RoboBusiness 2025 in Santa Clara. His talk, “Redefining the Future of Surgical Robotics,” will offer rare insights into how Intuitive reimagined its flagship platform in a fast-evolving market.
Meanwhile, Intuitive recently notched another regulatory win—FDA clearance for its latest advanced energy instrumentation. The new device is the company’s first to support transection of lymphatic vessels using bipolar electrosurgical energy.
With its latest demos and regulatory milestones, Intuitive Surgical continues to chart the future of precision surgery—one that might soon transcend geographic boundaries entirely.