Intuitive Surgical (ISRG, Financial) has published two significant studies underscoring the role of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in enhancing access to quality healthcare and improving patient outcomes, particularly in under-resourced areas. These findings are part of a broader initiative by Intuitive to assess the availability and influence of RAS in medical care.
The first study, published in the Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, explores the concept of "Minimally Invasive Surgery Deserts," identifying regions where access to high-quality minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is limited due to factors such as inadequate training and hospital infrastructure. The research highlights that surgeon-related factors, like training and experience, contribute to about two-thirds of the variations in MIS usage, while patient demographics and hospital characteristics account for the remainder. The study suggests that RAS can potentially bridge these gaps by providing a shorter learning curve for surgeons and utilizing remote support to extend expertise to underserved regions.
The second study, featured in the Annals of Surgery Open, focuses on the impact of RAS on MIS rates across U.S. hospitals. It analyzed data from 408 hospitals from 2016 to 2022, revealing that those adopting RAS saw MIS rates increase from 60.5% to 65.8% compared to non-RAS hospitals. This study also showed that the introduction of RAS broadened MIS accessibility across various demographics, including older patients and those with different insurance types. Notably, the most significant increases were seen in hernia repairs and colorectal surgeries.
These studies highlight the potential of RAS to advance minimally invasive surgery, improving access and outcomes for diverse patient populations and aiding in the expansion of minimally invasive care practices.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast
Based on the one-year price targets offered by 26 analysts, the average target price for Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG, Financial) is $624.07 with a high estimate of $700.00 and a low estimate of $510.00. The average target implies an upside of 29.65% from the current price of $481.34. More detailed estimate data can be found on the Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG) Forecast page.
Based on the consensus recommendation from 33 brokerage firms, Intuitive Surgical Inc's (ISRG, Financial) average brokerage recommendation is currently 2.1, indicating "Outperform" status. The rating scale ranges from 1 to 5, where 1 signifies Strong Buy, and 5 denotes Sell.
Based on GuruFocus estimates, the estimated GF Value for Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG, Financial) in one year is $485.32, suggesting a upside of 0.83% from the current price of $481.34. GF Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value that the stock should be traded at. It is calculated based on the historical multiples the stock has traded at previously, as well as past business growth and the future estimates of the business' performance. More detailed data can be found on the Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG) Summary page.
