Surgical & Medical Robotics

Medtronic reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 revenue of $9.76 billion, up 13.7% from a year earlier, and raised its full-year outlook, with adjusted diluted EPS climbing 15.1% to $1.45 and GAAP EPS rising 40.7% to $1.14. Management now expects organic revenue growth of 7.25%-7.75% for fiscal 2027, up from 6.75%-7.25% previously, and lifted adjusted EPS guidance to $5.94-$6.00. The quarter included an extra selling week that added about $570 million to revenue, so the headline growth rate should not be expected to repeat. Cardiovascular delivered strong growth, while Neuroscience, Medical Surgical and Diabetes also posted high-single-digit or double-digit organic growth. At a share price of around $89-$90, the stock trades at roughly 15 times the midpoint of the adjusted EPS forecast, versus about 22 times trailing earnings, while paying a quarterly dividend of $0.72 per share, or $2.88 a year, for a yield of roughly 3.2%-3.3%. Medtronic is also expanding its Affera cardiac mapping and ablation system, investing in Pi-Cardia and Cornerstone Robotics, and has acquired Scientia Vascular and SPR Therapeutics, with a planned separation of its Diabetes business.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revealed the findings of its annual white paper, showing that more than 70% of Japanese people have a positive attitude toward the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots in the medical and nursing care sectors. The online opinion survey found that 72.4% agreed or somewhat agreed with using AI to help doctors diagnose diseases, and 73.7% supported the use of robots to facilitate communication between caregivers and care recipients. At the same time, 74.5% said they felt or somewhat felt anxious about the shortage of healthcare workers, and 81.3% expressed similar concern about elderly care. The study underscores the importance of improving efficiency and raising productivity by adopting technology around 2040, when Japan's population aged 65 and over is expected to peak, amid a worsening shortage of doctors, nurses, and caregivers. The survey was conducted in January and February among people living in Japan aged 20 to 74, and received 3,000 complete responses.

Medtronic plc raised its fiscal 2027 organic revenue growth outlook to between 7.25% and 7.75%, up from previous guidance of 6.75% to 7.25%, following an impressive first quarter. CEO Geoff Martha pointed to ongoing strength in core segments including Cranial and Spinal Technologies, Surgical, and Cardiac Rhythm Management, alongside momentum in high-growth bets such as Hugo robotic surgery, Symplicity, Altaviva, Affera, and Stealth AXiS. The company also entered a $700 million partnership with Hong Kong-based Cornerstone Robotics that gives Medtronic distribution rights to the Sentire Surgical System, Cornerstone's robotic-assisted platform, in select markets outside the U.S. where it is approved; Sentire has received market approval in China, the European Union, and Singapore for general, gynecologic, thoracic, and urologic procedures. Medtronic's first-quarter organic revenue growth of 13.7% included a one-time benefit from an additional fiscal week that added $570 million to the topline and is not expected to recur. Hedge fund holdings in the stock rose to 67 in the second quarter of 2026 from 60 at the end of the first quarter, according to 13F filing data tracked by Insider Monkey.

Medtronic agreed a US$700 million partnership with Cornerstone Robotics to distribute the Sentire surgical system globally, expanding its surgical robotics presence beyond its existing platforms into a new multi-country distribution arrangement. The deal makes Medtronic a multi-platform player alongside its own Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system, giving hospitals in Europe, China and Singapore a broader menu of robotics options at different price points. Medtronic also partnered with Sonus Microsystems on AI-powered wearable ultrasound technology for maternal health programs in Kenya. Medtronic is a US-based medical equipment group with a market value of about US$113.4b. Investors will watch how quickly the Sentire and Hugo systems translate into procedure volumes and installed bases in Europe, China and Singapore over the next 12 to 24 months, along with study milestones from the Kenya maternal health program, particularly data readouts on preeclampsia screening performance.

The global medical robots market is projected to grow from USD 20.6 billion in 2026 to USD 41.7 billion by 2031, a 15.1% compound annual growth rate, according to a new report added to ResearchAndMarkets.com. Robotic systems are expected to account for the largest share of the market by product and service, while surgical robotic systems, which led by type in 2025, are expected to see significant growth as surgical volumes rise. Ambulatory surgery centers are projected to register the highest end-user growth rate, and Asia Pacific is positioned as the fastest-growing regional market. Key players profiled include Intuitive Surgical, Stryker, Medtronic, and Johnson & Johnson. The report notes that high system and maintenance costs, stringent regulatory requirements, and specialized training needs may limit adoption.

Stryker is holding up under a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating as the medical technology company works through the financial fallout of a cybersecurity incident that disrupted manufacturing and continues to weigh on 2026 results. The company posted 9% organic sales growth in the second quarter of 2026, with MedSurg & Neurotechnology up 9.2% and Orthopaedics up 8.6%, while international sales rose 8.9% on strength in Australia, Germany, Canada, India and Brazil. Adjusted earnings per share climbed 17.9% to $3.69, adjusted gross margin expanded 60 basis points to 66% and adjusted operating margin rose 170 basis points to 27.4%, supporting management's full-year adjusted EPS outlook of $14.95 to $15.10. Mako robotics remains a central growth driver, with more than 2.5 million procedures completed globally and systems installed across 47 countries, and the full commercial launch of Mako Shoulder and Mako RPS broadens the platform's procedure base. Offsetting those gains, a supply disruption at a facility supporting the Inari portfolio has left Peripheral Vascular with a significant backlog and lost second-quarter sales that management estimates could represent roughly 50 to 75 basis points of organic growth drag, with backorders expected to reach manageable levels by the end of the third quarter. Stryker shares have lost 21.7% so far this year, roughly in line with the industry's 21.6% decline, while the S&P 500 Index has appreciated 13.2% over the same period, and the company carries a market capitalization of $105.7 billion.

Intuitive Surgical received CE mark approval earlier this month for using its da Vinci SP single-port robotic system in transvaginal gynecologic procedures, a world-first indication for the SP platform that adds to its existing European approvals for a range of endoscopic and natural-orifice surgeries. The approval broadens the SP system's clinically supported use in complex anatomical spaces and deepens the company's position in minimally invasive, scarless surgery. The new indication is unlikely to shift near-term catalysts in a major way, as Intuitive Surgical continues to manage multiple Class II recalls, execute on its ambulatory surgery center push, and justify a rich earnings multiple after a sharp year-to-date share price pullback. Eleven fair value views from the Simply Wall St Community range from about US$324 to over US$630 per share, underscoring how differently investors frame the company's prospects.

Intuitive Surgical is making ambulatory surgery centers its new growth engine, placing 27 da Vinci systems at U.S. ASCs in the second quarter, 20 of them refurbished XiR platforms priced below the flagship model. Management said the increase reflected its recent focus on the ASC segment and described the placements as part of broader greenfield expansion. About 130 XiR systems were installed globally over the past year, with approximately 50 in the United States, and management said XiR has been particularly attractive to ASCs and smaller hospitals while gaining traction internationally. Intuitive Surgical also plans to introduce extended-use EndoWrist instruments in 2027, targeting lower cost per procedure in high-volume benign procedures. Among peers, Stryker is positioning its orthopedic and MedSurg portfolio for the ASC shift and plans to ramp up Mako RPS commercialization, while Zimmer Biomet is emphasizing efficiency, noting implants account for only about 14-15% of ASC costs. Intuitive Surgical shares have lost 30.6% so far this year, and the stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Medtronic received FDA clearance for its LigaSure vessel-sealing device on the Hugo robotic surgery system in the United States. The authorization allows LigaSure to be used on the Hugo platform for soft-tissue procedures in U.S. hospitals and surgical centers, integrating a widely used vessel-sealing tool with Medtronic's robotic-assisted surgery platform for general surgery use. The clearance ties a familiar energy device into a newer robotic platform, helping Hugo look less like an isolated project and more like part of a multi-platform ecosystem as Medtronic competes with peers such as Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson. Medtronic's US$118.7 billion scale in medical equipment gives it a broad installed base where new tools on the Hugo robotic system can plug into existing surgical workflows. The unresolved piece is scale, as analysts have already flagged execution risks in major product ramp-ups and the approval does not yet answer how quickly hospitals will adopt Hugo for a wider mix of soft-tissue procedures.

SS Innovations International has supported the launch of Sri Lanka's first robotic cardiac surgery program at Kings Hospital Colombo using the SSi Mantra 3.0 surgical robotic system. The program began with a robotic-assisted LIMA takedown performed by SS Innovations founder and Chairman Dr. Sudhir Srivastava alongside Kings Hospital cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Rajitha DeSilva, and Kings Hospital has completed more than 25 robotic procedures in three weeks. SS Innovations reported 224 cumulative SSi Mantra installations across 12 countries at the end of the second quarter, with second-quarter revenue of $13.9 million and robotic procedures up 143% year over year to 2,528. The company's next major corporate milestone is regulatory expansion, as it pursues U.S. FDA clearance and European CE marking for the SSi Mantra system.

Medtronic plc reported fiscal first-quarter 2027 revenue of nearly $9.8 billion, up 13.7% organically, while non-GAAP diluted EPS rose 15.1% to $1.45. The company raised its full-year organic revenue-growth forecast to 7.25%-7.75% from 6.75%-7.25% and lifted the lower end of its non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance to $5.94 from $5.90. Cardiovascular revenue increased 18.9% organically to $3.927 billion, with Cardiac Ablation Solutions up 88%, while Neuroscience grew 9.3% and Medical Surgical increased 10.2%. The quarter included an extra fiscal week that Medtronic estimates benefited organic growth by approximately $570 million, and non-GAAP operating margin rose only 10 basis points to 23.7%. Medtronic also committed $700 million to Cornerstone Robotics for distribution rights to its Sentire surgical system in select markets outside the United States and agreed to invest up to $80 million in Pi-Cardia, with an option to acquire the company for up to $210 million, as it proceeds with the separation of its diabetes division by the end of the year.

Intuitive Surgical announced the publication of a landmark meta-analysis in Annals of Surgery Open, showing that its da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery is associated with statistically significant improvements in patient outcomes compared with laparoscopic and open surgery across 13 common benign conditions. The study, the largest comparative meta-analysis of its kind, analyzed data from more than 14 million procedures. Key findings include 54% lower odds of conversion to open surgery and 13% lower odds of blood transfusion versus laparoscopic surgery, with hospital stays about 4 hours shorter and return to work about 2 days sooner. Against open surgery, da Vinci showed 69% lower odds of blood transfusion, 46% lower odds of 30-day postoperative complications, and 60% lower odds of surgical site infection, with hospital stays about 2 days shorter and return to work about 5 days sooner. The analysis synthesized 14 years of published evidence from 32 countries, including 13 randomized controlled trials and 231 retrospective cohort studies, and was led by Thomas H. Shin, MD, PhD, of Mass General Brigham, with researchers from the University of Virginia and Intuitive.

Intuitive Surgical's Ion robotic platform is becoming a significant second growth engine alongside its core da Vinci franchise, with second-quarter 2026 procedures up 36% year over year to 48,000. Cumulative Ion procedures have surpassed 400,000, and the installed base has grown 21% annually, now available in 12 countries outside the U.S. The platform targets lung cancer diagnosis, a market with robust growth potential, and management is investing in technologies like ROSE and EBUS to expand its clinical utility. Meanwhile, Medtronic's Cardiac Ablation Solutions sales grew 88% in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, and Boston Scientific plans to launch FARAPULSE Ultra at scale in 2027, with the Penumbra acquisition expected to close in the second half of 2027. Intuitive Surgical shares have fallen 35.3% this year, trading at a forward P/E of 31.71X, below its five-year median of 68.26X, with 2026 earnings expected to rise 20.3%.

A new report from ResearchAndMarkets.com projects the global surgical robots market will grow from USD 10.6 billion in 2026 to USD 22.9 billion by 2035, a compound annual growth rate of about 8.9%. The expansion is driven by demand for minimally invasive surgery, AI integration, and compact systems that lower capital costs. North America is expected to lead the market, while Asia-Pacific is forecast to see the fastest growth. Key players include Intuitive Surgical, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, and Stryker. Recent developments include Medtronic's FDA clearance for its Hugo system in urology and a partnership between Ronovo Surgical and Johnson & Johnson Medical Shanghai.

Globus Medical, Inc. announced that its Excelsius3D intelligent 3-in-1 imaging system has received CE marking, allowing commercial sale in the European Union and the United Kingdom. The system, which combines 3D cone-beam CT, 2D fluoroscopy, and digital radiography, expands the company's Excelsius Ecosystem and enhances the capabilities of its ExcelsiusGPS robotic navigation system. The CE mark follows the system's FDA 510(k) clearance in 2021, and Globus Medical will now begin commercialization in these markets. Company executives highlighted the milestone as key to integrating imaging, navigation, and robotics in surgical workflows.

Stereotaxis announced that the University of Szeged in Hungary has treated over 70 patients using its Genesis Robotic Magnetic Navigation system just over a month after launching the country's first robotic cardiology program. The electrophysiology team, led by Prof. Tamás Szili-Török, performed procedures for a broad spectrum of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia, with several complex cases involving patients who had previously failed multiple ablation procedures. This rapid adoption marks a record pace of use globally, outpacing any previous launch of Stereotaxis technology. The university will celebrate the program's success and the grand opening of its Robotic Cardiology Program at a scientific symposium on September 8th.

Medtronic reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 adjusted earnings per share of $1.45, up 15.1% year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.32%, while revenues rose 13.7% to $9.76 billion, surpassing expectations by 3.02%. The company raised its fiscal 2027 organic revenue growth outlook to 7.25%-7.75% from 6.75%-7.25% and lifted adjusted EPS guidance to $5.94-$6.00 from $5.90-$6.00. Cardiovascular led segment growth with a 19.5% reported increase, while Neuroscience, Medical Surgical, and Diabetes also posted strong organic gains. Medtronic completed acquisitions of Scientia Vascular and SPR Therapeutics, and announced a strategic partnership with Cornerstone Robotics and an investment in Pi-Cardia. Shares rose nearly 5% in pre-market trading following the announcement.

Medtronic raised its fiscal 2027 outlook after first-quarter revenue rose 13.7% to $9.8 billion and adjusted EPS reached $1.45, beating expectations. The company now expects 7.25%–7.75% organic revenue growth and adjusted EPS of $5.94–$6.00 for the full year. Cardiovascular led operating momentum, with revenue up 19% and Cardiac Ablation Solutions surging 88% globally and 139% in the U.S., driven by Sphere-9 and Affera adoption. CRM also grew 15% and gained global market share. Medtronic continues investing in growth, including its Hugo surgical-robotics platform and a $700 million Cornerstone Robotics agreement, while maintaining plans to separate its MiniMed diabetes business before fiscal year-end. Excluding diabetes would improve gross and operating margins but modestly reduce companywide growth.

Medtronic plc has announced a partnership with Cornerstone Robotics, committing about US$700 million to secure distribution rights for Cornerstone's Sentire surgical system in select markets outside the U.S., where it will complement Medtronic's Hugo robotic-assisted surgery platform. This move broadens Medtronic's robotic surgery offerings, providing hospitals and surgeons with more choices across complementary platforms that integrate into the company's connected surgical ecosystem, potentially boosting adoption of minimally invasive procedures. The partnership adds to Medtronic's investment narrative, which already includes a US$0.72 quarterly dividend and 49 consecutive years of increases, highlighting a balance between innovation spending and shareholder returns. However, the deal does not fundamentally alter the main risk that large new platforms may scale slower or cost more than expected. Medtronic's narrative projects US$41.5 billion revenue and US$6.6 billion earnings by 2029, requiring 4.5% yearly revenue growth and a roughly US$1.8 billion earnings increase from US$4.8 billion today, with a fair value estimate of US$98.00, an 8% upside to its current price.

Medtronic reported first quarter fiscal 2027 revenue of $9.8 billion, up 13.7% as reported and organically, and raised its full-year guidance. The company's non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.45 beat expectations, while GAAP EPS was $1.14. Medtronic now expects fiscal 2027 organic revenue growth of 7.25% to 7.75%, up from prior guidance of 6.75% to 7.25%, and non-GAAP EPS of $5.94 to $6.00. Growth was broad-based, with the Cardiovascular portfolio up 18.9% organically, Neuroscience up 9.3%, Medical Surgical up 10.2%, and Diabetes up 14.9%. The company also announced strategic investments and partnerships, including an investment in Pi-Cardia and a partnership with Cornerstone Robotics, and completed acquisitions of Scientia Vascular and SPR Therapeutics.

SS Innovations International announced that its SSi Mantra surgical robotic system was used in more than 50 procedures in a single day at Mohak Bariatrics and Robotics in Indore, India, highlighting growing clinical adoption. The company has installed 224 SSi Mantra systems across 12 countries, with 30 systems installed in the second quarter of 2026, exceeding the 25 systems modeled by analysts. Quarterly revenue reached $13.9 million, up 39% year over year, while system sales increased 41% to $12.4 million. FDA review of the SSi Mantra 510(k) application is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2027, and European CE marking is targeted for the end of 2026. The company's progress in India provides a strong commercial base as it pursues entry into the U.S. and European markets.

Intuitive Surgical's surging cash generation is giving it a meaningful competitive edge as the robotic surgery leader doubles down on innovation. First-half 2026 free cash flow jumped 71% year over year to $1.8 billion, while cash and investments reached $8.6 billion, providing ample financial flexibility to fund research, manufacturing expansion and shareholder returns without compromising growth initiatives. Management is using that financial strength to widen its technology moat, intentionally growing R&D faster than SG&A, expanding manufacturing capacity, and rolling out more than 100 planned updates for the da Vinci 5 platform. The company is also advancing next-generation programs, including a flexible robotic GI endoscope, while supporting innovation across AI, robotics, imaging and advanced materials. Alongside these investments, ISRG repurchased $379 million of stock during the quarter, underscoring confidence in its long-term outlook. Among peers, Boston Scientific delivered another solid quarter with second-quarter 2026 revenues rising 7.5% to $5.44 billion and adjusted EPS climbing 15% to 86 cents, though management trimmed its full-year outlook due to WATCHMAN and electrophysiology pressures. Medtronic secured an expanded CE Mark for the Affera Mapping and Ablation System with the Sphere-9 catheter to treat ventricular arrhythmias, making it the first all-in-one mapping and ablation, dual-energy catheter approved in Europe for ventricular ablation, and also received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for the technology. ISRG shares have lost 34.6% year-to-date compared with the industry's decline of 6.9%, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings implies a 20.3% improvement from the year-ago period.

Johnson & Johnson received FDA 510(k) clearance for MONARCH QUEST 3, the latest software update for its MONARCH Platform for robotically assisted bronchoscopy. The update advances planning, navigation and targeting capabilities, with a focus on supporting clinicians during complex procedures and improving confidence in the early detection of lung cancer. The MONARCH Platform is the first flexible, robotically assisted bronchoscopy platform and provides continuous visualization throughout procedures, including navigation to and biopsy of targets under direct vision. MONARCH QUEST 3 builds on this foundation by enhancing the platform's ability to account for CT-to-body divergence and anatomical changes that may occur during bronchoscopy. The latest release incorporates Polyphonic for MONARCH, Johnson & Johnson's open digital ecosystem, which enables clinicians to review procedural volume data and collaborate through a centralized video library.

Intuitive Surgical announced it will expand its manufacturing presence in Asia Pacific with a new 316,000-square-foot facility in Penang, Malaysia, under a lease agreement with Penang Development Corporation at Bandar Cassia Technology Park. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2028 and create approximately 1,200 highly skilled jobs by 2032, manufacturing surgical instruments and electromechanical devices used with the da Vinci surgical system. Management cited Asia Pacific as a significant growth opportunity given rising adoption of robotic-assisted surgery, and the investment underscores the company's long-term commitment to the region. Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said the project will strengthen Penang's medical technology ecosystem and support its goal of becoming a leading MedTech hub in Southeast Asia. Intuitive Surgical currently has a market capitalization of $137.90 billion.

Intuitive Surgical is rolling out the first phase of more than 100 planned software updates for its da Vinci 5 platform, targeting telepresence, simulation-based training and Care Team workflow. The company submitted multiple innovations for FDA 510(k) clearance, signaling an ongoing stream of capability enhancements rather than a one-time product launch. Its My Intuitive+ integrated offering completed a first wave of renewals in the second quarter with no customer opt-outs, and second-quarter service revenues increased 21% while service revenue per da Vinci system rose 8%. Management believes the layered ecosystem spanning robotics, software, AI, training and workflow optimization can meaningfully differentiate its solutions and reduce total cost of care.

Oppenheimer upgraded Intuitive Surgical from Perform to Outperform and set a $500 price target, implying 24.6% upside. The analysts expect the company to maintain its leading position in robotic surgery despite rising competition, and they see potential in its AI capability stack for surgical data. Intuitive Surgical's second-quarter revenue rose 18.5% year-over-year to $2.89 billion, beating the $2.82 billion consensus, while non-GAAP EPS of $2.80 topped the $2.50 estimate. The stock has dropped 16.8% over the past 52 weeks and is down 29.15% year-to-date, but Wall Street consensus remains a Strong Buy with a $480.93 average target.

Johnson & Johnson received FDA De Novo authorization for its OTTAVA soft-tissue robotic surgery system and advanced a US$5.50 billion talc settlement framework, reshaping its investment narrative. The company also reported strong Q2 2026 results, gained FDA Priority Review for its RYBREVANT FASPRO oncology franchise, and agreed to collaborate with Sail Biomedicines on in vivo CAR-T therapies. These developments, alongside leadership changes in its Innovative Medicine unit and new MedTech and electrophysiology partnerships, highlight a strategic pivot toward higher-growth innovative medicines and medical technologies while addressing legacy legal exposures. The company's narrative projects $120.5 billion revenue and $28.6 billion earnings by 2029, requiring 7.2% yearly revenue growth and a $7.6 billion earnings increase from $21.0 billion today.