Intuitive (Nasdaq: ISRG), a global leader in minimally invasive care and pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, has announced the first in a series of software updates for da Vinci 5, aimed at boosting surgeon performance and hospital efficiency by delivering real-time surgical insights.
With over 10,000 times the computing power of its predecessor, da Vinci Xi, da Vinci 5 introduces three key innovations:
When paired with Force Feedback instruments, Force Gauge provides a speedometer-like visual indicator showing the real-time force applied to tissue within a 0–6.5 Newton range. This feature is designed to enhance tissue-handling awareness and help surgeons apply optimal force.
“We’ve had the opportunity to use da Vinci 5 Force Feedback technology for over a year and a half at Adventist Health Simi Valley, and we are finding that we are consistently applying less force to tissue during procedures,” said Dr. Andrea Pakula, Medical Director of Robotic Surgery at Adventist Health. “Now, with the addition of the new Force Gauge feature, we have a real-time visual indicator of the force being applied through the instruments. This provides immediate feedback and adds another layer of information to allow us to further refine our technique. I'm excited to see how these enhancements could support gentler, safer surgery, as we remain focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
Recent data published in The American Journal of Surgery suggests that Force Feedback technology can significantly reduce overall force applied during surgery without compromising outcomes such as bowel function recovery or hospital stay duration.
This feature allows surgeons to review earlier moments of an ongoing procedure without removing their head from the console. The video appears directly in their field of view, alongside a live picture-in-picture feed, helping improve decision-making, collaboration between dual consoles, and procedural safety.
Both Force Gauge and In-Console Video Replay will be deployed through Network CCM, a remote system update feature for da Vinci 5. This allows hospitals to enable new software updates without on-site intervention, reducing administrative workload and improving efficiency.
“The expanded computing power of da Vinci 5 offers an opportunity to continuously optimize and extend platform performance capabilities through sequential software releases,” said Intuitive Chief Executive Officer Dave Rosa. “We pay careful attention to our customers’ long-term needs, and the integration of these latest features is the next step towards realizing what we set out to achieve with da Vinci 5 – helping surgeons and care teams to optimize efficiencies, deliver improved patient outcomes, and ultimately lower the total cost of care.”
These new capabilities were unveiled at Intuitive 360, the company’s annual peer-to-peer educational forum. All three features — Force Gauge, In-Console Video Replay, and Network CCM — have received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Availability will vary by country, subject to local regulatory approvals.