Intuitive clarifies communication on surgical system power performance

Intuitive has provided clarification on a December 2024 communication sent to its US customers. The communication concerns the handling of da Vinci 5 surgical systems during power outages or fluctuations.

According to the company, Intuitive became aware of a limited number of hospitals experiencing repeated wall power outlet interruptions. The company then issued a communication to reiterate existing best practices for managing the da Vinci 5 system during broader institutional power interruptions. These guidelines are also detailed in the da Vinci 5 system's FDA-cleared Instructions for Use (IFU).

Intuitive stated that the December communication did not identify new hazards, device malfunctions, or unanticipated failure modes. The letter reinforced appropriate actions in response to external electrical conditions outside of Intuitive's surgical systems.

Following the December communication, Intuitive implemented software enhancements to help customers better manage these situations, even as the system continued to perform to specification with a consistent power supply. The company emphasized that these enhancements were preventative and incremental, and not in response to newly identified safety concerns. No related complaints have been reported since the latest software update.