After first being founded to chase robotic heart surgery — before a decades-long pivot into high-volume gynecologic, urologic and general procedures — Intuitive recently re-entered the space by picking up a broad cardiac clearance from the FDA in January.
The latest CE mark covers certain coronary artery bypasses, as well as thoracoscopic cardiotomy procedures, which access the interior of the heart through small incisions that avoid opening up the breastbone.