Technology Innovation in Today's Medical Device Environment: Opportunities and Obstacles

Gary Guthart, Intuitive Surgical Inc.
Host: Russ Taylor

Computation, sensing, mechanisms, algorithmic frameworks and advanced manufacturing technologies are advancing at a rapid pace. Their application to medical therapies hold significant promise for improving outcomes and quality of life for patients suffering from serious disease. The current medical, economic and regulatory environment pose significant challenges to bringing innovative computational and robotic products into medical practice. This talk will discuss the early development experience of the daVinci surgical system, changes in the medical, regulatory and economic environment and point to some areas of fruitful technology research.

Speaker Biography

Gary S. Guthart, Ph.D. joined Intuitive Surgical in April 1996. Effective January 2010, Dr. Guthart was appointed as Chief Executive Officer. In July 2007, he was promoted to President. Prior to that, in February 2006, Dr. Guthart assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Intuitive, Dr. Guthart was part of the core team developing foundation technology for computer enhanced-surgery at SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute). Dr. Guthart is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Affymetrix, Inc. He received a B.S. in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Engineering Science from the California Institute of Technology.

Dr. Guthart brings to the Board business, operating, financial and scientific experience. His service as the CEO of Intuitive enables the Board to perform its oversight function with the benefits of management’s perspectives on the business.