• Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Jan. 9, 2008 Close: $101.80

• 52-week range: $99.75 (Jan. 8, 2009) - $357.98 (Apr. 10, 2008)

Intuitive Surgical developed and launched the da Vinci Surgical System for non-invasive surgical techniques. In 2000 it became the first robotic surgical system to be cleared by the FDA for general laparoscopic* surgery.

* [Laparoscopic surgery, also called minimally invasive surgery ((MIS)), band aid surgery, keyhole surgery, or pinhole surgery is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions (usually 0.5-1.5cm) as compared to larger incisions needed in traditional surgical procedures. Laparoscopic surgery includes operations within the abdominal or pelvic cavities, whereas keyhole surgery performed on the thoracic or chest cavity is called Thoracoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic surgery belong to the broader field of endoscopy.]