The robotic surgical systems market will undergo significant growth in the next decade, and Intuitive Surgical will be the company to beat, according to The Motley Fool.
Three reasons market growth is expected:
1. Demographic trends. Aging baby boomers are undergoing surgeries that are well-suited for Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci system. Additionally, female millennials are nearing their 40s, which is a common age for da Vinci-reliant hysterectomies.
2. International growth opportunities. The U.S. has the most robotic surgical systems installed, but other countries are undergoing similar demographic changes. This trend creates a large international opportunity for minimally invasive surgery, and therefore, robotic surgical systems.
3. Continuing advances. The types of procedures suitable for robotic surgery will continue expanding as Intuitive Surgical and other robotics companies make further technological advances.
As the market transforms, Intuitive Surgical will face more competition, according to analyst Keith Speights. Medtronic plans to launch a robotic surgical system, and Johnson & Johnson is acquiring Auris Health, which shares a founder with Intuitive. However, Intuitive's "long track record" gives it an edge over the competition, Mr. Speights said.