Intuitive Surgical; Inc.

No. 2 Intuitive Surgical

Health-Care Products
ISRG
Value of investment: $76,562.57*

5-year return: 665.6%
2009 revenues: $1.1 billion
2009 net income: $232.6 million

The first mover in the computer-assisted surgery market, Intuitive sells $1 million-plus systems that let surgeons remove tumors by looking at a monitor while guiding tiny scalpels and needles attached to robotic arms. That might seem to epitomize the runaway costs associated with U.S. health care (and a recent botched surgery in New Hampshire brought unwelcome headlines), yet CEO Gary Guthart, 44, argues that his systems allow surgeons to work more efficiently, producing better outcomes and less trauma. “In the end it saves money,” he says.

*For all slides as of 3/31/10

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