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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, 2000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 2000 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan of
Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Inc. of our report dated January 26, 2001 with respect
to the financial statements of Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Inc. included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California
July 11, 2001