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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RWB6cp9CxyFT1QiThHk1w9gwQg+KQKbTky1i2bO71jnWk9FyXCZoZx/Qln9d7ntr
 +E/u1YC0dY3lUhwcTiCbTA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-017731.txt : 20040326
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-017731.hdr.sgml : 20040326
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040326181944
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-017731
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040324
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040326

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INTUITIVE SURGICAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001035267
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ORTHOPEDIC, PROSTHETIC & SURGICAL APPLIANCES & SUPPLIES [3842]
		IRS NUMBER:				770416458
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		950 KIFER ROAD
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94086
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4085232100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		950 KIFER ROAD
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94086

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MERCER WILLIAM J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203587

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30713
		FILM NUMBER:		04694244

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1386
		CITY:			RANCHO SANTA FE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8587561408

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1386
		CITY:			RANCO SANTA FE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92067
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-24</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001035267</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INTUITIVE SURGICAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ISRG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203587</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MERCER WILLIAM J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>950 KIFER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SUNNYVALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94086</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/William J. Mercer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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