Intuitive Surgical falls after FDA flags stapler problem tied to four injuries, one death

Shares of medical device maker Intuitive Surgical ISRG.O down 1.1% at $477.5

US FDA says it is aware that Intuitive Surgical has alerted customers about a problem involving certain curved‑tip staplers used with its da Vinci robotic surgery system, after reports of incomplete staple lines during procedures on blood vessels

As of February 23, Intuitive Surgical reported four serious injuries and one death linked to the issue, according to the FDA

An incomplete staple line on a vessel can leave the tissue fully cut and exposed, causing bleeding that may require surgeons to convert from a minimally invasive procedure to an open surgery technique, the agency says

Stock has been down 15.7% YTD