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EXHIBIT 5.1
[COOLEY GODWARD LLP LETTERHEAD]
August 11, 2000
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
1340 W. Middlefield Road
Mountain View, CA 94043
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection
with the filing by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (the "Company") of a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and
Exchange Commission covering the offering of up to 8,435,110 shares of the
Company's Common Stock, $.001 par value, (the "Shares") pursuant to its 2000
Equity Incentive Plan, 2000 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan and 2000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (collectively, the "Plans").
In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement and
related Prospectus, your Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, as amended,
and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments
as we deem necessary as a basis for this opinion. We have assumed the
genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof, and
the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery
are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.
On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion
that the Shares, when sold and issued in accordance with the Plans, the
Registration Statement and related Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully
paid, and nonassessable (except as to shares issued pursuant to certain deferred
payment arrangements, which will be fully paid and nonassessable when such
deferred payments are made in full).
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
Very truly yours,
COOLEY GODWARD LLP
By: /s/ LAURA A. BEREZIN
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Laura A. Berezin
cc: Lonnie M. Smith
