Improving cost of care and operating efficiencies are important aspects of the quadruple aim. In our ongoing commitment to support these goals, we are extending the number of uses of many of the most common da Vinci X/Xi instruments beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020. By reducing price-per-use on core instruments, we expect the Extended Use Program will help our healthcare customers drive down costs associated with patient treatment.
At Intuitive, one of our priorities is long-term investment in instrument design and production to enhance the quality and durability of our offerings. Since the 2014 launch of the da Vinci Xi system, we have made continuous improvements in instrument design, informed by instrument use data from millions of procedures. These enhancements have led to improvements in instrument reliability over time. Recent testing of core da Vinci X/Xi instruments has validated their use beyond today’s 10-use limit while delivering the same da Vinci precision and dexterity customers expect from Intuitive. Additionally, as part of this program, we will be lowering the price on certain other da Vinci X/Xi instruments that are commonly used in lower acuity procedures. Together, these changes will drive instrument savings as well as create efficiencies related to less frequent inventory ordering.
In the U.S., we expect the Extended Use Program will result in da Vinci X/Xi instrument cost savings of 9% to 15%1 for the majority of U.S. customers, depending on their specific procedure mix and utilization. Savings will vary by customer and country.
The Extended Use Program will be available to U.S. and select European customers in the fourth quarter of 2020. Availability in other countries is dependent on country-specific regulatory requirements.
For questions regarding country-specific launch schedules or product ordering, please contact your local Intuitive sales representative for details.