| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 2407405 - Disclosure - Balance Sheet Details and Other Financial Information - Other Long-Term Liabilities (Details) (http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/BalanceSheetDetailsAndOtherFinancialInformationOtherLongTermLiabilitiesDetails) |
| Table | (Implied) |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0001035267 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | Period [Axis] | |
|---|---|---|
2016-12-31 | 2015-12-31 | |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | ||
Income taxes—long term | ||
Other long-term liabilities | ||
Total other long-term liabilities | 112,600,000 | 95,900,000 |