Intuitive Surgical buys NeoGuide for less invasive surgical tech

Intuitive Surgical, provider of large robotic surgical equipment, announced its acquisition of NeoGuide Systems, a San Jose, Calif., company that makes minimally invasive surgical devices. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Intuitive says it doesn’t have a specific application for NeoGuide’s technology yet but is most interested in devices that access the body through the mouth, reports VentureWire.

NeoGuide was backed by Advent Venture Partners, Angels Forum, Halo Fund, Arboretum Ventures, 3i Group, DC Capital, Kaiser Permanente Ventures, SBV Venture Partners, UV Partners and Versant Ventures. It raised $25 million in third-round funding in 2006. Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Intuitive is a public company.