ISRG was founded in 1995 and raised $46 million in IPO in the year 2000 (about $61 million in 2014 dollars) to bring the system to market (we need a lot less) and our system capabilities and technology is superior.
ISRG received FDA approval for general Lap Surgery in 2000. PPS was $9.44 in June of 2000 all on an unproven concept/technology/company.
Also, acceptance of robotic surgery is a smaller barrier today than it was back when ISRG was trying to bring da Vinci to market.