1
 
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 3, 1999
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-66133
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2
    
 
                                       TO
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                       INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 

                                                                            
                DELAWARE                         1850 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE                        60-0232575
    (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF            DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95616-4884         (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
     INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)             TELEPHONE: (530) 792-2600
                                                TELECOPIER: (530) 792-2690

 
         (ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                           -------------------------
 
                             DR. RAMESH C. TRIVEDI
                     CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT
                       INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
                            1850 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE
                          DAVIS, CALIFORNIA 95616-4884
                           TELEPHONE: (530) 792-2600
                           TELECOPIER: (530) 792-2690
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                           -------------------------
 
  A COPY OF ALL COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS SENT TO THE AGENT FOR
                           SERVICE SHOULD BE SENT TO:
 
                               JACK BECKER, ESQ.
                            SNOW BECKER KRAUSS P.C.
                                605 THIRD AVENUE
                           NEW YORK, N.Y. 10158-0125
                           TELEPHONE: (212) 687-3860
                           TELECOPIER: (212) 949-7052
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  As soon as practicable
after the effective date of this registration statement.
                           -------------------------
 
     If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered or
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
                           -------------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2
 
   
     PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS, SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 3, 1999
    
 
                                1,809,000 SHARES
 
                       INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
The selling securityholders named in this prospectus are offering and selling up
to 1,809,000 shares of the common stock of Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc.
They may acquire 1,760,000 of those shares upon conversion of 3,520 shares of
series A preferred stock and 44,000 shares upon exercise of warrants.
 
   
The common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol
"RDOC", and is listed on The Pacific Exchange Inc. under
the symbol "ROB". The common stock also has been admitted for trading on the
European Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotation system under the
symbol "RDOC".
    
 
   
THE COMMON STOCK IS A SPECULATIVE INVESTMENT AND INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
YOU SHOULD READ THE DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN RISKS UNDER THE CAPTION "RISK
FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 2 BEFORE PURCHASING THE COMMON STOCK.
    
 
   
Our executive offices are at 1850 Research Park Drive, Davis Calferine
95616-4884, and our telephone number is 530-792-2600.
    
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
   
    
 
                           -------------------------
               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS             , 1999
 
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY
SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE
WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES
LAWS OF ANY STATE.
   3
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 


                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
                                                           
Risk Factors................................................    2
Forward Looking Statements..................................   10
Selling Securityholders.....................................   11
Plan of Distribution........................................   12
Information About the Company...............................   14
Legal Matters...............................................   15
Experts.....................................................   15

 
                           -------------------------
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. You
should rely only on the information or representations provided in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. The common stock will not be offered in any state where an offer is
not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the cover of this prospectus.
   4
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
   
ABILITY TO OPERATE PROFITABLY.  We have incurred losses since we commenced
operations in 1990. We incurred a net loss of approximately $4,478,000 (on net
sales of approximately $4,934,000) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
and a net loss of approximately $3,449,000 (on net sales of approximately
$2,280,000) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. We incurred a net loss
of approximately $7,454,000 (on net sales of approximately $4,188,000) for the
nine months ended September 30, 1998, as compared to a net loss of approximately
$2,851,000 (on net sales of approximately $2,818,000) for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997. As a result of continuing losses, our accumulated deficit
was approximately $31,049,000 at September 30, 1998. We expect to continue to
incur operating losses until such time, if ever, as we derive significant
revenues from the sale of our products. Our ability to operate profitably
depends upon market acceptance of our orthopaedic and neurosurgical products,
our development of an effective sales and marketing organization, and our
development of new products and improvements to existing products. Our ability
to market the ROBODOC System in the United States is dependent upon approval by
the Food and Drug Administration. See "Risk Factors -- Need to Obtain Approval
of U.S. Food and Drug Administration to Market ROBODOC System in the United
States." We cannot give you any assurance that we will obtain FDA approval to
market the ROBODOC System in the United States or that our products will achieve
market acceptance in the United States, Europe and other foreign markets to
generate sufficient revenues to become profitable.
    
 
   
DEPENDENCE ON PRINCIPAL PRODUCT.  For the near term, we expect to derive most of
our revenues from sales of the ROBODOC System. Accordingly, our potential future
success and financial performance will depend almost entirely on our ability to
successfully market the ROBODOC System. If we are unable to obtain the requisite
regulatory approvals or to achieve commercial acceptance of the ROBODOC System,
our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially
and adversely affected. We have not obtained, and we cannot give you any
assurance that we will obtain, clearance or approval to market the ROBODOC
System in the United States. See "Risk Factors -- Need to Obtain Approval of
U.S. Food and Drug Administration to Market ROBODOC System in the United
States."
    
 
UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE.  To successfully commercialize our systems we
must commit substantial marketing efforts and expend significant funds to inform
potential customers, including hospitals and physicians, of the distinctive
characteristics and advantages of using our systems instead of traditional
surgical tools and procedures. Since our systems employ innovative technology,
rather than being an improvement of existing technology, and represent a
substantial capital expenditure, we expect to encounter resistance to change,
which we must overcome to successfully market our products. If our systems do
not achieve significant market acceptance, our business, financial condition and
results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
 
ALTERNATIVES TO OUR PRODUCTS.  The principal competition for the ROBODOC System
is manual surgery performed by orthopaedic surgeons, using surgical power tools
and manual devices. The providers of these instruments are the major orthopaedic
companies, which include Howmedica, Inc. (a subsidiary of Stryker Corporation),
located in New York; Zimmer, Inc. (a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb
Company), located in Indiana; Johnson & Johnson Orthopaedics, Inc. (a subsidiary
of Johnson & Johnson), located in New Jersey; DePuy, Inc. (a subsidiary of
Johnson & Johnson) located in Indiana; Biomet, Inc., located in Indiana; and
Osteonics, Inc. (a subsidiary of the Stryker Corporation), located in New
Jersey. MAQUET, a manufacturer of operating tables located in Germany, has
announced that it intends to market a device similar to the ROBODOC System. The
principal competition for the NeuroMate System are frame-based and frameless
navigators, which are manually operated. Approximately twenty navigator models
have been introduced, including those by Radionics, Sofamor-Danek and Ohio
Medical Surgical products, all located in the United States; Elekta, located in
Sweden; and Fischer Leibingher and Brain Lab, both located in Germany. In
general, there are companies in the medical products industry capable of
developing and marketing computer-controlled robotic systems for surgical
applications, many of whom have significantly greater financial, technical,
manufacturing, marketing and distribution resources than us, and have
 
                                        2
   5
 
established reputations in the medical device industry. Furthermore, we cannot
give you any assurance that IBM or the University of California, which developed
the technology embodied in the ROBODOC System and hold patents relating thereto,
will not enter the market or license the technology to other companies.
 
We cannot give you any assurance that future competition will not have a
material adverse effect on our business. The cost of our systems represents a
significant capital expenditure for a customer and accordingly may discourage
purchases by certain customers.
 
   
NEED TO OBTAIN APPROVAL OF U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO MARKET ROBODOC
SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES.  Before a new medical device can be introduced into
the U.S. market, the manufacturer must obtain FDA permission to market through
either the 510(k) pre-market notification process for medical devices which are
substantially similar to other approved medical devices or the costlier,
lengthier and less certain pre-market approval application process. Following a
pre-filing meeting with representatives of the FDA in early 1998, we stated that
we intended to file our pre-market approval application to market the ROBODOC
System with the FDA in the second quarter of 1998. As a result of further
discussions with representatives of the FDA as part of the pre-submission review
process (which process is intended to expedite the FDA's formal pre-market
approval process), we have deferred the filing of our pre-market approval
application with the FDA so that we may incorporate our DigiMatch Single Surgery
System, and possibly other technical developments, as part of our pre-market
approval application. We believe, based upon our discussions with
representatives of the FDA, that the incorporation of the DigiMatch Single
Surgery System will enhance our prospects for obtaining FDA approval. However,
we cannot give you any assurance as to when or if the FDA will grant pre-market
approval for the ROBODOC System or that such approval, if obtained, will not
include unfavorable limitations or restrictions.
    
 
   
In order to obtain FDA clearance or approval, we must demonstrate that the
ROBODOC System is safe and effective, and we may be required to show a clinical
benefit to patients. We believe that a reduced incidence of intraoperative
fractures with the ROBODOC System compared to conventional total hip replacement
surgery would offer an important benefit. The number of patients enrolled in our
U.S. clinical study is less than the 300 patients (150 ROBODOC System; 150
control group) we initially requested to study in our investigational device
exemption application to the FDA. Nonetheless, over 3,300 primary surgeries have
been performed with the ROBODOC System in the U.S. clinical trial and the
European treatment population without a single reported intraoperative fracture.
Since the observed fracture rate in the control group in the U.S. clinical trial
was lower than anticipated, the data from this study are not sufficient to
establish a statistically significant reduction in intraoperative fractures
compared to the control group. Nevertheless, the data from both the U.S. and the
European group of patients suggest that the ROBODOC System reduces
intraoperative fractures when compared to the fracture rate of approximately 3
to 28 percent for conventional surgery reported in the scientific and medical
literature. However, we cannot give you any assurance that the FDA will agree
that the ROBODOC System offers a clinically significant reduction in
intraoperative fractures, in the absence of a controlled trial demonstrating
such a reduction, or that such a reduction is of clinical benefit to patients.
    
 
The FDA has advised us that it believes long-term functional assessments are the
primary endpoints for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the ROBODOC
System. Our preliminary review of the functional assessment data from the U.S.
clinical trial shows equivalence between the ROBODOC System and conventional
surgery. We believe that achieving better implant fit and alignment in the
femoral cavity are significant factors in the success of cementless total hip
replacement surgery, although the FDA has questioned whether fit is an
appropriate endpoint and has not addressed alignment.
 
Our most recent statistical analysis of fit and alignment parameters from
3-month radiographs showed that the ROBODOC System surgeries produced better fit
and alignment when compared to conventional surgeries. We believe a more
accurate fit of the prosthesis reflects the implant manufacturers' design goals
for implant cavity preparation. We also reviewed 24-month radiographs evaluating
prosthesis stability. We cannot give you any assurance that the FDA will accept
our data that demonstrates the ROBODOC
 
                                        3
   6
 
System achieves better implant fit, alignment and stability, or that the FDA
will agree that better fit and alignment are significant surgical endpoints. In
addition, we cannot give you any assurance that the FDA will agree that the
greater surgery time and blood loss associated with the ROBODOC System does not
pose a significant safety concern or create an unfavorable risk/benefit ratio.
Further, we cannot give you any assurance that the FDA will not require us to
obtain additional clinical data from a randomized, controlled trial to resolve
any concern about the risk/benefit ratio offered by the ROBODOC System. If we
must obtain such additional data, the FDA review process could be prolonged by
several years.
 
   
ABILITY TO COMPLY WITH QUALITY SYSTEM AND OTHER FDA REPORTING AND INSPECTION
REQUIREMENTS. Assuming we obtain the necessary FDA approvals and clearances for
our products, in order to maintain such approvals and clearances we must, among
other things, register our establishment and list our devices with the FDA and
with certain state agencies, maintain extensive records, report any adverse
experiences on the use of our products and submit to periodic inspections by the
FDA and certain state agencies. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act also requires
devices to be manufactured in accordance with the quality system regulation,
which sets forth good manufacturing practices requirements with respect to
manufacturing and quality assurance activities. The quality system regulation
revises the previous good manufacturing practices regulation and imposes certain
enhanced requirements that are likely to increase the cost of compliance,
including design controls.
    
 
   
NEED TO OBTAIN FOREIGN REGULATORY APPROVALS.  The introduction of our products
in foreign markets has subjected and will continue to subject us to foreign
regulatory clearances, which may be unpredictable and uncertain, and which may
impose substantial additional costs and burdens. Many countries also impose
product standards, packaging requirements, labeling requirements and import
restrictions on devices. We cannot give you any assurance that any of our
products will receive further approvals or clearances, if required on a timely
basis, or at all.
    
 
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING PATENTS AND PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY.  Our
ability to compete successfully may depend, in part, on our ability to obtain
and protect patents, protect trade secrets and operate without infringing the
proprietary rights of others. Certain robotic medical technology underlying our
products is the subject of a United States patent issued to IBM, which IBM has
agreed not to enforce against the manufacture and sale of our products. We have
been issued four U.S. patents and filed seven patent applications covering
various aspects of our technology.
 
Our U.S. patents include
 
          - Computer assisted software system for planning and performing hip
            revision surgery
 
          - Computer assisted system and method for creating cavities in the
            femur that will accept a prosthesis
 
          - Computer system and method for creating a pre-operative surgical
            plan for hip replacement surgery
 
          - Method for orienting real patient anatomy to a digital image of the
            patient's anatomy
 
We cannot give you any assurance that our pending or future patent applications
will mature into issued patents, or that we will continue to develop our own
patentable technologies. Further, we cannot give you any assurance that any
patents that may be issued to us effectively protect our technology or provide a
competitive advantage for our products or will not be challenged, invalidated,
or circumvented in the future. In addition, we cannot give you any assurance
that competitors, many of which have substantially more resources than us and
have made substantial investments in competing technologies, will not obtain
patents that will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use or
sell our products either in the United States or internationally.
 
The medical device industry has been characterized by substantial competition
and litigation regarding patent and other proprietary rights. We intend to
vigorously protect and defend our patents and other
                                        4
   7
 
proprietary rights relating to our proprietary technology. Litigation alleging
infringement claims against us (with or without merit), or instituted by us to
enforce patents and to protect trade secrets or know-how owned by us or to
determine the enforceability, scope and validity of the proprietary rights of
others, is costly and time consuming. If any relevant claims of third-party
patents are upheld as valid and enforceable in any litigation or administrative
proceedings, we could be prevented from practicing the subject matter claimed in
such patents, or could be required to obtain licenses from the patent owners of
each patent, or to redesign our products or processes to avoid infringement. We
cannot give you any assurance that such licenses would be available or, if
available, would be available on terms acceptable to us or that we would be
successful in any attempt to redesign our products or processes to avoid
infringement. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or
administrative proceeding or failure to obtain necessary licenses could prevent
us from manufacturing and selling our products, which would have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
LIMITED PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE.  Our success will depends in part on our ability
to assemble our products in a timely, cost-effective manner and in compliance
with good manufacturing practices, and manufacturing requirements of other
countries, including the International Standards Organization 9000 standards and
other regulatory requirements. The assembly of our products is a complex
operation involving a number of separate processes and components. Our
production activities to date have consisted primarily of assembling limited
quantities of systems for use in clinical trials and systems for commercial
sale. We do not have experience in assembling our products in larger commercial
quantities. Furthermore, as a condition to receipt of pre-market approval, our
facilities, procedures and practices will be subject to pre-approval and ongoing
good manufacturing practices inspections by the FDA.
 
Manufacturers often encounter difficulties in scaling up manufacturing of new
products, including problems involving product yields, quality control and
assurance, component and service availability, adequacy of control policies and
procedures, lack of qualified personnel, compliance with FDA regulations, and
the need for further FDA approval of new manufacturing processes and facilities.
We cannot give you any assurance that production yields, costs or quality will
not be adversely affected as we seek to increase production, and any such
adverse effect could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIER FOR ROBOT.  Although we have multiple sources for most of
our components, parts and assemblies used in the ROBODOC and NeuroMate Systems,
we are dependent on Sankyo Seiki of Japan for the ROBODOC System robot arm and
Audemars-Piguet of Switzerland for the supply of the customized NeuroMate robot.
Although we can obtain the robot for either the ROBODOC System or the NeuroMate
System from other suppliers, with appropriate modifications and engineering
effort, we cannot give you any assurance that delays resulting from the required
modifications or engineering effort to adapt alternative components would not
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
 
RELIANCE ON FOREIGN SALES.  Since we commenced operations, substantially all of
our sales have been to customers in Germany, Austria, France and Japan. We
believe that until such time, if ever, as we receive approval from the FDA to
market the ROBODOC System in the United States, substantially all of our sales
for the ROBODOC System will be derived from customers in foreign markets.
Foreign sales are subject to certain risks, including economic or political
instability, shipping delays, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates,
changes in regulatory requirements, custom duties and export quotas and other
trade restrictions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our
business. To date, payment for substantially all ROBODOC Systems in Europe has
been fixed in U.S. Dollars. However, we cannot give you any assurance that in
the future customers will be willing to make payment for our products in U.S.
Dollars. If the U.S. Dollar strengthens substantially against the foreign
currency of a country in which we sell our products, the cost of purchasing our
products in U.S. Dollars would increase and may inhibit
 
                                        5
   8
 
purchases of our products by customers in that country. We are unable to predict
the nature of future changes in foreign markets or the effect, if any, they
might have on us.
 
UNCERTAINTY CONCERNING THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT.  We expect that our ability to
successfully commercialize our products will depend significantly on the
availability of reimbursement for surgical procedures using our products from
third-party payors, such as governmental programs, private insurance and private
health plans. Reimbursement is a significant factor considered by hospitals in
determining whether to acquire new equipment. Notwithstanding FDA approval, if
granted, third-party payors may deny reimbursement if the payor determines that
a therapeutic medical device is unnecessary, inappropriate, not cost-effective
or experimental or is used for a nonapproved indication. Although we are not
aware of any potential customer that has declined to purchase the ROBODOC System
based upon third party reimbursement policies, cost control measures adopted by
third-party payors may have a significant effect on surgeries performed with the
ROBODOC System or as to the levels of reimbursement. We cannot give you any
assurance that levels of reimbursement, if any, will not be decreased in the
future, or that future legislation, regulation, or reimbursement policies of
third-party payors will not otherwise adversely affect the demand for our
products or our ability to sell our products on a profitable basis. Fundamental
reforms in the healthcare industry in the United States and Europe that could
affect the availability of third-party reimbursement continue to be proposed,
and we cannot predict the timing or effect of any such proposal. If third-party
payor coverage or reimbursement is unavailable or inadequate, our business,
financial condition and results of operation could be materially and adversely
affected.
 
   
LENGTHY SALES CYCLE MAY CAUSE US TO RECOGNIZE THE SALES PRICE OF A SYSTEM IN A
SUBSEQUENT FISCAL QUARTER TO THE FISCAL QUARTER IN WHICH WE INCURRED RELATED
MARKETING AND SALES EXPENSES.  Since the purchase of a ROBODOC System or
NeuroMate System represents a significant capital expenditure for a customer,
the placement of orders may be delayed due to customers' internal procedures to
approve large capital expenditures. We anticipate that the period between
initial contact of a customer for a system and submission of a purchase order by
that customer could be as long as 9 to 12 months. Furthermore, the current lead
time required by the supplier of the robot for either the ROBODOC System or the
NeuroMate System is approximately four months after receipt of the order. We may
be required to expend significant cash resources to fund our operations until
the purchase price is paid. Accordingly, we may not recognize the sales price of
a system until a fiscal quarter subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which we
incurred marketing and sales expenses associated with an order.
    
 
ABILITY TO MANAGE GROWTH.  We plan to expand our sales and marketing, research
and development and technical personnel to increase and support sales of systems
and to develop additional surgical applications for our orthopaedic and
neurosurgical systems. Our anticipated growth will likely result in new and
increased responsibilities for management personnel and place significant strain
upon our management, operating and financial systems and resources. To
accommodate such growth and compete effectively, we must continue to implement
and improve our operational, financial, management and information systems,
procedures and controls, and to expand, train, motivate and manage our
personnel. We cannot give you any assurance that our personnel, systems,
procedures and controls will be adequate to support our future operations. If we
fail to implement and improve our operational, financial, management and
information systems, procedures or controls, or to expand, train, motivate or
manage our employees, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
 
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING.  Although we believe that we have sufficient
funding to finance our operations through 1999, we cannot give you any assurance
that additional financing will not be needed at an earlier date. This will
depend upon our ability to generate sufficient sales of our products and the
timing of required expenditures. We cannot give you any assurance that if we
need additional financing in the future, such financing will be available on
acceptable terms, if at all.
 
   
EXPOSURE TO PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS.  The manufacture and sale of medical
products exposes us to the risk of significant damages from product liability
claims. Although we maintain product liability insurance
    
 
                                        6
   9
 
against product liability claims in the amount of $5 million per occurrence and
$5 million in aggregate, we cannot give you any assurance that the coverage
limits of our insurance policies will be adequate or that such insurance can be
maintained at acceptable costs. Although we have not experienced any product
liability claims to date, a successful claim brought against us in excess of our
insurance coverage could have a materially adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL.  Our business and marketing plan was formulated by,
and is to be implemented under the direction of, Dr. Ramesh C. Trivedi, Chief
Executive Officer and President. Dr. Trivedi is employed pursuant to an
employment agreement that may be terminated by either Dr. Trivedi or us at any
time. If we terminate Dr. Trivedi's employment other than for cause, we must pay
him his monthly salary (currently, $23,320) for a period of 18 months following
the date of termination. We maintain key-man insurance on the life of Dr.
Trivedi. Our growth and future success also will depend in large part on the
continued contributions of key technical and senior management personnel, as
well as our ability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified personnel
generally and, in particular, trained and experienced professionals capable of
developing, selling and installing the Systems and training surgeons in their
use. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot give you any
assurance that we will be successful in hiring, motivating or retaining such
qualified personnel. None of our executive or key technical personnel, other
than Dr. Trivedi, is employed pursuant to an employment agreement. The loss of
the services of Dr. Trivedi or other senior management or key technical
personnel, or the inability to hire or retain qualified personnel, could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
   
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT OF FUTURE SALES OF COMMON STOCK ON THE MARKET PRICE OF
OUR COMMON STOCK. Sales of substantial amounts of common stock, or the
possibility of such sales, could adversely affect the market price of our common
stock and also impair our ability to raise capital through an offering of equity
securities in the future. As of December 1, 1998, there were 5,643,372 shares of
common stock outstanding. Except for 1,039,792 shares of common stock
(representing approximately 18.4% of the outstanding common stock) owned by EJ
Financial Investments V, L.P., which may be sold in accordance with the volume
limitations of Rule 144, substantially all of the outstanding shares of common
stock are transferable without restriction under the Securities Act. An
additional
    
 
   
     -  1,760,000 shares are issuable upon conversion of the Series A preferred
        stock, at an assumed conversion price of $2.00 per share. The actual
        conversion price is computed by reference to 85% of the lowest sale
        price of one share of common stock for the five trading days preceding
        the date of conversion.
    
 
   
     -  2,274,066 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants owned by IBM at
        exercise prices ranging from $.01 to $.07.
    
 
   
     -  2,091,986 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants issued in our
        initial public offering at an exercise price of $5.47 per share.
    
 
   
     -  1,321,058 shares are issuable upon exercise of stock options granted
        pursuant to our employee stock option plans at exercise prices ranging
        from $.07 to $8.63 per share.
    
 
   
     -  408,155 shares are issuable upon exercise of warrants having exercise
        prices ranging from $4.31 to $7.42 per share.
    
 
Substantially all of such shares (other than the shares issuable upon exercise
of the warrants owned by IBM), when issued, may be immediately resold in the
public market pursuant to effective registration statements under the Securities
Act or pursuant to Rule 144. In April 1998, we amended the warrants owned by IBM
to permit IBM to exercise them without the payment of cash for a lesser number
of shares, based upon the difference between the market price of the common
stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price, in which case such shares
could be sold immediately under Rule 144 since under applicable
 
                                        7
   10
 
SEC interpretations, the holding period under Rule 144 for shares acquired in
this manner includes the period for which the selling shareholder owned the
warrants.
 
Certain securityholders have agreed to limit the number of shares they may sell:
 
     -  IBM has agreed to limit sales of shares acquired upon exercise of its
        warrants to the volume limitations of Rule 144, whether or not
        applicable, and has granted us or our designee a right of first refusal
        with respect to such sales.
 
     -  Former securityholders of Innovative Medical Machines International,
        S.A., which we acquired in September 1997 in exchange for shares of
        common stock, have agreed to limit future sales of shares under a
        currently effective registration statement to the volume limitations of
        Rule 144, except that during the period from December 6, 1998 through
        March 5, 1999, they may sell an aggregate of 100,000 shares plus 1% of
        the total number of shares of common stock traded on Nasdaq during the
        preceding three month period.
 
We have granted registration rights to:
 
     -  The selling securityholders with respect to the shares of common stock
        covered by this prospectus.
 
     -  IBM, EJ Financial Investments V,L.P and certain other institutional
        investors owning or having the right to acquire 4,030,649 shares of
        common stock. These investors have agreed that they will not exercise
        these registration rights prior to May 21, 1999.
 
     -  Holders of warrants to purchase 166,837 shares of common stock issued in
        connection with our European offering in November 1997 have demand and
        piggyback registration rights for those shares.
 
     -  The holder of warrants to purchase 27,706 shares of common stock has
        piggyback registration rights for those shares, fully subordinated to
        the registration rights of our other securityholders.
 
   
                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
    
 
Some of the information in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by
reference may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will,"
"expect," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue" or similar
words. These statements discuss future expectations, estimate the happening of
future events or our financial condition or state other "forward-looking"
information. When considering such forward-looking statements, you should keep
in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus and
the documents that we incorporate by reference. The risk factors discussed in
this prospectus and other factors noted throughout this prospectus, including
certain risks and uncertainties, could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
 
                                        8
   11
 
                            SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
 
The table below sets forth the name and address of each selling securityholder,
the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling
securityholder as of December 1, 1998, the number of shares that each selling
securityholder may offer, and the number of shares of common stock beneficially
owned by each selling securityholder upon completion of the Offering, assuming
all of the shares offered are sold. None of the selling securityholders has, or
within the past three years has had, any position, office or other material
relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates.
 
The selling securityholders are offering up to 1,809,000 by this prospectus.
 
- - 1,760,000 shares may be acquired upon conversion of the series A preferred
  stock, based upon an assumed conversion price of $2.00 per share. The
  conversion price is computed by reference to 85% of the lowest sale price of
  one share of common stock for the five trading days preceding the date of
  conversion.
 
- - 44,000 shares may be acquired upon exercise of warrants.
 
- - 5,000 shares were acquired by one of the selling securityholders as a finder's
  fee in connection with the sale of the series A preferred stock and warrants
  to the other selling securityholders.
 
The number of shares listed below as beneficially owned before the offering by
each selling securityholder owning series A preferred stock has been computed,
in part, based upon the terms of the series A preferred stock, which provides
that the number of shares that the selling securityholders may acquire upon
conversion may not exceed that number which (1) would render a selling
securityholder the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the then issued
and outstanding shares of common stock, or (2) result in the issuance of an
aggregate of 1,127,674 shares, representing 20% of the number of shares of
common stock issued and outstanding on September 10, 1998, the date upon which
the series A preferred stock was issued.
 


                                                  SHARES OF            SHARES OF           SHARES OF
                                                 COMMON STOCK         COMMON STOCK        COMMON STOCK
                                              BENEFICIALLY OWNED     OFFERED IN THE    BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                              BEFORE OFFERING(1)      OFFERING(1)        AFTER OFFERING
                                             --------------------   ----------------   ------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF SELLING SECURITYHOLDER   NUMBER    PERCENT(2)        NUMBER        NUMBER    PERCENT
- ------------------------------------------   -------   ----------   ----------------   -------   --------
                                                                                  
The Shaar Fund Ltd.......................    297,020      5.0%         1,291,500          0        --
  Citro Building,
  Wickhams Cay,
  P.O. Box 662,
  Road Town, Tortola, B.V.I.
AMRO International, S.A. ................    297,020      5.0%           512,500          0        --
  c/o Ultrafinance,
  Grossmunster Platz 26,
  Zurich CH 8022
Trinity Capital Advisors, Inc. ..........      5,000         *             5,000          0        --
  211 Sutter Street,
  Suite 2000,
  San Francisco, California 94104

 
- -------------------------
  * Less than one percent (1%).
 
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting power
    with respect to the shares indicated.
 
(2) For purposes of computing the number and percentage of shares beneficially
    owned by a selling securityholder on December 1, 1998, any shares which such
    person has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date are deemed to
    be outstanding, but those shares are not deemed to be outstanding for the
    purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other selling
    securityholder. On December 1, 1998, we had 5,643,372 shares of common stock
    outstanding.
 
                                        9
   12
 
We are registering the shares for resale by the selling securityholders in
accordance with registration rights granted to the selling securityholders. We
will pay the registration and filing fees, printing expenses, listing fees, blue
sky fees, if any, and fees and disbursements of our counsel in connection with
this offering, but the selling securityholders will pay any underwriting
discounts, selling commissions and similar expenses relating to the sale of the
shares, as well as the fees and expenses of their counsel. In addition, we have
agreed to indemnify the selling securityholders, underwriters who may be
selected by the selling securityholders and certain affiliated parties, against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, in
connection with the offering. The selling securityholders may agree to indemnify
any agent, dealer or broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving
sales of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act. The selling securityholders have agreed to indemnify us and our
directors and officers, as well as any person controlling the company, against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act may be permitted to our
directors or officers, or persons controlling the company, we have been informed
that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
The selling securityholders (or, subject to applicable law, their pledgees,
donees, distributees, transferees or other successors in interest)may sell
shares from time to time in public transactions, on or off The Nasdaq SmallCap
Market, or private transactions, at prevailing market prices or at privately
negotiated prices, including but not limited to the following types of
transactions:
 
     - ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
       solicits purchasers;
 
     - a block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell
       the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as
       principal to facilitate the transaction;
 
     - purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or
       dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus; and
 
     - face-to-face transactions between sellers and purchasers without a
       broker-dealer.
 
The selling securityholders also may sell shares that qualify under Section 4(1)
of the Securities Act or Rule 144.
 
In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by the selling securityholders
may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate in the resales. The
selling securityholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers,
and in connection with those transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short
sales of the shares. The selling securityholders also may sell shares short and
deliver the shares to close out such short positions, except that the selling
securityholders have agreed that they will not enter into any put option or
short position with respect to the common stock prior to the date of the
delivery of a conversion notice. The selling securityholders also may enter into
option or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery to
the broker-dealer of the shares, which the broker-dealer may resell pursuant to
this prospectus. The selling securityholders also may pledge the shares to a
broker or dealer and upon a default, the broker or dealer may effect sales of
the pledged shares pursuant to this prospectus.
 
Brokers, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions,
discounts or concessions from selling securityholders in amounts to be
negotiated in connection with the sale. The selling securityholders and any
participating brokers or dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales and any such
commission, discount or concession may be deemed to be underwriting
compensation.
 
Information as to whether underwriters who may be selected by the selling
securityholders, or any other broker-dealer, is acting as principal or agent for
the selling securityholders, the compensation to be
 
                                       10
   13
 
received by underwriters who may be selected by the selling securityholders, or
any broker-dealer, acting as principal or agent for the selling securityholders
and the compensation to be received by other broker-dealers, in the event the
compensation of such other broker-dealers is in excess of usual and customary
commissions, will, to the extent required, be set forth in a supplement to this
prospectus. Any dealer or broker participating in any distribution of the shares
may be required to deliver a copy of this prospectus, including a prospectus
supplement, if any, to any person who purchases any of the shares from or
through such dealer or broker.
 
We have advised the selling securityholders that during such time as they may be
engaged in a distribution of the shares they are required to comply with
Regulation M promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act. With certain
exceptions, Regulation M precludes any selling securityholder, any affiliated
purchasers and any broker-dealer or other person who participates in such
distribution from bidding for or purchasing, or attempting to induce any person
to bid for or purchase any security which is the subject of the distribution
until the entire distribution is complete. Regulation M also prohibits any bids
or purchases made in order to stabilize the price of a security in connection
with the distribution of that security. All of the foregoing may affect the
marketability of the common stock.
 
                                       11
   14
 
                         INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY
 
At Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc., we develop, assemble, market and service
image-directed, computer-controlled robotic products for orthopaedic and
neurosurgical applications. Our principal orthopaedic product is the ROBODOC(R)
Surgical Assistant System, consisting of a computer-controlled surgical robot
and our ORTHODOC(R) Presurgical Planner, and our principal neurosurgical product
is the NeuroMate System.(TM)
 
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may
read and copy any document we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the
Regional Offices of the SEC at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048 and at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information concerning the
Public Reference Room. Our filings also are available to the public from the
SEC's website at www.sec.gov. We distribute to our stockholders annual reports
containing audited financial statements.
 
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with it,
which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to
those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be
part of this prospectus, and information we file later with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference
the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act until the
offering is completed:
 
     1.  Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31,
         1997.
 
     2.  Proxy Statement dated March 26, 1998.
 
     3.  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the fiscal quarters ended March
         31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998.
 
     4.  The description of the common stock contained in our Registration
         Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 1-12471) under Section 12 of the
         Securities Exchange Act.
 
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or calling us
at:
 
                          INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS
                            1850 Research Park Drive
                          Davis, California 95616-4884
                         Attention: Corporate Secretary
                           Telephone: (530) 792-2600
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENT
 
We have developed and commenced marketing to our customers in Europe our
DigiMatch Single Surgery System, that, in most cases, eliminates the need for an
initial surgery to place registration pins in a patient's femur before using the
ROBODOC System in total hip replacement surgery. More than 150 patient surgeries
have been successfully performed at a clinic in Frankfurt, Germany with our
DigiMatch Single Surgery System.
 
We plan to amend our investigational device exemption under the Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act, which allowed us to conduct clinical trials for the ROBODOC System
in the United States, to permit us to perform a relatively small clinical study
showing a correlation between the ROBODOC System using the DigiMatch technology
and the three pin system that we used in our initial clinical
 
                                       12
   15
 
   
evaluations. We have deferred the filing of our pre-market approval application
to market the ROBODOC System in the United States so that we may incorporate our
DigiMatch Single Surgery System, and possibly other technical developments, as
part of our pre-market approval application. We believe, based upon our
discussions with representatives of the FDA, that the incorporation of the
DigiMatch Single Surgery System will enhance our prospects for obtaining FDA
approval. However, we cannot give you any assurance as to when or if the FDA
will approve our pre-market approval application to market the ROBODOC System or
that such approval, if obtained, will not include unfavorable limitations or
restrictions. See "Risk Factors -- Need to Obtain Approval of U.S. Food and Drug
Administration to Market the ROBODOC System in the United States."
    
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby has been passed upon
by Snow Becker Krauss P.C., 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements of Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. at
December 31, 1997 and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, appearing
in our Annual Report (on Form 10-KSB) for the year ended December 31, 1997 have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       13
   16
 
                                    PART II
 
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
The expenses payable by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and
distribution of the securities being registered are estimated below:
 

                                                             
SEC registration fee........................................    $ 1,445.85
Listing fees................................................     15,000.00
Legal fees and expenses.....................................     10,000.00
Printing expenses...........................................      5,000.00
Accounting fees.............................................      3,500.00
Miscellaneous...............................................         54.15
                                                                ----------
          Total.............................................    $35,000.00
                                                                ==========

 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
Article VI of the Registrant's by-laws provides that a director or officer shall
be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement (provided such settlement is approved in advance
by the Registrant) in connection with certain actions, suits or proceedings,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the corporation -- a "derivative action") if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A
similar standard of care is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except
that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys' fees)
incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such an action, except
that no person who has been adjudged to be liable to the Registrant shall be
entitled to indemnification unless a court determines that despite such
adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case,
the person seeking indemnification is fairly and reasonably entitled to be
indemnified for such expenses as the court deems proper.
 
Article 6.5 of the Registrant's by-laws further provides that directors and
officers are entitled to be paid by the Registrant the expenses incurred in
defending the proceedings specified above in advance of their final disposition.
provided that such payment will only be made upon delivery to the Registrant by
the indemnified party of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced if it
is ultimately determined that the person receiving such payments is not entitled
to be indemnified.
 
Article 6.4 of the Registrant's by-laws provides that a person indemnified under
Article VI of the by-laws may contest any determination that a director,
officer, employee or agent has not met the applicable standard of conduct set
forth in the by-laws by petitioning a court of competent jurisdiction.
 
Article 6.6 of the Registrant's by-laws provides that the right to
indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding
in advance of its final disposition conferred in the Article will not be
exclusive of any other right which any person may have or acquire under the
by-laws, or any statute or agreement. or otherwise.
 
Finally, Article 6.7 of the Registrant's by-laws provides that the Registrant
may maintain insurance, at its expense, to reimburse itself and directors and
officers of the Registrant and of its direct and
 
                                      II-1
   17
 
indirect subsidiaries against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
Registrant would have the power to indemnify such persons against such expense,
liability or loss under the provisions of Article VI of the by-laws. The
Registrant maintains and has in effect such insurance.
 
Article 11 of the Registrant's certificate of incorporation eliminates the
personal liability of the Registrant's directors to the Registrant or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as a
director to the fullest extent provided by Delaware law. Section 102(b) (7) of
the DGCL provides for the elimination off such personal liability, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Registrant
or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director
derived any improper personal benefit.
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers or persons
controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant
has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is therefore unenforceable.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 


EXHIBIT
  NO.                                   DESCRIPTION
- -------                                 -----------
          
 4.1       --   Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, as amended.*
 4.2            Certificate of Designations for Series A Convertible
           --   Preferred Stock.*
 4.3       --   Form of Warrant.*
 4.4       --   Form of Registration Rights Agreement.*
 5.1       --   Opinion of Snow Becker Krauss.*
23.1       --   Consent of Snow Becker Krauss P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2       --   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.

 
- ---------------
 
* Previously filed.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
(a) RULE 415 OFFERING
 
The undersigned small business issuer hereby undertakes that it will:
 
     (1) File, during any period in which it offers or sells securities, a
         post-effective amendment to this registration statement to:
 
         (i) Include any prospectus required by section l0(a) (3) of the
             Securities Act.
 
         (ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which, individually
              or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
              information set forth in the registrant statement. Notwithstanding
              the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities
              offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
              exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low
              or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be
              reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
              pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
              volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
              maximum aggregate offering price
 
                                      II-2
   18
 
              set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
              effective registration statement.
 
        (iii) Include any material information with respect to the plan of
              distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
              statement or any material change to such information in the
              registration statement.
 
     (2) For determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
         post-effective amendment shall be deemed a new registration statement
         relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
         securities at that time to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (3) Remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
         the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination
         of the offering.
 
(e) REQUEST FOR ACCELERATION OF EFFECTIVE DATE
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the small business issuer pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the small business issuer has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the small business issuer of the expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the small
business issuer in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the small business issuer will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-3
   19
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective
Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized, in the City of Davis, State of
California, on Febuary , 1999.
    
 

                                                    
INTEGRATED SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
     By /s/ RAMESH C. TRIVEDI                          By: /s/ MARK W. WINN
                                                       ------------------------------------------------
 ----------------------------------------------------           Mark W. Winn
        Ramesh C. Trivedi                                       Chief Financial Officer
        Chief Financial Officer                                 (Principal Financial and
        and President (Principal                                Accounting Officer)
        Executive Officer)

 
   
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective
Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities indicated on Febuary , 1999.
    
 


                 SIGNATURES                                             TITLE
                 ----------                                             -----
                                             
/s/ RAMESH C. TRIVEDI                           Chief Executive Officer,
- ---------------------------------------           President and Director
Ramesh C. Trivedi                                 (Principal Executive Officer)
 
/s/ MARK W. WINN                                Chief Financial Officer
- ---------------------------------------           (Principal Financial and
Mark W. Winn                                      Accounting Officer
 
*                                               Chairman of the Board of
- ---------------------------------------           Directors
James C. McGroddy
 
*                                               Director
- ---------------------------------------
John N. Kapoor
 
*                                               Director
- ---------------------------------------
Paul A. H. Pankow
 
*                                               Director
- ---------------------------------------
Gerald D. Knudson
 
                                                Director
- ---------------------------------------
Patrick G. Hays
 
*By /s/ RAMESH C. TRIVEDI
    --------------------------------------
    Ramesh C. Trivedi
    Attorney-in-fact

 
                                      II-4
   20
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 


EXHIBIT
  NO.                                   DESCRIPTION                           PAGE
- -------                                 -----------                           ----
                                                                     
 4.1       --   Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, as amended.*
 4.2            Certificate of Designations for Series A Convertible
           --   Preferred Stock.*
 4.3       --   Form of Warrant.*
 4.4       --   Form of Registration Rights Agreement.*
 5.1       --   Opinion of Snow Becker Krauss.*
23.1       --   Consent of Snow Becker Krauss P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2       --   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.

 
- ---------------
* Previously filed