The expansion in the number of procedures being performed is also driving the revenue growth even as there has been a declining trend in prostatectomies (prostate surgery) procedures performed with the system.

FORBES: How Intuitive Surgical Can Carve Its Way To $610

And although economic reports included that construction spending fell again in May, that Consumer Confidence fell again in June (to a 7-month low), that weekly unemployment claims remained high at 428, 000 last week, there was also the report that manufacturing activity, which has been declining for several months, unexpectedly picked up some in June, with the ISM Mfg Index rising to 55.3 from 53.5 in May.

FORBES: Summer Rally Arrives On Schedule With A Big But

In general, although there are brief quarter to quarter ASP increases the overall trend has been declining unit prices.

FORBES: Why Government Regulators Should Approve Hard Disk Drive Company Consolidation

There has been no information, however, contradicting his assertion that the massive Ghawar field could soon see declining production.

FORBES: Petroleum Balance