Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 11, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-19437
Entity Registrant Name	TRANSENTERIX, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	11-2962080
Entity Address, Address Line One	635 Davis Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town	Morrisville
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	27560
City Area Code	919
Local Phone Number	765-8400
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock$0.001 par value per share
Trading Symbol	TRXC
Security Exchange Name	NYSEAMER
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		51,839,157
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0000876378
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31