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<TITLE>S-8</TITLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October&nbsp;31, 2008
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-_____
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE<BR>
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ATS MEDICAL, INC.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Minnesota</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>41-1595629</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">of incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Identification No.)</TD>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>3905 Annapolis Lane, Suite&nbsp;105<BR>
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447</B><BR>
(Address of registrant&#146;s principal executive offices,<BR>
including zip code)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ATS MEDICAL, INC. 2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Michael D. Dale<BR>
Chief Executive Officer<BR>
ATS Medical, Inc.<BR>
3905 Annapolis Lane, Suite&nbsp;105<BR>
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447<BR>
(763)&nbsp;553-7736</B><BR>
(Name, address and telephone number,<BR>
including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See the definitions of &#147;large
accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):</DIV>



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    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top">Large accelerated filer
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer
<FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Non-accelerated filer &nbsp; <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT><BR>
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top">Smaller reporting company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount to</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>offering price per</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>aggregate offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>be registered(1)(2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>share(3)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>price(3)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><BR>
<DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">6,000,000 Shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$2.19</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$13,140,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$517</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<DIV style="margin-top: 3pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Includes 6,000,000 shares of common stock of ATS Medical, Inc. that may be offered or sold
pursuant to the ATS Medical, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the number of shares of
common stock being registered includes any additional securities that may become issuable
according to anti-dilution provisions of the ATS Medical, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(h)(1) and (c)&nbsp;under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The proposed maximum
aggregate offering price is based on the average of the high and low prices of ATS Medical,
Inc. common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on October&nbsp;29, 2008.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">






<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c47387exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c47387exv23w2.htm">EX-23.2</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c47387exv23w3.htm">EX-23.3</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="c47387exv24w1.htm">EX-24.1</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>




<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>

</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the &#147;SEC&#148;) by ATS Medical, Inc. (&#147;we,&#148; &#147;us&#148; or &#147;ATS&#148;), are incorporated by reference in this
registration statement:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2007;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March&nbsp;29, 2008
and June&nbsp;28, 2008;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January&nbsp;31, 2008 (except for Item&nbsp;2.02
disclosure contained therein), March&nbsp;6, 2008, May&nbsp;13, 2008 (except for Item&nbsp;7.01
disclosure contained therein) and July&nbsp;2, 2008; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(d)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of our common stock contained in any registration statement or
report filed by us under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange
Act&#148;), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act
subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining
unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the
respective dates of filing of such documents.
</DIV>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;521 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act provides that a company shall, subject
to certain limitations, indemnify officers and directors made or threatened to be made a party to a
proceeding by reason of that officer or director&#146;s former or present official capacity with the
company. As required, we will indemnify that person against judgments, penalties, fines,
settlements and reasonable expenses if the officer or director:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>has not been indemnified by another organization;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>acted in good faith;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>has not received an improper personal benefit and Section&nbsp;255 regarding director
conflicts of interests, if applicable, has been satisfied;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>assuming the case is a criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to
believe the conduct was unlawful; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>reasonably believed that the conduct was in the best interests of the company or, in
the case of an officer or director who is or was serving at the request of the company
as a director, officer,</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-1<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">


<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>partner, trustee, employee or agent of another organization or employee benefit
plan, reasonably believed that the conduct was not opposed to the best interests of
the company.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;9 of our Third Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date, provides that
we shall indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permissible under the Minnesota
Business Corporation Act, as now enacted or hereafter amended. Section&nbsp;9.01 of our Bylaws provides
that we shall indemnify our officers and directors under such circumstances and to the extent
permitted by Section&nbsp;521 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, as now enacted or hereafter
amended.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>


    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Third Restated Articles of Incorporation of ATS Medical, Inc., incorporated
by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;28, 2008.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Bylaws of ATS Medical, Inc., as amended February&nbsp;13, 2007, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.2 to ATS Medical, Inc.&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K
filed on February&nbsp;20, 2007.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen certificate for shares of Common Stock of ATS Medical, Inc.,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.&#146;s Annual
Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1997.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">ATS Medical, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K
filed on May&nbsp;13, 2008.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Dorsey &#038; Whitney LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Dorsey &#038; Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney.</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;);
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration 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 SEC 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 set forth in the &#147;Calculation
of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To 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;
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><I>provided</I>, <I>however, </I>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC
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 registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant 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 registrant 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.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-3<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on the
31st day of October, 2008.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>ATS MEDICAL, INC.</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Michael D. Dale
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Michael D. Dale&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 31st day of
October, 2008.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Michael D. Dale
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael D. Dale
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Executive Officer, President and
<br>Chairman of the Board of Directors
<br>(principal executive officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Michael R. Kramer
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael R. Kramer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer
<br>(principal financial and accounting officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Steven M. Anderson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert E. Munzenrider
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Guy P. Nohra
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Eric W. Sivertson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Theodore C. Skokos
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size:1pt">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="55%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">*By:
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Deborah K. Chapman</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Deborah K. Chapman
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Attorney-in-Fact</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-4<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Third Restated Articles of Incorporation of ATS Medical, Inc., incorporated
by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;28, 2008.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Bylaws of ATS Medical, Inc., as amended February&nbsp;13, 2007, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.2 to ATS Medical, Inc.&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K
filed on February&nbsp;20, 2007.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen certificate for shares of Common Stock of ATS Medical, Inc.,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.&#146;s Annual
Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1997.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">ATS Medical, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K
filed on May&nbsp;13, 2008.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Dorsey &#038; Whitney LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Dorsey &#038; Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney.</TD>
</TR>
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S-8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 31, 2008
Registration No. 333-_____
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ATS MEDICAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota
41-1595629
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
3905 Annapolis Lane, Suite 105
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447
(Address of registrant's principal executive offices,
including zip code)
ATS MEDICAL, INC. 2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Michael D. Dale
Chief Executive Officer
ATS Medical, Inc.
3905 Annapolis Lane, Suite 105
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447
(763) 553-7736
(Name, address and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See the definitions of "large
accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
þ
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Title of securities
Amount to
offering price per
aggregate offering
Amount of
to be registered
be registered(1)(2)
share(3)
price(3)
registration fee
Common Stock,
par value $0.01 per share
6,000,000 Shares
$2.19
$13,140,000
$517
(1)
Includes 6,000,000 shares of common stock of ATS Medical, Inc. that may be offered or sold
pursuant to the ATS Medical, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.
(2)
Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the number of shares of
common stock being registered includes any additional securities that may become issuable
according to anti-dilution provisions of the ATS Medical, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(h)(1) and (c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The proposed maximum
aggregate offering price is based on the average of the high and low prices of ATS Medical,
Inc. common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on October 29, 2008.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-5.1
EX-23.2
EX-23.3
EX-24.1
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") by ATS Medical, Inc. ("we," "us" or "ATS"), are incorporated by reference in this
registration statement:
(a)
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007;
(b)
Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 29, 2008
and June 28, 2008;
(c)
Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 31, 2008 (except for Item 2.02
disclosure contained therein), March 6, 2008, May 13, 2008 (except for Item 7.01
disclosure contained therein) and July 2, 2008; and
(d)
The description of our common stock contained in any registration statement or
report filed by us under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
description.
All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act
subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining
unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the
respective dates of filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 521 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act provides that a company shall, subject
to certain limitations, indemnify officers and directors made or threatened to be made a party to a
proceeding by reason of that officer or director's former or present official capacity with the
company. As required, we will indemnify that person against judgments, penalties, fines,
settlements and reasonable expenses if the officer or director:
•
has not been indemnified by another organization;
•
acted in good faith;
•
has not received an improper personal benefit and Section 255 regarding director
conflicts of interests, if applicable, has been satisfied;
•
assuming the case is a criminal proceeding, the person had no reasonable cause to
believe the conduct was unlawful; and
•
reasonably believed that the conduct was in the best interests of the company or, in
the case of an officer or director who is or was serving at the request of the company
as a director, officer,
II-1
Table of Contents
partner, trustee, employee or agent of another organization or employee benefit
plan, reasonably believed that the conduct was not opposed to the best interests of
the company.
Article 9 of our Third Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date, provides that
we shall indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permissible under the Minnesota
Business Corporation Act, as now enacted or hereafter amended. Section 9.01 of our Bylaws provides
that we shall indemnify our officers and directors under such circumstances and to the extent
permitted by Section 521 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, as now enacted or hereafter
amended.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
4.1
Third Restated Articles of Incorporation of ATS Medical, Inc., incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 28, 2008.
4.2
Bylaws of ATS Medical, Inc., as amended February 13, 2007, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ATS Medical, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on February 20, 2007.
4.3
Specimen certificate for shares of Common Stock of ATS Medical, Inc.,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.'s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
4.4
ATS Medical, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on May 13, 2008.
5.1
Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP.
23.1
Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.3
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1
Power of Attorney.
II-2
Table of Contents
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act");
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration 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 SEC 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 set forth in the "Calculation
of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To 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;
provided
,
however,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC
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 registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant 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 registrant 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
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on the
31st day of October, 2008.
ATS MEDICAL, INC.
By:
/s/ Michael D. Dale
Michael D. Dale
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 31st day of
October, 2008.
Signature
Title
/s/ Michael D. Dale
Michael D. Dale
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Chairman of the Board of Directors
(principal executive officer)
/s/ Michael R. Kramer
Michael R. Kramer
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
*
Director
Steven M. Anderson
*
Director
Robert E. Munzenrider
*
Director
Guy P. Nohra
*
Director
Eric W. Sivertson
*
Director
Theodore C. Skokos
*By:
/s/ Deborah K. Chapman
Deborah K. Chapman
Attorney-in-Fact
II-4
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
Third Restated Articles of Incorporation of ATS Medical, Inc., incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 28, 2008.
4.2
Bylaws of ATS Medical, Inc., as amended February 13, 2007, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ATS Medical, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on February 20, 2007.
4.3
Specimen certificate for shares of Common Stock of ATS Medical, Inc.,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.'s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
4.4
ATS Medical, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ATS Medical, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on May 13, 2008.
5.1
Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP.
23.1
Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.3
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1
Power of Attorney.