GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS INC
S-8, 1998-01-23
SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS
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<PAGE>

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 1996
                                           Registration No. 333-_____
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------


                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ________________

                               FORM S-8

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                 UNDER
                      THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                           ________________

                   GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC.
        (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

           CALIFORNIA                     97-3170244
   (State of incorporation)     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


                             10460 BUBB ROAD
                       CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA 95014
                (Address of principal executive offices)
                        _______________________

                        1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                       (Full title of the Plan)
                        _______________________

                          RODERICK A. YOUNG
                       CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                  GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC.
                             10460 BUBB ROAD
                       CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA 95014
                            (408) 863-2500
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
                        _______________________
                              Copy to:

                            Laurel Finch
                         Venture Law Group
                        2800 Sand Hill Road
                    Menlo Park, California 94025
                           (415) 854-4488


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                            Proposed          Proposed             Amount    
                                           Maximum           Maximum           Maximum               of       
                                         Amount to be     Offering Price      Aggregate         Registration 
Title of Securities to be Registered     Registered(1)      Per Share       Offering Price           Fee      
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                  <C>               <C>                 <C>       
1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
    Common Stock,
    $0.001 par value. . . .            865,715 Shares       $5.437(2)        $4,706,846.88        $1,388.52
                                       (issued)

    Common Stock,
    $0.001 par value. . . .            133,190 Shares       $5.125(3)        $  682,598.75        $  201.37
                                       (unissued)

                    TOTAL              998,905 Shares(4)                     $5,389,445.63        $1,589.89

</TABLE>
_______________________
(1)  This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of
     Common Stock which become issuable under the plan being registered
     pursuant to this Registration Statement by reason of any stock dividend,
     stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected
     without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the
     number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(2)  Computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 
     (the "Securities Act") solely for the purpose of calculating the 
     registration fee.  Computation based on the weighted average per share 
     exercise price (rounded to nearest cent) of outstanding options under 
     the referenced plan, the shares issuable under which are registered 
     hereby.

(3)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) and 457(c) under the Securities 
     Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.  The 
     computation with respect to unissued options is based upon the average 
     of the high and low sale prices of the Common Stock as reported on the 
     Nasdaq National Market on January 21, 1998.

(4) This total represents a 998,905 share increase in the shares reserved for 
    issuance under the 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), which 
    increase was approved by the Registrant's Board of Directors at meetings 
    on March 22, 1996, August 6, 1996 and September 30, 1997 and by the 
    Registrant's shareholders at meetings on April 26, 1996, November 19, 
    1996 and November 10, 1997. Of the 998,905 shares being registered 
    hereunder, 865,715 shares are subject to outstanding options and 133,190
    are available for issuance.  An additional 1,616,990 shares were 
    registered for issuance under the Plan pursuant to a previous 
    registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant (registration 
    number 333-10305) with the Commission on August 16, 1996.

                                     -2-

<PAGE>


                                    PART II
                INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.   INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

     The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "COMMISSION") are hereby incorporated by reference:

     (a)  The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended June 30, 1997, filed on September 29, 1997, as amended by Form 10-K/A, 
filed on October 3, 1997 pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which contains audited 
financial statements for the Registrant's latest fiscal year for which such 
statements have been filed.

     (b)  The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended September 30, 1997, filed on November 14, 1997 pursuant to Section 13 
of the Exchange Act.

     (c)  The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the 
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission 
under Section 12 of the Exchange Act on May 3, 1996, including any amendment 
or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

     All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-
effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been
sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part
hereof from the date of filing such documents.

Item 4.   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.  Not applicable.

Item 5.   INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.  

     Certain legal matters with respect to the shares will be passed upon by 
Venture Law Group, a Professional Corporation, Menlo Park, California.  Tae 
Hea Nahm, a director of Venture Law Group, is the Secretary of the Registrant.

Item 6.   INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     The Registrant's Articles of Incorporation eliminates the liability of a 
director for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible under 
California law.  In addition, the Articles of Incorporation authorize the 
Registrant to indemnify agents in excess of the indemnification otherwise 
permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporations Code (the "Code"), 
subject only to the limits in Section 204 of the Code, with respect to 
actions for breach of duty to the Registrant and its shareholders.  The 
Bylaws of the Registrant provide that the Registrant shall to the maximum 
extent permitted by the Code indemnify directors and officers (and permits 


                                    -3-

<PAGE>

the Registrant to indemnify other employees and agents) against expenses, 
judgments and other amounts reasonably incurred in connection with a 
proceeding because such person was or is an agent of the Registrant.  The 
Bylaws also provide that the Registrant shall advance certain expenses in 
connection with indemnifying these persons, that the indemnification 
provision is not exclusive and that the Registrant may purchase directors and 
officers insurance.  In addition, the Registrant has entered into 
indemnification agreements with certain of its officers and directors.

Item 7.   EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.  Not applicable.

Item 8.   EXHIBITS.

Exhibit
Number
- --------

 4.2(1)              Shareholder Rights Plan.

 5.1                 Opinion of Venture Law Group, a Professional Corporation

10.2                 1992 Stock Option Plan and form of agreement.

10.3(2)              1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and form of 
                     subscription agreement.

10.4(2)              1995 Directors' Option Plan and form of agreement.

23.1                 Consent of Venture Law Group, a Professional
                     Corporation (included in Exhibit 5.1).

23.2                 Consent of Independent Accountants.

24.1                 Powers of Attorney (see p. 7).

_______________
(1)  Incorporated by reference from exhibits filed in response to Item 2, 
     "Exhibits," of the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A 
     (Registration No. 000-28448), filed with the Commission on May 13, 1997.

(2)  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on 
     Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-002774), declared effective on 
     May 9, 1996.



                                     -4-

<PAGE>

Item 9.        UNDERTAKINGS.

     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 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.

          (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.

     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.

     Insofar as the 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 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 
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling 
person of the Registrant in a successful defense of any action, suit or 
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in 
connection with the securities being registered hereunder, 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 of 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.

                            [Signature Pages Follow]




                                     -5-
<PAGE>


                                  SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 
Registrant, GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC., a corporation organized and 
existing under the laws of the State of California, 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 Cupertino, State of California, on this 22nd day of January, 1998.


                               GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC.



                               By:   /s/ Roderick A. Young
                                   ----------------------------------
                                     Roderick A. Young
                                     Chief Executive Officer



                                     -6-
<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Roderick A. Young and Stephen J. Bonelli,
jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with the
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name,
place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file such amendments, together with
exhibits and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting to each attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully as he or she might or could do in
person, and ratifying and confirming all that the attorney-in-facts and agents,
or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

          SIGNATURE                          TITLE                          DATE 


<S>                             <C>                                      <C>
/s/ Roderick A. Young           Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
- -----------------------------   of the Board of Directors (Principal     January 22, 1998
Roderick A. Young               Executive Officer)


/s/ Gregory D. Casciaro         President, Chief Operating Officer   
- -----------------------------   and Director                             January 22, 1998
Gregory D. Casciaro


/s/ Stephen J. Bonelli          Vice President of Finance and 
- -----------------------------   Administration and Chief Financial       January 22, 1998
Stephen J. Bonelli              Officer (Principal Financial and 
                                Accounting Officer)    


/s/ Thomas J. Fogarty, M.D.             
- -----------------------------   Director                                 January 22, 1998
Thomas J. Fogarty, M.D.


/s/ Dave Chonette    
- -----------------------------   Director                                 January 22, 1998
Dave Chonette                           


/s/ Paul Goeld       
- -----------------------------   Director                                 January 22, 1998
Paul Goeld


/s/ James Sulat
- -----------------------------   Director                                 January 22, 1998
James Sulat


/s/ Mark A. Wan      
- -----------------------------   Director                                 January 22, 1998
Mark A. Wan

</TABLE>


                                      -7-
<PAGE>



                             INDEX TO EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT                                                  
NUMBER                                                   


   4.2(1)        Shareholder Rights Plan
   5.1           Opinion of Venture Law Group, a Professional Corporation
  10.2           1992 Stock Option Plan and form of agreement
  10.3(2)        1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and form of subscription 
                 agreement
  10.4(2)        1995 Directors' Stock Option Plan and form of agreement
  23.1           Consent of Venture Law Group, a Professional Corporation
                 (included in Exhibit 5.1).
  23.2           Consent of Independent Accountants 
  24.1           Powers of Attorney (see p. 7).


_______________
(1) Incorporated by reference from exhibits filed in response to Item 2, 
    "Exhibits," of the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A 
    (Registration No. 000-28448), filed with the Commission on May 13, 1997.

(2) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on 
    Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-002774), declared effective on 
    May 9, 1996.

                                      -8-


<PAGE>


                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                 [LETTERHEAD]


                               January 22, 1998


General Surgical Innovations, Inc.
10460 Bubb Road
Cupertino, California 95014

   REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
   ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "REGISTRATION 
STATEMENT") to be filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(the "COMMISSION") on or about January 23, 1998 in connection with the 
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 
998,905 shares of your Common Stock (the "SHARES") reserved for issuance 
under the General Surgical Innovations, Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan (the 
"Plan"). As your legal counsel in connection with this transaction, we have 
examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed 
to be taken by you in connection with the sale and issuance of the Shares 
under the Plan.

   It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in 
the Plan and pursuant to the respective agreement which accompanies each 
grant under the Plan, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully 
paid and non-assessable.

   We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration 
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in 
the Registration Statement, including the prospectus constituting a part 
thereof, and in any amendment thereto.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       VENTURE LAW GROUP
                                       A Professional Corporation


                                       /s/ Venture Law Group


<PAGE>

                          GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC.

                                1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                              (AS AMENDED NOVEMBER 1997)

     1.  PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.  The purposes of this Stock Option Plan are to 
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial 
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to the Employees and 
Consultants of the Company, and to promote the success of the Company's 
business.

         Options granted hereunder may be either Incentive Stock Options or 
Nonstatutory Stock Options, at the discretion of the Administrator and as 
reflected in the terms of the written option agreement.

     2.  DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

         (a)  "ADMINISTRATOR" shall mean the Board or any of its Committees 
appointed pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.

         (b)  "APPLICABLE LAWS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 
4(a) below.

         (c)  "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (d)  "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         (e)  "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

         (f)  "COMMITTEE" shall mean the Committee appointed by the Board of 
Directors in accordance with Section 4(a) below, if one is appointed.

         (g)  "COMPANY" shall mean GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC., a 
California corporation.

         (h)  "CONSULTANT" shall mean (i) any person who is engaged by the 
Company or any subsidiary to render consulting services and is compensated 
for such consulting services, and (ii) any director of the Company whether 
compensated for such services or not.

         (i)  "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT" shall mean the 
absence of any interruption or termination of service as an Employee or 
Consultant.  Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not be 
considered interrupted in the case of sick leave, military leave, or any 
other leave of absence approved by the Administrator; provided, however, 
either that such leave must be for a period of not more than ninety (90) days 
or that re-employment upon the expiration of such leave must be guaranteed by 
contract or by statute, or is provided pursuant to Company policy adopted 
from time to time. For purposes of this Plan, a change in 

<PAGE>

status from an Employee to a Consultant or from a Consultant to an Employee 
shall not constitute an interruption of Continuous Status as an Employee or 
Consultant.

         (j)  "DIRECTOR" shall mean a member of the Board.

         (k)  "EMPLOYEE" shall mean any person, including Officers and 
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the 
Company. The payment of a director's fee by the Company to a Director shall 
not be sufficient to constitute "employment" of the Director by the Company.

         (l)  "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
as amended.

         (m)  "FAIR MARKET VALUE" shall mean, as of any date, the value of 
Common Stock determined as follows:

              (i)   If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock 
exchange or a national market system including without limitation the 
National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. 
Automated Quotation ("Nasdaq") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the 
closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or system on 
the date of determination as such price is reported in THE WALL STREET 
JOURNAL or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; provided, 
however, that if no sales were reported on the date of determination, the 
closing bid on that day shall be used, and that if the date of determination 
falls on weekends or holidays, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing 
sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or system on the last 
market trading day prior to the date of determination.

              (ii)  If the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq System (but 
not on the National Market thereof) or regularly quoted by a recognized 
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value 
shall be the mean between the bid and asked prices for the Common Stock; or

              (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common 
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the 
Administrator.

          (n)  "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" shall mean an Option intended to 
qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the 
Code, as designated in the applicable written option agreement.

          (o)  "NAMED EXECUTIVE" shall mean any individual who, on the last 
day of the Company's fiscal year, is the chief executive officer of the 
Company (or is acting in such capacity) or among the four highest compensated 
officers of the Company (other than the chief executive officer).  Such 
officer status shall be determined pursuant to the executive compensation 
disclosure rules under the Exchange Act.


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

          (p)  "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" shall mean an Option not intended 
to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, as designated in the applicable 
written option agreement.

          (q)  "OFFICER" shall mean a person who is an officer of the Company 
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and 
regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (r)  "OPTION" shall mean a stock option granted pursuant to the 
Plan.

          (s)  "OPTIONED STOCK" shall mean the Common Stock subject to an 
Option.

          (t)  "OPTIONEE" shall mean an Employee or Consultant who receives 
an Option.

          (u)  "PARENT" shall mean a "parent corporation," whether now or 
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code, or any 
successor provision.

          (v)  "PLAN" shall mean this 1992 Stock Option Plan.

          (w)  "RULE 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the 
Exchange Act as the same may be amended from time to time, or any successor 
provision.

          (x)  "SHARE" shall mean a share of Common Stock, adjusted in 
accordance with Section 12 below.

          (y)  "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean a "subsidiary corporation," whether 
now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, or any 
successor provision.

     3.  STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.  Subject to the provisions of Section 13 
below, the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be optioned and sold 
under the Plan is 2,615,895 shares of Common Stock.  The Shares may be 
authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

         If an Option should expire or become unexercisable for any reason 
without having been exercised in full, then the unpurchased Shares that were 
subject to the Option shall, unless the Plan has been terminated, become 
available for future grant under the Plan.  In addition, any Shares of Common 
Stock which are retained by the Company upon exercise of an Option in order 
to satisfy the exercise price for such Option or any withholding taxes due 
with respect to such exercise, shall be treated as not issued and shall 
continue to be available under the Plan.

         Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, shares issued under 
the Plan and later repurchased by the Company shall not become available for 
future grant or sale under the Plan.


                                -3-
<PAGE>

     4.  ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

         (a)  COMPOSITION OF ADMINISTRATOR.

              (i)   MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES.  If permitted by Rule 
16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor rule thereto, as in 
effect at the time that discretion is being exercised with respect to the 
Plan ("Rule 16b-3"), and by the legal requirements relating to the 
administration of incentive stock option plans, if any, of applicable 
securities laws and the Code (collectively, the "Applicable Laws"), grants 
under the Plan may (but need not) be made by different administrative bodies 
with respect to Directors, Officers who are not Directors and Employees who 
are neither Directors nor Officers.

              (ii)  ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.  
With respect to grants of Options to Employees or Consultants who are also 
Officers or Directors of the Company, grants under the Plan shall be made by 
(A) the Board, if the Board may make grants under the Plan in compliance with 
Rule 16b-3 and Section 162(m) of the Code as it applies so as to qualify 
grants of Options to Named Executives as performance-based compensation, or 
(B) a Committee designated by the Board to make grants under the Plan, which 
Committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to permit grants under the 
Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3, to qualify grants of Options to Named 
Executives as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code 
and otherwise so as to satisfy the Applicable Laws.

              (iii) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO OTHER PERSONS.  With 
respect to grants of Options to Employees or Consultants who are neither 
Directors nor Officers of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by (A) 
the Board or (B) a Committee designated by the Board, which Committee shall 
be constituted in such a manner as to satisfy the Applicable Laws.

              (iv)  GENERAL.  If a Committee has been appointed pursuant to 
subsection (ii) or (iii) of this Section 4(a), such Committee shall continue 
to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board.  
From time to time the Board may increase the size of any Committee and 
appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or without cause) 
and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill vacancies (however 
caused) and remove all members of a Committee and thereafter directly 
administer the Plan, all to the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws and, 
in the case of a Committee appointed under subsection (ii), to the extent 
permitted by Rule 16b-3 and to the extent required under Section 162(m) of 
the Code to qualify grants of Options to Named Executives as 
performance-based compensation.

          (b)  POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.  Subject to the provisions of the 
Plan and in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the 
Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its 
discretion:

               (i)  to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, 
in accordance with Section 2(m) of the Plan;


                                -4-
<PAGE>

               (ii)  to select the Employees and Consultants to whom Options 
may from time to time be granted hereunder;

               (iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options are 
granted hereunder;

               (iv)  to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be 
covered by each such award granted hereunder;

               (v)   to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

               (vi)  to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent 
with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder (including, but 
not limited to, the share price and any restriction or limitation, or any 
vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions regarding any 
Option and/or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case 
on such factors as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole 
discretion); and

               (vii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then 
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock 
covered by such Option shall have declined since the date the Option was 
granted.

          (c)  EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION.  All decisions, 
determinations and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and 
binding on all Optionees and any other holders of any Options.

     5.  ELIGIBILITY.

         (a)  Options may be granted only to Employees and Consultants. 
Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.  An Employee or 
Consultant who has been granted an Option may, if he or she is otherwise 
eligible, be granted an additional Option or Options.

         (b)  Each Option shall be designated in the written option agreement 
as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  However, 
notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate Fair 
Market Value of Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an 
Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any 
Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated 
as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

         (c)  For purposes of Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be 
taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair 
Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with 
respect to such Shares is granted.

         (d)  The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with 
respect to continuation of employment or consulting relationship with the 
Company, nor shall it interfere in 


                                -5-
<PAGE>

any way with his or her right or the Company's right to terminate his or her 
employment or consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.

     6.  TERM OF PLAN.  The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to 
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the 
Shareholders of the Company as described in Section 19 below.  It shall 
continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated 
under Section 15 below.

     7.  TERM OF OPTION.  The term of each option shall be the term stated in 
the Option Agreement, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of an Incentive 
Stock Option, the term shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date of 
grant thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Stock Option 
Agreement. However, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an 
Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock representing more 
than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the 
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall be five (5) 
years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter time as may be provided 
in the Stock Option Agreement.

     8.  LIMITATION GRANTS TO EMPLOYEES.  Subject to adjustment as provided 
in this Plan, the maximum number of shares which may be subject to Options 
granted to any one Employee under this Plan for any fiscal year of one 
Company shall be 200,000.

     9.  EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION

         (a)  EXERCISE PRICE.  The per Share exercise price for the Shares to 
be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is 
determined by the Administrator, but shall be subject to the following:

              (i)  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                   (A)  granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant 
of such Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent 
(10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any 
Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than one 
hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of 
grant.

                   (B)  granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise 
price shall be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market 
Value per Share on the date of grant.

              (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option

                   (A)  granted to a person who, at the time of the grant of 
such Option, is a Named Executive of the Company, the per Share exercise 
price shall be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market 
Value on the date of grant.


                                -6-
<PAGE>

                   (B)  granted to any person other than a Named Executive, 
the per Share exercise price shall be no less than eighty-five percent (85%) 
of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

          (b)  PERMISSIBLE CONSIDERATION.  The Administrator shall determine 
the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the 
method of payment.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the 
Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the 
time of grant.  Such consideration may consist entirely of:

               (i)   cash;

               (ii)  check;

               (iii) promissory note;

               (iv)  other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired 
upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six 
months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date 
of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which 
said Option shall be exercised;

               (v)   delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together 
with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if 
applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to 
the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price;

               (vi)  any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or  

              (vii)     such other consideration and method of payment for 
the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

     10.  EXERCISE OF OPTION

          (a)  PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER.  Any Option 
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such 
conditions as determined by the Administrator, including performance criteria 
with respect to the Company and/or the Optionee, and as shall be permissible 
under the terms of the Plan.

               An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

               An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice 
of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms 
of the Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment 
for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been 
received by the Company.  Full payment may, as authorized by the 
Administrator, consist of any consideration and method of payment allowable 
under Section 9(b) above.  Until the issuance (as evidenced by the 
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized 
transfer agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such 
Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a 
Shareholder shall exist with 


                                -7-
<PAGE>

respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  
No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the 
record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as 
provided in Section 13 below.

               Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease 
in the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for purposes 
of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to 
which the Option is exercised.

          (b)  TERMINATION OF STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT.  In the 
event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or 
Consultant, he or she may, but only within thirty (30) days (or such other 
period of time not exceeding three (3) months in the case of an Incentive 
Stock Option or six (6) months in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, as 
is determined by the Administrator, with such determination in the case of an 
Incentive Stock Option being made at the time of the grant of the Option) 
after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the date of 
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), 
exercise his or her Option to the extent that he or she was entitled to 
exercise it at the date of such termination.  To the extent that he or she 
was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of such termination, or 
if he or she does not exercise such Option (which he or she was entitled to 
exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

          (c)  DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE.  Notwithstanding the provisions of 
Section 10(b) above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's Continuous 
Status as an Employee or Consultant with the Company as a result of his or 
her total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the 
Code), then he or she may, but only within six (6) months (or such other 
period of time not exceeding twelve (12) months as is determined by the 
Administrator, with such determination in the case of an Incentive Stock 
Option being made at the time of the grant of the Option) from the date of 
termination (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of 
such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise his or her Option 
to the extent he or she was entitled to exercise it at the date of 
termination of employment or consulting. To the extent that he or she was not 
entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if he or she 
does not exercise such Option (which he or she was entitled to exercise) 
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

          (d)  DEATH OF OPTIONEE.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 
10(b) above, in the event of the death of an Optionee:

               (i)  during the term of the Option who is at the time of his 
or her death an Employee or Consultant of the Company and who shall have been 
in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the date of grant of 
the Option, the Option may be exercised, at any time within six (6) months 
following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of 
expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), 
by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise 
the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to 
exercise that would have accrued had the Optionee continued 


                                -8-
<PAGE>

living and remained in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant three 
(3) months after the date of death; or

               (ii) within one (1) month (or such other period of time not 
exceeding three (3) months as is determined by the Administrator, with such 
determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option being made at the time 
of grant of the Option) after the termination of Continuous Status as an 
Employee or Consultant, the Option may be exercised, at any time within three 
(3) months following the date of death (but in no event later than the date 
of expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option 
Agreement), by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to 
exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the 
right to exercise that had accrued at the date of termination.

          (e)  EXTENSION OF EXERCISE PERIOD.  Notwithstanding the limitations 
set forth in Sections 10(b), (c) and (d) above, the Administrator has full 
power and authority to extend the period of time for which any Option granted 
under the Plan is to remain exercisable following termination of an 
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant from the limited 
period set forth in the written option agreement to such greater period of 
time as the Administrator shall deem appropriate; provided, however, that in 
no event shall such Option be exercisable after the specified expiration date 
of the Option term.

          (f)  RULE 16b-3.  Options granted to persons subject to Section 
16(b) of the Exchange Act must comply with Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such 
additional conditions or restrictions as may be required thereunder to 
qualify for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with 
respect to Plan transactions.

     11.  STOCK WITHHOLDING TO SATISFY WITHHOLDING TAX OBLIGATIONS.  At the 
discretion of the Administrator, Optionees may satisfy withholding 
obligations as provided in this paragraph.  When an Optionee incurs tax 
liability in connection with an Option, which tax liability is subject to tax 
withholding under applicable tax laws, and the Optionee is obligated to pay 
the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable tax laws, the 
Optionee may satisfy the withholding tax obligation by one or some 
combination of the following methods:  (a) by cash payment, or (b) out of 
Optionee's current compensation, (c) if permitted by the Administrator, in 
its discretion, by surrendering to the Company Shares that (i) in the case of 
Shares previously acquired from the Company, have been owned by the Optionee 
for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a fair 
market value on the date of surrender equal to or less than Optionee's 
applicable withholding tax rate times the ordinary income recognized, or (d) 
by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon 
exercise of the Option, if any, that number of Shares having a fair market 
value equal to the amount required to be withheld.  For this purpose, the 
fair market value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the 
date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax 
Date").

          Any surrender by a Reporting Person of previously owned Shares to 
satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon exercise of this Option must 
comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 and shall be subject to 
such additional conditions or restrictions as may 


                                -9-
<PAGE>

be required thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption from Section 16 
of the Exchange Act with respect to Plan transactions.

          All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax 
withholding obligations shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the 
Administrator and shall be subject to the following restrictions:

          (a)  the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax 
Date;

          (b)  once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the 
particular Shares of the Option as to which the election is made; and

          (c)  all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval 
of the Administrator.

     In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by an Optionee 
and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no election 
is filed under Section 83(b) of the Code, the Optionee shall receive the full 
number of Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised but such 
Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to the Company the 
proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.

     12.  NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS.  An Option may not be sold, 
pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred or disposed of in any manner 
other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution.  The 
designation of a beneficiary by an Optionee does not constitute a transfer.  
An Option may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the 
Optionee.

     13.  ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.

          (a)  CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.  Subject to any required action by 
the Shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered 
by each outstanding Option, the number of shares of Common Stock which have 
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have 
yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or 
expiration of an Option, the maximum number of Shares of Common Stock for 
which Options may be granted to any Employee under Section 8 of the Plan, as 
well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding 
Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the 
number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse 
stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common 
Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of 
Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; 
provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the 
Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of 
consideration."  Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose 
determination in that respect shall be final, binding, and conclusive.  
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of 
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any 
class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with 
respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an 
Option.


                                -10-
<PAGE>

          (b)  CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.  In the event of the proposed 
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Option will terminate 
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless 
otherwise provided by the Administrator.  The Administrator may, in the 
exercise of its sole discretion in such instances, declare that any Option 
shall terminate as of a date fixed by the Administrator and give each 
Optionee the right to exercise his or her Option as to all or any part of the 
Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise 
be exercisable.  In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all 
of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into 
another corporation, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option 
shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary 
of such successor corporation, unless the Administrator determines, in lieu 
of such assumption or substitution, that the Optionee shall have the right to 
exercise the Option as to some or all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares 
as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable.  If the 
Administrator makes an Option exercisable in lieu of assumption or 
substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator 
shall notify the Optionee that the Option shall be exercisable for a period 
of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option will 
terminate upon the expiration of such period.

     14.  TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS.  The date of grant of an Option shall, 
for all purposes, be the date on which the Administrator makes the 
determination granting such Option or such other date as is determined by the 
Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be given to each Employee or 
Consultant to whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the 
date of such grant.

     15.  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

          (a)  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.  The Board may amend or terminate 
the Plan from time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable; 
provided, however, that the following revisions or amendments shall require 
approval of the shareholders of the Company in the manner described in 
Section 19 of the Plan:

               (i)   any increase in the number of Shares subject to the 
Plan, other than in connection with an adjustment under Section 13 above;

               (ii)  any change in the designation of the class of persons 
eligible to be granted Options; or

               (iii) any change in the limitation on grants to Employees as 
described in Section 8 of the Plan or other changes which would require 
shareholder approval to qualify Options granted hereunder as 
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).

          (b)  SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.  If any amendment requiring shareholder 
approval under Section 15(a) above is made subsequent to the first 
registration of any class of equity security by the Company under Section 12 
of the Exchange Act, then such Shareholder approval shall be solicited as 
described in Section 19 below.


                                -11-
<PAGE>

          (c)  EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION.  Any such amendment or 
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such 
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been 
amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee 
and the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee 
and the Company.

     16.  CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.  Shares shall not be issued 
pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and 
the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto complies with all 
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act 
of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated 
thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares 
may then be listed. The exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery 
of such Shares pursuant thereto shall be further subject to the approval of 
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

          As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may 
require the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the 
time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for 
investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such 
Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation 
is required by any of the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.

     17.  RESERVATION OF SHARES.  The Company, during the term of this Plan, 
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall 
be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.  The inability of the 
Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, 
which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the 
lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company 
of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to 
which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

     18.  OPTION AGREEMENT.  Options shall be evidenced by written option 
agreements in such form as the Administrator shall approve.

     19.  SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.  

          (a)  Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to approval by the 
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or after the 
date the Plan is adopted.  Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the 
manner and to the degree required under applicable federal and state law and 
the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Shares are listed.

          (b)  If and in the event that the Company registers any class of 
equity securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, any required 
approval of the Shareholders of the Company obtained after such registration 
shall be solicited substantially in accordance with Section 14(a) of the 
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (c)  If any required approval by the Shareholders of the Plan 
itself or of any amendment thereto is solicited at any time otherwise than in 
the manner described in 


                                -12-
<PAGE>

Section 19(b) hereof, then the Company shall, at or prior to the first annual 
meeting of Shareholders held subsequent to the later of (1) the first 
registration of any class of equity securities of the Company under Section 
12 of the Exchange Act or (2) the granting of an Option hereunder to an 
officer or director after such registration, do the following:

               (i)  furnish in writing to the holders entitled to vote for 
the Plan substantially the same information which would be required (if 
proxies to be voted with respect to approval or disapproval of the Plan or 
amendment were then being solicited) by the rules and regulations in effect 
under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act at the time such information is 
furnished; and

               (ii) file with, or mail for filing to, the Securities and 
Exchange Commission four copies of the written information referred to in 
subsection (i) hereof not later than the date on which such information is 
first sent or given to Shareholders.

     20.  INFORMATION TO OPTIONEES.  The Company shall provide to each 
Optionee, not less frequently than annually, copies of annual financial 
statements.  The Company shall also provide such statements to each 
individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan while such individual 
owns such Shares.  The Company shall not be required to provide such 
statements to key employees whose duties in connection with the Company 
assure their access to equivalent information.


                                -13-
<PAGE>

                 GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC

                      1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                   NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT



Optionee's Name and Address:

< < Optionee > >
< < Optionee > >
< < Optionee > >


     You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of General 
Surgical Innovations, Inc., (the "Company") as follows:

     Date of Grant:                     < < GrantDate > >

     Exercise Price Per Share:          < < ExercisePrice > >

     Total Number of Shares Granted:    < < SharesGranted > >

     Total Price of Shares Granted:     < < TotalExercisePrice > >

     Type of Option:                    < < NoSharesISO > > Shares 
                                        Incentive Stock Option
                                        < < Optionee > > Shares 
                                        Nonstatutory Stock Option

     Term/Expiration Date:              < < Optionee > >/< < Optionee > >

     Vesting Commencement Date:         < < VestingStartDate > >

     Vesting Schedule:                  25% of the Shares subject to the 
                                        Option on the first anniversary 
                                        of the Vesting Commencement 
                                        Date, and 1/48th of the Shares vest 
                                        on the monthly anniversary of the 
                                        Vesting Commencement Date thereafter. 

<PAGE>

     Termination Period:                Option may be exercised for a 
                                        period of 30 days after
                                        termination of employment or 
                                        consulting relationship except 
                                        as set out in Sections 7 and 8 
                                        of the Stock Option Agreement 
                                        (but in no event later than the 
                                        Expiration Date).

     By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative 
below, you and the Company agree that this option is granted under and 
governed by the terms and conditions of the General Surgical Innovations, 
Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan and the Stock Option Agreement, all of which are 
attached and made a part of this document.

OPTIONEE:                               General Surgical Innovations, Inc.



_________________________________       By: _________________________________
Signature

_________________________________       Title: ______________________________
Print Name


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

                      GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC.

                           STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     1.  GRANT OF OPTION. General Surgical Innovations, Inc., a California 
corporation (the "COMPANY"), hereby grants to the Optionee named in the 
Notice of Stock Option Grant attached to this Agreement ("OPTIONEE"), an 
option (the "OPTION") to purchase the total number of shares of Common Stock 
(the "SHARES") set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, at the exercise 
price per share set forth in the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the "EXERCISE 
PRICE") subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the 1992 Stock 
Option Plan (the "PLAN") adopted by the Company, which is incorporated in 
this Agreement by reference. In the event of a conflict between the terms of 
the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall govern. 
Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, the terms used in this Agreement 
shall have the meanings defined in the Plan.

     To the extent designated an Incentive Stock Option in the Notice of 
Stock Option Grant, this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock 
Option as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as 
amended (the "CODE") and, to the extent not so designated, this Option is 
intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

     2.  EXERCISE OF OPTION.  This Option shall be exercisable during its 
term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Stock 
Option Grant and with the provisions of Sections 9 and 10 of the Plan as 
follows:

          (a)  RIGHT TO EXERCISE.

    (i)   This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.

    (ii)  In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other termination 
of employment, the exercisability of the Option is governed by Sections 6, 7 
and 8 below, subject to the limitations contained in paragraphs (iii) and 
(iv) below.

    (iii) In no event may this Option be exercised after the date of 
expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Stock 
Option Grant.

    (iv)  If designated an Incentive Stock Option in the Notice of Stock 
Option Grant, in the event that the Shares subject to this Option (and all 
other Incentive Stock Options granted to Optionee by the Company or any 
Parent or Subsidiary) that vest in any calendar year have an aggregate fair 
market value (determined for each Share as of the Date of Grant of the option 
covering such Share) in excess of $100,000, the Shares in excess of $100,000 
shall be treated as subject to a Nonstatutory Stock Option, in accordance 
with Section 5 of the Plan.

          (b)  METHOD OF EXERCISE.

     (i)  This Option shall be exercisable by delivering to the Company a 
written notice of exercise (in the form attached as EXHIBIT A) which shall 
state the election to exercise the Option, 


<PAGE>

the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, and 
such other representations and agreements as to the holder's investment 
intent with respect to such Shares of Common Stock as may be required by the 
Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.  Such written notice shall be 
signed by Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to 
the Secretary of the Company.  The written notice shall be accompanied by 
payment of the Exercise Price.  This Option shall be deemed to be exercised 
upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the 
Exercise Price.

     (ii)  As a condition to the exercise of this Option, Optionee agrees to 
make adequate provision for federal, state or other tax withholding 
obligations, if any, which arise upon the exercise of the Option or 
disposition of Shares, whether by withholding, direct payment to the Company, 
or otherwise.

     (iii) No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option 
unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant 
provisions of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the 
Shares may then be listed.  Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes 
the Shares shall be considered transferred to Optionee on the date on which 
the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.

3.  OPTIONEE'S REPRESENTATIONS.  In the event the Shares purchasable pursuant 
to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the Securities 
Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), at the time this Option is 
exercised, Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the 
exercise of all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company an 
investment representation statement in customary form, a copy of which is 
available for Optionee's review from the Company upon request.

4.  METHOD OF PAYMENT.  Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of the 
following, or a combination of the following, at the election of Optionee:  
(a) cash; (b) check; (c) surrender of other Shares of Common Stock of the 
Company that (i) either have been owned by Optionee for more than six (6) 
months on the date of surrender or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, 
from the Company, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender 
equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option 
shall be exercised; (d) authorization from the Company to retain from the 
total number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised that number of 
Shares having a Fair Market value on the date of exercise equal to the 
exercise price for the total number of Shares as to which the Option is 
exercised; or (e) if there is a public market for the Shares and they are 
registered under the Securities Act, delivery of a properly executed exercise 
notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly 
to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds required to pay the 
exercise price.

5.  RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE.  This Option may not be exercised until such 
time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, or if 
the issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of 
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable 
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule 
under Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("REGULATION 
G") as 


                                -2-
<PAGE>

promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board.  As a condition to the 
exercise of this Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any 
representation and warranty to the Company as may be required by any 
applicable law or regulation.

6.  TERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP.  In the event of termination of Optionee's 
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, Optionee may, to the extent 
otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "TERMINATION 
DATE"), exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the 
Notice of Stock Option Grant.  To the extent that Optionee was not entitled 
to exercise this Option at the date of such termination, or if Optionee does 
not exercise this Option within the time specified in the Notice of Stock 
Option Grant, the Option shall terminate.

7.  DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6 
above, in the event of termination of Optionee's Continuous Status as an 
Employee or Consultant as a result of total and permanent disability (as 
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within six 
(6) months from the date of termination of employment (but in no event later 
than the date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in 
Section 10 below), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise so entitled at 
the date of such termination.  To the extent that Optionee was not entitled 
to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not 
exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time 
specified in this Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

8.  DEATH OF OPTIONEE.  In the event of the death of Optionee:

          (a)  during the term of this Option and while an Employee of the 
Company and having been in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant 
since the date of grant of the Option, the Option may be exercised, at any 
time within six (6) months following the date of death (but in no event later 
than the date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in 
Section 10 below), by Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right 
to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of 
the right to exercise that would have accrued had Optionee continued living 
and remained in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant three (3) 
months after the date of death, subject to the limitation contained in 
Section 2(i)(d) above in the case of an Incentive Stock Option; or

          (b)  within thirty (30) days after the termination of Optionee's 
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant, the Option may be exercised, 
at any time within six (6) months following the date of death (but in no 
event later than the date of expiration of the term of this Option as set 
forth in Section 10 below), by Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired 
the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the 
extent of the right to exercise that had accrued at the date of termination.

9.  NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION.  This Option may not be transferred in any 
manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution.  The 
designation of a beneficiary does not constitute a transfer.  An Option may 
be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee or a transferee 
permitted by this section.  The terms of this Option shall be binding upon 
the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Optionee.


                                -3-
<PAGE>

10.  TERM OF OPTION.  This Option may be exercised only within the term set 
out in the Notice of Stock Option Grant, and may be exercised during such 
term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option.

11.  NO ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS.  Optionee understands and agrees that 
the vesting of Shares pursuant to the Vesting Schedule is earned only by 
continuing as an Employee or Consultant at the will of the Company (not 
through the act of being hired, being granted this Option or acquiring Shares 
under this Agreement).  Optionee further acknowledges and agrees that nothing 
in this Agreement, nor in the Plan which is incorporated in this Agreement by 
reference, shall confer upon Optionee any right with respect to continuation 
as an Employee or Consultant with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any 
way with his or her right or the Company's right to terminate his or her 
employment or consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.

12.  TAX CONSEQUENCES.  Optionee acknowledges that he or she has read the 
brief summary set forth below of certain federal tax consequences of exercise 
of this Option and disposition of the Shares under the law in effect as of 
the date of grant.  OPTIONEE UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY 
INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.  OPTIONEE 
SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR 
DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

          (a)  EXERCISE OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION.  If this Option is an 
Incentive Stock Option, there will be no regular federal income tax liability 
upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the fair 
market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price 
will be treated as an item of alternative minimum taxable income for federal 
tax purposes and may subject Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the 
year of exercise.

          (b)  EXERCISE OF NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION.  If this Option does 
not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, Optionee may incur regular federal 
income tax liability upon the exercise of the Option.  Optionee will be 
treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income 
tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the 
Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price.  In addition, if 
Optionee is an employee of the Company, the Company will be required to 
withhold from Optionee's compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the 
applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this 
compensation income at the time of exercise.

          (c)  DISPOSITION OF SHARES.  If this Option is an Incentive Stock 
Option and if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for more 
than one year after exercise and more than two years after the Date of Grant, 
any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term 
capital gain for federal income tax purposes.  If Shares purchased under an 
Incentive Stock Option are disposed of before the end of either of such two 
holding periods, then any gain realized on such disposition will be treated 
as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent of 
the excess, if any, of the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the Shares 
on the date of exercise, or (ii) the sales proceeds, over the Exercise Price. 
If this Option is 


                                -4-
<PAGE>

a Nonstatutory Stock Option, then gain realized on the disposition of Shares 
will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain depending on whether 
or not the disposition occurs more than one year after the exercise date.

          (d)  NOTICE OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.  If the Option granted to 
Optionee in this Agreement is an Incentive Stock Option, and if Optionee 
sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the 
Incentive Stock Option on or before the later of (i) the date two years after 
the Date of Grant, or (ii) the date one year after transfer of such Shares to 
Optionee upon exercise of the Incentive Stock Option, Optionee shall notify 
the Company in writing within thirty (30) days after the date of any such 
disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee may be subject to income tax 
withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized by Optionee 
from the early disposition by payment in cash or out of the current earnings 
paid to Optionee.

13.  SIGNATURE.  This Stock Option Agreement shall be deemed executed by the 
Company and Optionee upon execution by such parties of the Notice of Stock 
Option Grant attached to this Stock Option Agreement.


                                -5-
<PAGE>

                             EXHIBIT A

                         NOTICE OF EXERCISE

To:       General Surgical Innovations, Inc.

Attn:     Stock Option Administrator

Subject:  NOTICE OF INTENTION TO EXERCISE STOCK OPTION

     This is official notice that the undersigned ("OPTIONEE") intends to 
exercise Optionee's option to purchase __________ shares of General Surgical 
Innovations, Inc. Common Stock, under and pursuant to the Company's 1992 
Stock Option Plan and the Stock Option Agreement dated ___________, as 
follows:

           Grant Number:         ________________________________

           Date of Purchase:     ________________________________

           Number of Shares:     ________________________________

           Purchase Price:       ________________________________

           Method of Payment
           of Purchase Price:    ________________________________

     Social Security No.:  ________________________________

     The shares should be issued as follows:

           Name:       ________________________________

           Address:    ________________________________


           Signed:     ________________________________

           Date:       ________________________________

<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of 
General Surgical Innovations, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated July 29, 
1997, except for Note 14, as to which the date is September 29, 1997, on our 
audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement 
schedule of GENERAL SURGICAL INNOVATIONS, INC. as of June 30, 1997 and 1996, 
and for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 1997, which 
report is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
June 30, 1997. 


                                                      COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


San Jose, California
January 21, 1998




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