PERCLOSE INC
S-8, 1998-01-30
SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS
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<PAGE>

   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 30, 1998
                                             Registration No. 333-          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, D.C. 20549

                                ------------------

                                     FORM S-8
                              REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      under
                            The Securities Act of 1933


                                ------------------

                                  PERCLOSE, INC.
              (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


                                ------------------

            Delaware                                         94-3154669
      -------------------                                 ----------------
   (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                      Identification Number)


                               199 Jefferson Drive
                               Menlo Park, CA 94025
                     (Address of principal executive offices)

                                ------------------

                                 1997 STOCK PLAN
                            1995 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plans)

                                ------------------

                               Henry A. Plain, Jr.
                             Chief Executive Officer
                                  and President
                                  Perclose, Inc.
                               199 Jefferson Drive
                               Menlo Park, CA 94025
                                  (650) 473-3100
      (Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for
                                     service)

                                ------------------

                                     Copy to:
                            Christopher J. Ozburn, Esq.
                          Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
                             Professional Corporation
                                650 Page Mill Road
                             Palo Alto, CA 94304-1050
                                  (650) 493-9300

                                ------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>


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

                                          Proposed     Proposed
         Title of          Maximum        Maximum       Maximum
        Securities          Amount        Offering     Aggregate     Amount of
           to be            to be        Price Per     Offering    Registration
        Registered        Registered       Share         Price         Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 Stock Plan
  Common Stock
  $0.001 par value....... 500,000 shares  $19.69 (1)   $ 9,845,000     $2,905


1995 Director Option Plan
Common Stock
  $0.001 par value....... 200,000 shares  $19.69 (1)   $ 3,938,000     $1,162

     TOTAL............... 700,000 shares         --    $13,783,000     $4,067

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)   Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 
      1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of calculating the total 
      registration fee.  The calculation is based upon the average of the 
      bid and asked price of the Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq 
      National Market on January 23, 1998 because the price at which 
      the options to be granted in the future may be exercised is not 
      currently determinable.

                                        -ii-

<PAGE>

                                    PERCLOSE, INC.
                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                                       PART II

                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT


ITEM 3.      INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration 
Statement the following documents and information heretofore filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission:

     (1)  The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
March 31, 1997 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, on June 18, 1997.

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

     (3)  The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal year 
ended September 30, 1997 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act on 
November 6, 1997.

     (4)  The description of the Common Stock of the Company that is 
contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed pursuant to Section 
12 of the Exchange Act on September 29, 1995.

     (5)  All documents filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this 
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment 
which indicates that all securities offered 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 of such documents.

ITEM 4.      DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 5.      INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

     As of the date of this Registration Statement, members of Wilson Sonsini 
Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation who have represented the 
Registrant in connection with this registration, beneficially own 3,055 
shares of the Company's Common Stock. 

ITEM 6.      INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware provides for the 
indemnification of officers, directors and other corporate agents in terms 
sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons, under certain circumstances, 
for certain liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) 
arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").


<PAGE>

     The Registrant's Bylaws provide that the Registrant shall indemnify its 
directors and executive officers and may indemnify its other officers and 
employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law, including 
circumstances in which indemnification is otherwise discretionary under 
Delaware law.

     The Registrant has adopted provisions in its Certificate of 
Incorporation that limit the personal liability of its directors and officers 
for monetary damages arising from a breach of their fiduciary duties in 
certain circumstances to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Such 
limitation of liability does not affect the availability of equitable 
remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.

     The Registrant entered into indemnification agreements with its 
executive officers and directors containing provisions which are in some 
respects broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in 
the General Corporation Law of Delaware. The indemnification agreements may 
require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify such officers and 
directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their 
status or service as directors or officers (other than liabilities arising 
from willful misconduct of a culpable nature).  These agreements also 
indemnify the directors and executive officers for certain expenses 
(including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred 
as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be 
indemnified.

ITEM 7.      EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

     Not applicable

ITEM 8.      EXHIBITS.


         Exhibit
          Number                          Description
         -------    ----------------------------------------------------
           4.1      1997 Stock Plan and form of agreement thereunder.
           4.2      1995 Director Option Plan and form of agreement
                    thereunder.
           5.1      Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,
                    Professional Corporation as to the legality of
                    securities being registered.
          23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
          23.2      Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,
                    Professional Corporation (contained in Exhibit 5.1
                    hereto).
          24.1      Power of Attorney (see page II-4).


ITEM 9.      UNDERTAKINGS.

     A.   The Registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being 
made, 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.

                                 II-2

<PAGE>

          (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 of 1933, each filing of 
the Registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of 
the Securities Exchange Act or 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an 
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) 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 of 1933 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 
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public 
policy as expressed in the 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 Act and will be governed by the final 
adjudication of such issue.


                                 II-3

<PAGE>


                                      SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 
Registrant, Perclose Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the 
laws of the State of Delaware, 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 Menlo Park, California, on this 
30th day of January, 1998.

                                   PERCLOSE, INC.

                                   By: /s/ Henry A. Plain, Jr.
                                       -------------------------------------
                                        Henry A. Plain, Jr.
                                        Chief Executive Officer and President

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature 
appears below constitutes and appoints Henry A. Plain, Jr. and Kenneth E. 
Ludlum, jointly and severally, as his or her attorneys-in-fact, with full 
power of substitution in each, for him or her in any and all capacities to 
sign any amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file 
the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection 
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and 
confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his 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 below by the following persons in the 
capacities and on the dates indicated.

          Signature                      Title                    Date
- ------------------------     ----------------------------   ---------------

 /s/ Henry A. Plain, Jr.     President, Chief Executive
- -------------------------    Officer and Director
 (Henry A. Plain, Jr.)       (Principal Executive Officer)  January 30, 1998

 /s/ Kenneth E. Ludlum       Vice President Finance and
- -------------------------    Administration,  Chief
 (Kenneth E. Ludlum)         Financial Officer (Principal
                             Financial and Accounting
                             Officer)                      January 30, 1998

 /s/ Serge Lashutka
- -------------------------
 (Serge Lashutka)            Director                      January 30, 1998

 /s/ Vaughn D. Bryson
- -------------------------
 (Vaughn D. Bryson)          Director                      January 30, 1998

 /s/ Michael L. Eagle
- -------------------------
 (Michael L. Eagle)          Director                      January 30, 1998

 /s/ John B. Simpson, 
      Ph.D., M.D.
- -------------------------
   (John B. Simpson,
       Ph.D., M.D.)          Director                      January 30, 1998

 /s/ James W. Vetter, M.D.
- -------------------------
 (James W. Vetter, M.D.)     Director                      January 30, 1998

 /s/ Mark A. Wan         
- -------------------------
 (Mark A. Wan)               Director                      January 30, 1998



                                     II-4

<PAGE>

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                               Washington, D.C.  20549


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       EXHIBITS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                          Registration Statement on Form S-8

                                    PERCLOSE, INC.

                                   January 30, 1998


<PAGE>

                                  INDEX TO EXHIBITS



  Exhibit
  Number                             Description
 ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------
  4.1       1997 Stock Plan and form of agreement thereunder.
  4.2       1995 Director Option Plan and form of agreement thereunder.
  5.1       Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
            Corporation as to the legality of securities being
            registered.
 23.1       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
 23.2       Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional
            Corporation (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
 24.1       Power of Attorney (see page II-4).

<PAGE>


                                   PERCLOSE, INC.
                                           
                                  1997 STOCK PLAN



     1.   PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.  The purposes of this Stock Plan are:

          -     to attract and retain the best available personnel for
                positions of substantial responsibility, 

          -     to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and
                Consultants, and 

          -     to promote the success of the Company's business.  

     Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of
grant.  Stock Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan. 

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

          (a)   "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

          (b)   "APPLICABLE LAWS" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U. S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are,
or will be, granted under the Plan.

          (c)   "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

          (e)   "COMMITTEE"  means a committee of Directors appointed by the
Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

          (f)   "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of the Company.

          (g)   "COMPANY" means Perclose, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

          (h)   "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, engaged by
the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

<PAGE>

          (i)   "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.

          (j)   "DISABILITY" means total and permanent disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

          (k)   "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  A Service
Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. 
For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days,
unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or
contract.  If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the
Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock
Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock
Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. 
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

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

          (m)   "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, 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 Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

                (ii)     If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of
a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked
prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of
determination, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such other source as
the Administrator deems reliable; or 

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

          (n)   "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify as
an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (o)   "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

                                    -2-

<PAGE>

          (p)   "NOTICE OF GRANT" means a written or electronic notice
evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock
Purchase Right grant.  The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

          (q)   "OFFICER" means 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" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

          (s)   "OPTION AGREEMENT" means an agreement between the Company and
an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. 
The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

          (t)   "OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM" means a program whereby outstanding
Options are surrendered in exchange for Options with a lower exercise price.

          (u)   "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or
Stock Purchase Right.

          (v)   "OPTIONEE" means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted under the Plan.

          (w)   "PARENT" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

          (x)   "PLAN" means this 1997 Stock Plan.

          (y)   "RESTRICTED STOCK" means shares of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 11 of the Plan.

          (z)   "RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means a written agreement
between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and restrictions
applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right.  The Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the
Notice of Grant.

          (aa)  "RULE 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any
successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with
respect to the Plan.

          (bb)  "SECTION 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

          (cc)  "SERVICE PROVIDER" means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

          (dd)  "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

                                    -3-

<PAGE>

          (ee)  "STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT" means the right to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.

          (ff)  "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

     3.   STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.  Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 500,000 Shares, plus an annual increase to be added on each
anniversary date of the adoption of the Plan equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of
the outstanding Shares on such date, or (ii) a lesser amount determined by the
Board (collectively, the "Pool"); provided, however, that at no time shall the
Pool exceed 15% of the outstanding Shares; provided, further, that over the term
of the Plan (as set forth in Section 7), a maximum of 15,000,000 Shares may be
issued under the Plan. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired
Common Stock.  

          If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable
without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option
Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become
available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated); PROVIDED, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under
the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall not be returned to
the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan,
except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company at
their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future
grant under the Plan. 

     4.   ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

          (a)   PROCEDURE.

                (i)   MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES.  The Plan may be
administered by different Committees with respect to different groups of Service
Providers.

                (ii)  SECTION 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator
determines it to be desirable to qualify Options granted hereunder as
"performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more "outside
directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

                (iii) RULE 16b-3.  To the extent desirable to qualify
transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated
hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under
Rule 16b-3.

                (iv)     OTHER ADMINISTRATION.  Other than as provided above,
the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which
committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. 

                                    -4-

<PAGE>


          (b)   POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.  Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to 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;

                (ii)  to select the Service Providers to whom Options and
Stock Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder;

                (iii)  to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;

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

                (v)  to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, of any Option or Stock Purchase Right granted
hereunder.  Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the
exercise price, the time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be
exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration
or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation
regarding any Option or Stock Purchase Right of the shares of Common Stock
relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in
its sole discretion, shall determine;

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

                (vii)  to institute an Option Exchange Program;

                (viii)  to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and
awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

                (ix)  to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans
established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under
foreign tax laws;

                (x)  to modify or amend each Option or Stock Purchase Right
(subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to
extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is
otherwise provided for in the Plan;

                (xi)  to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax
obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be
issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares
having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld.  The
Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date
that the amount 

                                    -5-

<PAGE>

of tax to be withheld is to be determined.  All elections by an Optionee to 
have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under 
such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;

                (xii)  to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the
Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right previously granted by the Administrator;

                (xiii)  to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.

          (c)   EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION.  The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

     5.   ELIGIBILITY.  Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may
be granted to Service Providers.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees.

     6.   LIMITATIONS.

          (a)   Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as
either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.  For purposes of this
Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted.  The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

          (b)   Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
confer upon an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's
relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in
any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such
relationship at any time, with or without cause.

          (c)   The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options:

                (i)  No Service Provider shall be granted, in any fiscal
year of the Company, Options to purchase more than 500,000 Shares.

                (ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a
Service Provider may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional 500,000
Shares which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i)
above.

                                    -6-

<PAGE>

                (iii)  The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted
proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as
described in Section 13. 

                (iv)  If an Option is cancelled in the same fiscal year of
the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction
described in Section 13), the cancelled Option will be counted against the
limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above.  For this purpose, if the
exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a
cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

     7.   TERM OF PLAN.  Subject to Section 19 of the Plan, the Plan shall
become effective upon its adoption by the Board.  It shall continue in effect
for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 15 of the
Plan.

     8.   TERM OF OPTION.  The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option
Agreement.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall be ten (10)
years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the
Option Agreement.  Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to
an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the
Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such
shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

     9.   OPTION 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 determined by the
Administrator, subject to the following:

                (i)  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                    (A)  granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive
Stock 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 per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                    (B)  granted to any Employee other than an Employee
described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall
be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                (ii)  In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per
Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator.  In the case of a
Nonstatutory Stock Option intended to qualify as "performance-based
compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.

                                    -7-

<PAGE>

                (iii)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted
with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per
Share on the date of grant pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction.

          (b)   WAITING PERIOD AND EXERCISE DATES.  At the time an Option is
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised. 

          (c)   FORM OF 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)  consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

                (vi)  a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to
the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's
participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or
arrangement;

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

                (viii)  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 STOCKHOLDER. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement.  Unless the Administrator provides otherwise,
vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of
absence.  An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

                                    -8-

<PAGE>

                An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:
(i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.  Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan.  Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. 
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. 
The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the
Option is exercised.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right
for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

                Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of
Shares thereafter 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 RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER.  If an
Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee's death
or Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of
time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is
vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of
the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement).  In the absence
of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable
for three (3) months following the Optionee's termination.  If, on the date of
termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the
Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. 
If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within
the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (c)   DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE.  If an Optionee ceases to be a Service
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement
to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event
later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the
Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's
termination.  If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to
his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the
Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the Optionee does not
exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (d)   DEATH OF OPTIONEE.  If an Optionee dies while a Service
Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified
in the Option Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term
of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's 


                                    -9-

<PAGE>

estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by 
bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option is vested on 
the date of death.  In the absence of a specified time in the Option 
Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months 
following the Optionee's termination.  If, at the time of death, the Optionee 
is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the 
unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan.  The 
Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the Optionee's 
estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under 
the Optionee's will or the laws of descent or distribution.  If the Option is 
not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall 
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (e)   BUYOUT PROVISIONS.  The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares an Option previously granted based on
such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate
to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

     11.  STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS.

          (a)   RIGHTS TO PURCHASE.  Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan.  After the Administrator determines
that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the
offeree in writing or electronically, by means of a Notice of Grant, of the
terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the number of
Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and
the time within which the offeree must accept such offer.  The offer shall be
accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form
determined by the Administrator.

          (b)   REPURCHASE OPTION.  Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or
Disability).  The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company.  The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the
Administrator.

          (c)   OTHER PROVISIONS.  The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with
the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. 

          (d)   RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER.  Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a
stockholder, and shall be a stockholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company.  No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 13
of the Plan.

                                    -10-

<PAGE>

     12.  NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS.  Unless
determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Option or Stock Purchase Right 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 and may be
exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.  If the
Administrator makes an Option or Stock Purchase Right transferable, such Option
or Stock Purchase Right shall contain such additional terms and conditions as
the Administrator deems appropriate.

     13.  ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, DISSOLUTION, MERGER OR
          ASSET SALE. 

          (a)   CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.  Subject to any required action by
the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, 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 Board,
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 or Stock
Purchase Right.

          (b)   DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION.  In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction.  The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable.  In addition, the
Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any
Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse
as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes
place at the time and in the manner contemplated.  To the extent it has not been
previously exercised, an Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

          (c)   MERGER OR ASSET SALE.  In the event of a merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right shall be
assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor
corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.  In the
event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the
Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the
right to exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all 

                                    -11-

<PAGE>

of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be 
vested or exercisable.  If an Option or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully 
vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of 
a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee in 
writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be 
fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date 
of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon 
the expiration of such period.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the 
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed if, following the 
merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to purchase 
or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock 
Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the 
consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received 
in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share 
held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a 
choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a 
majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such 
consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common 
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with 
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be 
received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each 
Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be 
solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair 
market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common 
Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

     14.  DATE OF GRANT.  The date of grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right
shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the
determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such other later
date as is determined by the Administrator.  Notice of the determination shall
be provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such
grant.

     15.  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

          (a)   AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.  The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.  

          (b)   STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.  The Company shall obtain stockholder
approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply
with Applicable Laws. 

          (c)   EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION.  No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company. 
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.

                                    -12-

<PAGE>

     16.  CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.  

          (a)   LEGAL COMPLIANCE.  Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the exercise of such Option
or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall
comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

          (b)   INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS.  As a condition to the exercise of
an Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the person exercising
such Option or Stock Purchase Right 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.

     17.  INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY.  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.  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.

     19.  STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.  The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted.  Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the
degree required under Applicable Laws.


                                    -13-

<PAGE>

                                   PERCLOSE, INC.

                                   1997 STOCK PLAN

                                STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


     Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have
the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I.  NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

[Optionee's Name and Address]

     You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as
follows:

     Grant Number                  _________________________

     Date of Grant                 _________________________

     Vesting Commencement Date     _________________________

     Exercise Price per Share     $_________________________

     Total Number of Shares Granted ________________________

     Total Exercise Price         $_________________________

     Type of Option:               ______  Incentive Stock Option

                                   ______  Nonstatutory Stock Option

     Term/Expiration Date:         _________________________


     VESTING SCHEDULE:

     This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the
following schedule:

     [25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after the
Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48 of the Shares subject to the Option shall
vest each month thereafter, subject to the Optionee continuing to be a Service
Provider on such dates].

<PAGE>

     TERMINATION PERIOD:

     This Option may be exercised for [three months] after Optionee ceases to be
a Service Provider.  Upon the death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option
may be exercised for [one year] after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. 
In no event shall this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date
as provided above.

II.  AGREEMENT

     1.   GRANT OF OPTION.  The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants
to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this
Agreement (the "Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of
Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set
forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.  Subject to
Section 15(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and
conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement,
the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

          If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option
("ISO"), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under
Section 422 of the Code.  However, if this Option is intended to be an Incentive
Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section
422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").

     2.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.

          (a)   RIGHT TO EXERCISE.  This Option is exercisable during its term
in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

          (b)   METHOD OF EXERCISE.  This Option is exercisable by delivery of
an exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise Notice"),
which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in
respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised Shares"), and
such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.  The Exercise Notice shall be completed
by the Optionee and delivered to [Secretary] of the Company.  The Exercise
Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all
Exercised Shares.  This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by
the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate
Exercise Price.

          No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option
unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws.  Assuming such
compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered
transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to
such Exercised Shares.

                                         -2-

<PAGE>

     3.   METHOD OF PAYMENT.  Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be
by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the
Optionee:

          (a)   cash;

          (b)   check;

          (c)   consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise
program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; or 

          (d)   surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, AND (ii) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised
Shares.

     4.   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 and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee.  The
terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

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

     6.   TAX CONSEQUENCES.  Some of the federal tax consequences relating to
this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below.  THIS SUMMARY
IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO
CHANGE.  THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION
OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

          (a)   EXERCISING THE OPTION.

                (i)  NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION.  The Optionee may incur
regular federal income tax liability upon exercise of a NSO.  The 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
Exercised Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price. 
If the Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be
required to withhold from his or her compensation or collect from Optionee and
pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage
of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the
exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not
delivered at the time of exercise.

                (ii) INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION.  If this Option qualifies as an
ISO, the Optionee will have no regular federal income tax liability upon its
exercise, although the excess, if any, of the Fair 

                                         -3-

<PAGE>


Market Value of the Exercised Shares on the date of exercise over their 
aggregate Exercise Price will be treated as an adjustment to alternative 
minimum taxable income for federal tax purposes and may subject the Optionee 
to alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise.  In the event that the 
Optionee ceases to be an Employee but remains a Service Provider, any 
Incentive Stock Option of the Optionee that remains unexercised shall cease 
to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes 
as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the date three (3) months and one (1) day 
following such change of status.

          (b)   DISPOSITION OF SHARES.

                (i)  NSO.  If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at least one 
year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as 
long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

                (ii)  ISO.  If the Optionee holds ISO Shares for at least one
year after exercise and two years after the grant date, any gain realized on
disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal
income tax purposes.  If the Optionee disposes of ISO Shares within one year
after exercise or two years after the grant date, 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 (A) the difference
between the Fair Market Value of the Shares acquired on the date of exercise and
the aggregate Exercise Price, or (B) the difference between the sale price of
such Shares and the aggregate Exercise Price.  Any additional gain will be taxed
as capital gain, short-term or long-term depending on the period that the ISO
Shares were held.

          (c)   NOTICE OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION OF ISO SHARES.  If the
Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to
an ISO on or before the later of (i) two years after the grant date, or (ii) one
year after the exercise date, the Optionee shall immediately notify the Company
in writing of such disposition.  The Optionee agrees that he or she may be
subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized from such early disposition of ISO Shares by payment in cash or out
of the current earnings paid to the Optionee.

     7.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW.  The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference.  The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement
of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee.  This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not
the choice of law rules, of California.

     8.   NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.  OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED
ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT
THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES
HEREUNDER).  OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE
TRANSACTIONS 

                                         -4-

<PAGE>

CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT 
CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE 
PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT 
INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE 
OPTIONEE'S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT 
CAUSE.

     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 Plan and this Option Agreement.  
Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, 
has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing 
this Option Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and 
Option Agreement. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and 
final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any 
questions relating to the Plan and Option Agreement.  Optionee further agrees 
to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated 
below.

OPTIONEE:                          PERCLOSE, INC.


___________________________________     ___________________________________
Signature                               By

___________________________________     ___________________________________
Print Name                              Title

___________________________________
Residence Address

___________________________________


                                         -5-

<PAGE>


                                  CONSENT OF SPOUSE

     The undersigned spouse of Optionee has read and hereby approves the terms
and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.  In consideration of the
Company's granting his or her spouse the right to purchase Shares as set forth
in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be
irrevocably bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement and further agrees that any community property interest shall be
similarly bound.  The undersigned hereby appoints the undersigned's spouse as
attorney-in-fact for the undersigned with respect to any amendment or exercise
of rights under the Plan or this Option Agreement.


                                   _______________________________________
                                   Spouse of Optionee



                                         -6-

<PAGE>

                                      EXHIBIT A

                                   1997 STOCK PLAN

                                   EXERCISE NOTICE


Perclose, Inc.
199 Jefferson Drive
Menlo Park, 94025


Attention:  [Secretary]  

     1.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.  Effective as of today, ________________, 199__,
the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares
(the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Perclose, Inc. (the "Company") under and
pursuant to the 1997 Stock Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock Option Agreement
dated __________, 19___ (the "Option Agreement").  The purchase price for the
Shares shall be $___________, as required by the Option Agreement.

     2.   DELIVERY OF PAYMENT.  Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the
full purchase price for the Shares.

     3.   REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASER.  Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser
has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees
to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

     4.   RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER.  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 Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or
any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned
Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Shares so acquired shall
be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. 
No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in Section 13 of the
Plan.

     5.   TAX CONSULTATION.  Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of
the Shares.  Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax
consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

     6.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW.  The Plan and Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference.  This Agreement, the Plan and the Option
Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by
means of a writing 

<PAGE>


signed by the Company and Purchaser.  This agreement is governed by the 
internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.

Submitted by:                           Accepted by:

PURCHASER:                              PERCLOSE, INC.


__________________________________      _____________________________________
Signature                               By

__________________________________      _____________________________________
Print Name                              Its


ADDRESS:                                ADDRESS:
                                        199 Jefferson Drive
                                        Menlo Park, CA  94025
                                        
                                        _____________________________________
                                        Date Received


                                         -2-


<PAGE>

                                    PERCLOSE, INC.

                              1995 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN

                        (AS AMENDED EFFECTIVE JULY 15, 1997)


     1.   PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.  The purposes of this 1995 Director Option 
Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for service as 
Outside Directors (as defined herein) of the Company, to provide additional 
incentive to the Outside Directors of the Company to serve as Directors, and 
to encourage their continued service on the Board.

          All options granted hereunder shall be nonstatutory stock options.

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

          (a)  "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (b)  "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          (c)  "COMMON STOCK" means the Common Stock of the Company.

          (d)  "COMPANY" means Perclose, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

          (e)  "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS A DIRECTOR" means the absence of any
interruption or termination of service as a Director.

          (f)  "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.

          (g)  "EMPLOYEE" means 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 shall not be sufficient in and of 
itself to constitute "employment" by the Company.

          (h)  "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
amended.

          (i)  "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, 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 Nasdaq 
National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. 
Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, the Fair Market Value of a Share of 
Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing 
bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such system or exchange (or the 
exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) on the day of 
determination, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such other source as 
the Board deems reliable;

<PAGE>

               (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, the Fair Market Value 
of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low 
asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination, as reported in 
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such other source as the Board deems reliable, 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 
Board.

          (j)  "NEW OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means an Outside Director who becomes a 
Director after the effective date of this Plan.

          (k)  "OPTION" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

          (l)  "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

          (m)  "OPTIONEE"  means an Outside Director who receives an Option.

          (n)  "OUTSIDE DIRECTOR" means a Director who is not an Employee.

          (o)  "PARENT" means a "parent corporation", whether now or 
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

          (p)  "PLAN" means this Perclose, Inc. 1995 Director Option Plan.

          (q)  "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in 
accordance with Section 10 of the Plan.

          (r)  "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or 
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986.

     3.   STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.  Subject to the provisions of Section 10 
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and 
sold under the Plan is four hundred thousand (400,000) Shares (the "Pool") 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, the unpurchased Shares which were 
subject thereto shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, become 
available for future grant under the Plan; provided, however, that Shares 
that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be returned to the 
Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

     4.   ADMINISTRATION AND GRANTS OF OPTIONS UNDER THE PLAN.

          (a)  PROCEDURE FOR GRANTS.  The provisions set forth in this 
Section 4(a) shall not be amended more than once every six months, other than 
to comport with changes in the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security 
Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder.  All grants of Options to 
Outside Directors under this Plan shall be automatic and nondiscretionary and 
shall be made strictly in accordance with the following provisions:

               (i)   No person shall have any discretion to select which 
Outside Directors shall be granted Options or to determine the number of 
Shares to be covered by Options granted to Outside Directors.

               (ii)  Each New Outside Director shall be automatically granted 
an Option to purchase fifteen thousand (15,000) Shares (a "First Option") on 
the date on which such person first becomes a Director, whether through 
election by the stockholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to 
fill a vacancy. Each Outside Director shall be automatically granted an 
Option to purchase fifteen thousand (15,000) Shares (a "First Option") on the 
effective date of the first public offering of the Company's Common Stock 
pursuant to an registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended.

               (iii) After a First Option has been granted to a New Outside 
Director or Outside Director, such individual shall thereafter be 
automatically granted an Option to purchase five thousand (5,000) Shares (a 
"Subsequent Option") on the first business day of each calendar year, if on 
such date, he shall have served on the Board for at least six (6) months.

               (iv)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (ii) and 
(iii) hereof, any exercise of an Option made before the Company has obtained 
stockholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof shall 
be conditioned upon obtaining such stockholder approval of the Plan in 
accordance with Section 16 hereof.

               (v)   The terms of a First Option granted hereunder shall be 
as follows:

                     (A) the term of the First Option shall be ten (10) years.

                     (B) the First Option shall be exercisable only while the 
Outside Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set forth in 
Section 8 hereof.

                     (C) the exercise price per Share shall be 100% of the 
fair market value per Share on the date of grant of the First Option.  In the 
event that the date of grant of the First Option is not a trading day, the 
exercise price per Share shall be the Fair Market Value on the next trading 
day immediately following the date of grant of the First Option.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                     (D) the First Option shall become exercisable as to 1/48 
of the Shares subject to the First Option at the end of each full month 
following the date of grant, subject to continued service as an Outside 
Director.

               (vi)  The terms of a Subsequent Option granted hereunder shall 
be as follows:

                     (A) the term of the Subsequent Option shall be ten (10) 
years.

                     (B) the Subsequent Option shall be exercisable only 
while the Outside Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set 
forth in Section 8 hereof.

                     (C) the exercise price per Share shall be 100% of the 
fair market value per Share on the date of grant of the Subsequent Option.  
In the event that the date of grant of the First Option is not a trading day, 
the exercise price per Share shall be the Fair Market Value on the next 
trading day immediately following the date of grant of the First Option.

                     (D) the Subsequent Option shall be exercisable as to 
100% of the Shares subject to the Subsequent Option on the date of grant.

               (vii) In the event that any Option granted under the Plan 
would cause the number of Shares subject to outstanding Options plus the 
number of Shares previously purchased under Options to exceed the Pool, then 
the remaining Shares available for Option grant shall be granted under 
Options to the Outside Directors on a pro rata basis.  No further grants 
shall be made until such time, if any, as additional Shares become available 
for grant under the Plan through action of the stockholders to increase the 
number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan or through cancellation 
or expiration of Options previously granted hereunder.

     5.   ELIGIBILITY.  Options may be granted only to Outside Directors.  
All Options shall be automatically granted in accordance with the terms set 
forth in Section 4 hereof.  An Outside Director who has been granted an 
Option may, if he is otherwise eligible, be granted an additional Option or 
Options in accordance with such provisions.

          The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with respect 
to continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a 
Director, nor shall it interfere in any way with any rights which the 
Director or the Company may have to terminate his or her directorship at any 
time.

     6.   TERM OF PLAN.  The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to 
occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the stockholders of the 
Company as described in Section 16 of the Plan.  It shall continue in effect 
for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 11 of the 
Plan.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

     7.   FORM OF CONSIDERATION.  The consideration to be paid for the Shares 
to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, 
shall consist of (i) cash, (ii) check, (iii) other shares which (x) in the 
case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the 
Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (y) 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, (iv) delivery 
of a properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation 
as the Company 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, or (v) any combination of the 
foregoing methods of payment.

     8.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.

          (a)  PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. Any Option 
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times as are set forth in 
Section 4 hereof; provided, however, that no Options shall be exercisable 
until stockholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof 
has been obtained.

          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 consist of any consideration and method of 
payment allowable under Section 7 of the Plan.  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 
stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding 
the exercise of the Option. A share certificate for the number of Shares so 
acquired shall be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after 
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 10 of the Plan.

          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)  RULE 16b-3.  Options granted to Outside Directors must comply 
with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange 
Act or any successor thereto and shall contain such additional conditions or 
restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify Plan transactions, and 
other transactions by Outside Directors that otherwise could be matched with 
Plan transactions, for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange 
Act.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

          (c)  TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS STATUS AS A DIRECTOR.  In the event 
an Optionee's Continuous Status as a Director terminates (other than upon the 
Optionee's death or disability), the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, 
but only within three (3) months from the date of such termination, and only 
to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise it on the date of 
such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of its ten (10) 
year term).  To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise an 
Option on the date of such termination, and to the extent that the Optionee 
does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within 
the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

          (d)  DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE.  In the event Optionee's Continuous 
Status as a Director terminates as a result of disability, the Optionee may 
exercise his or her Option, but only within twelve (12) months from the date 
of such termination, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to 
exercise it on the date of such termination (but in no event later than the 
expiration of its ten (10) year term).  To the extent that the Optionee was 
not entitled to exercise an Option on the date of termination, or if he or 
she does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) 
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

          (e)  DEATH OF OPTIONEE.  In the event of an Optionee's death, the 
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option 
by bequest or inheritance may exercise the Option, but only within twelve 
(12) months following the date of death, and only to the extent that the 
Optionee was entitled to exercise it on the date of death (but in no event 
later than the expiration of its ten (10) year term).  To the extent that the 
Optionee was not entitled to exercise an Option on the date of death, and to 
the extent that the Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to 
exercise such Option does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise 
so entitled) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

     9.   NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS.  The 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 and may be 
exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

     10.  ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, DISSOLUTION, MERGER, 
          ASSET SALE OR CHANGE OF CONTROL. 

          (a)  CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.  Subject to any required action by 
the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each 
outstanding Option, the number of Shares 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, as well as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding 
Option, and the number of Shares issuable pursuant to the automatic grant 
provisions of Section 4 hereof shall be proportionately adjusted for any 
increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares 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 effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; 
provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the 
Company shall not be deemed 


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

to have been "effected without receipt of consideration."  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 subject to an Option.

          (b)  DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION.  In the event of the proposed 
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, to the extent that an Option has 
not been previously exercised, it will terminate immediately prior to the 
consummation of such proposed action.

          (c)  MERGER OR ASSET SALE.  In the event of a merger of the Company 
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the 
assets of the Company, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an 
equivalent option shall be substituted by the successor corporation or a 
Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.  In the event that the 
successor corporation does not agree to assume the Option or to substitute an 
equivalent option, each outstanding Option shall become fully vested and 
exercisable, including as to Shares as to which it would not otherwise be 
exercisable.  If an Option becomes fully vested and exercisable in the event 
of a merger or sale of assets, the Board shall notify the Optionee that the 
Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days from the 
date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of 
such period.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be 
considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or 
right confers the right to purchase, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject 
to the Option immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the 
consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received 
in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share 
held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a 
choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a 
majority of the outstanding Shares).

     11.  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

          (a)  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.  Except as set forth in Section 4, 
the Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend, or discontinue the Plan, but 
no amendment, alteration, suspension, or discontinuation shall be made which 
would impair the rights of any Optionee under any grant theretofore made, 
without his or her consent.  In addition, to the extent necessary and 
desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (or any other 
applicable law or regulation), the Company shall obtain stockholder approval 
of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

          (b)  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.

     12.  TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS.  The date of grant of an Option shall, 
for all purposes, be the date determined in accordance with Section 4 hereof. 


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

     13.  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 shall comply 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, state securities laws, and the requirements of any 
stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and 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.

          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.

     14.  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.

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

     16.  STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.  Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to 
approval by the stockholders of the Company at or prior to the first annual 
meeting of stockholders held subsequent to the granting of an Option 
hereunder. Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and 
manner required under applicable state and federal law.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                                 PERCLOSE, INC.

                            1995 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN

                            DIRECTOR OPTION AGREEMENT


     Perclose, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), has granted to 
_______________ (the "Optionee"), an option to purchase a total of _______ 
shares (the "Shares") of the Company's Common Stock (the "Optioned Stock"), 
at the price determined as provided herein, and in all respects subject to 
the terms, definitions and provisions of the Company's 1995 Director Option 
Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company which is incorporated herein by 
reference. The terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings 
herein.

     1.   NATURE OF THE OPTION.  This Option is a nonstatutory option and is 
not intended to qualify for any special tax benefits to the Optionee.

     2.   EXERCISE PRICE.  The exercise price is $_____ for each share of 
Common Stock.

     3.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.  This Option shall be exercisable during its 
term in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan as follows:

          (i)    RIGHT TO EXERCISE.

                 (a)   This Option shall become exercisable as to one 
forty-eighth (1/48) of the Shares subject to the Option at the end of each 
full month following ________ __, 199_, subject to continued service as an 
Outside Director of the Company.

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

                 (c)   In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other 
termination of service as a Director, the exercisability of the Option is 
governed by Section 8 of the Plan.

          (ii)   METHOD OF EXERCISE.  This Option shall be exercisable by 
written notice which shall state the election to exercise the Option and the 
number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised.  Such 
written notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, shall be signed by 
the 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.


<PAGE>

     4.   METHOD OF PAYMENT.  Payment of the exercise price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

          (i)    cash;

          (ii)   check; or

          (iii)  other shares which (x) in the case of shares acquired upon 
exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) 
months on the date of surrender, and (y) 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; or

          (iv)   delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together 
with such other documentation as the Company 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; or

          (v)    any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

     5.   RESTRICTIONS ON EXERCISE.  This Option may not be exercised if the 
issuance of the 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 regulations, or if such issuance 
would not comply with the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the 
Shares may then be listed.  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.   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 and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the 
Optionee.  The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, 
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

     7.   TERM OF OPTION.  This Option may not be exercised more than ten 
(10) years from the date of grant of this Option, and may be exercised during 
such period only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option.

     8.   TAXATION UPON EXERCISE OF OPTION.  Optionee understands that, upon 
exercise of this Option, he or she will recognize income for tax purposes in 
an amount equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the Shares 
purchased over the exercise price paid for the Shares.  Since the Optionee is 
subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 
under certain limited circumstances the measurement and timing of such income 
(and the commencement of any capital gain holding period) may be deferred, 
and the Optionee is advised to contact a tax advisor concerning the 
application of Section 83 in general and the availability of an 83(b) 
election in particular in connection with the exercise of the Option.  Upon a 
resale of the Shares by the 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

Optionee, any difference between the sale price and the Fair Market Value of 
the Shares on the date of exercise of the Option, to the extent not included 
in income as described above, will be treated as capital gain or loss.


DATE OF GRANT:   _________ __, 199_

                                   PERCLOSE, INC.
                                   a Delaware corporation



                                    By: _____________________________________

                                    Its: ____________________________________


     Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, a copy of which is 
attached hereto, and represents that he is familiar with the terms and 
provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the 
terms and provisions thereof.  Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, 
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any 
questions arising under the Plan.

Dated: ___________________

                                    _________________________________________
                                    Optionee


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                                     EXHIBIT A
                                          
                                   PERCLOSE, INC.
                                          
                             1995 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN
                                          
                       DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE
                                          


Perclose, Inc.
199 Jefferson Drive
Menlo Park, CA  94025

Attention:  Chief Financial Officer


     1.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.  The undersigned ("Optionee") hereby elects to 
exercise Optionee's option to purchase ________ shares of the Common Stock 
(the "Shares") of Perclose, Inc. (the "Company") under and pursuant to the 
Company's 1995 Director Stock Option Plan and the Director Stock Option 
Agreement dated ________________ (the "Agreement").

     2.   REPRESENTATIONS OF OPTIONEE.  Optionee acknowledges that Optionee 
has received, read and understood the Agreement.

     3.   FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.  Optionee understands that the 
Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are registered under the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or unless an exemption 
from such registration is available, and that the certificate(s) representing 
the Shares may bear a legend to that effect.  Optionee understands that the 
Company is under no obligation to register the Shares and that an exemption 
may not be available or may not permit Optionee to transfer Shares in the 
amounts or at the times proposed by Optionee.

     4.   TAX CONSEQUENCES.  Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer 
adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of 
the Shares.  Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax 
consultant(s) Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or 
disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for 
any tax advice.

     5.   DELIVERY OF PAYMENT.  Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the 
aggregate purchase price for the Shares that Optionee has elected to purchase 
and has made provision for the payment of any federal or state withholding 
taxes required to be paid or withheld by the Company.

     6.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  The Agreement is incorporated herein by 
reference. This Agreement and the Agreement constitute the entire agreement 
of the parties and supersede in their 

<PAGE>

entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee 
with respect to the subject matter hereof.  This Exercise Notice and the 
Agreement are governed by California law except for that body of law 
pertaining to conflict of laws.

Submitted by:                          Accepted by:


OPTIONEE:                              PERCLOSE, INC.

__________________________________     By:__________________________________

                                       Its:_________________________________

Address:__________________________ 

__________________________________


Dated:_______________________          Dated:_________________________


                                      -2-

<PAGE>



                                                                   EXHIBIT 5.1

                                   January 30, 1998


Perclose, Inc.
199 Jefferson Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025

     RE:   REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by 
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about January 30, 1998 
(the "Registration Statement"), in connection with the registration under the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an aggregate of 500,000 shares (the 
"Shares") of the corporation's Common Stock which are reserved for issuance 
under its 1997 Stock Plan and an additional 200,000 shares of the 
corporation's Common Stock reserved for issuance under its 1995 Director 
Option Plan (collectively, the "Plans").  As your 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 
issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to the Plans.

     It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described in 
the Plans and pursuant to the agreements which accompany each grant under the 
Plans, 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 and any amendments thereto.

                              Very truly yours,

                              WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI

                              /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI


<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1


              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement 
(Form S-8) pertaining to the 1997 Stock Plan and 1995 Director Option Plan of 
Perclose, Inc. of our reports dated April 25, 1997, with respect to the 
financial statements of Perclose, Inc. incorporated by reference in its 
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended March 31, 1997 and the related 
financial statement schedule included therein, filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.

                                                        /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                                           
San Jose, California
January 29, 1998



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