EXHIBIT 10.28EXECUTION COPY

# SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE
AGREEMENT

# and

# AMENDMENT TO MASTER
LICENSE AGREEMENT

This
Settlement and Release Agreement and Amendment to Master License Agreement (this
Agreement), made as of this 24th day of February , 2004, by
and among Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., a Californiacorporation having a
principal place of business at 3200 Lakeside Drive, Santa Clara, California 95052-8167
(ACS), Guidant Corporation, an Indiana corporation having a place of
business at 111 Monument Circle, 20th Fl., Indianapolis, IN 46204 (Guidant
Corporation, and collectively, with ACS and its other Affiliates,
GUIDANT), Cordis Corporation, a Florida corporation having a principal
place of business at 14201 NW 60th Avenue, Miami, Florida 37014
(CORDIS), and Johnson & Johnson, a New Jersey corporation having a
place of business at One Johnson & Johnson Plaza, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08933
(Johnson & Johnson, and collectively, with CORDIS and its other
Affiliates, J&J). For purposes of this Agreement, capitalized terms
used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in
the Master License (as defined below).

RECITALS

CORDIS,
ACS and GUIDANT CORPORATION have entered into a Master License Agreement, dated as of
April 3, 2000 and further amended on December 3, 2001 and November 24, 2003 (the
Master License), pursuant to which, among other things, the parties
have provided each other access to certain of their respective technologies, including,
without limitation, (i) GUIDANTs licensing of certain rights to the Lam/Lau Patents
to CORDIS and (ii) CORDISs licensing of certain rights to Stent Implant Patents to
GUIDANT;

In
connection with entering into the Master License, CORDIS, ACS and GUIDANT CORPORATION
entered into an Arbitration Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2000 (the Arbitration
Agreement), pursuant to which the parties provided for the resolution of
multiple patent litigations with one another along with the resolution of future disputes;

Pursuant
to the terms of the Master License and the Arbitration Agreement, GUIDANT has commenced an
arbitration (the Lam/Lau Arbitration) against CORDIS alleging that certain
CORDIS products infringe upon certain Lam/Lau Patents and that CORDIS is obligated to pay
royalties to GUIDANT in connection with its licensing of the Lam/Lau Patents (the
Lam/Lau Dispute);

J&J has alleged that certain GUIDANT products infringe
upon U.S. Patent [***](1) to Fischell et. al. and assigned to CORDIS (the "Fischell Dispute");

The
parties have decided that it is in their respective best interests to conclude a full and
final settlement of all claims asserted, or that could have been asserted, against one
another arising out of the Lam/Lau Dispute and the Fischell Dispute in accordance with the
terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein; and

In
connection with (and as additional consideration for) entering into this Agreement, the
parties are simultaneously entering into separate agreements that (i) grant ACS the right
to act as a sales agent for CORDISs drug eluting stent products, (ii) grant CORDIS
the right to act as a sales agent for ACSs coronary bioabsorbable vascular stent
products if ACS commences commercial sales of such products, (iii) grant CORDIS the right
to purchase from ACS certain ACS coronary stent delivery system products for use in
CORDISs drug eluting stent products, and (iv) provide for the cross licensing of
certain intellectual property rights in the drug eluting stent field.

NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants expressed herein, the agreements set
forth in the preceding paragraph and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be
legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

| | 1. | The parties acknowledge that this Agreement is being executed in settlement and
               compromise of the Lam/Lau Dispute and the Fischell Dispute and that nothing in
               this Agreement shall be construed as an admission by any party of any
               wrongdoing, or of the validity or invalidity of any position taken or proposed
               to be taken by or against the party in any past, present, or future dispute or
               proceeding.
| | -- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 2. | The parties agree that the Master License shall be, and hereby is, amended as
               follows:
| | -- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) [***] - Material has been omitted pursuant to a request
for confidentiality.



| | (a) | The second sentence of subsection I of Section 1.12 is amended and restated in
               its entirety to be and read as follows: Stent Implant Patents shall not
               include the Palmaz/Schatz Patents, the Lam/Lau Patents, the Lazarus Patents or
               the Fischell Patents.
| | --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (b) | A new subsection L is added to Section 1.12 as follows: L. Fischell
               Patents shall mean those Patents directed to any device, at least a
               portion of which is placed within a blood vessel of the body to help maintain
               the patency of such blood vessels, owned, acquired or licensed by J&J in
               which Robert E. Fischell, Tim A. Fischell and/or David R. Fischell are a named
               inventor, including, without limitation, those included on Schedule 1L to this
               Agreement, and all and any continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals,
               including any patents maturing therefrom and any patents of addition, reissues,
               re-examinations, renewals or extensions thereof, further including any Foreign
               Counterparts of such Patents, consistent with the definition of Patents in
               Section 1.12.
| | --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (c) | Section 2.2 is amended and restated in its entirety to be and read as follows:
               GUIDANT hereby grants to CORDIS an irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide
               right and license (without the right to sublicense) to make, have made, use or
               sell, or otherwise dispose of Licensed Products under the Lam/Lau Patents in all
               fields, and to practice processes and methods under the Lam/Lau Patents in all
               fields. The license granted pursuant to this paragraph 2.2 shall be a paid-up
               license and any pass-through royalties payable in respect of past and future Net
               Sales by CORDIS of Licensed Products (including Net Sales of the relevant
               products that occurred prior to the Effective Date) shall be payable by
               GUIDANT.
| | --- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (d) | A new Section 2.9A is added as follows: 2.9A Fischell Patents.
               CORDIS hereby grants to GUIDANT an irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide right
               and license (without the right to sublicense) to make, have made, use or sell,
               or otherwise dispose of Licensed Products under the Fischell Patents in all
               fields, and to practice processes and methods under the Fischell Patents in all
               fields. The license granted pursuant to this Section 2.9A shall be paid-up as to
               J&J. Any pass-through royalties payable with respect to Net Sales by GUIDANT
               of Licensed Products, including future Licensed Products (i) after the date of
               execution of this Agreement shall be payable by GUIDANT and (ii) prior to the
               date of execution of this Agreement shall be waived and, if payable, paid by
               CORDIS. (CORDIS represents that, unless noted on Schedule 1L, the pass-through
               royalty rate is [***]. Payments under this Section 2.9A shall be made by GUIDANT
               to CORDIS, which shall then forward such payments as part of its contractual
               obligations.
| | --- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (e) | The first sentence of Section 2.10 is amended and restated in its entirety to be
               and read as follows: For purposes of Sections 2.4 above, if either CORDIS
               or GUIDANT believes that its patent is being infringed by any product of the
               other Party, other than a Current Product, such Party may give notice to the
               other Party.
| | --- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (f) | The third sentence of Section 2.10 is amended and restated in its entirety to be
               and read as follows: If the arbitrators determine that the disputed Patent
               is infringed, not invalid and enforceable, the arbitrators may designate an
               appropriate supplemental royalty rate [***].
| | --- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (g) | The phrase ; provided, however, that any royalty rate in
               respect of the Lam/Lau Patents determined pursuant to paragraph 2.2 above shall
               be subject to an increase of up to [***]over the Maximum Rate, pursuant to the
               provisions of paragraph 2.10 above is hereby deleted from Section 2.12.
| | --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (h) | A new Schedule 1L is added as follows on Exhibit A to this Agreement.
| | --- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 3. | Apart from the obligations created by, referenced, acknowledged or rising out of
               this Agreement and the other agreements being entered into pursuant to or in
               connection with this Agreement, J&J, on the one hand, and GUIDANT, on the
               other hand, do hereby for themselves and their respective legal successors and
               assigns, release and forever discharge each other and their respective
               shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, customers,
               distributors, officials, legal successors and assigns of and from any and all
               claims, demands, damages, debts, liabilities, accounts, reckonings, obligations,
               costs, expenses, liens, actions and causes of action of any kind and nature
               whatsoever, whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, which either
               now has, owns or holds or at any time heretofore had ever owned or held, based
               on or arising out of or relating to the Lam/Lau Dispute and the Fischell
               Dispute, all of which are referred to hereinafter as the Released
               Matters, including, without limitation, (i) any and all disputes
               concerning the infringement, validity or enforceability of the Lam/Lau Patents
               or the Fischell Patents and (ii) any and all claims and counterclaims set forth
               in the arbitration proceedings commenced by GUIDANT in connection with the
               Lam/Lau Dispute. GUIDANT and J&J shall, as soon as practicable after the
               date hereof, take all steps necessary to terminate the Lam/Lau Arbitration.
               GUIDANT and J&J each shall pay its own costs, attorneys fees and
               expenses, and equally divide any joint expenses, incurred in connection with the
               Released Matters. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms J&J and
               GUIDANT, as used in this Agreement, shall include the Affiliates of
               such parties, and Guidant Corporation and Johnson & Johnson, respectively,
               shall ensure that its respective Affiliates so comply with this Agreement.
| | -- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 4. | It is the intention of the parties hereto in executing this Agreement and in
               paying and receiving the consideration called for by this Agreement that this
               Agreement shall comprise a full and final accord and mutual release of all the
               Released Matters. Each of the parties acknowledges that it is aware that it or
               its attorneys or accountants may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition
               to or different from those which it now knows or believes to exist with respect
               to the Released Matters, but that it is its intention hereby to fully and
               finally and forever settle and release all Released Matters, whether known or
               unknown. The releases given herein shall remain as full and complete releases
               notwithstanding the discovery or existence of any such additional or different
               claim or fact.
| | -- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 5. | Each of GUIDANT and J&J, by and on behalf of its predecessors, successors,
               heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, shareholders, officers, directors,
               attorneys, agents, employees and representatives, hereby waives with respect to
               the release of paragraphs 3 and 4 above the benefits of Section 1542 of the
               Civil Code of California to the extent that such benefits may contravene a
               provision hereof. Such section reads as follows: 1542. General Release
               Extent. A General Release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not
               know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the Release,
               which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the
               debtor.
| | -- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 6. | GUIDANT and J&J hereby for themselves and their respective legal successors
               and assigns, hereby covenant not to bring any demand, claim or cause of action
               against one another and the others respective shareholders, officers,
               directors, employees, agents, attorneys, customers, distributors, officials,
               legal successors and assigns of any kind or nature with respect to any and all
               claims, demands, damages, debts, liabilities, accounts, reckonings, obligations,
               costs, expenses, liens, actions and causes of action of any kind and nature
               whatsoever, whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected which either
               now has, owns or holds or at any time heretofore had ever owned or held based on
               or arising out of or related to the Released Matters, including any allegation
               of infringement of the Lam/Lau Patents or the Fischell Patents, through the
               manufacture, use or sale of any allegedly infringing product that is or has been
               sold anywhere in the world as of or prior to the date hereof.
| | -- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 7. | This Agreement is executed freely, voluntarily, in good faith, and without any
               duress or undue influence on any party, and with and upon the advice of counsel.
               Each of the undersigned represents and warrants that it has been given a full
               and fair opportunity to review this Agreement, and that it understands the
               terms, conditions, and obligations set forth herein. Each of the undersigned
               represents and warrants that it is a corporation duly organized, validly
               existing, and in good standing. Each of the undersigned represents and warrants
               that it has corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
               and to perform its obligations hereunder, and all such action has been duly and
               validly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings on its part. Each of
               the undersigned represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly and
               validly executed and delivered and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
               obligation enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof, except as may be
               limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar laws of general application
               affecting the enforcement of creditors rights or by general principles of
               equity limiting the availability of equitable remedies. Each of the undersigned
               represents and warrants that neither the execution and delivery of this
               Agreement nor consummation of the transactions herein contemplated nor
               performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions hereof will (i)
               violate any material law, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of or a
               default under the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of such party or any
               material agreement or instrument to which such party is a party or by which it
               or any of its properties may be subject or bound, or (iii) result in the
               creation or imposition of any lien upon any property of such party.
| | -- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 8. | CORDIS represents and warrants that as of the date hereof it owns all right and
               title to or has the ability to grant the licenses to the Fischell Patents. As of
               the date hereof, CORDISs right, title and interest in and to the Patents
               licensed by it pursuant to the amendment to the Master License included in
               paragraph 2(d) above is and during the term of the Master License shall continue
               to be free and clear of any lien, charge, security interest or encumbrance which
               would adversely affect or limit GUIDANTs exercise of its rights under the
               Master License.
| | -- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 9. | The Master License, as further amended by this Agreement, is and shall continue
               to be in full force and effect and is hereby in all respects ratified and
               confirmed. Nothing in this Agreement shall waive or be deemed to waive or modify
               (except as expressly set forth herein) any rights or obligations of any of the
               parties under the Master License.
| | -- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 10. | This Agreement, together with all other agreements referred to herein, shall
               constitute the entire agreement between the parties or their Affiliates with
               respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall supersede all previous
               negotiations, commitments and writings relating thereto (other than the Confidentiality
Agreement dated [***] between Guidant Corporation and Johnson & Johnson).
| | --- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 11. | This Agreement shall not be modified or altered in any manner except by an
               instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto.
| | --- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 12. | This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, Affiliates,
               agents, officers, directors, employees, shareholders, attorneys, assigns,
               representatives, and successors of the parties. There are no other third party
               beneficiaries of this Agreement.
| | --- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 13. | This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
               original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
| | --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 14. | This Agreement shall be deemed to be executed and to be performed in the State
               of New York and shall be interpreted, governed and construed in accordance with
               the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its choice of law rules.
| | --- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 15. | If any provision of this Agreement is found to be prohibited by law and invalid,
               or for any reason such provision is held unenforceable, in whole or in part,
               such provision shall be considered severable and its invalidity or
               unenforceability shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall
               continue in full force and effect.
| | --- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 16. | This Agreement shall be effective and deemed delivered as of the last date first
               listed above.
| | --- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,the parties, through their authorized officers, have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS, INC.


                                                 By: /s/ Dana G. Mead, Jr.
                                                 Name: Dana G. Mead Jr
                                                 Title: President

GUIDANT CORPORATION


                                                 By: /s/ Dana G. Mead, Jr.
                                                 Name: Dana G. Mead, Jr.
                                                 Title: President, Vascular Intervention

JOHNSON & JOHNSON



                                                 By: /s/ J.R. Hilton     
                                                 Name: J. R. Hilton
                                                 Title: Assistant Secretary

CORDIS CORPORATION



                                                 By: /s/ Susan Morano     
                                                 Name: Susan Morano
                                                 Title: V.P., New Business Development

---

Exhibit A

# Schedule 1L

[***]

---

# AMENDMENT

This
Amendment to the Master License Agreement and to the Distribution Agreement
(Amendment) is entered into by and between Cordis Corporation, Guidant
Corporation, and Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. on this 24th day of November 2003
(Effective Date).

# RECITALS

CORDIS,
GUIDANT, and ACS entered into a Master License Agreement dated April 3, 2000 (Master
License Agreement) that was further modified by an Addendum signed October 17, 2001,
and by virtue of a modified license to the Patents signed December 21, 2001.

CORDIS,
GUIDANT and ACS would now like to add other patent families to fall under the provisions
of the Master License Agreement.

The
parties further desire to avoid the possible time and expense of potential future dispute
resolutions related to these added patent families.

CORDIS
and ACS also entered into a Distribution Agreement (the Distribution
Agreement) effective April 3, 2000 by which ACS was to sell certain rapid exchange
catheters to CORDIS.

CORDIS
and ACS would further like to amend the Distribution Agreement to extend and continue
supply of certain designated catheters to Cordis.

# TERMS

The
parties agree as follows:

| | 1. | All words and phrases used herein shall have the meanings set forth in the
                    Master License Agreement and the Distribution Agreement unless expressly stated
                    otherwise.
| | -- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 2. | Fontirroche Patents shall mean those Patents having in common the
                    priority date or dates of those patents listed in Schedule 2".
| | -- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 3. | Rx Lau Patents shall mean those Patents having in common the
                    priority date or dates of those patents listed in Schedule 3".
| | -- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 4. | Sections 2.9.1-2.9.2 are added to the Master License Agreement:
| | -- | ---------------------------------------------------------------

| | 2.9.1 | Fontirroche Patents. CORDIS hereby grants to GUIDANT an irrevocable, non-exclusive,
worldwide right and license (without the right to sublicense) to make, have made, use or
sell or otherwise dispose of Licensed Products under the Fontirroche Patents and to
practice processes and methods under the Fontirroche Patents, subject to the restrictions
of Paragraph 2.15. The license granted pursuant to this paragraph [***]
| | ----- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 2.9.2 | Rx Lau Patents. GUIDANT hereby grants to CORDIS an irrevocable, non-exclusive,
worldwide right and license (without the right to sublicense) to make, have made, use or
sell or otherwise dispose of Licensed Products under the Rx Lau Patents and to practice
processes and methods under the Rx Lau Patents, subject to the restrictions of Paragraph
2.15. The license granted pursuant to this paragraph [***]
| | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 5. | The Parties hereby waive any and all rights to seek past, present, and/or future
                    damages, royalties, or compensation under the Fontirroche Patents or the Rx Lau
                    Patents, as the case may be. These waivers include, but are not limited to, a
                    full and complete waiver of any rights a Party might otherwise have to seek
                    royalties, damages, or compensation from the other under any applicable Section
                    of the Master License Agreement.
| | -- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 6. | [***]
| | -- | -----

| | 7. | The terms set forth in this Amendment are to be treated as confidential pursuant
                    to Article V of the Master License Agreement and Article VIII of the
                    Distribution Agreement.
| | -- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 8. | The parties expressly agree that, except as specifically provided herein, the
                    Master License Agreement, the Arbitration Agreement, and the Distribution
                    Agreement, and all terms and provisions therein, shall remain in full force and
                    effect in all respects. Nothing in this Amendment is intended to modify,
                    supplement, or affect the parties rights, obligations or licenses under
                    their prior agreements unless expressly stated herein.
| | -- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
                    parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized
                    officers, effective as of the day and year
first above written.

# CORDIS CORPORATION

By:
/s/ Susan E. Morano

Name:
Susan E. Morano

Title:
V.P., New Business Development

Date:
_______________________________

ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS,
INC.

By:
/s/ Mark A. Murray
Name: Mark A. Murray
Title: V.P., Finance Date:
_______________________________

# GUIDANT CORPORATION

By:
/s/ Dana G. Mead, Jr. Name:
Dana G. Mead, Jr. Title:
President, Vascular Intervention Date:
_______________________________

---

Schedule
2  Fontirroche Patents

[***]

---

Schedule 3
 Rx Lau Patents

[***]

---

Schedule
6 [***]

---

# AGREEMENT

This Agreement
(AGREEMENT) is made effective as of the 20th day of December, 2001 (the
Effective Date) by and between GUIDANT CORPORATION, an Indiana corporation,
having a place of business at 111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor, Indianapolis, IN 46204, and
its Affiliates (Guidant Corporation and its Affiliates, collectively referred to as
GUIDANT); CORDIS CORPORATION, a Florida corporation, having a place of
business at 14201 NW 60th Avenue, Miami Lakes, FL 33014, and its Affiliates (Cordis
Corporation and its Affiliates, collectively referred to as CORDIS);
NEOCARDIA, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, and its Affiliates (NeoCardia, LLC
and its Affiliates, collectively referred to as NEOCARDIA); and STEPHEN
OESTERLE, MICHAEL D. DAKE, and BRUCE HEDGER (collectively referred to as the
OESTERLE GROUP).

# RECITALS

| | A. | On May 4, 1994, the OESTERLE GROUP licensed certain patent rights to Omnitron
                    International, Inc. (OMNITRON) pursuant to a license Agreement
                    (DAKE LICENSE).
| | -- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | B. | On March 21, 1997, NEOCARDIA, OMNITRON, GUIDANT and ACS Delaware Corporation (a
                    subsidiary of Guidant) entered into a Purchase Agreement (NEOCARDIA
                    AGREEMENT) pursuant to which GUIDANT acquired certain assets, including
                    the DAKE LICENSE.
| | -- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | C. | CORDIS has previously secured from GUIDANT certain rights under the
                    DAKE-BRADSHAW PATENTS, pursuant to the Master License Agreement between and
                    among GUIDANT and CORDIS effective April 3, 2000 (MASTER LICENSE
                    AGREEMENT), subject to a pass-through royalty obligation to NEOCARDIA of
                    [***](NEOCARDIA ROYALTY) and to the OESTERLE GROUP of
                    [***] (DAKE ROYALTY)
| | -- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | D. | Subject to certain conditions, the OESTERLE GROUP and CORDIS desire to convert
                    the DAKE ROYALTY to a paid up license.
| | -- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In consideration of the foregoing
recitals and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
is hereby acknowledged by each of the parties, GUIDANT, CORDIS, NEOCARDIA and the OESTERLE
GROUP agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS

| | Terms
not otherwise defined in this AGREEMENT shall have the meanings set forth in the MASTER
LICENSE AGREEMENT.
| | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.
          AMENDMENT OF DAKE LICENSE AND MASTER LICENSE AGREEMENT

| | The
DAKE LICENSE AND MASTER LICENSE AGREEMENT are amended so that the sublicense to the Dake
patent granted by GUIDANT to CORDIS pursuant to the MASTER LICENSE AGREEMENT shall be
fully paid up to the OESTERLE GROUP with respect to CORDISs Checkmate system, and
improvements thereto, and any other device developed using CORDIS research efforts or
funds (without CORDIS acquiring any technology from a third party); provided, however that
the foregoing do not use a beta radiation source. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties
recognize that CORDISs prior-announced X-ray system currently being developed is to
be considered an improvement to the Checkmate system. Except as provided in
the previous sentence, the DAKE ROYALTY shall continue to be owed to the OESTERLE GROUP
with respect to LICENSED PRODUCTS. Notwithstanding anything in this AGREEMENT to the
contrary, nothing in this AGREEMENT is intended to modify in any manner the NEOCARDIA
ROYALTY owed by CORDIS to NEOCARDIA on LICENSED PRODUCTS.
| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. PAYMENTS

| | CORDIS
shall pay within ten (10) days of the EFFECTIVE DATE a one-time lump sum payment to the
OESTERLE GROUP of [***], by wire transfer of immediately available funds. The arrangement
for such wire transfer shall be communicated to Cordis as soon as practicable after the
signing of this Agreement.
| | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. RELEASE

| | Upon
receipt of the aforementioned payments, the OESTERLE GROUP hereby release and forever
discharge GUIDANT and CORDIS, and GUIDANT hereby releases and forever discharges CORDIS,
from any and all obligation to pay the DAKE ROYALTY with respect to CORDIS sales of
products prior to the Effective Date.
| | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.
          CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE

| | Except
to the extent that any party may otherwise determine disclosure of all or any part of this
AGREEMENT is required by law, each party agrees to use reasonable efforts to hold
confidential the existence of this AGREEMENT and the financial and economic terms of this
AGREEMENT (including all amendments and modifications of such terms) (collectively, the
Confidential Information), and not hereinafter directly or indirectly to
divulge, disseminate or disclose any such Confidential Information. Further, and subject
to the foregoing, each party shall use reasonable efforts to restrict distribution of
copies of this AGREEMENT or any documents or other information related thereto only to
such partys attorneys, accountants, financial advisors and employees having a need
to know such Confidential Information (and only to the extent of such need). If any party
is required by subpoena or other legal process of law to disclose any Confidential
Information, the party required to make such a disclosure shall, when feasible, give
notice to and cooperate with the other parties to allow any other party, at its expense,
to resist disclosure of, or obtain an exemption from the requirement to disclosure, the
Confidential Information. With respect to any partys reporting requirements to the
public and/or the SEC, the parties agree that they shall each cooperate with one another
to exclude from disclosing any of the Confidential Information that any other party
desires not to be disclosed for competitive or other privacy reasons. The parties agree
that before any written press release is made concerning this AGREEMENT they shall consult
and cooperate with each other concerning the text of such press release.
| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6. | MISCELLANEOUS
|-- | -------------

|6.1. | Governing Law. This AGREEMENT shall be interpreted, governed and
          construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard
          to its choice of law rules.
|---- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6.2. | Severability. The provisions of this AGREEMENT are intended to be
          severable. If any provision of this AGREEMENT shall be held invalid or
          unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as
          to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or
          enforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability
          thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any
          jurisdiction. In the event that the terms and conditions of this AGREEMENT have
          been materially affected, the parties will renegotiate the terms and conditions
          of this AGREEMENT to resolve any inequities.
|---- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6.3. | Entire Agreement. This AGREEMENT, together with all other agreements
          referred to herein, shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties
          relating to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous
          negotiations, commitments and writings relating thereto (other than the
          Confidentiality Agreements dated May 12, 1999 and July 8, 1998 between GUIDANT
          and Johnson & Johnson). This AGREEMENT shall not be modified or altered in
          any manner except by an instrument in writing executed by the parties.
|---- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6.4. | Waiver. Any waiver must be in writing. A waiver of any breach of, or
          failure to enforce, any of the terms or conditions of this AGREEMENT shall not
          in any way affect, limit or waive a partys right at any time to enforce
          strict compliance thereafter with every other term or condition of this
          AGREEMENT.
|---- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6.5. | Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in this AGREEMENT shall create or
          constitute a partnership or joint venture between the parties hereto, and other
          than as expressly provided in this AGREEMENT, no party shall enter into or have
          authority to enter into any engagement or make any representation or warranty on
          behalf of or pledge the credit of or otherwise bind or oblige the other party
          hereto.
|---- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6.6. | No Admission. Neither the entering into this AGREEMENT, nor any provision
          hereof, shall be deemed as an admission by any party of any wrongdoing, or of
          the validity or invalidity of any patent or of any position taken or proposed to
          be taken by or against the party in any past, present, or future litigation,
          including but not limited to an admission by CORDIS that any of its current
          products are LICENSED PRODUCTS with respect to the DAKE-BRADSHAW PATENTS. The
          parties specifically agree that the consideration paid to the OESTERLE GROUP is
          in settlement of an arguable dispute to be resolved in an adversarial process.
|---- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6.7. | Consultation with Counsel and Reliance. Each of the parties acknowledges
          that it has consulted with, or has had the opportunity to consult with, counsel
          of its choice, and that in executing this AGREEMENT it has not relied upon any
          statements, representations or agreements of any other person other than those
          contained herein.
|---- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6.8. | Caption. Captions are inserted herein only as a matter of convenience and
          for reference, and in no way define, limit, or describe the scope of this
          AGREEMENT or the intent of any provision herein.
|---- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6.9. | Counterparts. This AGREEMENT may be executed in counterparts, each of
          which shall be deemed an original, but both of which shall constitute one and
          the same instrument.
|---- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|6.10. | No Strict Construction. This AGREEMENT has been prepared with the
          participation of all parties, and shall not be strictly construed against any
          party.
|----- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|7. | Amendment of other Agreements. Nothing herein shall be construed to amend
          or modify in any manner any of the other terms of the DAKE LICENSE, NEOCARDIA
          AGREEMENT or MASTER LICENSE AGREEMENT, except as specifically stated in this
          AGREEMENT.
|-- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties
hereto have executed this AGREEMENT as of the day and year first above.

GUIDANT CORPORATION


By:  /s/ Mark A. Murray

Name:  Mark A. Murray

Title:  V.P., FinanceCORDIS CORPORATION


By:  /s/ Susan E. Morano

Name:  Susan E. Morano

Title:  V.P., New Business Development

NEOCARDIA, LLC


By:  /s/ Richard Calfee

Name:  Richard Calfee

Title:  PresidentTHE OESTERLE GROUP 

By:  /s/ Stephen Oesterle 
Stephen Oesterle, for himself and
as the authorized representativeof Michael D. Dake and Bruce Hedger

---

# ADDENDUM TO MASTER
LICENSE AGREEMENT

# AND ARBITRATION
AGREEMENT

This
Addendum to Master License Agreement and Arbitration Agreement (Addendum) is
entered into by and between Cordis Corporation, Guidant Corporation, and Advanced
Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. on this 17th day of October, 2001 (Effective
Date).

# RECITALS

1.       
          CORDIS, GUIDANT, and ACS entered into a Master License Agreement dated April 3,
          2000 (Master License Agreement) pursuant to which GUIDANT and ACS
          were granted, inter alia,license rights under the Pinchuk Patents.

2.       
          Pursuant to the terms of the Master License Agreement, GUIDANT was required to
          pay CORDIS a royalty for any products that were found, via arbitration, to
          infringe any valid and enforceable claim of the Pinchuk Patents. The arbitration
          process was set forth in the April 3, 2000, Arbitration Agreement
          (Arbitration Agreement) between CORDIS, GUIDANT, and ACS.

3.       
          The parties wish to settle the current Cordis Balloon Arbitration and to avoid
          the possible time and expense of potential future arbitrations related to the
          Pinchuk Patents.

# TERMS

The
parties agree as follows:

| | 1. | All words and phrases used herein shall have the meanings set forth in the
          Master License Agreement unless expressly stated otherwise.
| | -- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 2. | Within ten (10) business days from the date of execution of this Addendum,
          GUIDANT shall remit payment to CORDIS, via wire transfer, in the amount of
          [***]. Upon receipt of such payment, CORDIS shall immediately terminate the
          ongoing Cordis Balloon Arbitration that was initiated pursuant to Section 2.1.2
          of the Arbitration Agreement. CORDIS hereby waives any and all rights it might
          otherwise have to initiate additional arbitrations under Sections 2.1.2 or 2.1.3
          of the Arbitration Agreement.
| | -- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 3. | Section 2.3 of the Master License Agreement is modified in its entirety to read
          as follows: 2.3 Pinchuk Patents. CORDIS hereby grants to GUIDANT an
          irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide right and license (without the right to
          sublicense) to make, have made, use or sell or otherwise dispose of Licensed
          Products, under the Pinchuk Patents, and to practice processes and methods under
          the Pinchuk Patents, subject to the restrictions of Paragraph 2.15. The license
          granted pursuant to this paragraph shall be a paid-up license and any
          pass-through royalties payable in respect of past and future Net Sales of
          Licensed Products by GUIDANT (including Net Sales of the relevant products that
          occurred prior to the Effective date) shall be payable by CORDIS.
          Notwithstanding the foregoing[***]
| | -- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 4. | CORDIS hereby waives any and all rights to seek past, present, and/or future
          damages, royalties, or compensation from GUIDANT under the Pinchuk Patents. This
          waiver includes, but is not limited to, a full and complete waiver of any rights
          CORDIS might otherwise have to seek royalties, damages, or compensation from
          GUIDANT for infringement of the Pinchuk Patents under Sections 2.3, 2.10, or
          2.12 of the Master License Agreement and/or Sections 2.1.2 or 2.1.3 of the
          Arbitration Agreement.
| | -- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 5. | [***]
| | -- | -----

| | 6. | The terms set forth in this Addendum are to be treated as confidential pursuant
          to Article V of the Master License Agreement.
| | -- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | 7. | The parties expressly agree that, except as specifically provided herein, the
          Master License Agreement, the Arbitration Agreement, and the Distribution
          Agreement, and all terms and provisions therein, shall remain in full force and
          effect in all respects. Nothing in this Addendum is intended to modify,
          supplement, or affect the parties obligations under their prior agreements
          unless expressly stated herein.
| | -- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So
agreed:

CORDIS CORPORATION

By:
/s/ Susan E. MoranoName:
Susan G. Morano Title:
V.P., New Business Development Date:
_______________________________

ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR   SYSTEMS,
INC.

By:
/s/ Mark A. Murray Name:
Mark A. Murray Title:
V.P., Finance Date:
_______________________________

GUIDANT CORPORATION

By:
/s/ Keith E. Brauer Name:
Keith E. Brauer Title:
V.P., Finance and CFO Date:
_______________________________