Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT

         MADE this 28th day of January, 2004, by and between Mirowski Family
Ventures, LLC, a Limited Liability Company organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Maryland (hereinafter called "MIROWSKI") and Guidant
Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Indiana
(hereinafter called "GUIDANT").

         WHEREAS, MIROWSKI is the owner of United States Letters Patents as more
fully set forth on Exhibit A hereto;

         WHEREAS, MIROWSKI is the owner of United States Patent Applications as
more fully set forth on Exhibit B hereto;

         WHEREAS, MIROWSKI is the owner of each of the corresponding foreign
patents and patent applications set forth on Exhibit C hereto;

         WHEREAS, MIROWSKI and GUIDANT desire to amend and restate the
relationship between the parties that currently exists by virtue of the
Exclusive License Agreement dated the 30th day of January 1973 between MEDRAD,
Inc. and Mieczyslaw Mirowski as amended, as assigned to Eli Lilly and Company,
and sub-licensed on October 18, 1994 to Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. ("the Prior
Agreements"), and further, to restate the grant to GUIDANT of the sole and
exclusive worldwide license for the use of said patents, patent applications,
and inventions set forth on Exhibits A, B, and C hereto, together with any
improvements or modifications thereto, developed by MIROWSKI;

         WHEREAS, Eli Lilly and Company is not a party to this Exclusive License
Agreement, has no rights or obligations under this Exclusive License Agreement,
and

<PAGE>

will have no further rights or obligations under the Prior Agreements; and
MIROWSKI and GUIDANT understand that Eli Lilly and Company has consented by
separate agreement to this Exclusive License Agreement and the changes and
terminations effected thereby;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants hereinafter set forth, and of the good and valuable consideration
flowing from each party to the other, the parties hereto, intending to be
legally bound hereby, covenant and agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   Definitions

         For the purpose of this Exclusive License Agreement the following terms
shall have the following meanings:

         Section 1. Patent Rights. The term "Patent Rights" means the rights to
the subject matter of all inventions which are contained in or are disclosed by,
and which are covered by valid, unexpired claims of:

         (i)      United States Letters Patents set forth on Exhibit A hereto;

         (ii)     United States Reissue Application No. 10/214,474 and any
                  patent that may issue therefrom;

         (iii)    United States Patent Applications reflected on Exhibit B
                  hereto and any patent or patents that may issue therefrom;

         (iv)     the corresponding foreign patents and patent applications set
                  forth on Exhibit C hereto;

                                       2
<PAGE>

         (v)      any and all divisions, continuations, reissues and extensions
                  of any of the foregoing patents and patent applications; and

         (vi)     such other U.S. or foreign patent applications or patents as
                  may be designated by mutual agreement of the parties hereto.

         Section 2. Improvement. The term "Improvement" means any future
inventions, plans, drawings, specifications, techniques, data and technical
information directly relevant to the development, engineering, design,
installation, use, or sale, of any device included in the Patent Rights, whether
or not such information includes patentable subject matter.

         Section 3. Implantable defibrillator. The term "Implantable
Defibrillator" means any implantable or semi-implantable defibrillator or
cardioverter or any other device or method which is covered by any of the Patent
Rights of the Exclusive License Agreement.

         Section 4. Net Sales, Rental or Lease. The term "Net Sales, Rental or
Lease" means the total aggregate selling price received by GUIDANT for the
initial sale of a device, its parts or components, and the total aggregate
rental or lease price received by GUIDANT for a device, its parts or components
after the deduction of all discounts, sales, use and similar taxes, and delivery
costs.

         Section 5. Sold. The term "Sold" means billed out, or paid for if paid
for before delivery.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II
                      Grant and Extent of Exclusive License

         Section 1. MIROWSKI hereby grants to GUIDANT the sole and exclusive
license and right to manufacture, use, sell, rent and lease or otherwise dispose
of any and all devices under the Patent Rights and or any Improvements thereof
throughout the United States, its territories and possessions, and in any and
all foreign countries, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Exclusive License Agreement.

         Section 2. GUIDANT shall have the right to grant sub-licenses to others
and to collect royalties therefrom; provided, however, that GUIDANT shall
continue to be responsible to MIROWSKI for royalties as provided for in Article
III hereof to the same extent as if all manufacture, use, sale, rental, lease or
other disposition by a GUIDANT sub-licensee were manufacture, use, sale, rental,
lease or other disposition made by GUIDANT.

         Section 3. GUIDANT shall, and shall so obligate its sub-licensees, to
mark all devices manufactured, used, sold, rented or leased under the Patent
Rights in accordance with the patent notice requirements of the country in which
such devices are manufactured, used, sold, rented or leased.

         Section 4. GUIDANT agrees, during the term of this Exclusive License
Agreement, to diligently exert its best efforts to prosecute any pending or
mutually agreed to future applications within the patent Rights. Guidant also
agrees to diligently exert its best efforts to create a demand for each device
included in the Patent Rights, to increase and extend its business, and to make
every effort to supply the demand for each such device, provided, however, that
Guidant may elect as to any patent in Patent Rights at any time prior to the
earlier of two years after issuance of such patent or six (6) years after such
patent's filing date not to exercise its best efforts to commercialize devices

                                       4
<PAGE>

included in such patent. Such election will be by written notice to MIROWSKI,
and MIROWSKI may, at any time after receiving such notice by written notice to
GUIDANT, terminate this Agreement as to the patent identified in the notice,
whereupon GUIDANT shall have no right or interest thereunder in such identified
patent. If, on such termination, no unexpired Patent Rights remain, MIROWSKI or
GUIDANT may elect to terminate the Agreement.

         Section 5. Unless previously terminated as hereinafter provided, the
term of the exclusive license under the Patent Rights shall be from and after
the date of this Exclusive License Agreement until the expiration date of the
last to expire of the Patent Rights.

         Section 6. GUDIANT may assign any license granted herein to any
corporation in which it holds a majority interest, or to any corporate entity
which is the successor to GUIDANT.

         Section 7. GUIDANT shall as promptly as may be practicable inform
MIROWSKI of any Improvement which it may make or acquire and vice versa.

                                   ARTICLE III
                             Payments and Royalties

         Section 1. In consideration for the exclusive license granted herein,
GUIDANT shall:

         A.       Pay to MIROWSKI during the term of this Exclusive License
                  Agreement as follows:

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  (i)      three percent (3%) of the Net Sales, Rental or Lease
                           received by GUIDANT for Implantable Defibrillators,
                           their parts and components sold by GUIDANT.

                  (ii)     three percent (3%) of the Net Sales, Rental or Lease
                           received by GUIDANT for lead devices even though not
                           covered under patent rights if the lead devices are
                           sold by GUIDANT with an Implantable Defibrillator.

                  (iii)    four percent (4%) of the Net Sales, Rental or Lease
                           received by GUIDANT for any other device sold by
                           GUIDANT with an Implantable Defibrillator, and for
                           use with the Implantable Defibrillator during the
                           implant procedure, even though not covered under
                           Patent Rights, including, without limitation, Rapido
                           dual catheters but excluding devices subject to
                           Article III, Section 1, Subparagraph A(ii).

         B.       Pay to MIROWSKI during the term of this Exclusive License
                  Agreement an annual minimum royalty of $10,000.

         Section 2. Payments and Royalties under Article III, Section 1,
Subparagraph A(i), shall be payable only on devices which are covered, in the
country of manufacture, use, sale, rental or lease, by one or more valid claims
of a patent application or an unexpired patent included in the Patent Rights.

                                       6
<PAGE>

         Section 3. All royalty payments due MIROWSKI by GUIDANT under Article
III, Section 1, Subparagraph A, shall become due thirty (30) days following the
end of each fiscal quarter of GUIDANT for all sales, rental or lease during such
fiscal quarter.

         Section 4. All minimum royalty payments due MIROWSKI by GUIDANT under
Article III, Section 1, Subparagraph B, shall be paid in equal quarterly
installments and shall become due thirty (30) days following the end of each
fiscal quarter of GUIDANT.

         Section 5. GUIDANT shall have the right to credit minimum royalty
payments under Article III, Section 1, Subparagraph B against royalties payable
under Article III, Section 1, Subparagraph A, and GUIDANT shall have the right
to credit payments made under Article III, Section 1, Subparagraph A against
minimum royalty payments regardless of the year in which such payments are made.

         Section 6. All sums payable by GUIDANT to MIROWSKI under the terms of
this Exclusive License Agreement shall be payable to MIROWSKI in United States
dollars without deduction for any taxes or any other charges.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                           Books, Reports and Records

         GUIDANT shall maintain full and complete books and records of all
sales, rentals and leases upon which royalties are payable under this Exclusive
License Agreement. Within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal quarter
of GUIDANT, GUIDANT shall furnish to MIROWSKI a full written report setting
forth the Net Sales, Rental or Leases of all devices upon which royalties are
payable. MIROWSKI and its designated accountants or attorneys shall have the
right to examine such books and records of GUIDANT during normal business hours,
after first giving reasonable written notice.

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE V
                         Breach of Contract, Termination

         Section 1. If GUIDANT shall, at any time during the term of this
Exclusive License Agreement:

         (i)      default in the making of any report required in Article IV to
                  be made by GUIDANT to MIROWSKI under the terms of this
                  Exclusive License Agreement, and such default shall continue
                  for a period of thirty (30) days after MIROWSKI gives written
                  notice of such default to GUIDANT; or

         (ii)     default in the performance of any other obligation or
                  undertaking contained in this Exclusive License Agreement on
                  the part of GUIDANT, and such default shall continue for a
                  period of thirty (30) days after MIROWSKI gives written notice
                  of such default to GUIDANT, MIROWSKI may, at its option,
                  terminate the exclusive portion of this Exclusive License
                  Agreement by thirty (30) days written notice to GUIDANT and
                  GUDIANT shall retain a royalty bearing Non-exclusive License
                  to manufacture, sell, use or otherwise dispose of products
                  developed by GUIDANT under the terms of this License Agreement
                  and GUIDANT shall pay royalties in accordance with Article
                  III.

         Section 2. MIROWSKI shall have the right, by thirty (30) days written
notice to GUIDANT, to terminate this Exclusive License Agreement at any time
upon or after:

         (i)      an adjudication that GUIDANT is bankrupt or insolvent; or

         (ii)     the filing by GUIDANT of a petition in bankruptcy or a
                  petition or answer seeking reorganization, readjustment or
                  rearrangement of its business or affairs, under any law or
                  governmental regulation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency;
                  or

                                       8
<PAGE>

         (iii)    the appointment of a receiver of the business for all or
                  substantially all the property of GUIDANT;

         (iv)     the making by GUIDANT of an assignment or attempted assignment
                  of assets for the benefit of its creditors; or

         (v)      the institution by GUIDANT of any proceedings for the
                  liquidation or termination of its business or affairs or for
                  the termination of its corporate character.

         Section 3. Termination of this Exclusive License Agreement pursuant to
the terms hereof shall not in any way operate to impair or destroy any of
MIROWSKI'S rights or remedies either by law or in equity, or to relieve GUIDANT
of any of its obligations to pay royalties, or to comply with any other of its
agreements hereunder, accrued prior to the effective date of termination.
However, GUIDANT shall have the right to complete orders on hand or work in
progress at the time of termination.

         Section 4. Failure or delay by MIROWSKI to exercise its right of
termination hereunder by reason of any default of GUIDANT in carrying out any
obligation imposed upon it by this Exclusive License Agreement shall not operate
to prejudice MIROWSKI'S right of termination for any other or subsequent default
by GUIDANT.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         Warranties and Representations

         Section 1. MIROWSKI represents and warrants, which representations and
warranties shall be continuous, that:

                                       9
<PAGE>

         It has the full and complete right to give and grant to GUIDANT the
sole and exclusive License hereinbefore set forth.

         Section 2. GUIDANT represents and warrants, which representations and
warranties shall be continuous, that it has all appropriate corporate authority
to enter into this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                              Infringement Actions

         Section 1. If any action or suit shall be brought against GUIDANT for
alleged infringement of any patent or patent right in connection with devices
licensed under this Exclusive License Agreement, GUIDANT shall control the
defense of such action or suit and shall pay all costs and expenses of defending
such action or suit and shall pay any judgment, award, or decree that may be
rendered against GUIDANT as a result of such action or suit. In the event that,
as a result of such action or suit, either by judgment of a court or by
reasonable voluntary settlement of the action or suit, GUIDANT shall be required
to pay a royalty to another on any device or devices covered by the Patent
Rights, the amount of such royalty to another shall be deductible from the
royalty otherwise payable to MIROWSKI, under Article III, Section 1,
Subparagraph A, for such device or devices, parts or components, provided,
however, that such deduction shall not exceed 50% of the royalty otherwise
payable to MIROWSKI.

         Section 2. GUIDANT shall have the right to bring and conduct suit or
actions in its name against others for infringement of any patent subject to
this Exclusive License Agreement, the same as if such patent were the exclusive
property of GUIDANT; and GUIDANT shall, subject to mutual agreement between
GUIDANT and MIROWSKI,

                                       10
<PAGE>

bring and conduct suit or actions against any infringer whose annual sales,
rentals and leases of infringing devices exceed $75,000. MIROWSKI agrees to join
as a party plaintiff in any infringement suit or action brought by GUIDANT under
the terms of this Exclusive License Agreement; and MIROWSKI shall have the right
to participate in any infringement suit or action brought by GUIDANT under the
terms of this Exclusive License Agreement. GUIDANT shall pay all costs and
expenses of such suit or action, and shall be entitled to the proceeds thereof.
However, the proceeds of such suit or action, less all costs and expenses
incurred by GUIDANT in connection therewith, shall be divided equally between
GUIDANT and MIROWSKI.

         Section 3. MIROWSKI shall have the right to notify GUIDANT of any
infringement of any patent subject to this Exclusive License Agreement. If
GUIDANT declines to initiate an infringement suit or action against any
infringer, after thirty (30) days written notice from MIROWSKI, then MIROWSKI
shall have the right to bring an infringement suit or action against such
infringer, at its own expense and to the exclusion of GUIDANT, and shall be
entitled to the full recovery derived from such suit or action.

         Section 4. For purposes of this Exclusive License Agreement, GUIDANT
agrees not to challenge the validity of any claim of U.S. Patent No. RE38,119
unless there is a non-appealable final judgment of invalidity for each such
claim.

         GUIDANT agrees not to cause or participate in (unless required by law)
reexamination of U.S. Patents reflected in Exhibit A hereto, and, except as
provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, further agrees not to cause its
Affiliates, agents, attorneys or representatives to challenge the validity or
enforceability of the U.S. Patents reflected in Exhibit A hereto, or assist a
third party to do so unless required by law.

                                       11
<PAGE>

         With respect to this Exclusive License, if GUIDANT commences sale for
the first time after the execution of this Exclusive License Agreement of a new
GUIDANT device ("New Device") or a GUIDANT device that has different
functionality from devices sold before execution of this Exclusive License
Agreement ("Modified Device"), and, if GUIDANT is not paying royalties on such
New Device or Modified Device and MIROWSKI believes that such New Device or
Modified Device infringes one or more of the Patent Rights, MIROWSKI shall
notify GUIDANT of such infringement. GUIDANT shall have ninety days to cure the
nonpayment of royalties. If GUIDANT fails to pay such royalties within the cure
period and continue payment thereunder, MIROWSKI shall have the right to
terminate the Exclusive License Agreement as to that Patent Right.

         GUIDANT, while maintaining its Exclusive License Agreement, shall have
the right to challenge the validity and enforceability of any Patent Right as it
pertains to the sale of any New Device or Modified Device, and shall have the
right to challenge MIROWSKI'S assertion of infringement of any Patent Right with
respect to the sale of any New Device or Modified Device through a Declaratory
Judgment action in the Delaware federal district court if GUIDANT pays the
royalty that would otherwise be due into an escrow fund mutually agreed to
between the parties for such purpose. In such action, MIROWSKI shall not make
claims for willful infringement or punitive damages and MIROWSKI shall not seek
injunctive relief. In any such litigation, each party shall bear its own
attorney's fees and costs. The determination of the royalty obligations with
respect to the products in dispute and the disbursement of the funds in the
escrow fund shall be determined by a final non-appealable judgment of the
Delaware federal district court or an appellate court thereto.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                 Other Products

         Subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 1, Subparagraph
A(ii), GUIDANT shall not be precluded or estopped by this Exclusive License
Agreement from manufacturing, using, selling, renting, leasing or otherwise
dealing in other products which are not recovered by the exclusive license
granted in Article II, Section 1, herein, and at all times GUIDANT shall have
the same right and liberty of manufacturing, using, selling, renting, leasing or
otherwise dealing in products not covered by the exclusive license granted in
Article II, Section 1, herein, as others not parties hereto.

                                   ARTICLE IX

           Patents, Future Inventions, Modifications and Improvements

         Section 1. Any and all inventions, modifications, improvements,
developments or discoveries (hereinafter termed "future developments") which
MIROWSKI shall hereafter and during the term of this Exclusive License Agreement
make, come upon, invent, discover or otherwise acquire, relevant to any device
included in the license granted in Article II, Section 1, herein, shall at the
option of GUIDANT immediately become subject to each and every of the provisions
of this Exclusive License Agreement, thereby being included in the sole and
exclusive license to GUIDANT under Article II, Section 1, and royalty bearing
under Article III, Section 1, Subparagraph A. GUIDANT may avail itself of the
option granted in this Article IX, Section 1, by giving written notice to
MIROWSKI within four (4) months of becoming aware of such future developments.
MIROWSKI shall promptly advise GUIDANT of all such future developments, and
shall retain the full right, title and interest in and to such future

                                       13
<PAGE>

developments, shall apply for patent on such future developments, in his own
name and through patent counsel mutually agreed upon. GUIDANT shall pay all
costs and expenses relating to the filing, prosecution, grant and maintenance of
any application for patent on such future developments. If GUIDANT fails to
exercise its option by giving MIROWSKI such notice of interest within four (4)
months, or if GUIDANT selects not to pay such costs and expenses relating to any
such application for patent, then MIROWSKI shall have the right to pursue such
application in its own name, and GUIDANT shall have no rights thereto or
thereunder which are not otherwise granted by this Exclusive License Agreement.
In any event, GUIDANT shall cooperate with MIROWSKI, if so requested, in the
filing and prosecution of any such application for patent.

         Section 2. Immediately upon execution of this Exclusive License
Agreement, GUIDANT shall continue the payment of all future costs and expenses
relating to obtaining and maintaining, including filing fees, prosecution
charges and issue and printing fees, or all of the patents and patent
applications recited in Article 1, Patent Rights, in this Exclusive License
Agreement. MIROWSKI shall control the prosecution of each such patent and patent
application in consultation with GUIDANT, through mutually acceptable patent
counsel, and GUIDANT shall cooperate with MIROWSKI, if so requested, in the
filing and prosecution of any such application for patent. GUIDANT shall be
entitled, at its option, to receive copies of all papers generated in connection
with the filing and prosecution of any such patent and patent application.

         Section 3. Upon issuance by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office of any
new patent, pursuant to Article IX, GUDIANT shall, within the appropriate
statutory time

                                       14
<PAGE>

period, file for a foreign patent in all foreign jurisdictions mutually agreed
to by GUIDANT and MIROWSKI and shall continue the payment of all future costs
and expenses relating to obtaining and maintaining such foreign patent(s).

                                    ARTICLE X
                                License to Other

         Except as specifically permitted in this License Agreement, MIROWSKI
shall not, during the term of the exclusive license granted herein, make, use or
sell any device falling within the claims of any patent subject thereto, or any
future development, or grant any other license, with respect to any subject
matter to which GUIDANT has a sole and exclusive license.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                             Return of Improvements

         Upon termination of this Exclusive License Agreement pursuant to
Article V, all rights and licenses of the parties hereunder shall immediately
terminate, and GUIDANT shall immediately return to MIROWSKI information relating
to any Improvements obtained from MIROWSKI hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE XII
                               Parties in Interest

         All the terms and conditions hereof shall inure to and be binding upon,
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                     Notices

         All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given if
mailed first class, postage pre-paid, registered or certified mail as follows:

If to GUIDANT:             Guidant Corporation
                           111 Monument Circle
                           29th Floor
                           Indianapolis, IN  46204
                           Attn: General Counsel

If to MIROWSKI:            Mirowski Family Ventures, LLC
                           10440 High Grove Drive
                           Carmel, IN  46032
                           Attn: Ginat W. Mirowski, D.M.D., M.D.

                                   ARTICLE XIV
                                  Miscellaneous

         Section 1. Any titles to Articles, Sections or Subsections of this
Exclusive License Agreement have been inserted merely for convenience of
reference, and shall in no way restrict or modify any of the terms or provisions
of this Exclusive License Agreement.

         Section 2. This Exclusive License Agreement has been executed and will
be consummated in the State of Indiana, and is to be governed and interpreted by
the laws of the State of Indiana.

         Section 3. This Exclusive License Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
deemed to be an original, but such counterparts together shall constitute but
one and the same agreement.

                                       16
<PAGE>

         Section 4. This Exclusive License Agreement sets forth the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter hereof,
merges all prior discussions therebetween, merges the Prior Agreements into this
agreement, and may be amended only by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands and seals
the day and year first above written.

ATTEST:                                    GUIDANT CORPORATION

/s/ Richard R. Clapp                    By /s/ Ronald W. Dollens
                                           RONALD W. DOLLENS
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

WITNESS:                                   MIROWSKI FAMILY VENTURES, LLC

/s/ Richard R. Clapp                    By /s/ Ginat W. Mirowski, D.M.D., M.D.
                                           GINAT W. MIROWSKI, D.M.D., M.D.
                                           General Manager and President

                                       17
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                    4,592,367
                                    4,603,705
                                    4,662,377
                                    4,667,328
                                    4,705,043
                                    4,726,024
                                    4,768,512
                                    4,796,620
                                    4,817,608
                                    4,819,643
                                    4,928,688
                                    4,969,463
                                    5,052,407
                                    5,063,932
                                    5,191,901
                                    5,476,497
                                     RE38,119
                                     D316,145

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                         U.S. Application No. 10/625,126
                         U.S. Application No. 10/654,959
                         U.S. Application No. 10/656,222

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C

1)       All foreign applications and patents that correspond to the patents
         listed in Exhibit A, including but not limited to:

<Table>
<S>               <C>               <C>              <C>
AU580979 B2       AU571404 B2       CA1309468C       CA1272292 A1
AU3852185 A       AU4193985 A       DE3637822 A1     DE3790186 C2
CA1260547 A1      CA1261405 A1      FR2589740 A1     DE3790186 T
DE3505280 A1      DE3515984 A1      FR2589740 B1     EP0240428 A2
DE3505280 C2      DE3515984 C2      GB2182852 A      EP0240428 A3
FR2559908 A1      FR2563736 A1      GB2182852 B      EP0240428 B1
FR2559908 B1      FR2563736 B1      GB8626681 D0     EP0240428 B2
GB2154771 A       GB2157954 A       JP1705453 C      GB2197511 A
GB2154771 B       GB2157954 B       JP3070981 B      GB2197511 B
GB8502287 D0      GB8507324D0       JP62117569 A     GB8726113 D0
IL74281 A         IL74722 A         NL191082 C       JP63501178 T
IL74281 D0        IL74722 D0        NL191082 B       JP63501178 W
JP1801679 C       JP1653677 C       NL8602828A       NL193005 B
JP5010108 B       JP3018469 B                        NL8720169 A
JP60193474 A      JP60249972 A                       NL8720169 T
NL192027 B        NL191671 B                         NL193005 C
NL192027 C        NL191671 C                         WO8706038 A1
NL8500486 A       NL8501260 A

CA1318942 C       CA1304136 C       CA1323071 C      CA1310703 C
DE3715822 A1      DE3715823 A1      DE3818136 A1     DE3739014 A1
DE3715822 C2      DE3715823 C2      FR2615740 A1     DE3739014 C2
FR2606645 A1      FR2598920 A1      FR2615740 B1     FR2606644 A1
FR2606645 B1      FR2598920 B1      GB2205044 A      FR2606644 B1
GB2190296 A       GB2190505 A       GB2205044 B      GB2198044 A
GB2190296 B       GB2190505 B       GB8811814 D0     GB2198044 B
GB8710771 D0      GB8710447 D0      JP1076877 A      GB8726531 D0
JP1725911 C       JP1842035 C       JP1728005 C      JP1706037C
JP4012148 B       JP5054976 B       JP4012994 B      JP3071908 B
JP63029664 A      JP63035229 A      NL188560 B       JP63212375 A
NL191672 B        NL191831 B        NL188560 C       NL191698 B
NL191672 C        NL191831 C        NL8801352 A      NL191698 C
NL8701123 A       NL8701140 A                        NL8702741 A

AU631088 B2       AU613481 B2       AU643458 B2
AU5823990 A       AU3372989 A       AU6326090 A
CA2064751 A1      BE1004208 A5      CA2026853 A1
CA2064751 C       CA1334030 C       CA2026853 C
DE69030767 D1     DE3912377 A1      DE4030642 A1
</Table>

                                       3
<PAGE>

<Table>
<S>               <C>               <C>
DE69030767 T2     DE3912377 C2      DE4030642 C2
DE69030767 E      FR2630013 A1      FR2652505 A1
EP0476017 A1      FR2630013 B1      FR2652505 B1
EP0476017 A4      GB2217993 A       GB2236484 A
EP0476017 B1      GB2217993 B       GB2236484 B
ES2103742 T3      GB89008506 D0     GB9020914 D0
HK1007972 A1      JP1769388 C       GB2265551 A
JP2625032 B2      JP2063478 A       GB2265551 B
JP5504489 T       JP4058347 B       GB9311914 D0
JP5504489 W       NL194068 B        IT1241713 B
WO9014860 A1      NL194068 C        IT9067751 D0
                  NL8900925 A       JP2873069B2 B2
                                    JP3133467 A
                                    NL 195035 C
                                    NL 9002142 A
</Table>

2)       All foreign applications and patents that will correspond to the
         applications Listed in Exhibit B.

               None currently filed.

                                       4<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

                               GUIDANT CORPORATION

                            NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION

      This Nonqualified Stock Option ("Stock Option") has been granted on ___
(the "Grant Date") by Guidant Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the
"Company"), with its principal offices in Indianapolis, Indiana, to

_______________________________________________________________________________
                                  ("Grantee").

                                    RECITALS

      Under the Guidant Corporation 1998 Stock Plan ("1998 Plan"), the
Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of
Directors (the "Committee") has determined the form of this Stock Option and
selected the Grantee, an Eligible Person, to receive this Stock Option under the
1998 Plan. The applicable terms of the 1998 Plan are incorporated in this Stock
Option by reference, including the definition of terms contained in the 1998
Plan. In this Stock Option, the term "Company" means Guidant Corporation and its
subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

                                     OPTION

      Pursuant to the terms of the 1998 Plan, the Company grants to the Grantee
the right to purchase shares of Guidant Stock from the Company by one or more
exercises of this Stock Option under the following terms and conditions:

      SECTION 1. Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section
3, the Grantee may purchase a total of ______ shares of Guidant Stock. This
Stock Option is a nonqualified stock option and is not intended to satisfy the
requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.

      SECTION 2. Option Price. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3,
the Option Price shall be $_____ per share of Guidant Stock, which has been
determined by the Committee to be the Fair Market Value of Guidant Stock on the
Grant Date.

      SECTION 3. Adjustments to Number of Shares and Option Price. If any
subdivision or combination of shares of Guidant Stock, or any stock dividend,
capital reorganization, recapitalization, or consolidation or merger with the
Company as the surviving corporation occurs, or if additional shares or new or
different shares or other securities of the Company or

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

any other issuer are distributed with respect to shares of Guidant Stock through
a spin-off, exchange offer, or other extraordinary distribution, the Committee
shall make those adjustments it determines appropriate in its discretion, in the
number of shares still subject to purchase under this Stock Option or to the
Option Price or both. If an adjustment would result in a fractional share, then
upon exercise of this Stock Option and payment of the Option Price the Committee
may in its discretion either pay cash for the fractional right or round the
fraction.

      SECTION 4. Option Exercise Period. This Stock Option may be exercised from
the Commencement Date to and including the Termination Date ("Option Exercise
Period").

The Commencement Date shall be the Grant Date.

      The Termination Date shall be the earliest to occur of a., b., c. or d
below:

            a.    ___________,

            b.    the day of Termination of Employment (as defined below),
                  except by reason of (i) death, (ii) retirement from the
                  Company as a Retired Employee, or (iii) Disability,

            c.    the corresponding calendar day in the sixtieth month following
                  the day on which the Grantee becomes a Retired Employee, or on
                  which the Grantee's employment is terminated by reason of
                  Disability, or on the last day of that sixtieth month if there
                  is no corresponding day in that month, or

            d.    the corresponding calendar day in the sixtieth month following
                  the date of death of the Grantee while in the active service
                  of the Company, or on the last day of that sixtieth month if
                  there is no corresponding day in that month.

"Termination of Employment" means the cessation, for any reason, of the relation
of employer and employee between the Grantee and the Company. The Committee's
determination whether the Grantee's employment has been terminated by reason of
Disability or whether a leave of absence constitutes a Termination of Employment
shall be final and binding on the Grantee. This Stock Option shall not confer
upon the Grantee the right to continue in the employment of the Company or
affect in any way the right of the Company to terminate the employment of the
Grantee at any time, with or without notice or cause.

A Retired Employee shall be a person whose employment with the Company has
terminated upon or after the earliest of (i) the day upon which the person's age
plus years of service with the Company, including any predecessor company of the
Company, equals 80, and the person is eligible to receive transition benefits
under The Guidant Retirement Plan, (ii) the day the person has attained at least
55 years of age and has at least 10 years of service with the Company, including
any predecessor company of the Company, (iii) the day the person attains 65
years of age, or (iv) as the Committee otherwise determines.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

      SECTION 5. Limitations on Right to Exercise Stock Option. The right to
exercise this Stock Option during the Option Exercise Period shall be subject to
the following limitations:

      a.    During the lifetime of the Grantee, only the Grantee or a guardian
            or legal representative acting for the Grantee under judicial
            authority may exercise this Stock Option.

      b.    After the death of the Grantee, this Stock Option may be exercised
            only by a successor grantee who has become entitled to exercise by
            will or the laws of descent and distribution and who has furnished
            proof satisfactory to the Company of his or her right to exercise.
            The term "Grantee" includes a successor grantee where applicable.

      c.    The Grantee may not exercise this Stock Option with respect to a
            fractional share or with respect to less than twenty-five (25)
            shares of Guidant Stock unless the exercise covers the entire
            balance of the shares of Guidant Stock subject to purchase. This
            number is not subject to an adjustment under Section 3.

      d.    The Grantee's right to exercise this Stock Option and the Company's
            obligation to issue or transfer shares are subject to all stock
            exchange requirements, to all applicable laws, and to approvals by
            any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required.

      SECTION 6. Non-Transfer of Stock Option. Neither this Stock Option nor any
right under it is transferable except by will or applicable laws of descent and
distribution.

      SECTION 7. Exercise of Stock Option. The Grantee may exercise this Stock
Option by delivering a notice of exercise to the Company's stock option
processor, as designated from time to time. The notice of exercise, once
delivered, shall be irrevocable. The Option Price shall be paid on or about the
time of the notice of exercise, as shall be directed by the Company's stock
option processor. The notice of exercise must specify the number of shares of
Guidant Stock covered by the exercise and state the number of shares of Guidant
stock, if any, being tendered in exchange. Upon receipt of the notice of
exercise, the stock option processor shall send to the Grantee a statement of
the Option Price, the fair market value of Guidant Stock on the exercise date,
the number of shares of Guidant Stock that may be delivered in payment of the
Option Price, and the amount of withholding tax due, if any. Shares will be
issued or transferred only to the Grantee or the Grantee and another as joint
tenants with right of survivorship.

      SECTION 8. Ownership of Guidant Stock and Delivery of Certificate. The
Committee may, from time to time, establish alternative procedures for paying
the Option Price. The Company will not issue or transfer shares of Guidant Stock
upon exercise of this Stock Option until the Option Price is fully paid and the
Grantee shall have no rights as a shareholder as to shares covered by an
exercise until the shares are issued or transferred on the Company's books. At
the time the Grantee becomes the owner of the shares covered by the exercise, he
or she shall cease to be the owner of any shares tendered in payment of the
Option Price.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

      SECTION 9. Withholding Tax. Before delivering a certificate for shares of
Guidant Stock issued or transferred under this Stock Option, the Company may, by
notice to the Grantee, require that the Grantee pay to the Company the amount of
federal, state, or local taxes, if any, required by law to be withheld.

      SECTION 10. Notices and Payments. Any notices to be given by the Grantee
under this Stock Option shall be in writing, and any notice or payment shall be
deemed to have been given or made only upon receipt by the Company or the
Company's stock option processor at such address as may be communicated in
writing to the Grantee from time to time. Any notice or communication by the
Company under this Stock Option shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been given if mailed or delivered to the Grantee at the address listed in the
records of the Company or at such address as specified in writing to the Company
by the Grantee.

      SECTION 11. Waiver. The waiver by the Company of any provision of this
Stock Option shall not operate as, or be construed to be, a waiver of the same
or any other provision of this Stock Option at any subsequent time for any other
purpose.

      SECTION 12. Revocation or Modification of Stock Option. This Stock Option
shall be irrevocable except that the Company shall have the right under Section
11(e) of the 1998 Plan to revoke this Stock Option at any time if it is contrary
to law or to modify this Stock Option to bring it into compliance with any valid
and mandatory law or government regulation.

      SECTION 13. Section Headings. The section headings in this Stock Option
are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of, or
germane to, the interpretation or construction of this Stock Option.

      SECTION 14. Determinations by Committee. Determinations by the Committee
shall be final and conclusive with respect to the interpretation of the 1998
Plan and this Stock Option.

      SECTION 15. Change of Control. The provisions of Section 9(a)(i) of the
1998 Plan apply to this Stock Option.

      SECTION 16. Rights as a Shareholder. The Grantee or the permitted
transferee of this Stock Option shall have no rights as a shareholder with
respect to any shares subject to this Stock Option prior to the purchase of such
shares by exercise of this Stock Option, except as provided in the 1998 Plan.
Nothing in the 1998 Plan or this Stock Option shall create an obligation on the
part of the Company to repurchase any shares of Guidant stock purchased
hereunder.

      SECTION 17. Effective Date. The effective date of this Stock Option shall
be the Grant Date.

      SECTION 18. Governing Law. The validity and construction of this Stock
Option shall be governed by the laws of the State of Indiana.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Stock Option to be
executed and granted in Indianapolis, Indiana.

                                    GUIDANT CORPORATION

                                    By:
                                        _____________________________

                                      -5-

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00078-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00078-of-00352.parquet"}]]