-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 0Faq7gRRzfElJZcZVOgtuA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-021638.txt : 20041118
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-021638.hdr.sgml : 20041118
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041118105215
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-021638
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041117
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041118
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041118

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABIOMED INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000815094
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				042743260
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		22 CHERRY HILL DR
		CITY:			DANVERS
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01923
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9787775410

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		22 CHERRY HILL DRIVE
		CITY:			DANVERS
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01923

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BAILEY ANTHONY W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001199676

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09585
		FILM NUMBER:		041153947

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ABIOMED INC
		STREET 2:		22 CHERRY HILL DR
		CITY:			DANVERS
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01923
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-11-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000815094</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ABIOMED INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ABMD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001199676</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAILEY ANTHONY W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ABIOMED, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>22 CHERRY HILL DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DANVERS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01923</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, Manufacturing</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>353</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.813</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20353</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.75</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>353</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.813</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-11-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>6.813</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-07-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-07-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>45000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.563</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-06-28</value>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-06-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.40</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-08-08</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-08-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.11</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-06-25</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-06-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.66</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-09-10</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-09-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.75</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-06-25</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-06-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>17500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant to reporting person of option to buy the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Table II, Column 7, under the ABIOMED, Inc. 1992 Combination Stock Option Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Grant to reporting person of option to buy the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Table II, Column 7, under the ABIOMED, Inc. 1998 Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Grant to reporting person of option to buy the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in Table II, Column 7, under the ABIOMED, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Thirty percent of this option will become exercisable on each of 8/8/03 and 8/8/04 and an additional 40 percent will become exercisable on 8/8/05.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Thirty percent of this option will become exercisable on each of 6/25/04 and 6/25/05 and an additional 40 percent will become exercisable on 6/25/06.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Thirty percent of this option will become exercisable on each of 6/25/05 and 6/25/06 and an additional 40 percent will become exercisable on 6/25/07.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Thirty percent of this option will become exercisable on each of 9/10/05 and 9/10/06 and an additional 40 percent will become exercisable on 9/10/07.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Stock was acquired and sold pursuant to a Sales Plan compliant with the requirements of SEC Rule 10b5-1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Options were fully exercisable on the date shown.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Charles B. Haaser (Attorney-in-fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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