-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Cmy9tx3EEfnGZGSqGzrsXCd6ZSFhI/YtfilLFxciCGXIosSrvaqjwdjScOf4fuXL
 hXaB6x8FNtPGbWDXkHmWUw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-06-001819.txt : 20060120
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-06-001819.hdr.sgml : 20060120
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060120124242
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-06-001819
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060113
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060120
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOLLENS RONALD W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001222340

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09585
		FILM NUMBER:		06540067

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3179712022

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GUIDANT CORP
		STREET 2:		111 MONUMENT CIRCLE #2900
		CITY:			INDIANAPOLIS
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46204-5129

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-01-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001222340</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOLLENS RONALD 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>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Charles B. Haaser (attorney-in-fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-01-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----