Exhibit 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Vidamed, Inc. for
the registration of 4,425,000 shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 31, 2000, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Vidamed, Inc.
included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                         /s/  Ernst & Young LLP

Palo Alto, California
December 5, 2000