EXHIBIT 5.1


                                 August 24,1988

Applied Biometrics, Inc.
501 East Highway 13, Suite 108
Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

         Re:    Opinion of Counsel as to Legality of 500,000 shares of Common
                Stock to be Registered under the Securities Act of 1933

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933 on Form S-8 of 500,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par
value per share, of Applied Biometrics, Inc. (the "Company") offered to
officers, directors, key employees and consultants pursuant to the Applied
Biometrics, Inc. 1998 Stock Plan (the "Plan").

         As general counsel for the Company, we advise you that it is our
opinion, based on our familiarity with the affairs of the Company and upon our
examination of pertinent documents, that the 500,000 shares of Common Stock to
be offered to officers, directors, key employees and consultants by the Company
under the Plan will, when paid for and issued, be validly issued and lawfully
outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Company.

         The undersigned hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement
with respect to said shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       LINDQUIST & VENNUM P.L.L.P.

                                       /s/ Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P.


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