Exhibit 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements
on Form S-3 (No. 333-97783, 333-72128, 333-61136, and 333-32684) and
Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-106238, 333-80807, 333-56212,
333-32223, 333-11883, 33-35549, 33-35719, 33-72502, Post-Effective Amendment No.
1 to Registration Statement No. 333-90768, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement No. 2-97542, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement No. 2-78926, and Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to
Registration Statement No. 2-78925) of our reports dated March 12, 2004
(which reports express unqualified opinions and include an explanatory paragraph
concerning the adoption of a new accounting principle in 2002) appearing in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Thoratec Corporation for the year ended January 3,
2004.

/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

San Francisco, California
March 17, 2004

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