[ATS MEDICAL LOGO]


                                                                     EXHIBIT 99

Contacts:
ATS Medical, Inc.
Michael Dale
President and CEO, 763-557-2224
Jack Judd
CFO, 763-557-2222

Investors:                                         Media:
Douglas Sherk, 415-652-9100                        Steve DiMattia, 646-277-8706
Jennifer Beugelmans, 415-896-6820                  Sheryl Seapy, 949-608-0841

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

         ATS MEDICAL ANNOUNCES ENTRY IN TO THE HEART VALVE REPAIR MARKET

MINNEAPOLIS, January 26, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - ATS Medical, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ATSI) today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration - FDA -
approval and market release of the ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty product line,
expanding the company's portfolio to include the repair segment of the heart
valve therapy market. According to independent estimates, the worldwide repair
segment of heart valve therapy is $115 million and growing at five to ten
percent a year.

ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty products are available either in a flexible ring --
the ATS Simulus(TM) FLX-O Ring -- or a flexible band -- the ATS Simulus(TM)
FLX-C Band to accommodate various approaches to valve repair. They can be used
in both the mitral and tricuspid position. Annuloplasty rings and bands are used
in those cases where repair of patient's heart valve is preferable to the
complete replacement of the valve. It has been well documented that the shape of
heart valves change during the cardiac cycle. The ATS Simulus annuloplasty
products are designed to maintain the normal physiologic function of the heart
valve. They have been designed with the input of cardiac surgeons with a focus
on the ease of implantation.

Genesee BioMedical, Inc., a Denver-based innovator of cardiac surgery
instruments and devices recognized for its high standards of quality, is the
exclusive partner of ATS Medical for the development and manufacture of a full
line of annuloplasty products.

"The ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty product line is yet another vital step in our
mission to establish ATS Medical as a leader in cardiac surgery", said ATS
Medical Chairman, President and CEO Michael D. Dale. "The dedicated and talented
staff of Genesee




BioMedical has provided us with the ability to accelerate our entry into the
important and growing heart valve repair market segment."

ATS Medical, Inc. manufactures and markets products and services focused on
cardiac surgery. The company, global in scope, has been headquartered in
Minneapolis since its founding in 1991. More than 100,000 ATS Open Pivot(R)
Heart Valves, which utilize a unique pivot design resulting in exceptional
performance and low risk profile, have been implanted in patients worldwide. ATS
Medical's focus on serving the cardiac surgery community is further strengthened
by offerings that include ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty products for heart valve
repair, Surgi-Frost(R) and Frost-Byte(TM) products for surgical cryoablation of
cardiac arrhythmias, RTI-Cardiovascular for allograft tissue services, QAS home
monitoring services for anticoagulation therapy and the development of PARSUS
blood filtration technology. The ATS Medical web site is
http://www.atsmedical.com.

SAFE HARBOR

         This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that may include
statements regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and
its management. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in
the forward looking statements as a result of a number of important factors,
including the ability of ATS Medical to market ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty
products -- Cardiovascular implants, regulatory actions, competition, pricing
pressures, supplier actions and management of growth. For a discussion of these
and other risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's activities and
results, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission to its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.