EXHIBIT 99.1

                               (ATS MEDICAL LOGO)

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 EXTENDS DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE 3F THERAPEUTICS

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, June 19, 2006 -- ATS Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATSI), developer,
manufacturer and marketer of state-of-the-art cardiac surgery products and
services, today announced that it signed an extension to its previously
announced January 23, 2006 definitive agreement to acquire 3F Therapeutics in a
stock for stock transaction.

Commenting on the extension agreement, ATS Medical Chairman, President and CEO
Michael Dale said, "Our original merger agreement and termination date of June
15, 2006 did not adequately anticipate the time required to complete our Form
S-4 registration statement relating to the proposed acquisition of 3F
Therapeutics, Inc. We believe our extension agreement will provide the necessary
time required to complete our work with the SEC and gain shareholder approval to
close this very exciting and strategically important transaction.

Based in Lake Forest, California, 3F Therapeutics was founded in 1998 with a
focus similar to that of ATS Medical, to serve the needs of the cardiac surgeon.
3F Therapeutics' unique product design concepts are intended to improve on the
performance of existing heart valves by mimicking natural valves. With the
belief that there is not a single solution for each heart valve implant, 3F
Therapeutics has worked towards offering cardiac surgeons highly innovative
heart valve replacement solutions for use in conventional surgery, minimally
invasive surgery, and off-pump beating heart surgical procedures. Its lead
product, the 3F Aortic Bioprosthesis(TM), has been commercially released in
Europe and is expected to be launched in the U.S. in early 2007.

"Our relationship with ATS Medical, Inc continues to evolve favorably toward the
closing we all desire, and the objective of building the most innovative heart
valve

therapy platform in the world", said Mr. Walter A. Cuevas, President and CEO of
3F Therapeutics, Inc. "The hard work to achieve this result continues with even
greater optimism and commitment", concluded Mr. Cuevas.

ABOUT ATS MEDICAL

ATS Medical, Inc. manufacturers 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 product and service offerings including ATS Simulus annuloplasty products for
heart valve repair, Surgi-Frost(R) and Frost-Byte(R) 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 news 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 successful completion of the 3F Therapeutics acquisition, which is
subject to the satisfaction of various conditions, including approval by the
shareholders of ATS, as well as 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 including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2005.