EXHIBIT 5.1

                          [DORSEY & WHITNEY LETTERHEAD]

Vascular Solutions, Inc.
2405 Xenium Lane North, Suite 200
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55441

     Re: Vascular Solutions, Inc.
         Registration Statement on Form S-1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Vascular Solutions, Inc., a Minnesota
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with a Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (the "Registration Statement") relating to the issuance and sale by the
Company of up to 3,076,250 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share
(including 401,250 shares to be subject to the Underwriters' over-allotment
option) (the "Common Stock"). The Common Stock will be issued pursuant to an
Underwriting Agreement to be entered into among the Company and William Blair &
Company, L.L.C., Dain Rauscher Wessels, a division of Dain Rauscher
Incorporated, and Stephens Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters
named therein (the "Underwriters").

     We have examined such documents and have reviewed such questions of law as
we have considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of our opinions
set forth below. In rendering our opinions set forth below, we have assumed the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of
all signatures and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents
submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all
purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties
to agreements or instruments relevant hereto other than the Company, that such
parties had the requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to
execute, deliver and perform such agreements or instruments, that such
agreements or instruments have been duly authorized by all requisite action
(corporate or otherwise), executed and delivered by such parties and that such
agreements or instruments are the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of
such parties. As to questions of fact material to our opinions, we have relied
upon certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials. We have
also assumed that the Common Stock will be sold for a price per share not less
than the par value per share of the Common Stock, will be priced by the Pricing
Committee established by the authorizing resolutions adopted by the Company's
Board of Directors in accordance with such resolutions and will be issued and
sold as described in the Registration Statement.


Vascular Solutions, Inc.
September 3, 1999
Page 2

     Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common
Stock to be sold by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement have been
duly authorized by all requisite corporate action and, upon issuance, delivery
and payment therefor as described in the Registration Statement, will be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     Our opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of
Minnesota.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration
Statement.

Dated: September 3, 1999

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        /s/ DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP

TSH