1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of the Business—AtriCure, Inc. (the "Company" or "AtriCure") was incorporated in the State of Delaware on October 31, 2000. The Company develops, manufactures and sells devices designed primarily for the surgical ablation of cardiac tissue and devices for the exclusion of the left atrial appendage. The Company sells its products to hospitals and medical centers globally.

Basis of Presentation—The accompanying interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The accompanying interim financial statements are unaudited, but in the opinion of the Company's management, contain all of the normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") have been omitted or condensed. The Company believes the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any future period.

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of the Company included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC.

Principles of Consolidation—The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and AtriCure Europe, B.V., the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in the Netherlands. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company considers highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition as cash equivalents in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investments—The Company places its investments primarily in U.S. Government agencies and securities, corporate bonds and commercial paper. The Company classifies all investments as available-for-sale. Investments with maturities of less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Investments are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity. The Company recognizes gains and losses when these securities are sold using the specific identification method.

Revenue Recognition—The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, "Revenue Recognition" ("ASC 605"). The Company determines the timing of revenue recognition based upon factors such as passage of title, installation, payment terms and ability to return products. The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (i) there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery of the products and/or services has occurred; (iii) the selling price is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

Revenue is primarily generated from the sale of the Company's surgical devices. The Company's surgical devices consist primarily of individual disposable handpieces and equipment generators. The Company's customers need the combination of the generator and the handpieces to have a functional system. The Company believes that the generator and handpiece are considered a single unit of accounting under ASC 605 because neither the generator nor handpiece have value to the customer on a standalone basis. Therefore, because the customer needs both the generator and handpiece to have a functional system, revenue is recognized upon the latter of delivery of the generator or the handpiece.

Pursuant to the Company's standard terms of sale, revenue is recognized when title to the goods and risk of loss transfers to customers and there are no remaining obligations that will affect the customers' final acceptance of the sale. Generally, the Company's standard terms of sale define the transfer of title and risk of loss to occur upon shipment to the respective customer. The Company generally does not maintain any post-shipping obligations to the recipients of the products. No installation, calibration or testing of this equipment is performed by the Company subsequent to shipment to the customer in order to render it operational.

Product revenue includes shipping and handling revenue of $189,881 and $174,007 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Cost of freight for shipments made to customers is included in cost of revenue. Sales and other value-added taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenue. The Company sells its products primarily through a direct sales force and through AtriCure Europe, B.V. Terms of sale are generally consistent for both end-users and distributors except that payment terms are generally net 30 days for end-users and net 60 days for distributors.

Sales Returns and Allowances—The Company maintains a provision for sales returns and allowances to account for potential returns of defective or damaged products, products shipped in error and price adjustments. The Company estimates such provision quarterly based primarily on a specific identification basis, in addition to estimating a general reserve. Increases to the provision result in a reduction of revenue.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable—The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable in order to determine the appropriate reserve for doubtful accounts. In determining the amount of the reserve, the Company considers aging of account balances, historical credit losses, customer-specific information and other relevant factors. An increase to the allowance for doubtful accounts results in a corresponding increase in expense. The Company reviews accounts receivable and adjusts the allowance based on current circumstances and charges off uncollectible receivables against the allowance when all attempts to collect the receivable have failed.

Inventories—Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out cost method ("FIFO") and consist of raw materials, work in process and finished goods. A reserve for inventory is estimated and recorded for excess, slow moving and obsolete inventory as well as inventory with a carrying value in excess of its net realizable value. Write-offs are recorded when a product is destroyed. The Company reviews inventory on hand at least quarterly and records provisions for excess and obsolete inventory based on several factors including current assessment of future product demand, anticipated release of new products into the market, historical experience and product expiration. The Company's industry is characterized by rapid product development and frequent new product introductions. Uncertain timing of product approvals, variability in product launch strategies and variation in product utilization all impact the estimates related to excess and obsolete inventory.


	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Raw materials Raw materials	$	2,976,209	$	3,233,118
Work in process		975,977		509,198
Finished goods		3,085,094		2,820,822

Inventories	$	7,037,280	$	6,563,138

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method of depreciation for financial reporting purposes and applied over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful life by major asset category is the following: machinery and equipment is three to seven years, computer and other office equipment is three years, furniture and fixtures is three to seven years, and leasehold improvements and equipment leased under a capital lease are the shorter of their useful life or remaining lease term. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.

Included in property and equipment are generators and other capital equipment (such as the Company's switchbox units and cryosurgical consoles) that are loaned at no cost to direct customers that use the Company's disposable products. These generators are depreciated over a period of one to three years, which approximates their useful lives, and such depreciation is included in cost of revenue. The estimated useful lives of this equipment are based on anticipated usage by our customers and the timing and impact of expected new technology rollouts by the Company. To the extent the Company experiences changes in the usage of this equipment or introductions of new technologies, the estimated useful lives of this equipment may change in a future period. Depreciation related to these generators was $316,708 and $366,807 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the net carrying amount of loaned equipment included in net property and equipment in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $1,458,806 and $1,204,422, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—The Company reviews property and equipment and definite-lived intangibles for impairment using its best estimates based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections. The Company did not recognize any impairment of long-lived assets for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Intangible Assets—Intangible assets with determinable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods benefited, which range from four to eight years.

Grant Income—The Company periodically is awarded grants to support research and development activities. The Company recognizes income under the grants as funds are earned and not as they are awarded by awarding agencies. The Company recorded grant income, as a component of other income, of $60,493 and $20,153 during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Income Taxes—Income taxes are computed using the asset and liability method in accordance with FASB ASC 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"), under which deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are measured using provisions of currently enacted tax laws. A valuation allowance against deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that such assets will not be fully realized. Tax credits are accounted for as a reduction of income taxes in the year in which the credit originates.

The Company's estimate of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets requires it to make significant estimates and judgments about its future operating results. The Company's ability to realize the deferred tax assets depends on its future taxable income as well as limitations on their utilization. A deferred tax asset is reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized prior to its expiration. The projections of the Company's operating results on which the establishment of a valuation allowance is based involve significant estimates regarding future demand for the Company's products, competitive conditions, product development efforts, approvals of regulatory agencies and product cost. If actual results differ from these projections, or if the Company's expectations of future results change, it may be necessary to adjust the valuation allowance.

Net Loss Per Share—Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed in accordance with FASB ASC 260 "Earnings Per Share" ("ASC 260") by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Since the Company has experienced net losses for all periods presented, net loss per share excludes the effect of 3,082,670 and 3,260,880 options, restricted stock and performance based shares as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, because they are anti-dilutive. Therefore the number of shares calculated for basic net loss per share is also used for the diluted net loss per share calculation.

Comprehensive Loss and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—In addition to net losses, the comprehensive loss includes foreign currency exchange rate adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on investments.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:


	Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Short-Term Investments			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	1,754		$	(39,271	)	$	(37,517	)
January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2012 change		(1,076	)		54,532			53,456

Balance as of March 31, 2012	$	678		$	15,261		$	15,939

Foreign Currency Transaction Gains (Losses)—The Company recorded foreign currency transaction gains of $3,476 and $96,031 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, in connection with partial settlements of its intercompany balance with its subsidiary.

Research and Development —Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. These costs include compensation and other internal and external costs associated with the development and research related to new products or concepts, preclinical studies, clinical trials and the cost of products used in trials and tests. The company recorded research and development expense of $3,388,925 and $2,944,347 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation—The Company follows FASB ASC 718 "Compensation-Stock Compensation" ("ASC 718"), to record share-based compensation for all employee share-based payment awards, including stock options, restricted stock, performance shares and stock purchases related to an employee stock purchase plan, based on estimated fair values. The Company's share-based compensation expense recognized under ASC 718 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $688,074 and $803,407, respectively, on a before and after tax basis.

FASB ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. FASB ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

The Company estimates the fair value of options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model ("Black-Scholes model"). The Company's determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company's stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include but are not limited to the Company's expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. For non-employee options, the fair value at the date of grant is subject to adjustment at each vesting date based upon the fair value of the Company's common stock.

The Company estimates the fair value of restricted stock and performance share awards based upon the grant date closing market price of the Company's common stock. The Company's determination of fair value is affected by the Company's stock price as well as assumptions regarding the number of shares expected to be granted and, in the case of performance shares, the likelihood that the performance measures will be achieved.

The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP" or the "Plan") which is available to all eligible employees as defined by the Plan. Under the ESPP, shares of the Company's common stock may be purchased at a discount. The Company estimates the number of shares to be purchased under the Plan and records compensation expense based upon the fair value of the stock at the beginning of the purchase period using the Black-Scholes model.

The Company has historically issued stock options to non-employee consultants as a form of compensation for services provided to the Company. The Company accounts for the options granted to non-employee consultants prior to their vesting date in accordance with ASC 505-50, "Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees" ("ASC 505-50"). Because these options do not contain specific performance provisions, there is no measurement date of fair value until the options vest. Therefore, the fair value of the options granted and outstanding prior to their vesting date is remeasured each reporting period. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, $218 and $6,169, respectively, of expense was recorded as a result of the remeasurement of the fair value of these unvested stock options. As of March 31, 2012 all non-employee consultant options are fully vested.

Because the options require settlement by the Company's delivery of registered shares and because the tax withholding provisions in the awards allow the options to be partially net-cash settled, these options, when vested, are no longer eligible for equity classification and are, thus, subsequently accounted for as derivative liabilities under FASB ASC 815 until the awards are ultimately either exercised or forfeited. Accordingly, the vested non-employee consultant options are classified as liabilities and remeasured at fair value through earnings at each reporting period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, $37,325 and ($6,271), respectively, of income (expense) was recorded as a result of the remeasurement of the fair value of these fully vested stock options. Fully vested options to acquire 47,603 and 33,603 shares of common stock held by non-employee consultants remained unexercised as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. A liability of $270,052 and $208,007 was included in accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Disclosures—The book value of the Company's financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term investments, short and long-term other assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, other liabilities and fixed interest rate debt, approximate their fair values.