<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-12-030597.txt : 20120517
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-12-030597.hdr.sgml : 20120517
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120517152021
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-12-030597
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120515
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120517
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120517

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Hooven Michael D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001336090

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-51470
		FILM NUMBER:		12851751

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7778 BENNINGTON DRIVE
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45241

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AtriCure, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001323885
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				341940305
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6217 CENTRE PARK DRIVE
		CITY:			WEST CHESTER
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45069
		BUSINESS PHONE:		513-755-4107

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6217 CENTRE PARK DRIVE
		CITY:			WEST CHESTER
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45069
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd345737.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0305</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-05-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001323885</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AtriCure, Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ATRC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001336090</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Hooven Michael D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7778 BENNINGTON DR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45241</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.04</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-05-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2013-05-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2022-05-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Exercisable cumulatively at a rate of 33.33% per annum commencing on the earlier of (i) the anniversary of the date of grant and (ii) the date on which the Company's annual meeting of stockholders is held that year, provided the Reporting Person is a director immediately prior to such annual meeting.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Not applicable</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Sarah Luken as Attorney-in-Fact for Michael D. Hooven</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-05-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
