SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10–K

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1600 West Merit Parkway
South Jordan, Utah 84095

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (801) 253–1600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Title of Class:  Common Stock, No Par Value

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  ý   No  o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S–K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10–K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ý

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes  ý   No  o

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non–affiliates of the Registrant, on June 30, 2004, which is the last day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (based upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market System on June 30, 2004), was approximately $390 million. Shares of Common Stock held by each officer and director and by each person who may be deemed to be an affiliate have been excluded.

As of March 10, 2005, the Registrant had 26,500,865 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the following document are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Report: the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 25, 2005.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

PART I

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of these provisions, including any projections of earnings, revenues or other financial items, any statements of the plans and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new products or services, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  All forward-looking statements included in this report are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to the Company as of such date.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.  In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,”  “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations or any of the forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements.  Future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, including market acceptance of the Company’s products, product introductions, potential product recalls, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals, cost increases, fluctuations in and obsolescence of inventory, price and product competition, availability of labor and materials, development of new products and techniques that could render the Company’s products obsolete, product liability claims, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in health care markets related to health care reform initiatives, and other factors referred to in the Company’s press releases and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.  Additional factors that may have a direct bearing on the Company’s operating results are described under “Factors That May Affect Future Results” beginning on page 14.

Item 1.           Business.

GENERAL

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (the “Company” or “Merit”) was formed in 1987 by a few members of its current management for the purpose of producing single-use medical products of high quality and superior value primarily for use in diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.  The Company’s products are designed to enable physicians and other health care professionals to perform interventional and diagnostic procedures safely and effectively.  Initially, the Company’s expertise in product design, proprietary technology and skills in injection and insert molding enabled it to introduce innovative new products and capture significant market share.  The Company subsequently combined its plastics molding capability with the application of proprietary electronics and sensor–based technologies to develop a line of angioplasty inflation products with electronic sensing and display features.  These devices are now included in a group of sensor–based products designed to address a broad range of needs related to diagnostic and interventional catheterization procedures performed in hospitals.  The Company has expanded its product offerings to include angiographic catheters, guide wires, needles, safety products, therapeutic infusion catheters and accessories, drainage catheters and accessories, sheath introducers, pressure infusion bags, syringes, kits, procedure trays, and a number of line extensions to core products.

The Company’s strategy is to offer a broad line of innovative, disposable products for diagnosis and intervention in radiology and cardiology.  Merit continues to increase market acceptance and penetration for both its existing and new products in the United States and in international markets.  Longer term, the Company’s strategy is to extend the application of its sensor–based technologies, plastics molding, catheter, guide wire, and electronic capabilities and to develop products for diagnostic and interventional procedures in additional markets such as neuroradiology, nephrology, pain management and critical care.  The Company’s sales of stand-alone products in combination with custom kits have increased as additions have been made to the Company’s product lines.  In 2004, approximately 47% of the Company’s sales were made directly to U. S. hospitals and approximately 27% of sales were made to custom packagers, distributors and original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) companies.  Approximately 25% of the Company’s sales in 2004 were made in international markets.  Approximately 1% of sales were non-medical, including sensors.

3

The Company was organized in July 1987 as a Utah corporation.  In July 1994, the Company purchased a controlling interest in Merit Sensor Systems, Inc. (formerly Sentir, Inc.), a California-based manufacturer of silicon sensors, and during 1999, the Company purchased the remaining interest in Merit Sensor Systems, Inc.  The Company also established subsidiaries in Ireland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands to conduct international business.  In January 1997, the Company purchased the operating assets and product lines of Universal Medical Instruments Corp. (“UMI”).  In August 1999, the Company purchased the operating assets and product lines of the Angleton, Texas division of Mallinckrodt Inc. (“Mallinckrodt”).  In 2000, the Company purchased the assets of Elecath (Electo Catheter Corp.).  In November 2004, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of MedSource Packaging Concepts LLC (“MedSource”).  Unless otherwise specified or evident from the context, references to the Company include its consolidated subsidiaries.  The Company’s principal offices are located in manufacturing and office facilities at 1600 West Merit Parkway, South Jordan, Utah, 84095, and its telephone number is (801) 253–1600.   See “Item 2. Properties.”

PRODUCTS

The Company’s products have been designed and developed in response to the needs of customers and patients.  These needs have been identified primarily through observation of procedures in cardiac catheterization and radiology laboratories, consultation with the Company’s medical advisors and consultants and direct communication with customers.  Since 1988, the Company has developed and introduced several product lines, including the following:

•                  coronary control syringes (CCS™, Smart Tip™ Inject8™, and Inject10™);

•                  inflation devices (IntelliSystem®, Monarch®, Basix®, BasixCOMPAK™ including new 30-atmosphere versions), and monitors (IntelliSystem® and IntelliSystem II™);

•                  specialty syringes (Medallion® and VacLok®);

•                  high-pressure tubing and connectors (Excite™, flexible, braided, rigid, PVC, and Sherlock™);

•                  waste management products (Merit Disposal Depot™, Backstop®, MDD600™, MiniStop™, ShortStop®, and Dugout®);

•                  disposable blood pressure transducer (Meritrans®); and pressure monitoring tubing;

•                  disposable hemostasis valves and accessories  (MAP™, MBA™, Passage®, Access 9™, Access Plus™, Double-Play™, RXP™) and guide wire torque devices;

•                  manifolds and stopcocks (Marquis® series);

•                  radial artery compression systems (Radstat™);

•                  contrast management systems (Miser® and In Line Contrast Management System™, drip sets and spikes);

•                  angiography needles and accessories (Majestik® series, Majestik® Shielded Needle, Captiva®, ShortStop®, and A.S.K. Merit Safety Access Kits™);

•                  drainage catheters and accessories (Resolve®, One Step™ and StayFix™);

•                  pericardiocentesis catheters and procedure trays;

•                  thrombolytic infusion catheters (Fountain® and Mistique®) and accessories (Squirt®);

•                  diagnostic angiographic pigtail catheters, diagnostic cardiology and radiology catheters (SofTouch® and Performa®), and marker band catheters;

•                  guide catheters (Trax®);

•                  sheath introducers (DialEase™, registered trademark of Thomas Medical, Merit® MAK), and vessel dilators, fixed and movable core;

•                  diagnostic guide wires (Inqwire®), and accessories (Keep™ and Ringmaster™), and hydrophilic guide wires, (Merit® H₂0);

•                  pressure infusor bags;

•                  and procedure trays.

These products are sold separately, and many are sold in custom kits consisting primarily of selected combinations of products.

4

The Company has not experienced any significant product liability claims; however, the sale and use of its products entail an inherent risk that product liability claims may be asserted against the Company.  The Company maintains product liability insurance in the amount of $5,000,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate, which may not be adequate for expenses or liabilities actually incurred.

The following paragraphs briefly describe and provide other information regarding Merit’s key products:

Inflation Devices and Angioplasty Accessories.  Inflation devices are large, specialized syringes used in interventional catheterization procedures to inflate balloon-tipped catheters.  Each of the Company’s inflation devices incorporates patented, proprietary design features which contribute to ease of use, including allowing the clinicians to engage or release the syringe plunger with one hand while increasing or decreasing pressure.  Each syringe also provides a clear view of the fluid path that simplifies debubbling and contributes to accurate measurement of pressure.

The Company’s IntelliSystem® inflation device, which was the first such device to incorporate electronic sensing and display features, consists of a disposable 20cc inflation syringe and an internal pressure transducer which connects to a monitor outside of the sterile field.  The IntelliSystem® monitor measures, times, records, and digitally displays information concerning the pressure, duration and number of each inflation and deflation of the angioplasty balloon.  The Company believes that electronic sensing and display of such information is much more accurate and precise than that which can be obtained from conventional analog gauges.  The data is stored and may be retrieved, displayed, graphed, and printed.

In 2003, Merit launched the patented IntelliSystem II™ color monitor, an advanced balloon inflation system.  It gives physicians several desirable options, including a large touch screen, an instant readout of positive and negative pressures, and an enlarged graphing display to show subtle changes in pressure measurements.  In addition, the readouts are available in four languages by touching the screen.   Management believes that Merit is the only company with digital technology sensitive enough to show subtle changes in pressure.

The Monarch® is a disposable inflation device that digitally displays data concerning pressure and duration of inflations and deflations on a small digital readout mounted on the barrel of the inflation syringe.  The small monitor does not offer the same display, storage or printing capabilities of the IntelliSystem® & IntelliSystem II™, but offers the convenience of portable, digital operation.  In 2003, Merit launched a 30-atmosphere version of the Monarch® to provide clinicians with additional options.

The Basix® and the BasixCOMPAK™ are disposable inflation syringes that incorporate conventional analog pressure gauges mounted on the barrels of inflation syringes.  The Basix® more closely resembles devices marketed by the Company’s competitors but includes the Company’s proprietary design features and benefits.  The Company believes that the Basix® and BasixCOMPAK™ represent a significant addition to its line of inflation devices and will contribute to increased sales where both clinical outcomes and price are a priority.

Hemostasis Valves.   The MBA™, Passage®, AccessPlus™, Access 9™, and Double Play™, hemostasis valves are used in conjunction with the Company’s inflation devices and as a component of the Company’s angioplasty packs.  These valves are made of polycarbonate plastic for clarity and include Sherlock™ connectors.  The devices differ in size and function.  The MBA™ features a valve mechanism that minimizes blood loss during exchange of wires, catheters and other tools through the valve.  The Access Plus™ and Access 9™ are large-bore configurations.  The Double Play™ incorporates a double “Y” configuration for kissing-balloon techniques.

Torque Device.  The Merit torque device is a guide wire steering tool with a tapered design and contrasting colors for improved visibility.  The torque device typically is included as a component of the Company’s angioplasty packs.

Coronary Control Syringes.  The Company’s disposable control syringes are utilized for one–handed control of the injection of contrast media and other fluids during angiography, angioplasty, and stent placement.   (A stent is a device that is inserted into a vessel or passage to keep it open and prevent closure due to stricture or external pressure).  Control syringes are molded from polycarbonate material, which is tougher than glass and most other plastics used in the medical products industry.  The Company offers different models and sizes of the control syringes with varying features, according to physician preference.  These features include different configurations of syringe handles, plungers, and

5

connectors which allow operation of the syringe in a fixed or rotating position and varying volume sizes.  In response to customer requests, all Merit control syringes are latex-free.

Specialty Syringes.  Merit’s Medallion® syringes, a line of disposable, latex-free, color-coded specialty syringes, are used for injection of medications, flushing manifolds and other general purposes.  The 60ml VacLok® syringe is used to create negative pressure.  There are many clinical applications for a negative pressure syringe, including abscess drainage and biopsy, balloon preparation, nephrostomy drainage, and more.  These syringes are molded of polycarbonate material for added strength and are available in hundreds of sizes, colors and custom printing combinations.  The color-coding minimizes medication errors by allowing clinicians to assign a color for each medication to be dispensed and to differentiate syringes by their contents.  The syringes also can be custom printed to the specifications of the user.  The Company believes that the design, color-coding and materials used in its specialty syringes contribute to patient safety and more efficient procedures.  The specialty syringes are sold separately and are an important component of the Company’s custom kits.

Marquis™ Series Stopcock.  The Company’s Marquis™ Series Stopcock offers improvements to competitive stopcock devices, including a large, easy-grip handle.  The Marquis™ Series Stopcock is used in connection with Sherlock™ connectors to provide improved connections during procedures.  Stopcocks are manufactured in numerous design configurations and styles, including 1-way, 3-way, 4-way, 50 pounds per square inch (“psi”) to 1050 psi, on and off handles, fixed luer, rotating luer, and slip luer.

Large-Bore Stopcock.  The Large-Bore Stopcock is designed to facilitate movement of fluid.  The large internal diameter (0.120”) is designed for moving drainage fluid from the body.  Like all Merit stopcocks, the large-bore version incorporates a clear body for easy visualization and a large, easy-to-manipulate handle.

Manifolds.  The administration of saline, imaging and contrast fluids and the management of blood-pressure, fluid injection and waste collection in angiography or angioplasty procedures are accomplished through a series of valves on a manifold which control the flow of various fluids.  The Company has designed its own manifold consisting of one, two, three, four, or five valves.  When compared to manifolds sold by competitors, the Company believes its manifold offers greater ease of use, simplified identification of flow direction, and leak–free operation under the pressures of manual or mechanical injection of fluids.  The Merit manifold is sold separately but is also a key component of the Company’s custom kits.

High-Pressure Contrast Injection Line.  During angiographic and diagnostic radiology procedures, contrast media must be injected through a catheter into a patient’s artery or vein.  This is sometimes accomplished by a mechanical injector which can generate pressures up to 1200 psi, and requires tubing that can withstand these pressures.  The Company offers high-pressure, braided and clear, specialty tubing with proprietary Sherlock™ connectors.  Excite™ is a line of clear, flexible, high-pressure tubing that combines the features of tubing clarity and strength.  The connectors allow coupling and uncoupling of tubing with injectors, syringes and manifolds without over-tightening or breaking.  The Company is currently offering specialty tubing that can handle pressures ranging from 500 to 1200 psi.  The specialty tubing is an important component of custom kits.

RadStat™ Radial Artery Compression Device.   The RadStat™ Radial Artery Compression Device is intended to be used to apply direct pressure to the radial artery puncture site after diagnostic and interventional procedures.  In addition to rapid controlled hemostasis, the RadStat™ immobilizes the wrist comfortably, permitting a patient’s rapid return to ambulation.

Waste Containment Systems.  Because of heightened awareness of the risks associated with blood and related waste materials, hospitals have moved toward closed systems whenever possible.  To address these concerns, the Company has designed a waste containment bag which connects to a manifold in a closed system and collects waste materials such as blood and other fluids during angioplasty or other procedures.  The Merit Disposal Depot™ is self-contained for ease of disposal and reduces the risk of contamination.  The Backstop® is a unique and proprietary alternative fluid disposal basin designed to reduce exposure to blood-borne pathogens.  The DugOut®, a large volume (1000 ml) line extension to the Backstop®, also contains an additional compartment for the storage of accessories.

Contrast Management Systems.  The Miser™ and the In Line Contrast Management System™ have been designed to increase catheterization lab efficiencies by reducing contrast media waste.  This small system helps hospitals save thousands of dollars a year in wasted contrast.

6

Majestik® Angiographic Needles.  The angiography needle creates the percutaneous (through the skin) access site for virtually all invasive diagnostic and interventional procedures performed in cardiology and radiology.  The needle provides the initial point of entry site for the introducer sheath, guide wires, catheters and any other diagnostic and interventional devices.  The Merit Majestik® needle helps physicians achieve precise vascular access with one of the sharpest angiography needles on the market.

Majestik® Shielded Angiography Needles.  The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act passed by the United States Congress in November 2000 requires healthcare employers to document their exposure control plan and evaluate safety-engineered products to protect clinicians.  In 2002, Merit launched a new line of shielded, 18-gauge angiography introducer needles designed to meet the requirements of the law.  Merit’s management believes the Majestik® shielded needle is one of the first safety-engineered devices designed to promote safer needles in cardiology and radiology.  A.S.K. Merit Safety Access Kits™ were launched in early 2003 and include protected scalpels and needles used for vascular access.

Fountain® and Mistique® Infusion Catheters.  Vascular occlusion is a common anomaly that affects millions of patients each year.  Both the Fountain® and the Mistique® catheters deliver therapeutic solutions to dissolve thrombolytic occlusions (blood clots) in peripheral arteries, hemodialysis grafts and deep veins.  The Fountain® catheter utilizes an occluding wire to effectively block off the end hole and direct the infusion therapy uniformly through the laser-drilled side holes.  The Mistique® is designed to be used over standard 0.035 or 0.038 guide wires to block off the end hole and direct the infusion therapy uniformly through the side holes.

Squirt® Fluid Dispensing System.  The Squirt® fluid dispensing system is a unique and proprietary product designed specifically for therapeutic infusion of controlled, accurate and consistent fluid delivery.  Some Fountain catheter configurations contain a Squirt® system packaged with them.

DialEase® Introducer Sheath.   The DialEase® Introducer Sheath (a registered trademark of Thomas Medical) is a short introducer ideally suited for dialysis graft intervention.  It is commonly used in conjunction with the Fountain® and Mistique® therapeutic infusion catheters to declot dialysis grafts.

InQwire® Diagnostic Guide Wires.  Guide wires consist of a small-diameter wire tightly wrapped in a coated wire coil.  The technology needed to produce these wires is considerable, and Merit utilizes its guide wire center of excellence in Ireland to manufacture the InQwire® Diagnostic Guide Wire.  Guide wires vary in length, outside diameter and tip configuration, and are used to place either a diagnostic or therapeutic catheter into a patient’s cardiovascular system.  In late 2003, Merit launched a line of hydrophilic guide wires (Merit® H₂0).

RingMaster™.  The RingMaster™ guide wire basin allows clinicians to conveniently store guide wires to maintain sterility and organization.  It separates wires for quick selection, uses less table space than conventional basins because it is stackable, and helps keep wires hydrated throughout the procedure.

Vessel Dilators.  Dilators are used to dilate puncture sites.  They are commonly used in radiology and cardiology over an 0.035” or 0.038” guide wire to dilate the site prior to placing sheaths and catheters in the femoral artery.

Pericardiocentesis Kit.  On occasion, the pericardial sac surrounding the heart becomes filled with blood or fluid.  To remove the fluid and the potential for heart strangulation (tamponade), a catheter is placed in the pericardial sac to drain the excess fluid.  Merit offers a complete pericardiocentesis kit that combines a high-flow drainage catheter with all components needed to place the device in the pericardial sac.  The kit combination saves physicians both time and money by having all components in one convenient tray.

One-Step™ Centesis Catheter.  The One Step™ centesis catheter is intended to be used for short-term centesis procedures.  It incorporates a luer-locked introducer needle for secure, one-handed placement.  The tip of the introducer needle is echogenically enhanced for visualization during ultrasound-guided placement.  The transition between the catheter and needle is smooth to facilitate insertion.  In 2003, Merit launched a new line of safety kits including the One-Step centesis catheter.

7

Resolve® Universal Drainage Catheter with Non-Locking Pigtail.  The Resolve® Universal Drainage Catheter with non-locking pigtail is a standard drainage catheter designed to expand Merit’s offering of drainage products.

StayFix™ – Catheter Fixation Device.  StayFix™ is a one-piece catheter tube securing device and site dressing for percutaneous drainage sites.  The product provides a comfortable, low-profile fixation device for catheters and tubes.  The device is used in interventional radiology, special procedures, cardiology, urology, home health care, and skilled nursing facilities.

MDD600™.  The Merit Disposal Depot™ is specifically designed to temporarily collect fluids.  It incorporates a drainage spout for quick and easy fluid disposal, and an internal anti-reflux valve to help prevent fluid from backing up the line.  The bag also comes packaged with an adjustable velcro strap that can be used to attach the device to the patient’s waist or leg.

Meritrans® Pressure Transducer and Accessories.  Diagnostic blood pressure monitoring is a critical priority in virtually all diagnostic and interventional procedures.  The Meritrans® provides clinicians with reliable and precise blood pressure measurement.  The clear flow-through design makes flushing and debubbling simple and safe.  The transducer is a vital component of many custom kit configurations.  Pressure Monitoring Tubing and Stopcocks are common ancillary products to complement the Meritrans®.  Merit provides several reusable accessories to support the Meritrans®.  The Merit Mentor™ is a transducer calibration and troubleshooting device that insures accuracy and repeatability of physiologic pressure measurements.  Reusable transducer cables connect the Meritrans® to the bedside monitor.  Organizing brackets hold multiple transducers to beds and IV poles.

Pressure Infusor Bag.  Merit’s pressure infusor bags include proprietary over-pressure relief valves.  These devices are used hospital-wide to apply pressure to a sealed bag of fluid, such as IV solutions or blood products.  The pressure exerted is shown by a color-coded pressure gauge, and the device has a valve that releases pressure to prevent inadvertent over-pressurization.

ShortStop®.  The ShortStop®, a small, temporary sharps container with an adhesive base that fits on the back table in a clinical lab, is used for the temporary containment of needles, scalpels and other sharp tools to help prevent inadvertent clinician injury.

Custom Kits.  Custom kits allow physicians to obtain the medical devices and accessories they most frequently use during angiography, angioplasty and similar procedures in a convenient, pre-packaged and preassembled form.  Custom kits also provide cost savings over purchasing single products and reduce hospitals’ administrative costs associated with maintaining inventory of individual, sterile products.

Universal Fluid Dispensing Syringe.  Merit’s digital inflation devices (IntelliSystem® and Monarch® products) allow for a wide range of additional clinical applications such as discography, esophageal dilatation, trigeminal nerve compression, and retinal detachment.  Universal fluid dispensing syringes incorporate patented, proprietary design features which contribute to ease of use, including allowing the clinicians to engage or release the syringe plunger with one hand while increasing or decreasing pressure.  Each syringe also provides a clear view of the fluid path that simplifies debubbling and contributes to accurate measurement of pressure.  When used in clinical applications such as discography, the IntelliSystem® accurately dispenses fluid while documenting and graphing pressures in the disc.  The Company believes that electronic sensing display of such information is much more accurate and precise than the tactile feel of standard syringes and that of conventional analog gauges.  The data is stored and may be retrieved, displayed, graphed, and printed.

Diagnostic Cardiology Catheters.  Cardiac catheterization is performed to diagnose the nature, severity, and precise location of blockages and other abnormalities of the heart.  This technique represents the most essential diagnostic tool in the management of patients with cardiovascular disease.  The Company manufactures and sells a complete line of diagnostic catheters used for these procedures.

Diagnostic Radiology Catheters.  Radiology catheters are engineered and designed with distinct tip configurations to access specific vessels and organs outside the heart (head, kidneys, legs, etc).  Merit acquired a radiology catheter product portfolio from Mallinckrodt’s Angleton division in 1999.

8

Angiography Pigtail Catheter.  Merit’s thin-wall, Teflon® (a registered trademark of DuPont), high-flow, pigtail angiographic catheters are designed for smaller patients.

Vessel-Sizing Catheters.  Merit’s complete line of adult vessel-sizing catheters are used by radiologists to measure the internal diameters and lengths of blood vessels under fluoroscopy.  Procedures in which these catheters are used include angioplasty, embolization, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) stent-grafts and vena cava filter placements.  Merit also offers pediatric vessel-sizing catheters .

Guide Catheters.  Coronary angioplasty requires guiding catheters to place balloons within the vasculature.  Catheters are inserted through sheaths into the arterial system.  Once in place, guiding catheters act as conduits for guide wires, dilating balloon catheters, coronary stents, and radiopaque dye that is used to provide fluoroscopic visualization during procedures.

MARKETING AND SALES

Target Market/Industry.  Cardiovascular disease continues to be a leading health problem in the United States.   According to American Heart Association estimates, nearly 60 million Americans, or approximately 25% of the population, have one or more types of cardiovascular disease.  Cardiovascular disease accounts for an estimated one million deaths annually, more than 40% of the U.S. total.  A majority of the Company’s sales revenues is derived from products used in coronary angiography and angioplasty procedures designed to treat cardiovascular disease.  The Company believes that transcatheter modalities (products and technologies utilizing heart catheterization procedures) such as balloons, bare metal and drug eluding stents, and defect repair currently represent the greatest potential to diagnose and treat the disease.  The Company intends to build upon its existing market position in both catheter technology and accessory products to continue its sales growth.

The global market for transcatheter products stands at a major crossroad, even when considering the continued dynamic evolution in vascular stent placement.  The core diagnostic and therapeutic applications for basic transcatheter technologies (balloons, stents and defect repair) are well established, with the future growth of procedures and products dependent upon demographic trends.  This has not, however, prevented significant investment in new technologies and applications designed to enhance patient outcomes and enable the treatment of new populations that have been traditionally limited to surgical intervention.  Much of this additional investment relates to procedures, devices and drugs for the treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease that have been developed and are currently being used by physicians.  These procedures, devices and drugs include laser angioplasty, atherectomy procedures and drug therapies, the effect of which may be to render certain of the Company’s products obsolete or to limit the markets for Merit’s products.  However, with the advent of vascular stents and other procedures, such as discography and kyphoplasty, the Company has experienced continued growth in its proprietary inflation technology.  The Company is monitoring trends in the industry and believes it is in a position to launch catheters and accessories to support growing clinical applications.

There are a large number of projects focused on improving the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, improving the issue of restenosis and other less invasive alternatives to open-heart surgery.  In recent years researchers have focused their interests on technologies and products that support the growth of transcatheter approaches to reducing the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease, including drug-coated stents, radiated stents and balloons, anti-platelet therapy, gene therapy, percutaneous coronary thrombectomy, and transmyocardial revascularization.  One area of specific interest to the Company is transradial catheterization, which is the introduction of vascular catheters through the radial artery, allowing a patient’s rapid return to ambulation, which ultimately reduces total patient cost.  The Company plans to continue to develop and launch innovative products to support these clinical trends.

Market Strategy.  The Company’s marketing strategy is focused on identifying and introducing a continual flow of highly profitable, differentiated products that meet customer needs.  The Company has targeted selected hospital market segments in cardiology and radiology where its products are used.  Suggestions for new products and product improvements may come from engineers, sales people, physicians and technicians who perform the clinical procedures.

When a product suggestion demonstrates sustainable competitive advantage, meets customer needs, fits strategically and technologically with the Company’s business, and has a good potential financial return, a “project team” is chartered with individuals from the Company’s marketing, engineering, manufacturing, legal, and quality assurance departments.  This team identifies the customer requirements, integrates the design, compiles all necessary

9

documentation and testing, and prepares the product for market introduction.  The Company strongly believes that one of its marketing strengths is its capacity to rapidly conceive, design, develop, and introduce new products.

U. S. Sales.  The Company’s direct sales force currently consists of a vice president of sales, an executive sales manager, six regional sales managers and 49 direct sales representatives located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States.  The Company’s sales people are trained by personnel at the Company’s facilities, by a senior sales person in their respective territories, at regular national and regional sales meetings, by consulting cardiologists and employees of the Company, and by observation of procedures in catheterization laboratories.

International Sales.  Approximately 100 independent dealer organizations distribute the Company’s products worldwide, including territories in Europe and Asia.  The Company has appointed a vice president for international sales and established an international sales and distribution office in Maastricht, The Netherlands.  Approximately 17 direct sales representatives presently sell the Company’s products in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, and Ireland.  In 2004, the Company’s international sales grew by 10% and accounted for approximately 25% of total sales.  With the recent and planned additions to its product lines, the Company believes that its international sales will continue to increase.

International dealers are required to inventory products and sell directly to customers within defined sales territories.  Each of the Company’s products must be approved for sale under the laws of the country in which it is sold.  International dealers are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective countries.

OEM Sales.   The Company currently has an OEM division that sells molded components, sub-assembled goods, and bulk non-sterile goods, which may be combined with other components and/or goods from other companies and then sold under a Merit or non-Merit label.   Merit has both international and domestic OEM sales.

CUSTOMERS

The Company serves hospital-based cardiologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, physiatrists (pain management physicians), neurologists, technicians, and nurses, all of whom influence the purchasing decision for Merit’s products.   Hospitals and acute care facilities in the United States purchase the Company’s products through the Company’s direct sales force, distributors, OEM relationships, custom packagers and packers who assemble and combine products in custom kits and packs.  Outside the United States, customers (hospitals and acute care facilities) purchase through the Company’s direct sales force, or in the absence of a sales force, purchase through independent distributors or OEM relationships.

In 2004, approximately 47% of the Company sales were made directly to domestic hospitals, approximately 14% to custom tray manufacturers and domestic dealers, approximately 25% to international markets, and approximately 1% were non-medical.  Sales to the Company’s single largest customer, a packer, accounted for approximately 7% of total sales during the year ended December 31, 2004.  Merit manufactures products for other medical device companies through its OEM program.  During the year ended December 31, 2004, OEM sales represented approximately 13% of Merit’s total revenue, which included 3% purchased by international OEM companies.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Company believes that one of its historic strengths is its ability to quickly adapt its expertise and experience in injection molding, insert molding, catheter extrusion, guide wire assembly, and electronic and sensor technologies, and apply these core competencies to a perceived need for a new product or product improvement.  The Company’s development efforts are presently focused on disposable, innovative single-patient or single-use items, which can be included in the Company’s custom kits or sold separately.

The Company’s executive officers devote a portion of their time to research and development.  Research and development expenses were $5,118,851, $4,626,459, and $4,007,622 in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.  The Company did not conduct any customer-sponsored research and development during those periods.  The Company anticipates that its research and development expenses will range between approximately 3% and 4% of net sales during the year ending December 31, 2005.

10

MANUFACTURING

Many of the Company’s products are manufactured utilizing its proprietary technology and expertise in plastic injection and insert molding.  Tooling of molds is contracted with third parties, but the Company designs and owns all of its molds.  The Company utilizes its experience in injection and insert molding technologies in the manufacture of most of the custom components used in its products.

The electronic monitors and sensors used in the Company’s IntelliSystem® and Monarch® inflation devices are assembled from standard electronic components or purchased from suppliers.  In July 1994, the Company acquired a 73% interest, and in August 1999, the Company acquired the remaining interest in Merit Sensor Systems, Inc., which develops and markets silicon sensors.  Merit Sensor Systems, Inc. is presently providing virtually all of the sensors utilized by the Company in its digital inflation devices.

The Company’s products are manufactured at several facilities including South Jordan, Utah; Santa Clara, California; Galway, Ireland; Angleton, Texas and a leased expansion facility in Murray, Utah.  With the acquisition of MedSource in November 2004, the Company’s manufacturing has expanded to a new facility in Richmond, Virginia.  See “Item 2. Properties.”

Merit’s variety of suppliers for raw materials and components necessary for the manufacture of its products, as well as its long-term relationships with such suppliers, promote stability in its manufacturing process.  Historically, Merit has not been materially affected by interruptions with such suppliers.  Further, Merit has developed contingency plans to engage back-up suppliers, materials and components in the event of supply interruptions.

COMPETITION

The Company competes in the domestic and international radiology and cardiology markets, which encompass a large number of suppliers of many different sizes.  The Company competes with more than 30 different companies.  These firms include small firms, such as Possis Medical and Microtherapeutics; medium-sized companies like Cook, Arrow, and Angio Dynamics; and large, international, multi-supply medical companies, such as Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific, Guidant, Medtronic, and C.R. Bard.   Many of the Company’s competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, and marketing resources than the Company.

The principal competitive factors in the markets in which the Company’s products are sold are quality, performance, service, breadth of line, and price.  The Company believes that its products have achieved rapid market acceptance due, in part, to the quality of materials and workmanship, innovative design, ease of operation, and the Company’s prompt attention to customer inquiries.  The Company’s products are priced competitively, but generally not below prices for competing products.  One of the Company’s primary competitive strengths is a comprehensive, broad line of ancillary products used in both cardiology and radiology.

The Company’s management believes, based on available industry data with respect to the number of procedures performed, that it is one of two market leaders in the United States for control syringes, tubing, and manifold kits (together with NAMIC USA Corporation, a subsidiary of Boston Scientific), and is the world market leader for inflation devices and hemostasis accessories.  The Company’s management also believes that the recent and planned additions to the Merit product lines will enable Merit to compete more effectively in both U.S. and international markets.  The Company’s new IntelliSystem® II color monitor provides considerable improvements, including sensitivity in Merit’s existing, patented digital technology.  Management believes the Company is the only provider of digital inflation technology in the world.  There is no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to maintain its existing competitive advantages or compete successfully in the future.

A substantial majority of the Company’s revenues are presently derived from sales of products used in diagnostic angiography and interventional angioplasty procedures.  Other procedures, devices, and drugs for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease have been developed and are currently being used, including laser angioplasty, atherectomy procedures, and drug therapies, the effect of which may be to render certain of the Company’s products obsolete or to limit the markets for its products.  However, with the advent of vascular stents and other procedures such as discography, the Company has experienced continued growth in its proprietary inflation technology.

11

PATENTS, LICENSES, TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS

The Company considers its proprietary technology to be important in the development and manufacture of its products and seeks to protect its technology through a combination of patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and confidentiality agreements with its employees and others.   Merit generally seeks patent protection of its technology in the United States and certain foreign countries where such protection appears to be available and appropriate.  Merit has received 95 issued U.S. and foreign patents, and other U.S. and foreign patent applications are currently pending.  Eight U.S. patents were issued to Merit during 2003 and 2004.  These patents are directed to the following innovations:  U.S. Patent No. 6,508,789 is directed to an innovative drainage catheter design; U.S. Patent No. 6,533,757 is directed to a further improvement to Merit’s INTELLISYSTEM^® II system for monitoring and displaying pressurization data; U.S. Patent No. 6,537,266 is directed to an innovative puncture guard for catheter wires; U.S. Patent No. 6,547,072 is directed to Merit’s innovative RINGMASTER^TM stackable guidewire basins; U.S. Patent No. 6,572,590 is directed to an innovative hemostasis valve having a quick release lever; U.S. Patent No. 6,719,017 is directed to Merit’s DUGOUT^® disposal basin; U.S. Patent No. 6,800,069 is directed to an innovative modularized infusion pump having a pressure infuser bag, a manual pump, and a removable, motorized pump, together with connectors that allow the different elements of the system to be added and removed as needed; and U.S. Patent No. 6,814,427 is directed to innovative systems and methods for accurately measuring fluids, such as contrast media, as the fluids are dispensed from a rigid or semi-rigid container.

The Company deems its patents and pending patent applications to be materially important to its business but does not believe its business is dependent on securing such patents.  Merit is also licensed under certain patents, patent applications, technology, trade secrets, know-how, copyrights and/or trademarks owned by others.  Merit believes, however, that no single patent, patent application, technology, trade secret, know-how, copyright, trademark, or license is material in relation to Merit’s business as a whole.

Although certain of the Company’s key patents will expire in 2008 and other patents will expire thereafter, the Company expects that related products will continue to be valuable, in part because of proprietary innovations made since the issue of the initial patent.  In 1992, the Company negotiated a license with respect to patents concerning technology utilized in its IntelliSystem® and Monarch® inflation devices, in consideration of a 5.75% ongoing royalty, not to exceed $450,000 annually.  Royalties paid in each of 2004, 2003, and 2002 were $450,000.

While the Company has obtained U.S. patents and filed additional U.S. and foreign patent applications, there can be no assurance that issued patents will provide the Company with any significant competitive advantages, or will not be challenged by third parties, or that the patents of others will not have an adverse effect on the ability of the Company to conduct its business.  The Company could incur substantial costs in seeking enforcement of its patents against infringement or the unauthorized use of its proprietary technology by others or in defending itself against similar claims of others.  Since the Company relies on trade secrets and proprietary know-how to maintain its competitive position, there can be no assurance that others may not independently develop similar or superior technologies.

The Company operates in an increasingly complex and challenging medical technology marketplace.  There has also been substantial litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights in the medical device industry.  There are risks that the Company’s activities may require it to defend itself against claims and actions alleging infringement of the intellectual rights of others and adverse determinations in any patent litigation could subject Merit to significant liabilities to third parties, could require Merit to seek licenses from third parties, and could conceivably prevent Merit from marketing certain products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company has also registered or applied for registration of several trade names or trademarks.  See “Products” above.  Merit has received 118 issued U.S. and foreign trademark registrations, and other U.S. and foreign trademark applications are currently pending.  The Company also places copyright notices on its instructional and advertising materials and has registered copyrights relating to certain software used in its electronic inflation devices.

REGULATION

The development, testing, packaging, labeling, and marketing of medical devices and the manufacturing procedures relating to these devices are regulated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and additional regulations promulgated by the FDA.  In general, these statutes and regulations require that manufacturers adhere to certain standards designed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medical devices.  The Company employs a Vice

12

President of Regulatory Affairs and a Vice President of Quality Systems who are responsible for compliance with all applicable FDA regulations.  Although the Company believes it is currently in material compliance with these requirements, the Company’s business could be adversely affected by a failure to comply with all applicable FDA and other government regulations presently existing or promulgated in the future.

The FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices standards regulate the Company’s manufacturing processes, require the maintenance of certain records, and provide for unscheduled inspections of the Company’s facilities.  Certain requirements of state, local, and foreign governments must also be complied with in the manufacture and marketing of the Company’s products.

New medical devices may also be subject to either the Section 510(k) Pre-Market Notification regulations or the Pre-Market Approval (“PMA”) regulations promulgated by the FDA and similar regulatory authorities in foreign countries.  New products in either category require extensive documentation, careful engineering and manufacturing controls to ensure quality.  Products needing PMA approval require extensive pre-clinical and clinical testing and approval by the FDA prior to marketing.  Products subject to the Section 510(k) of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act require FDA clearance prior to marketing.  To date, the Company’s products have required only compliance with Section 510(k).  The Company’s products are subject to foreign regulatory approvals before they may be marketed abroad.  The Company places the “CE” mark on devices and products sold in Europe.  The Company has received ISO 13485 certification for its Utah and Texas facilities.  The Company has received EN ISO 13485 certification for its Galway, Ireland facility. The Company has also received ISO 9002 certification for its Merit Sensor Systems, Inc. facility in Santa Clara, California.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2004, the Company employed 1,307 people, including 995 in manufacturing, 124 in sales and marketing, 96 in engineering, research and development, and 92 in administration.

Many of the Company’s present employees are highly skilled.  The Company’s failure or success will depend, in part, upon its ability to retain such employees.  Management is of the opinion that an adequate supply of skilled employees is available.   The Company has from time to time experienced rapid turnover among its entry-level assembly workers, as well as occasional shortages of such workers, resulting in increased labor costs and administrative expenses related to hiring and training of replacement and new entry-level employees.  All Merit employees are bound by policies of confidentiality.   None of the Company’s employees is represented by a union or other collective bargaining group and management of the Company believes that its relations with its employees are good.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. These materials can be inspected and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of these materials may also be obtained by mail at prescribed rates from the SEC’s Public Reference Room at the above address. Information about the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s Internet site is www.sec.gov.

The Company makes available, free of charge, on its Internet website, located at www.merit.com, its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, any current reports on Form 8-K filed since the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any amendments to such reports as soon as reasonably practicable following the electronic filing of such report with the SEC.  In addition, the Company provides electronic or paper copies of its filings free of charge upon request.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES

For financial information relating to the Company’s foreign and domestic sales, transfers between geographic areas, net income and identifiable assets, see Note 11 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements set forth in Item 8 of this report.

13

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

The business, operations and financial condition of the Company are subject to certain risks and uncertainties.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results will vary, and may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected.  Among the key factors that may have a direct bearing on the Company’s business, operations and financial condition are the factors identified below:

The Company’s products may be subject to recall or product liability claims.

Merit’s products are used in connection with invasive procedures and in other medical contexts in which it is important that those products function with precision and accuracy.  If the Company’s products do not function as designed, or are designed improperly, the Company may be forced by regulatory agencies to withdraw such products from the market.  In addition, if medical personnel or their patients suffer injury as a result of any failure of the Company’s products to function as designed, or an inappropriate design, the Company may be subject to lawsuits seeking significant compensatory and punitive damages.  Any product recall or lawsuit seeking significant monetary damages may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition.

Substantially all of Merit’s products are backed by a limited warranty for returns due to defects in quality and workmanship.  Merit maintains a reserve for these future returned products, but the actual costs of such returns may significantly exceed the reserve, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

Termination of relationships with the Company’s suppliers, or failure of such suppliers to perform, could disrupt the Company’s business.

Merit relies on raw materials, component parts, finished products, and services supplied by outside third parties in connection with its business.  For example, substantially all of the Company’s products are sterilized by two entities.  In addition, some of the Company’s products are manufactured or assembled by third parties.  If a supplier of significant raw materials, component parts, finished goods or services were to terminate its relationship with the Company, or otherwise cease supplying raw materials, component parts, finished goods or services consistent with past practice, the Company’s ability to meet its obligations to its end customers may be disrupted.  A disruption with respect to numerous products, or with respect to a few significant products, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition.

The Company may be unable to compete in its markets, particularly if there is a significant change in relevant practices and technology.

The market for each of the Company’s existing and potential products is highly competitive.  The Company faces competition from many companies, many of which are larger, better established and have greater financial, technical and other resources and greater market presence than Merit.  Such resources and market presence may enable the Company’s competition to more effectively market competing products or to market competing products at reduced prices in order to gain market share.

In addition, Merit’s ability to compete successfully is dependent, in part, upon the Company’s ability to respond effectively to changes in technology and to develop and market new products which achieve significant market acceptance. Competing companies with substantially greater resources than the Company are actively engaged in research and development of diagnostic and interventional methods, treatments and procedures that could limit the market for the Company’s products and eventually make certain products obsolete.  A reduction in the demand for a significant number of the Company’s products, or a few key products, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition.

The Company may be unable to protect its proprietary technology or may infringe on the proprietary technology of others.

The Company’s ability to remain competitive is dependent, in part, upon its ability to prevent other companies from using its proprietary technology incorporated into its products.  The Company seeks to protect its technology through a combination of patents and trade secrets, as well as license, proprietary know-how and confidentiality

14

agreements. The Company may be unable, however, to prevent others from using its proprietary information, or continue to use such information itself, for numerous reasons, including the following:

•                  Merit’s issued patents may not be sufficiently broad to prevent others from copying its proprietary technologies;

•                  Merit’s issued patents may be challenged by third parties and deemed to be overbroad or unenforceable;

•                  Merit’s products may infringe on the patents of others, requiring it to alter or discontinue its manufacture or sale of such products;

•                  Costs associated with seeking enforcement of Merit’s patents against infringement, or defending itself against allegations of infringement, may be significant;

•                  Merit’s pending patent applications may not be granted for various reasons, including overbreadth or conflict with an existing patent; and

•                  Other persons may independently develop, or have developed, similar or superior technologies.

The Company may be unable to successfully manage growth, particularly if accomplished through acquisitions.

Successful implementation of Merit’s business strategy will require that the Company effectively manage any associated growth.  To manage growth effectively, the Company’s management will need to continue to implement changes in certain aspects of the Company’s business, to improve the Company’s information systems and operations to respond to increased demand, to attract and retain qualified personnel and to develop, train and manage an increasing number of management-level and other employees.  Growth could place an increasing strain on the Company’s management, financial, product design, marketing, distribution and other resources, and the Company could experience operating difficulties. Any failure to manage growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

To the extent that the Company grows through acquisition, it will face the additional challenges of integrating its current operations, culture, informational management systems and other characteristics with that of the acquired entity.  The Company may incur significant expenses in connection with negotiating and consummating one or more transactions, and it may inherit certain liabilities in connection with the acquisition as a result of its failure to conduct adequate due diligence or otherwise.  In addition, the Company may not realize competitive advantages, synergies or other benefits anticipated in connection with such acquisition(s).  If the Company does not adequately identify targets for, or manage issues related to its future acquisitions, such acquisitions may have a negative adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results.

A significant adverse change in, or failure to comply with, governing regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business.

Substantially all of the Company’s products are “devices,” as defined in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and the manufacture, distribution, record keeping, labeling and advertisement of Merit’s products are subject to regulation by the FDA in the United States and its equivalent regulatory agencies in various foreign countries in which Merit’s products are manufactured, distributed, labeled, offered and sold.  Further, the Company is subject to continual review and periodic inspections at its current facilities with respect to the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices and similar requirements of foreign countries.  In addition, the Company is subject to certain export control restrictions governed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and may be governed by other regulatory agencies in various foreign countries in which products are exported.  Merit’s business and financial condition could be adversely affected if it is found to be out of compliance with governing regulations.  If such regulations are amended to become more restrictive and costly to comply with, the costs of compliance could adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition.

15

A significant portion of the Company’s revenues are derived from a few products and procedures.

A significant portion of the Company’s revenues are attributable to sales of its inflation devices.  During the year ended December 31, 2004, sales of the Company’s inflation devices (including inflation devices sold in custom kits and through OEM channels) accounted for approximately 33% of the Company’s total revenues.  Any material decline in market demand for the Company’s inflation devices could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition.

In addition, the products that have accounted for a majority of the Company’s historical revenues are designed for use in connection with a few related medical procedures, including angioplasty, stent placement procedures, and spinal procedures. If subsequent developments in medical technology or drug therapy make such procedures obsolete, or alter the methodology of such procedures so as to eliminate the usefulness of the Company’s products, the Company may experience a material decrease in demand for its products and experience deteriorating financial performance.

The Company is subject to work stoppage, transportation and related risks.

Merit manufactures its products at various locations in the United States and in Ireland and sells its products worldwide.  The Company depends on third-party transportation companies to deliver supplies necessary to manufacture Merit products from vendors to the Company’s various facilities and to move Merit products to customers, operating divisions and other subsidiaries located within and outside the United States.  Merit’s manufacturing operations, and the operations of the transportation companies on which the Company depends, may be adversely affected by natural disasters or significant human events, such as a war, terrorist attack, riot, strike, slowdown or similar event.  Any disruption in the Company’s manufacturing or transportation could materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to meet customer demands or its operations.

Limits on reimbursement imposed by governmental and other programs may adversely affect the Company’s business.

The cost of a significant portion of medical care is funded by governmental, social security or other insurance programs.  Limits on reimbursement imposed by such programs may adversely affect the ability of hospitals and others to purchase Merit products.  In addition, limitations on reimbursement for procedures which utilize Merit products could adversely affect sales.

Fluctuations in Euro exchange rates may negatively impact the Company’s financial results.

Fluctuations in the rate of exchange between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar could have a negative impact on the Company’s margins and financial results.  For example, during 2004, the exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar resulted in an increase of the Company’s gross revenues of $1.8 million and 0.3% in gross profit.

For the year ended December 31, 2004, approximately $15.5 million, or 10.2%, of Merit’s sales were denominated in Euros.  If the rate of exchange between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar declines, the Company may not be able to increase the prices it charges its European customers for products whose prices are denominated in Euros.  Furthermore, the Company may be unable or elect not to enter into hedging transactions which could mitigate the effect of declining exchange rates.  As a result, as the rate of exchange between Euros and the U.S. Dollars declines, the Company’s financial results may be negatively impacted.

The market price of the Company’s Common Stock has been, and may continue to be, volatile.

The market price of Merit’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) has been, and may continue to be, highly volatile for various reasons, including the following:

•                  Merit’s announcement of new products or technical innovations, or similar announcements by its competitors;

•                  Development of new procedures that use, or do not use, Merit’s technology;

•                  Quarter-to-quarter variances in the Company’s financial results;

16

•                  Claims involving potential infringement of patents and other intellectual property rights;

•                  Analysts’ and other projections or recommendations regarding the Common Stock or medical technology stocks generally;

•                  Any restatement of the Company’s financial statements or any investigation into the Company by the SEC or another regulatory authority; and

•                  A general decline, or rise, of stock prices in the capital markets generally.

The Company is dependent upon key personnel.

The Company’s continued success is dependent on key management personnel, including Fred P. Lampropoulos, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Lampropoulos is not subject to any agreement prohibiting his departure, and the Company does not maintain key man life insurance on his life. The loss of Mr. Lampropoulos, or of certain other key management personnel, could materially adversely affect the Company’s business and operations.  The Company’s success also depends, among other factors, on the successful recruitment and retention of key operations, manufacturing, sales and other personnel.

 Item 2.        Properties.

The Company owns approximately 31 acres of real property situated in the City of South Jordan, Utah, surrounding an additional 10 acres of leased real property on which is located the Company’s 175,000 square foot principal office and manufacturing facility.  The Company sold the 10-acre site to an unrelated developer in order to facilitate construction of such facility and entered into a 25-year lease agreement (beginning in 1995) to finance the new facility.  Monthly lease payments are approximately $138,000.  The Company also holds an option to purchase the facility, exercisable at market value after 25 years.  During 2004, the Company acquired an additional 4 acres of property south of and adjacent to its current property.  Subsequent to year end the Company acquired an additional 5 acres of property just west of its current facility.  The acquisition of these additional properties will enable the Company to expand its operations in the future as property surrounding the Company is limited due to increased development over the past few years.  At the end of 2004, the Company completed a 47,000 square foot facility in South Jordan, Utah.  This facility will be used to relocate its production of sensors from Santa Clara, California, to relocate and expand Merit’s Research and Development facilities and provide for additional pilot production clean rooms.  The Company plans to complete a 140,000 square foot facility located in South Jordan, Utah sometime in the third quarter of 2005.  This facility will be used to expand injection and insert molding production, house an automated finished goods warehouse, and relocate Merit’s management information system employees. The new facilities in South Jordan, Utah will increase Merit’s clean room production capacity and administrative office space to meet current and anticipated demand the Company will have for the next several years.

The Company owns a building of approximately 65,000 square feet with approximately three acres of land, in Galway, County Galway, Republic of Ireland, which serves as its principal office and manufacturing facility for European operations.  The facility houses a research and development team, which developed Merit’s diagnostic guide wire, and is developing other new products.  The Company also manufactures other products at the Galway facility, including custom kits, BASIX® inflation devices, and hemostasis valve products.  During 2004, the Company completed a 40,000-square-foot expansion of its Galway facility.  This expansion is designed to provide additional production capacity and office space to meet the Company’s current and anticipated needs.  The Company’s Galway property has been improved and equipped on terms favorable to the Company in connection with economic development incentives and grants provided by the Irish Government.

The Company leases a manufacturing facility of approximately 50,000 square feet comprised of seven units, located in Murray, Utah.  The Murray facility is used for production of several of the Company’s products and may be relocating to the Company’s South Jordan headquarters.  The leases related to three of the units at the Murray facility expired in 2004, and leases related to four of these units will expire in 2007.  The aggregate monthly lease payments on these Murray facilities are approximately $16,000 and will expire in 2007.

The Company also leases 8,500 square feet of manufacturing and office space located in Santa Clara, California for the production of sensors.  This lease runs through August 2005 at a monthly cost of approximately

17

$14,000.  The Company does not plan to renew its Santa Clara, California lease as it currently intends to relocate its sensor operations to a new facility being built in South Jordan, Utah.  It is anticipated that this move will happen sometime during 2006 as the Company will be upgrading its wafer fabrication production to improve capacity and quality and reduce costs at its South Jordan facility prior to closing its Santa Clara, California operation .

The Company owns approximately 19 acres of land and a 75,000-square-foot building in Angleton, Texas.

In November 2004, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of MedSource.  In connection with this acquisition the Company assumed a lease on a facility of approximately 44,000 square feet.  The facility is used for production of custom procedure trays used in the medical industry.  The monthly lease amount on this facility is $15,000 and will expire in March of 2005.  The Company does not plan to renew this lease as it plans to relocate to a new facility which can combine its general and administrative functions and production into one location and increase its production capacity and warehouse space for anticipated demand.

The Company believes that its existing and proposed facilities will generally be adequate for its present and future anticipated level of operations.

Item 3.           Legal Proceedings.

In the course of conducting its business operations, the Company is, from time to time, involved in litigation and other disputes.  Management does not currently anticipate that any pending litigation or dispute will have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s operations.

Item 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2004.

PART II

Item 5.           Market for Registrant’s Common Stock and Related Shareholder Matters.

MARKET PRICE FOR THE COMMON STOCK

The Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol “MMSI.”  The following table sets forth high and low sale prices for the Common Stock for the periods indicated.

*Effective as August 15, 2003, and December 3, 2003, the Company effected a 4-for-3 forward stock split of the Common Stock by means of a stock split of one additional share of Common Stock for each three shares of Common Stock outstanding.  Data related to periods prior to the effective dates of the three stock splits have been adjusted to reflect the terms of such stock splits.

18

OUTSTANDING SHARES AND NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS

As of March 10, 2005, the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding was 26,500,865, held by approximately 203 shareholders of record, not including shareholders whose shares are held in securities position listings.

DIVIDENDS

The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on the Common Stock.  The Company presently intends to retain any future earnings for use in its business and, therefore, does not anticipate paying any dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future.   In addition, the Company’s revolving line of credit contains covenants prohibiting the declaration and distribution of a cash dividend at any time prior to the termination of such line of credit.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table contains information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2004 (in thousands):

(1) Consists of 4,371,471 shares subject to the options granted under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan.

(2) Consists of 516,503 shares available to be issued under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plans and 587,407 shares available to be issued under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan.

(3) See Note 10 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements set forth in Item 8 of this report for additional information regarding these plans.

(4) Consist of warrants issued in the acquisition of MedSource Packaging Concepts LLC – see note Note 3 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements set forth in Item 8 of this report for additional information regarding this acquisition.

19

Item 6.           Selected Financial Data  (In thousands except share data).

During the year ended December 31, 2004 and 2000, the Company accrued severance costs totaling approximately $663,000 and $331,000, respectively, related to the termination of certain employees.

20

Item 7.           Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

OVERVIEW

During 2004, Merit experienced its most successful year ever in terms of revenue and income.  Sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 were up 11% at $151.4 million, compared to $135.9 million for 2003.  Growth in 2004 revenue was primarily driven by increased catheter and inflation device sales.  For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company reported net income of $17.9 million, or $0.65 per share, up 4% compared to $17.3 million, or $0.64 per share for 2003.  Net income for 2004 was effected by a one time severance expense, costs relating to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, and a non-recurring gain from a litigation settlement for a total of approximately $792,000 (net of tax), or $0.03 per share.  Net income for 2003 included a non-recurring gain from the settlement of a legal dispute and sale of land for a total of approximately $627,000 (net of tax), or $0.02 per share.

Gross margins as a percentage of sales were down slightly to 44.6% for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to 44.7% for year ended December 31, 2003.  Inventory turns remained at 3.8 times per year for 2004 compared to the prior year.

The Company’s financial condition strengthened during 2004 as the Company’s cash position rose 9% to $33.0 million, compared to $30.2 million in 2003, including the $15.8 million spent on construction of buildings.  In 2004, the Company experienced its largest cash flow from operations of $30.0 million, an increase of 19%, over the comparable period in 2003.  Significant investments were made during 2004 for 180,000 square feet of new manufacturing space at the Company’s South Jordan, Utah facility, and approximately 40,000 square feet at its Galway, Ireland facility.  The Company intends to use the additional facilities to expand Merit’s manufacturing capacity to meet current and future demand of the Company’s products and consolidate the Merit Sensor Systems, Inc., wafer fabrication facility (8,500 square feet) from Santa Clara, California, to South Jordan, Utah.  The Galway, Ireland facility was completed in November 2004 and one of the new facilities in South Jordan (approximately 47,000 square feet) was completed in December 2004.

During 2005, the Company expects gross margins to decline slightly as it absorbs investments made to increase capacity and improve quality, such as moving into new facilities discussed above.  Another factor that management anticipates will affect the Company’s gross margin percentage will be the potential increase in sales of the lower-margin pack business of MedSource and bringing on new products that management anticipates will have a negative effect on margins. Management believes, however, that if the Company is successful in increasing production volumes according to current plans, the increased production will offset some of the effect of the lower margins.  Merit also intends to invest in additional sales representatives to increase sales, and in selling, general and administrative personnel to support current operations.  The Company believes the additional investments in facilities and personnel are needed to position the Company for future growth in sales and earnings.  During the second half of 2005, the Company expects to release new products that it believes will significantly affect future sales growth.  Management believes market acceptance of the Company’s new and existing products, if achieved, will further enhance future top and bottom-line growth.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth certain operational data as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:

Sales increased by $15.4 million, or 11.4%, in 2004, compared to an increase of 19.7 million, or 17%, in 2003, and an increase of $12.2 million, or 11.7%, in 2002.  The increase in sales for 2004 resulted primarily from a 16% increase in catheter sales, an 11% increase in inflation devices sales, a 10% increase in custom kit revenues, and a 10%

21

increase in stand-alone products sales.  The increase in sales for 2003 resulted primarily from a 19% increase in stand-alone product revenues, an 18% increase in custom kit revenues, a 17% increase in inflation device revenues, and a 9% increase in catheter product revenues.  The increase in sales for 2002 resulted primarily from a 13% increase in custom kit revenues, a 13% increase in stand-alone product revenues, an 11% increase in inflation device revenues, and a 6% increase in catheter product revenues.  The Company’s revenues increased notwithstanding the fact that the markets for many of the Company’s products are experiencing slight pricing declines; therefore substantially all of the increase in the Company’s revenues was attributable to increased unit sales, except for an increase in the exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar which increased sales by 1.2% in 2004 compared to 2003, 1.8% in 2003 compared to 2002, and .4% in 2002 compared to 2001.  Unit growth for 2004, 2003, and 2002 resulted primarily from a procedural growth rate of approximately 6-8%. In addition, unit growth in 2004, 2003, and 2002 was attributable, in part, to the introduction of new products which accounted for approximately 4%, 5%, and 3%, respectively, for total sales for such periods, with the remainder of unit growth coming from market share gains.  International sales in 2004 were approximately $37.5 million, or 25% of total sales; approximately $34.3 million, or 25% of total sales, in 2003; and approximately $27.1 million, or 23% of total sales, in 2002.  These increases were primarily a result of greater acceptance of the Company’s products in international markets, ongoing growth in the Company’s European direct sales, and increased sales related to improvement in the exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar, as discussed above.  Direct sales in France, Germany, the U.K., Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland were $18.9 million, $15.6 million, and $12.3 million in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 44.6%, 44.7%, and 41.7% in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.  The slight decrease in gross margin percentage in 2004, compared to 2003, was the result of a slight increase in the standard costs per unit as the result of increased manufacturing costs.  The increase in the gross margin percentage for 2003 over 2002, and improvement in 2002 over 2001, was primarily affected by an increase in efficiency and productivity gains achieved primarily by the Company’s operations groups.  These productivity gains have been achieved primarily by enhanced employee productivity, which management believes was encouraged by Merit’s bonus program, streamlined production layouts and investments in manufacturing equipment which have improved efficiencies.  With these improved efficiencies, Merit’s cost per unit for many of its products has decreased as unit sales have grown, notwithstanding slight increases in fixed overhead costs.  Gross profit was also favorable for 2003 over 2002, and 2002 over 2001, primarily due to an increase in the exchange rate of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar, resulting in an increase in gross profit of 0.3 and 0.4, respectively.  During 2003, the Company reduced the material costs from some of its principal vendors.  The Company is operating in a gradually declining price market.  During 2005, the Company expects gross margins to decline as a result of higher overhead expenses attributable to moving into the new buildings discussed above, integrating the lower-margin pack sales of MedSource, and bringing on several new products which are anticipated to have a negative effect on margins until. Management believes, however, that if the Company is successful in increasing production volumes according to current plans, the increased production will offset some of the effect of the lower margins.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.6 million, or 15.1% in 2004 over 2003; $2.7 million, or 9.9% in 2003 over 2002; and $3.7 million, or 15.4% in 2002 over 2001.  The increase in selling, general and administrative costs for 2004, compared to 2003, was primarily the result of approximately $674,000 in costs associated with Merit’s efforts to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and severance costs of approximately $663,000 related to the termination of certain employees.  The additional expenditures for 2003 over 2002 were related to increases in commissions paid commensurate with sales growth, costs of expanding the Company’s direct sales force in the United States and Europe, and an increased exchange rate of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar compared to the same period in 2002, resulting in an increase in selling expenses for the Company’s direct sales force in Europe.  The increased expenditures in 2002 over 2001 were related to increased costs of expanding the direct sales force, marketing support, and management both in the United States and Europe.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for 2004 increased 9.8% to $5.1 million, compared to $4.6 million in 2003; grew 15.4% to $4.6 million in 2003, compared to $4.0 million in 2002; and decreased 2.7% to $4.0 million compared to $4.1 million in 2001.  The increase in R&D in 2004 over 2003 and 2002 over 2001 was related primarily to R&D head count additions and indirect costs to support catheter development.  The decline in R&D during 2002 was primarily a result of the completion of R&D activities in Ireland relating to the Company’s guide wire product line and the transition of much of the Company’s R&D resources to manufacture the new diagnostic guide wire product line.  Research and development costs as a percentage of sales were 3.4% for 2004, 2003, and 2002.  Management believes that the development of 10-12 projects at any given time is an appropriate level of R&D for the Company, and is likely to provide 6-8 new products a year through R&D, regulatory, manufacturing, marketing, and sales introduction.

22

The Company’s effective tax rates for 2004, 2003, and 2002 were 36.0%, 36.0%, and 32.5%, respectively.  The increase in the effective tax rate for 2003 over 2002 was mostly due to lower taxable income in 2003 for the Company’s Irish operations, which are taxed at a lower rate than the U.S. operations.  The change in taxable income for Ireland from 2003 to 2002 was the result of increased costs associated with the development of a new product, which is scheduled to be released during 2005.  The effective tax rate for 2002 was 32.5%, up slightly from 31.2% in 2001, mostly because the foreign sales corporation and R&D tax benefits were diluted by a 71% increase in income from operations.

Other operating income for 2003 was the result of a gain of $507,928 on sale of land adjacent to the Company’s South Jordan, Utah facility.

Other income (expense) for 2004, 2003, and 2002 was $665,639, $886,401, and ($13,209), respectively.  The decrease in other income for 2004 over 2003 was affected by a net decrease in a litigation settlement of $375,000, offset by an increase in 2004 of interest income of $170,075.  The increase in other income for 2003 over 2002 related mostly to the settlement of a legal dispute of $475,000, an increase in interest income of $288,654, and a decrease in interest expense of $84,145, compared to the same period in 2002.  Decreases in other expense in 2002 over 2001 were primarily the result of a decrease in interest expense in 2002 of $833,903, and an increase in interest income of $56,412, offset by a gain on the sale of land in 2001 of $787,204.

Net income for 2004 was $17.9 million, compared to $17.3 million for 2003. Net income for 2003 was up 52.9% to $17.3 million, compared to $11.3 million for 2002.  Net income for 2002 increased 67.9% to $11.3 million, compared to $6.7 million.  Net income for 2003 and 2002 was favorably affected by higher sales, gross profits and an increase in other income.

Under the recently issued Financial Accounting Standard Board Statement (FASB) No. 123R, Share-based Payment, the Company will be required to apply the expense recognition provisions of this pronouncement to equity-based incentives such as stock options.  In anticipation of this pronouncement, during 2004 the Company made two grants to management and employees for a total of 807,296 shares of common stock which vested immediately upon grant, rather than over 5 years as has been the Company’s historical practice.  Additionally, subsequent to December 31, 2004, the Company accelerated the vesting on 427,448 options with an exercise price of $21.67, which was in excess of the current market price.  The immediate vesting of options and the acceleration of options which have exercise prices that are below the current market value of the Company’s common stock are anticipated to reduce Merit’s compensation expense by approximately $3.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in future periods under the provisions of FAS No. 123R, which management believes is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.  Under SFAS No. 142, the Company no longer amortizes goodwill from business acquisitions, but reviews annually the impairment of goodwill, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.  The Company completed its initial testing of goodwill as of January 1, 2002 and determined that there was no impairment.  The Company has elected to perform its annual testing of goodwill impairment as of July 1 of the applicable fiscal year.  As of July 1, 2004, the Company updated its testing of goodwill for impairment and determined that there was no impairment.  The unamortized amount of goodwill at December 31, 2004 was approximately $5.6 million.

With the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company reassessed the useful lives and residual values of all acquired intangible assets to make any necessary amortization period adjustments.  Based on that assessment, no adjustments were made to the amortization period or residual values of other intangible assets.  See discussion of the effect of this accounting standard and recently issued accounting standards in Note 1 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements set forth in Item 8 of this report.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Capital Commitments

The following table summarizes the Company’s capital commitments and contractual obligations as of December 31, 2004, including long-term debt, operating lease payments, and office lease payments, as well as the future periods in which such payments are currently anticipated to become due:

23

Additional information regarding the Company’s capital commitments and contractual obligations, including royalty payments, is contained in Notes 7, 8, and 12 of the Notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, set forth in Item 8.

The Company’s working capital for 2004, 2003, and 2002 was $54.9 million, $56.9 million, and $34.6 million, respectively.  The decrease in working capital from 2004 over 2003 was the result of cash being used to fund the construction of the Company’s new facilities in South Jordan, Utah, and Galway, Ireland.  The increases in working capital for 2003 over 2002 and for 2002 over 2001, were primarily due to an increase in the Company’s cash balance of $20.5 million in 2003 of $9.3 million in 2002.  As of December 31, 2004, the Company had a current ratio of 3.6 to 1. The Company had $0 outstanding under its line of credit at December 31, 2004. Merit assumed some capital leases with the purchase of MedSource, with an outstanding balance of $12,457 at December 31, 2004.  The Company generated cash from operations for 2004, 2003, and 2002 in the amount of $30.0 million, $25.2 million, and $21.5 million, respectively. The Company maintains a long-term revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with a bank, which currently enables the Company to borrow funds at variable interest rates. The credit facility was voluntarily reduced to $500,000 in August 2002. The Facility expires on June 30, 2006.  Based on discussions with representatives of the bank, management believes the Company could restore the credit facility to its former level of $35 million, subject to a favorable credit review.

Historically, the Company has incurred significant expenses in connection with product development and introduction of new products.  Substantial capital has also been required to finance the increase in our receivables and inventories associated with our increased sales.  During 2005, approximately $14.1 million remains to be paid to complete the remaining facility in South Jordan, Utah.  Management anticipates that an additional $2.5 million, in excess of the Company’s 2004 annual capital expenditures, will be spent on other production equipment for these new facilities.  Our principal source of funding for these and other expenses has been cash generated from operations, sale of equity, cash from loans on equipment, and bank lines of credit.  Management believes that its present sources of liquidity and capital are adequate for the current operations and for the foreseeable future.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The SEC has requested that all registrants address their most critical accounting policies.  The SEC has indicated that a “critical accounting policy” is one which is both important to the representation of the Company’s financial condition and results and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.  The Company bases estimates on past experience and on various other assumptions management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.   Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Additionally, changes in accounting estimates could occur in the future from period to period.  Management has discussed the development, and selection of the Company’s most critical financial estimates with the audit committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.  The following paragraphs identify the Company’s most critical accounting policies:

Inventory Obsolescence Reserve:  The Company’s management reviews on a regular basis inventory quantities on hand for unmarketable and/or slow moving products that may expire prior to being sold.  This review of inventory quantities for unmarketable and/or slow moving products is based on estimates of forecasted product demand prior to expiration lives.  If market conditions become less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.  We believe that the amount included in our obsolescence reserve has been an historically

24

accurate estimate of the unmarketable and/or slow moving products that may expire prior to being sold.   The Company’s obsolescence reserve was approximately $2.3 million as of December 31, 2004.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:  A majority of the Company’s receivables are with hospitals, which over the Company’s history have demonstrated favorable collections.  Therefore, the Company has experienced minimal bad debts from hospital customers and similar write-offs associated with some of the Company’s international distributors, typically as a result of terminating a distributor within a foreign country.  The most significant write-offs over the Company’s history have come from U.S. packers who bundle Merit’s products in surgical trays.

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments.  The allowance is based upon historical experience and a review of individual customer balances.   If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.  The Company’s bad debt reserve was $728,865 at December 31, 2004, which is in line with historical collection experience.

Stock-Based Compensation:  The Company accounts for its stock compensation arrangements under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, (APB 25) and intends to continue to do so.  Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock compensation arrangements.  If the compensation cost for the Company’s compensation plans had been determined consistent with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, the Company’s net income and net income per common and common share equivalent would have changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands except per share data) :

In applying the Black-Scholes methodology to the option grants, the Company used the following assumptions:

For options with a vesting period, compensation expense is recognized on a ratable basis over the service period which corresponds to the vesting period.  Compensation expense is recognized immediately for options that are fully vested on the date of grant.

25

Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

The Company’s principal market risk relates to changes in the value of the Euro relative to the value of the U.S. Dollar.  The Company’s consolidated financial statements are denominated in, and the Company’s principal currency is, the U.S. Dollar.  A portion of the Company’s revenues in 2004 ($15.5 million, representing approximately 10.2% of aggregate revenues) came from sales that were denominated in Euros.  Certain of the Company’s expenses are also denominated in Euros, partially offsetting any risk associated with fluctuations of the Euro/Dollar exchange rate.  Because of the Company’s Euro-denominated revenues and expenses, in a year in which the Company’s Euro-denominated revenues exceed its Euro-based expenses, the value of such Euro-denominated net income increases if the value of the Euro increases relative to the value of the U.S. Dollar, and decreases if the value of the Euro decreases relative to the value of the U. S. Dollar.  During 2004, the exchange rate between the Euro and the U.S. dollar resulted in an increase of the Company’s gross revenues of $1.8 million and 0.3% in gross profit.

At December 31, 2004, the Company had a net exposure (representing the difference between Euro denominated receivables and Euro denominated payables) of approximately $230,000.  In order to partially offset such risk, at December 31, 2004, the Company entered into a 30-day forward Euro hedge contract.  The Company enters into similar hedging transactions at various times during the year to partially offset exchange rate risks it bears throughout the year.  The Company does not purchase or hold derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.  During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company experienced a net loss of approximately $8,000 on hedging transactions it executed during 2004 in an effort to limit its exposure to fluctuations in the Euro/Dollar exchange rate.

Another market risk relates to variable rate debt.  As of December 31, 2004, the Company had no variable rate debt.  As long as the Company does not have variable rate debt, the Company’s interest expense would not be affected by changes in interest rates.

26

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Merit Medical Systems Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Merit Medical Systems Inc., and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15.  These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 11, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

27

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003

(In Thousands)

28

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003

(In Thousands)

29

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

30

MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003, AND 2002

(In Thousands)