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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 +hL6ul9yEEKfPb/ygs3r9g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144204-08-028052.txt : 20080513
<SEC-HEADER>0001144204-08-028052.hdr.sgml : 20080513
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080513143422
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144204-08-028052
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080508
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080513
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080513

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VITAL SIGNS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000865846
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				112279807
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20 CAMPUS RD
		CITY:			TOTOWA
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07512
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2017901330

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20 CAMPUS RD
		CITY:			TOTOWA
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07512

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DONNELLY HOWARD W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001212978

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-18793
		FILM NUMBER:		08827026

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O VITAL SIGNS INC
		STREET 2:		20 CAMPUS ROAD
		CITY:			TOTOWA
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07512
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>v113796_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000865846</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VITAL SIGNS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VITL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001212978</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DONNELLY HOWARD W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VITAL SIGNS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>20 CAMPUS ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TOTOWA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07512</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>52.56</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-05-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These options vest in four equal annual installments starting on 5/8/2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Laura R. Kuntz, Esq., Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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