Nanosphere 10-K 18 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 11, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'NSPH	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NANOSPHERE INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001105184	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	76,880,106	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$131,700,000

Balance_Sheets

Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$41,467	$33,139
Accounts receivable	2,821	1,027
Inventories	8,452	7,326
Other current assets	248	284
Total current assets	52,988	41,776
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Net	3,673	2,872
INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Net of accumulated amortization	2,406	2,733
OTHER ASSETS	284	76
TOTAL ASSETS	59,351	47,457
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Accounts payable	1,958	2,446
Accrued compensation	910	899
Other current liabilities	1,534	1,880
Long-term debt - current portion	2,081	'
Total current liabilities	6,483	5,225
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:	'	'
Long-term debt	9,734	'
Total liabilities	16,217	5,225
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 76,222,606 shares and 56,090,437 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	762	561
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	424,962	388,868
Warrants to acquire common stock	246	992
Accumulated deficit	-382,836	-348,189
Total stockholders' equity	43,134	42,232
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$59,351	$47,457

Balance_Sheets_Parenthetical

Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	76,222,606	56,090,437
Common stock, shares outstanding	76,222,606	56,090,437
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'

Statements_of_Operations

Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
REVENUE:	'	'	'
Product sales	$10,002	$5,034	$2,433
Grant and contract revenue	'	44	100
Total revenue	10,002	5,078	2,533
COSTS AND EXPENSES:	'	'	'
Cost of sales	6,418	3,541	1,820
Research and development	18,572	19,700	21,054
Sales, general and administrative	18,733	14,742	15,113
Total costs and expenses	43,723	37,983	37,987
Loss from operations	-33,721	-32,905	-35,454
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):	'	'	'
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	-5	-8	-13
Interest expense	-943	-13	'
Interest income	22	54	48
Total other income (expense)	-926	33	35
NET LOSS	($34,647)	($32,872)	($35,419)
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted	($0.56)	($0.67)	($0.94)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	62,134	49,193	37,800

Statements_of_Stockholders_Equ

Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Warrants To Acquire Common Stock	Accumulated Deficit
In Thousands, except Share data
BEGINNING BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2010	$44,524	$284	$318,714	$5,424	($279,898)
BEGINNING BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	28,409,000	'	'	'
Share-based compensation (in shares)	'	29,000	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	4,411	'	4,411	'	'
Exercise of stock options on common stock (in shares)	0	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock from public offering, net of offering expenses (in shares)	'	15,686,000	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock from public offering, net of offering expenses	32,178	157	32,021	'	'
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in shares)	'	-54,000	'	'	'
Forfeiture of restricted stock	-85	'	-85	'	'
Expiration of warrants to acquire common stock	'	'	4,432	-4,432	'
Net loss	-35,419	'	'	'	-35,419
ENDING BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	45,609	441	359,493	992	-315,317
ENDING BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	44,070,000	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	2,531	'	2,531	'	'
Exercise of stock options on common stock (in shares)	0	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock from public offering, net of offering expenses (in shares)	'	12,075,000	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock from public offering, net of offering expenses	26,964	121	26,843	'	'
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in shares)	'	-55,000	'	'	'
Forfeiture of restricted stock	'	-1	1	'	'
Net loss	-32,872	'	'	'	-32,872
ENDING BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2012	42,232	561	388,868	992	-348,189
ENDING BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	56,090,000	'	'	'
Share-based compensation (in shares)	'	980,000	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	2,579	10	2,569	'	'
Exercise of stock options on common stock (in shares)	106,265	106,000	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options on common stock	187	1	186	'	'
Issuance of common stock from public offering, net of offering expenses (in shares)	'	19,173,000	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock from public offering, net of offering expenses	32,537	191	32,346	'	'
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in shares)	'	-127,000	'	'	'
Issuance of warrant to acquire common stock	246	'	'	246	'
Expiration of warrants to acquire common stock	'	'	992	-992	'
Forfeiture of restricted stock	'	-1	1	'	'
Net loss	-34,647	'	'	'	-34,647
ENDING BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2013	$43,134	$762	$424,962	$246	($382,836)
ENDING BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	76,222,000	'	'	'

Statements_of_Cash_Flows

Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Net loss	($34,647)	($32,872)	($35,419)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	2,032	2,503	2,667
Amortization of financing costs, accretion of debt discount and other	219	'	'
Loss from disposal of fixed assets	'	'	28
Share-based compensation	2,579	2,531	4,411
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-1,794	-166	-663
Inventories	-1,982	-4,786	-1,163
Other current assets	36	-36	425
Accounts payable	-738	652	-1,547
Accrued and other current liabilities	329	445	-215
Net cash used in operating activities	-33,966	-31,729	-31,476
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-1,401	-744	-622
Investments in intangible assets	'	-25	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,401	-769	-622
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	12,000	'	'
Debt issuance costs	-278	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of offering expenses	32,537	26,964	32,178
Payments for restricted stock	'	'	-85
Proceeds from stock option exercises	187	'	'
Payment of noncurrent liability	-751	-600	-350
Net cash provided by financing activities	43,695	26,364	31,743
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	8,328	-6,134	-355
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Beginning of year	33,139	39,273	39,628
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - End of year	41,467	33,139	39,273
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'	'
Reclassification of inventory to (from) property and equipment	856	-215	1,266
Issuance of warrants	246	'	'
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest	$505	'	'

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Description of Business	'
	1. Description of Business
	Nanosphere, Inc. (the “Company”) develops, manufactures and markets an advanced molecular diagnostics platform, the Verigene System, that enables simple, low cost, and highly sensitive genomic and protein testing on a single platform.
	Basis of Presentation — The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

Liquidity_and_Capital_Resource

Liquidity and Capital Resources	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Liquidity and Capital Resources	'
	2. Liquidity and Capital Resources
	The Company has incurred net losses attributable to common stock of $382.8 million since inception, and has funded those losses primarily through the sale and issuance of equity securities and secondarily through the issuance of debt. While the Company is currently in the commercialization stage of operations, the Company has not yet achieved profitability and anticipates that it will continue to incur net losses in the foreseeable future.
	Management believes that its cash resources should be sufficient to support currently forecasted operations through at least the next twelve months. However, the Company operates in a market that makes its prospects difficult to evaluate, and the Company will need additional debt or equity financing in the future to execute on its current or future business strategies beyond the next twelve months. Management also believes that, if necessary, it can implement plans in the short term to conserve existing cash should additional financing activities be delayed. Capital outlays and operating expenditures may occur over the next twelve months as the Company expands its infrastructure, commercialization, manufacturing capacity and research and development activities.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, at date of purchase, to be cash equivalents. The majority of these funds are held in interest-bearing money market and bank checking accounts. Interest income for all investment accounts is recorded on the accrual basis as earned.
	Receivables — Accounts receivable consists of amounts due to the Company for sales of the Verigene system as well as amounts due under various commercial contracts and government grants. An allowance for doubtful accounts is not recorded because the Company has no history of uncollectible receivables and there are no specifically identified uncollectible accounts.
	Inventories — Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market, using the first-in, first-out method. Certain finished goods inventory is ultimately leased rather than sold, and upon the lease date is transferred to Property and equipment and subsequently depreciated to Cost of sales over the period indicated below.
	Property and Equipment — Property and equipment are recorded at cost and generally depreciated using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives, which are:
	Equipment with customers	3-5 years
	Computers and office equipment	3 years
	Engineering and laboratory equipment, including tooling	3-5 years
	Furniture and fixtures	7 years
	Manufacturing equipment	5-7 years
	The economic life of the Company’s equipment with customers is based on the original term of the lease, which is typically three years. The Company believes that this is representative of the period during which the instrument is expected to be economically usable.
	Assets classified as leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term using the straight-line method. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.
	Intangible Assets — Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and consist of purchased intellectual property. Purchased intellectual property represents licenses and is associated with patents owned by third-parties for technologies which are embedded in the Company’s diagnostic instruments and diagnostic test products that the Company licensed in anticipation of sales of such products. Amortization of upfront license fees begins upon the initial use of the licensed technology and is calculated using the straight-line method over the remaining expected lives of the licensed technology, which range from 1.4 years to 13.25 years. Such amortization of upfront license fees is classified in Cost of sales on the statement of operations. Purchased intellectual property also includes purchased patents and patent rights. These patents and patent rights are amortized using a straight-line method over the remaining 6 years of the patent, and the amortization expense is classified in research and development expense on the statement of operations.
	Deferred Financing Costs — Costs incurred to issue debt are deferred and amortized as a component of interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt agreement. Amortization expense of deferred financing costs began with the incurrence of the debt in May 2013 and was $0.2 million during 2013.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets, including intangible assets, by periodically evaluating the carrying value of such assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If impairment is indicated, the Company will value the asset at its estimated fair value.
	Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the notes thereto. The Company’s significant estimates included in the preparation of the financial statements are related to inventories, property and equipment, intangible assets, and share-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Statement of Operations — The Company has no comprehensive income or loss items other than the Net Loss for the years presented.
	Revenue Recognition — The Company recognizes revenue from product sales and contract arrangements. The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Verigene System instrument units are sold outright to customers or leased to customers pursuant to operating leases. The Company recognizes revenue from sales of the Verigene System, including cartridges and related products, when the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customer. The Company evaluates the financial position and payment history for each international distribution partner and recognizes revenue from these distributors only when timely collectability can be reasonably assured. Revenue for Verigene System instrument units sold under operating lease arrangements is recognized on an installment basis over the life of the lease while the cost of the leased equipment is carried on the Company’s balance sheet in Property and equipment and depreciated over its estimated useful life to Cost of sales.
	Shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and included in Cost of sales. In those cases where the Company bills shipping and handling costs to customers, the amounts billed are classified as product sales.
	Grant and government sponsored research revenue and contract revenue related to research and development services are recognized as the related services are performed based on the performance requirements of the relevant contract. Under such agreements, the Company is required to perform specific research and development activities and is compensated either based on the costs or costs plus a mark-up associated with each specific contract over the term of the agreement or when certain milestones are achieved.
	The Company’s sales contracts are considered multiple deliverable arrangements because the contract terms provide a fixed price for the sale of the Verigene System and a fixed price for the sale of cartridges over the term of the contract. Under these arrangements, the Company recognized revenue upon delivery of the products and allocates the revenue based on the relative selling price of each deliverable, which is based primarily on vendor specific objective evidence.
	Cost and Expenses —The Company has changed its presentation of clinical trial costs to present those costs as Research and development expenses rather than Sales, general and administrative expenses. The prior year costs have been reclassified to conform to the new presentation. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 $2.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of pre-regulatory approval clinical trial costs have been reclassified accordingly.
	Research and Development Costs — Research and development costs, including costs related to the clinical studies programs, consist of employee wages and benefits, development materials and equipment and facility costs and are expensed as incurred.
	Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes, including uncertain tax positions, under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes”. This Topic requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. An allowance is provided to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount management believes will, more likely than not, be recovered.
	Share-Based Compensation — The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock and common stock options issued to employees, consultants and directors. ASC Topic 718 “Stock Compensation” provides for recognition of compensation expense based on the fair value of the stock-based compensation utilizing various assumptions regarding the underlying attributes of the options and stock. The estimated fair value of options granted, net of forfeitures expected to occur during the vesting period, is amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period of the options.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable accounts payable, and debt approximate their fair values.
	Net Loss Per Common Share — Basic and diluted net loss per common share have been calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. As the Company had a net loss in each of the periods presented, basic and diluted net loss per common share are the same.
	The computation of basic net loss per common share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 excluded 807,000 shares, 299,000 shares and 354,000 shares of restricted stock, respectively (see Note 6). While these restricted shares of stock are included in outstanding shares on the balance sheet at December 31, 2013 and 2012, these restricted shares are excluded from basic net loss per common share in accordance with ASC Topic 260 due to the forfeiture provisions associated with these shares.
	The computations of diluted net loss per common share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 did not include the outstanding shares of restricted stock as well as the effects of the following options to acquire common stock and common stock warrants as the inclusion of these securities would have been antidilutive:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Restricted stock		807,000		299,000		354,000
	Stock options		5,963,478		5,999,875		4,663,760
	Common stock warrants		136,019		164,925		164,925
			6,906,497		6,463,800		5,182,685

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets	'
	4. Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets, consisting of purchased intellectual property, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 comprise the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Cost		Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
				Amortization							Amortization
	Intellectual property — licenses	$	3,263	$	(1,152	)	$	2,111	$	4,061	$	(1,660	)	$	2,401
	Patents		455		(160	)		295		455		(123	)		332
		$	3,718	$	(1,312	)	$	2,406	$	4,516	$	(1,783	)	$	2,733
	On July 9, 2010, the Company executed a worldwide non-exclusive license agreement (“the License Agreement”) for a fee of $1.9 million to utilize certain patented technology believed by the Company to be useful in the manufacture of certain of its current and future products. Under the terms of the License Agreement, the Company will pay a license and technology transfer fee, payable in four installments. The license fee is reflected in “Intangible Assets — Net of accumulated amortization” in the balance sheet and amounts as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $1.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The first installment of $0.2 million, including a $15,000 technology transfer fee, was paid upon the execution of the License Agreement. The second installment of $0.4 million was paid on July 9, 2011; the third installment of $0.6 million was paid on July 9, 2012; the final installment of $0.8 million was paid July 9, 2013. These fees represent full payment for use of the licensed patents during the term of the License Agreement, which ends on the expiration date of the last patent issued and licensed under the License Agreement.
	Amortization expense for intangible assets was $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense is as follows (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31
	2014	$	326
	2015		322
	2016		309
	2017		293
	2018		211
	Thereafter	$	945
	Licenses are amortized from the date of initial use of the licensed technology and such amortization continues over the remaining life of the license. The future amortization expense reflected above is based on licenses for which the licensed technology is being used as of December 31, 2013. The amortization period related to $1.8 million of licenses began in the fourth quarter 2011 when the Company began using the licensed technology. There were no license costs written off in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'
	5. Related Party Transactions
	Dr. Chad Mirkin, a co-founder of the Company, provided contracted research and development services to the Company through May 31, 2013 and was reimbursed for these services based upon negotiated contract rates. On March 27, 2013, the Company advised Dr. Mirkin that his consulting agreement would not be renewed and would expire pursuant to its terms on May 31, 2013. On April 22, 2013, Dr. Mirkin advised the Company that he would not stand for re-election to the Company’s board of directors at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, and he retired from the board of directors at the expiration of his term at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders. The Company incurred expenses of $0.1 million for these services in each of the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	In October 2013, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Dr. Gene Cartwright, a director of the Company, to assist in evaluating and reformulating the Company’s strategic and operating plans. Aggregate consideration for these services were $37,500 and the services were completed in December 2013.
	Lurie Investment Fund, LLC, a 5% stockholder of the Company, purchased 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $2.40 per share in the Company’s July 2012 underwritten public offering on the same terms and conditions as all non-affiliate investors in the offering. Mark Slezak, who was a director of the Company, was the managing member of Lurie Investment Fund, LLC in July 2012.
	Alpha-Tech, LLC, a 5% stockholder of the Company, and Anda-Proquest, LLC, an affiliate of Alpha-Tech, LLC, purchased 1,350,000 shares each of the Company’s common stock at $2.20 per share in the Company’s May 2011 underwritten public offering on the same terms and conditions as all non-affiliate investors in the offering. Mark Slezak, who was a director of the Company, was the managing member of Alpha-Tech, LLC and Anda-Proquest, LLC in May 2011.

Equity_Incentive_Plans

Equity Incentive Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Incentive Plans	'
	6. Equity Incentive Plans
	The Company’s 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2000 Plan”), permitted the grant of options to employees, founders, and consultants for up to 1,600,000 shares of common stock. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant; those option awards have various vesting structures and have 10 year contractual terms. In connection with the approval of the 2007 Plan as defined below, the Company terminated the 2000 Plan and therefore, the Company may not make any further awards of options, share appreciations rights or restricted shares under the 2000 Plan.
	In March 2007, the Company’s board of directors adopted and its shareholders approved the Nanosphere 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). The 2007 Plan authorizes the grant of stock options, share appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, unrestricted shares, incentive stock options, deferred share units and performance awards. The total awards originally authorized under the 2007 Plan was 4,106,009 shares, plus up to an additional 773,591 shares of common stock that will become available in the event that awards made under the 2000 Plan expire, are forfeited or cancelled, plus an annual increase in the number of shares pursuant to the evergreen provision equal to the least of: 900,000 shares of common stock; 4.0% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock as of fiscal year end; and an amount determined by the board of directors. Pursuant to the evergreen provision, an additional 900,000 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under the 2007 Plan as of January 1, 2011 and 2012.
	Certain options vest ratably over two or four years of service, while other options vest after seven years of service but provide for accelerated vesting contingent upon the achievement of various company-wide performance goals, such as decreasing time to market for new products and entering into corporate collaborations (as defined in the option grant agreements). For these “accelerated vesting” options, 20-25% of the granted option shares will vest upon the achievement of each of four or five milestones as defined in the option grant agreements, with any remaining unvested options vesting on the seven year anniversary of the option grant dates. Approximately 17% of the options granted and outstanding contain “accelerated vesting” provisions. The service period over which compensation expense is recognized for options which include the accelerated vesting provision is the shorter of the seven year cliff term or the projected timeframe for achieving the company-wide performance goals.
	The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $1.98, $1.41 and $4.04, respectively. The fair values of the Company’s option awards were estimated at the dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
		2013			2012			2011
	Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%		0	%
	Expected volatility		86	%		92	%		90	%
	Risk free interest rate		0.99	%		1.06	%		1.32	%
	Weighted-average expected option life		6.0 years			6.1 years			5.3 years
	Estimated weighted-average fair value on the date of grant based on the above assumptions	$	1.98		$	1.39		$	1.28
	Estimated forfeiture rate for unvested options		13	%		4.9	%		0.4	%
	The expected volatility for option awards granted during 2011, 2012 and 2013 was based on the Company’s actual historical volatility. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grants for periods consistent with the expected life of the option. The expected life of options that vest ratably over two or four years of service is derived from the average of the vesting period and the term of the option as defined in the Plans, following the guidance in Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin Nos. 107 and 110. The Company estimates the expected life of options with accelerated vesting terms giving consideration to the dates that the Company expects to achieve key milestones under the option agreements and the term of the option. Total compensation cost associated with the option awards was $2.0 million, $2.1 million and $3.0 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2013, the total compensation cost not yet recognized related to the nonvested awards is approximately $4.0 million, which amount is expected to be recognized over the next 1.8 years, which is a weighted average term. Certain milestone events are deemed probable of achievement prior to their seven year vesting term, and the acceleration of vesting resulting from the achievement of such milestone events has been factored into the weighted average vesting term. While the Company does not have a formally established policy, as a practice the Company has delivered newly issued shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options.
	A summary of option activity under the Plan as of December 31, 2013, and for the year then ended is presented below:
	Options	Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining			Value of Options
					Price			Contractual
								Term
	Outstanding — January 1, 2013		5,999,875		$	3.99
	Granted		1,302,128		$	2.77
	Exercised		(106,265	)	$	1.76
	Expired		(402,447	)	$	6.06
	Forfeited		(829,813	)	$	3.72
	Outstanding — December 31, 2013		5,963,478		$	3.66			6.44		$	2,912,216
	Exercisable — December 31, 2013		3,422,387		$	4.37			5.04		$	1,252,372
	Vested and Expected to Vest — December 31, 2013		5,846,588		$	3.68			6.4		$	2,835,864
	There were 106,265 options exercised in 2013 and no options exercised in 2012 and 2011. The intrinsic value of options exercised in 2013 was $0.2 million.
	Included in the number of options outstanding at December 31, 2013, are 990,586 options with a weighted average exercise price of $5.25 per share that have accelerated vesting provisions based on the criteria mentioned above. As of December 31, 2013, 65% of all outstanding options with accelerated vesting provisions were vested. The total fair value of option shares vested during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $1.2 million, $2.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively.
	During 2011, the Company granted 29,000 shares of restricted stock under the 2007 Plan, of which 50% vest on the two-year anniversary of the grant date and are subject to forfeiture until vested, and 50% vest on the four-year anniversary of the grant date and are subject to forfeiture until vested. The weighted average grant-date fair value was $4.02 per share. During 2013, the Company granted 980,000 shares of restricted stock under the 2007 Plan, which have various vesting schedules ranging from six months to four years and are subject to forfeiture until vested. The weighted average grant-date fair value was $2.59 per share. During 2013, 344,827 shares of restricted stock vested and 127,173 shares of restricted stock were forfeited. The total fair value of restricted stock shares that vested was $1.7 million, zero and $2.0 million during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company recognized $0.6 million, $0.5 million and $1.4 million in compensation expense associated with the restricted stock during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the total compensation cost not yet recognized related to the nonvested restricted stock awards is approximately $1.7 million, which amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted average term of approximately 1.5 years.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'
	7. Income Taxes
	Deferred tax assets consist primarily of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards related to U.S. federal and state taxes and research and development tax credits. Realization of future tax benefits related to deferred tax assets is dependent on many factors, including the Company’s ability to generate future taxable income. Due to the Company’s history of operating losses, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against these assets.
	NOL carryforwards of approximately $280 million for income tax purposes are available to offset future taxable income. If not used, these carryforwards will expire in varying amounts from 2020 through 2033. The Company also has federal research and development tax credit carryforwards of $14.5 million which will expire from 2020 through 2032. Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code subjects the utilization of net operating loss and credit carryforwards to an annual limitation that is applicable if the Company experiences an ownership change. The Company believes its public offerings and/or prior equity investments may have triggered an ownership change as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. However, the Company has yet to perform the computations under Section 382 which would determine the amount of annual limitation on its utilization of its net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The annual limitation may result in the expiration of the Company’s net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards before they can be used.
	The following is a summary of the components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating losses	$	112,880		$	100,836
	Research and development credits		14,522			10,276
	Share-based compensation		2,805			2,571
	Amortization of intangible assets		184			1,145
	Other		722			405
			131,113			115,233
	Valuation allowance		(130,652	)		(115,056	)
	Net deferred tax assets after valuation allowance		461			177
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation on property and equipment		(461	)		(177	)
	Deferred tax assets — net	$	—		$	—
	The reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate of zero percent for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Tax provision at the statutory federal rate		34	%		34	%		34	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		6.3	%		6.3	%		6.3	%
	Other		4	%		(1.4	)%		(8.1	)%
	Valuation allowance		(44.3	)%		(38.9	)%		(32.2	)%
			0	%		0	%		0	%
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no liability recorded for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company classifies penalties and interest expense related to income tax liabilities as an income tax expense. There were no interest and penalties recognized in the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 or accrued on the balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	The Company files tax returns in the U.S. and various states. All tax years since 1999 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The Company has not made any cash payments for income taxes since its inception.

License_Agreements

License Agreements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
License Agreements	'
	8. License Agreements
	In 2006, the Company entered into a license agreement with Northwestern University (“Northwestern”), which provides the Company with an exclusive license to certain existing patents and patent applications owned by Northwestern and future inventions developed by Northwestern that are related to (1) nanotechnology, which technology involves a particle where no single dimension is greater than 100 nanometers, or Nanotechnology, and (2) biobarcode technology, which is analysis where oligonucleotides act as surrogate targets or reporter molecules. The license is limited to discoveries in the “Biodiagnostics Field” defined as qualitative or quantitative in vitro analysis, testing, measurement, or detection of various biodiagnostics field subjects and target combinations through January 1, 2013. Thereafter, the license provides that the Company continues to have the first right to an exclusive license for all discoveries the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern develops in the field of biodiagnostics, however, the economic terms are to be negotiated in good faith by both parties.
	The Company has entered into several nonexclusive license agreements with various companies covering certain technologies which are embedded in the Company’s diagnostic instruments and diagnostic test products. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has paid aggregate initial license fees of $3.3 million for these licenses, and has agreed to pay a percentage of net sales as royalties, in percentage amounts ranging from less than 1% to 12.0%. Royalties on net sales are classified in Cost of sales. Certain of the license agreements have minimum annual royalty payments, and such minimum payments are $0.2 million in each of the fiscal years 2014, 2015 and are less than $0.1 million annually thereafter through the dates the respective licenses terminate. These licenses expire at various times, corresponding to the subject patents expirations, which currently range from 2014 to 2027.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-Term Debt	'
	9. Long-Term Debt
	On May 6, 2013, the Company entered into a $22 million Loan and Security Agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and Oxford Finance LLC (together, the “Lenders”) for a loan (the “Loan Agreement”). The Company drew down $12 million of the facility on May 6, 2013 evidenced by secured promissory notes (the “Notes”) executed by the Company. The remaining $10 million of the facility could be drawn between December 1, 2013 and April 30, 2014 if Nanosphere achieved certain revenue levels and other conditions. See Note 14, Subsequent Events, for further information regarding the remaining $10 million on the facility.
	The loan is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company.
	Under the Loan Agreement, the Company will repay interest only on a monthly basis for the first 12 months and thereafter the Company will repay the principal and interest on a monthly basis for 36 months through the maturity date. Interest on the loan is fixed at 9.25% per annum.
	The term of the loan is four years. The facility fee paid for the loan was $120,000 with another $100,000 due upon the maturity, acceleration or prepayment of the loan. The Loan Agreement also requires an additional loan fee of $240,000 (2% of the amount borrowed) payable at the maturity, acceleration or prepayment of the first loan.
	The Loan Agreement contains customary events of default, including among others, nonpayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts; material inaccuracy of representations; violation of covenants; and certain bankruptcy events. If an event of default occurs under the Loan Agreement, the entire outstanding balance under the Loan Agreement may become immediately due and payable.
	Annual future debt payments as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31	Debt
		payments
	2014	$	2,081
	2015		3,838
	2016		4,209
	2017		1,872
	2018		—
	Total debt	$	12,000

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity	'
	10. Stockholders’ Equity
	Common Stock
	During 2007, the Company closed on the sale of 8,050,000 shares related to the initial public offering at $14.00 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Net proceeds from the initial public offering were approximately $102 million, net of transaction expenses. Approximately $0.8 million of the transaction expenses were paid in 2008.
	The Company completed an underwritten public offering of 5,405,000 shares of common stock on October 21, 2009 at a public offering price of $7.00 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Net proceeds from the public offering were approximately $35.4 million.
	The Company completed an underwritten public offering of 15,686,000 shares of common stock on May 13, 2011 at a public offering price of $2.20 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Net proceeds from the public offering were approximately $32.2 million.
	The Company completed an underwritten public offering of 12,075,000 shares of common stock on July 19, 2012 at a public offering price of $2.40 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Net proceeds from the public offering were approximately $27.0 million.
	During 2013, the Company completed two underwritten public offerings. In May 2013, the Company sold 1,923,077 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $2.60 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions, for net proceeds of approximately $4.7 million. In September 2013, the Company sold 17,250,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $1.75 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions, for net proceeds of approximately $27.8 million.
	Registration Rights
	Pursuant to an agreement between the Company and certain of its stockholders, the Company had granted the following demand registration rights to AOQ Trust, Alfa-Tech, LLC, Lurie Investment Fund, LLC, Lurie Investments, Inc. and their respective affiliates. and Bain Capital Venture Fund 2005, L.P., Brookside Capital Partners Fund, L.P., and their respective affiliates and other stockholders, Mr. William P. Moffitt, III, the Company’s former chief executive officer and a former member of the board of directors, and Mr. Mark Slezak and Dr. Chad Mirkin, former members of the board of directors, are parties to this agreement, but do not have the right to demand registration. At any time after the earlier to occur of (1) 120 days after the closing of an initial public offering, which occurred on November 6, 2007, or (2) April 1, 2010:
		•	Long-Form Registrations. Stockholders holding at least 20% of the then outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock that are subject to the registration rights agreement, which are referred to as registrable securities, have the right to demand that the Company file a registration statement under the Securities Act on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration covering their registrable securities. However, the Company is not obligated to file a long-form registration statement on more than three occasions upon the request of the stockholders.
		•	Short-Form Registrations. Stockholders holding at least 10% of the then outstanding registrable securities have the right to demand that the Company file a registration statement on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration covering their registrable securities, provided that such short-form registration is then available to the Company under applicable law. Such stockholders are entitled to request an unlimited number of short-form registrations.
	If the Company’s board of directors believes in its reasonable good faith that any demand registration would require premature disclosure of a proposal or plan that the Company intends to undertake, and such disclosure would have a material adverse effect on the Company, then it may delay the registration once in any twelve month period for up to 90 days. Moreover, if the demand registration is an underwritten offering, the Company may reduce the number of shares of registrable securities to be registered upon the advice of the underwriters that such offering exceeds the number of securities that can be sold in an orderly manner within an acceptable price range. If shares of the Company’s common stock requested to be included in a registration must be excluded pursuant to the underwriters’ advice, the Company will generally register a pro rata portion of the shares requested to be registered.
	Under the piggyback registration provisions, if the Company proposes to register any securities under the Securities Act, other than pursuant to a demand registration, and the registration form to be used may be used for the registration of registrable securities, stockholders holding such registrable securities have the right to include their shares in the registration statement. However, if the registration is an underwritten offering, the Company may reduce the number of shares to be registered under the piggyback registration provisions upon the advice of the underwriters that such offering exceeds the number of securities that can be sold in an orderly manner within an acceptable price range. If shares of the Company’s common stock requested to be included in a registration must be excluded pursuant to the underwriters’ advice, the Company will generally register a pro rata portion of the shares requested to be registered under the piggyback registration provisions. The piggyback registration rights granted under the registration rights agreement have no expiration date.
	Expenses of Registration. The Company will generally pay all registration expenses in connection with the demand and piggyback registrations described above, including all registration and filing fees, expenses and fees of compliance with securities laws, and fees and disbursements of all counsel, independent certified public accountants, underwriters (excluding discounts and commissions) and other persons retained by the Company. The Company will also pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the selling stockholders in each demand or piggyback registration.
	Transferability. The demand and piggyback registration rights described above are generally transferable to any subsequent holder of registrable securities.
	Warrants
	Prior to the completion of the Company’s initial public offering, the Company issued warrants to purchase shares of convertible preferred stock in connection with certain of the convertible preferred stock financings. Certain of these warrants were converted to common stock warrants upon the closing of the initial public offering. As of January 1, 2011, there were outstanding warrants to acquire shares of common stock of 1,300,119. In April 2011, 1,135,194 warrants expired and in April 2013, the remaining 164,925 warrants expired.
	In May 2013, the Company issued warrants to acquire 136,019 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.6467 per share and an expiration date of May 6, 2020. These warrants were issued to Silicon Valley Bank and Oxford Finance LLC in connection with the May 6, 2013 loan agreement described in Note 9. Debt. The Company accounts for the warrants as equity instruments. The Company estimated the initial fair value of the warrants issued to be $0.2 million using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions: closing price per share of common stock of $2.65, volatility of 74.15%, expected term of 7 years, risk-free interest rate of 0.97% and dividend yield of zero.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	11. Commitments and Contingencies
	In August 2009, the Company executed a lease renewal which commenced in June 2011 and ends in May 2014. In November 2013, the Company exercised its renewal option and the lease term has been extended to May 2017. On February 13, 2014, we exercised a right of first refusal under our recently revised facilities lease to acquire an additional 8,535 square feet of space in our building as soon as such space becomes available. The current tenant occupying this additional space is expected to vacate the space on or about August 31, 2014.
	Rent and operating expenses associated with the office and laboratory space were $0.5 million, $0.6 million and $0.7 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Annual future minimum obligations for the operating lease as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31	Operating
		Lease
	2014	$	486
	2015		497
	2016		509
	2017		214
	2018		—
	Total minimum lease payments	$	1,706

Supplemental_Financial_Informa

Supplemental Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Financial Information	'
	12. Supplemental Financial Information
	Inventories:	2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	2,263		$	1,910
	Work-in-process		0			300
	Finished goods		6,189			5,116
	Total	$	8,452		$	7,326
	During 2010, the Company established a valuation reserve of $0.7 million for most of the original Verigene System processor inventory. The valuation reserve was $0.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Property and Equipment — Net:	2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Equipment with customers	$	2,628		$	2,228
	Computer equipment and software		932			944
	Laboratory equipment		7,313			6,747
	Furniture and fixtures		329			269
	Leasehold improvements		2,878			2,878
	Manufacturing equipment		6,211			5,031
	Office equipment		67			67
	Tooling		1,462			1,462
	Total property and equipment — at cost		21,820			19,626
	Less accumulated depreciation		(18,147	)		(16,754	)
	Property and Equipment — Net	$	3,673		$	2,872
	Other Current Liabilities:	2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Accrued clinical trial expenses	$	320		$	205
	Accrued license fees		84			855
	All other		1,130			820
	Total	$	1,534		$	1,880

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Data	'
	13. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
		2013 Quarters
		(in thousands, except per share data)
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Total revenue	$	2,369		$	1,852		$	2,367		$	3,414
	Research and development	$	4,987		$	4,006		$	4,992		$	4,587
	Sales, general and administrative	$	4,384		$	4,215		$	4,959		$	5,175
	Gross profit	$	832		$	583		$	891		$	1,278
	Loss from operations	$	(8,539	)	$	(7,638	)	$	(9,060	)	$	(8,484	)
	Net loss	$	(8,534	)	$	(7,847	)	$	(9,427	)	$	(8,839	)
	Per share data:
	Net loss per common share — basic and diluted	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.16	)	$	(0.11	)
		2012 Quarters
		(in thousands, except per share data)
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Total revenue	$	1,299		$	1,345		$	865		$	1,569
	Research and development	$	4,865		$	5,467		$	5,118		$	4,250
	Sales, general and administrative	$	3,595		$	3,445		$	3,869		$	3,833
	Gross profit	$	386		$	461		$	226		$	464
	Loss from operations	$	(8,074	)	$	(8,451	)	$	(8,761	)	$	(7,619	)
	Net loss	$	(8,061	)	$	(8,439	)	$	(8,749	)	$	(7,623	)
	Per share data:
	Net loss per common share — basic and diluted	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.16	)	$	(0.14	)

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events	'
	14. Subsequent Events
	On February 18, 2014, we entered into an amendment of our loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank and Oxford Bank (the “Amendment”). The Amendment extends the period of time during which we may access the second, $10 million tranche of this loan from March 31, 2014 to September 30, 2014. If we access the second, $10 million tranche of this loan, we must maintain a liquidity reserve equal to six times our average monthly cash burn rate over a rolling three month period, but only to the extent that we have aggregate net losses during any such rolling three month period.

Description_of_Business_Polici

Description of Business (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation — The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, at date of purchase, to be cash equivalents. The majority of these funds are held in interest-bearing money market and bank checking accounts. Interest income for all investment accounts is recorded on the accrual basis as earned.
Receivables	'
	Receivables — Accounts receivable consists of amounts due to the Company for sales of the Verigene system as well as amounts due under various commercial contracts and government grants. An allowance for doubtful accounts is not recorded because the Company has no history of uncollectible receivables and there are no specifically identified uncollectible accounts.
Inventories	'
	Inventories — Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market, using the first-in, first-out method. Certain finished goods inventory is ultimately leased rather than sold, and upon the lease date is transferred to Property and equipment and subsequently depreciated to Cost of sales over the period indicated below.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment — Property and equipment are recorded at cost and generally depreciated using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives, which are:
	Equipment with customers	3-5 years
	Computers and office equipment	3 years
	Engineering and laboratory equipment, including tooling	3-5 years
	Furniture and fixtures	7 years
	Manufacturing equipment	5-7 years
	The economic life of the Company’s equipment with customers is based on the original term of the lease, which is typically three years. The Company believes that this is representative of the period during which the instrument is expected to be economically usable.
	Assets classified as leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the lease term using the straight-line method. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible Assets — Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and consist of purchased intellectual property. Purchased intellectual property represents licenses and is associated with patents owned by third-parties for technologies which are embedded in the Company’s diagnostic instruments and diagnostic test products that the Company licensed in anticipation of sales of such products. Amortization of upfront license fees begins upon the initial use of the licensed technology and is calculated using the straight-line method over the remaining expected lives of the licensed technology, which range from 1.4 years to 13.25 years. Such amortization of upfront license fees is classified in Cost of sales on the statement of operations. Purchased intellectual property also includes purchased patents and patent rights. These patents and patent rights are amortized using a straight-line method over the remaining 6 years of the patent, and the amortization expense is classified in research and development expense on the statement of operations.
Deferred Financing Costs	'
	Deferred Financing Costs — Costs incurred to issue debt are deferred and amortized as a component of interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt agreement. Amortization expense of deferred financing costs began with the incurrence of the debt in May 2013 and was $0.2 million during 2013.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets, including intangible assets, by periodically evaluating the carrying value of such assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If impairment is indicated, the Company will value the asset at its estimated fair value.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the notes thereto. The Company’s significant estimates included in the preparation of the financial statements are related to inventories, property and equipment, intangible assets, and share-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Statement of Operations	'
	Statement of Operations — The Company has no comprehensive income or loss items other than the Net Loss for the years presented.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition — The Company recognizes revenue from product sales and contract arrangements. The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Verigene System instrument units are sold outright to customers or leased to customers pursuant to operating leases. The Company recognizes revenue from sales of the Verigene System, including cartridges and related products, when the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customer. The Company evaluates the financial position and payment history for each international distribution partner and recognizes revenue from these distributors only when timely collectability can be reasonably assured. Revenue for Verigene System instrument units sold under operating lease arrangements is recognized on an installment basis over the life of the lease while the cost of the leased equipment is carried on the Company’s balance sheet in Property and equipment and depreciated over its estimated useful life to Cost of sales.
	Shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and included in Cost of sales. In those cases where the Company bills shipping and handling costs to customers, the amounts billed are classified as product sales.
	Grant and government sponsored research revenue and contract revenue related to research and development services are recognized as the related services are performed based on the performance requirements of the relevant contract. Under such agreements, the Company is required to perform specific research and development activities and is compensated either based on the costs or costs plus a mark-up associated with each specific contract over the term of the agreement or when certain milestones are achieved.
	The Company’s sales contracts are considered multiple deliverable arrangements because the contract terms provide a fixed price for the sale of the Verigene System and a fixed price for the sale of cartridges over the term of the contract. Under these arrangements, the Company recognized revenue upon delivery of the products and allocates the revenue based on the relative selling price of each deliverable, which is based primarily on vendor specific objective evidence.
Cost and Expenses	'
	Cost and Expenses —The Company has changed its presentation of clinical trial costs to present those costs as Research and development expenses rather than Sales, general and administrative expenses. The prior year costs have been reclassified to conform to the new presentation. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 $2.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of pre-regulatory approval clinical trial costs have been reclassified accordingly.
Research and Development Costs	'
	Research and Development Costs — Research and development costs, including costs related to the clinical studies programs, consist of employee wages and benefits, development materials and equipment and facility costs and are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes, including uncertain tax positions, under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes”. This Topic requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. An allowance is provided to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amount management believes will, more likely than not, be recovered.
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation — The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock and common stock options issued to employees, consultants and directors. ASC Topic 718 “Stock Compensation” provides for recognition of compensation expense based on the fair value of the stock-based compensation utilizing various assumptions regarding the underlying attributes of the options and stock. The estimated fair value of options granted, net of forfeitures expected to occur during the vesting period, is amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period of the options.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable accounts payable, and debt approximate their fair values.
Net Loss Per Common Share	'
	Net Loss Per Common Share — Basic and diluted net loss per common share have been calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. As the Company had a net loss in each of the periods presented, basic and diluted net loss per common share are the same.
	The computation of basic net loss per common share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 excluded 807,000 shares, 299,000 shares and 354,000 shares of restricted stock, respectively (see Note 6). While these restricted shares of stock are included in outstanding shares on the balance sheet at December 31, 2013 and 2012, these restricted shares are excluded from basic net loss per common share in accordance with ASC Topic 260 due to the forfeiture provisions associated with these shares.
	The computations of diluted net loss per common share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 did not include the outstanding shares of restricted stock as well as the effects of the following options to acquire common stock and common stock warrants as the inclusion of these securities would have been antidilutive:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Restricted stock		807,000		299,000		354,000
	Stock options		5,963,478		5,999,875		4,663,760
	Common stock warrants		136,019		164,925		164,925
			6,906,497		6,463,800		5,182,685

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost and generally depreciated using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives, which are:
	Equipment with customers	3-5 years
	Computers and office equipment	3 years
	Engineering and laboratory equipment, including tooling	3-5 years
	Furniture and fixtures	7 years
	Manufacturing equipment	5-7 years
Antidilutive Common Stock and Common Stock Warrants	'
	The computations of diluted net loss per common share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 did not include the outstanding shares of restricted stock as well as the effects of the following options to acquire common stock and common stock warrants as the inclusion of these securities would have been antidilutive:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Restricted stock		807,000		299,000		354,000
	Stock options		5,963,478		5,999,875		4,663,760
	Common stock warrants		136,019		164,925		164,925
			6,906,497		6,463,800		5,182,685

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Intangible Assets, Consisting of Purchased Intellectual Property	'
	Intangible assets, consisting of purchased intellectual property, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 comprise the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Cost		Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
				Amortization							Amortization
	Intellectual property — licenses	$	3,263	$	(1,152	)	$	2,111	$	4,061	$	(1,660	)	$	2,401
	Patents		455		(160	)		295		455		(123	)		332
		$	3,718	$	(1,312	)	$	2,406	$	4,516	$	(1,783	)	$	2,733
Schedule of Estimated Future Amortization Expense	'
	Estimated future amortization expense is as follows (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31
	2014	$	326
	2015		322
	2016		309
	2017		293
	2018		211
	Thereafter	$	945

Equity_Incentive_Plans_Tables

Equity Incentive Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Assumptions Used Fair Value of Option Awards Granted Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model	'
	The fair values of the Company’s option awards were estimated at the dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
		2013			2012			2011
	Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%		0	%
	Expected volatility		86	%		92	%		90	%
	Risk free interest rate		0.99	%		1.06	%		1.32	%
	Weighted-average expected option life		6.0 years			6.1 years			5.3 years
	Estimated weighted-average fair value on the date of grant based on the above assumptions	$	1.98		$	1.39		$	1.28
	Estimated forfeiture rate for unvested options		13	%		4.9	%		0.4	%
Summary of Option Activity	'
	A summary of option activity under the Plan as of December 31, 2013, and for the year then ended is presented below:
	Options	Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
		Shares			Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining			Value of Options
					Price			Contractual
								Term
	Outstanding — January 1, 2013		5,999,875		$	3.99
	Granted		1,302,128		$	2.77
	Exercised		(106,265	)	$	1.76
	Expired		(402,447	)	$	6.06
	Forfeited		(829,813	)	$	3.72
	Outstanding — December 31, 2013		5,963,478		$	3.66			6.44		$	2,912,216
	Exercisable — December 31, 2013		3,422,387		$	4.37			5.04		$	1,252,372
	Vested and Expected to Vest — December 31, 2013		5,846,588		$	3.68			6.4		$	2,835,864

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The following is a summary of the components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating losses	$	112,880		$	100,836
	Research and development credits		14,522			10,276
	Share-based compensation		2,805			2,571
	Amortization of intangible assets		184			1,145
	Other		722			405
			131,113			115,233
	Valuation allowance		(130,652	)		(115,056	)
	Net deferred tax assets after valuation allowance		461			177
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation on property and equipment		(461	)		(177	)
	Deferred tax assets — net	$	—		$	—
Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate	'
	The reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate of zero percent for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Tax provision at the statutory federal rate		34	%		34	%		34	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		6.3	%		6.3	%		6.3	%
	Other		4	%		(1.4	)%		(8.1	)%
	Valuation allowance		(44.3	)%		(38.9	)%		(32.2	)%
			0	%		0	%		0	%

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Annual Future Debt Payments	'
	Annual future debt payments as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31	Debt
		payments
	2014	$	2,081
	2015		3,838
	2016		4,209
	2017		1,872
	2018		—
	Total debt	$	12,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Annual Future Minimum Obligations for Operating Lease	'
	Annual future minimum obligations for the operating lease as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	Years Ending December 31	Operating
		Lease
	2014	$	486
	2015		497
	2016		509
	2017		214
	2018		—
	Total minimum lease payments	$	1,706

Supplemental_Financial_Informa1

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventories	'
	Inventories:	2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	2,263		$	1,910
	Work-in-process		0			300
	Finished goods		6,189			5,116
	Total	$	8,452		$	7,326
Property and Equipment-Net	'
	Property and Equipment — Net:	2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Equipment with customers	$	2,628		$	2,228
	Computer equipment and software		932			944
	Laboratory equipment		7,313			6,747
	Furniture and fixtures		329			269
	Leasehold improvements		2,878			2,878
	Manufacturing equipment		6,211			5,031
	Office equipment		67			67
	Tooling		1,462			1,462
	Total property and equipment — at cost		21,820			19,626
	Less accumulated depreciation		(18,147	)		(16,754	)
	Property and Equipment — Net	$	3,673		$	2,872
Other Current Liabilities	'
	Other Current Liabilities:	2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Accrued clinical trial expenses	$	320		$	205
	Accrued license fees		84			855
	All other		1,130			820
	Total	$	1,534		$	1,880

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Data	'
		2013 Quarters
		(in thousands, except per share data)
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Total revenue	$	2,369		$	1,852		$	2,367		$	3,414
	Research and development	$	4,987		$	4,006		$	4,992		$	4,587
	Sales, general and administrative	$	4,384		$	4,215		$	4,959		$	5,175
	Gross profit	$	832		$	583		$	891		$	1,278
	Loss from operations	$	(8,539	)	$	(7,638	)	$	(9,060	)	$	(8,484	)
	Net loss	$	(8,534	)	$	(7,847	)	$	(9,427	)	$	(8,839	)
	Per share data:
	Net loss per common share — basic and diluted	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.16	)	$	(0.11	)
		2012 Quarters
		(in thousands, except per share data)
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Total revenue	$	1,299		$	1,345		$	865		$	1,569
	Research and development	$	4,865		$	5,467		$	5,118		$	4,250
	Sales, general and administrative	$	3,595		$	3,445		$	3,869		$	3,833
	Gross profit	$	386		$	461		$	226		$	464
	Loss from operations	$	(8,074	)	$	(8,451	)	$	(8,761	)	$	(7,619	)
	Net loss	$	(8,061	)	$	(8,439	)	$	(8,749	)	$	(7,623	)
	Per share data:
	Net loss per common share — basic and diluted	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.16	)	$	(0.14	)

Liquidity_and_Capital_Resource1

Liquidity and Capital Resources - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]	'
Net losses attributable to common stock since inception	$382.80

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Highly liquid investments classified as cash equivalents, maturity period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'3 months	'	'
Amortization expense of deferred financing costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$200,000	'	'
Research and development	4,587,000	4,992,000	4,006,000	4,987,000	4,250,000	5,118,000	5,467,000	4,865,000	18,572,000	19,700,000	21,054,000
Shares excluded from computation of basic net loss per common share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,906,497	6,463,800	5,182,685
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Research and development	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2,100,000	$1,000,000
Intellectual property - licenses | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, useful lives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'	'
Intellectual property - licenses | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, useful lives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'13 years 3 months	'	'
Patents	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, useful lives	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'6 years	'	'
Restricted stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares excluded from computation of basic net loss per common share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	807,000	299,000	354,000
Equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Original lease term	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'3 years	'	'

Estimated_Useful_Lives_of_Prop

Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'3 years
Equipment | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5 years
Computer and Office Equipment	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'3 years
Other Machinery and Equipment | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'3 years
Other Machinery and Equipment | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5 years
Furniture and Fixtures	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'7 years
Manufacturing Equipment | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5 years
Manufacturing Equipment | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'7 years

Net_Loss_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Net Loss Per Common Share (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive common stock and common stock warrants	6,906,497	6,463,800	5,182,685
Restricted stock	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive common stock and common stock warrants	807,000	299,000	354,000
Stock options	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive common stock and common stock warrants	5,963,478	5,999,875	4,663,760
Common stock warrants	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive common stock and common stock warrants	136,019	164,925	164,925

Intangible_Assets_Detail

Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	$3,718	$4,516
Accumulated Amortization	-1,312	-1,783
Net	2,406	2,733
Intellectual property - licenses	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	3,263	4,061
Accumulated Amortization	-1,152	-1,660
Net	2,111	2,401
Patents	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	455	455
Accumulated Amortization	-160	-123
Net	$295	$332

Intangible_Assets_Additional_I

Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

36 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 09, 2013

Jul. 09, 2012

Jul. 09, 2011

Jul. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2010

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

Intellectual property - licenses

License Fees

License Fees

License Fees

License Fees

License Fees

License Fees

License Fees

Technology Transfer

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Worldwide non-exclusive license agreement acquisition fee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,900,000

'

'

'

Finite lived intangible assets net

2,406,000

2,733,000

'

2,111,000

2,401,000

'

2,111,000

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

1,700,000

'

Payment for license and technology transfer fee

'

25,000

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

600,000

400,000

200,000

'

'

15,000

Amortization expense for intangible assets

300,000

300,000

200,000

'

'

'

1,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss from write-off of intangible assets

'

'

'

$0

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated_Future_Amortization_

Estimated Future Amortization Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Estimated Future Amortization Expense [Line Items]	'
2014	$326
2015	322
2016	309
2017	293
2018	211
Thereafter	$945

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	31-May-11	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2013
	Anda-Proquest, LLC	Anda-Proquest, LLC	Lurie Investment Fund, LLC	Lurie Investment Fund, LLC	Lurie Investment Fund, LLC	Dr. Chad Mirkin	Dr. Chad Mirkin	Dr. Chad Mirkin	Dr. Gene Cartwright
						Research and Development Expense	Research and Development Expense	Research and Development Expense	Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Related party transaction, expenses incurred	'	'	'	'	'	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000	$37,500
Percentage of shares held	'	5.00%	'	5.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, purchased	1,350,000	'	1,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock purchase price, per share	$2.20	'	'	'	$2.40	'	'	'	'

Equity_Incentive_Plan_Addition

Equity Incentive Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Restricted stock

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Equity Incentive Plan 2000

Equity Incentive Plan 2007

Equity Incentive Plan 2007

Equity Incentive Plan 2007

Equity Incentive Plan 2007

Equity Incentive Plan 2007

Upon achievement of each of four or five milestones

Upon achievement of each of four or five milestones

Restricted stock

Restricted stock

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity incentive plan, shares authorized for issuance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,600,000

'

'

4,106,009

'

'

Option awards contractual terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

Equity incentive plan, available in the event that awards made under the 2000 Plan expire, are forfeited or cancelled

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

773,591

'

'

Equity incentive plan, additional shares authorized as a percentage of outstanding common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

'

'

Equity incentive plan, additional shares authorized for issuance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000

900,000

'

'

'

Equity awards, vesting period

'7 years

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accelerated vesting options

65.00%

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of options granted and outstanding with accelerated vesting provisions

17.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted

$1.98

$1.41

$4.04

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total compensation cost associated with option awards

$2

$2.10

$3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total compensation cost not yet recognized

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized share based compensation recognition period

'1 year 9 months 18 days

'

'

'1 year 6 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Milestone vesting term

'7 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options exercised

106,265

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intrinsic value of options exercised

0.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Options Outstanding with accelerated vesting provisions

990,586

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average exercise options with accelerated vesting provisions

$5.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of shares, vested

1.2

2.7

2.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted stock, granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

980,000

29,000

Restricted stock vesting percentage on two-year anniversary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

Restricted stock vesting percentage on four-year anniversary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

Weighted average grant-date fair value, per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2.59

$4.02

Restricted stock, vested

'

'

'

344,827

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted stock, forfeited

'

'

'

127,173

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of restricted stock shares vested

1.7

0

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted stock compensation expense

0.6

0.5

1.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total compensation cost not yet recognized, non vested restricted stock

'

'

'

$1.70

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assumptions_Used_for_Fair_Valu

Assumptions Used for Fair Value of Option Awards Granted Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	86.00%	92.00%	90.00%
Risk free interest rate	0.99%	1.06%	1.32%
Weighted-average expected option life	'6 years	'6 years 1 month 6 days	'5 years 3 months 18 days
Estimated weighted-average fair value on the date of grant based on the above assumptions	$1.98	$1.39	$1.28
Estimated forfeiture rate for unvested options	13.00%	4.90%	0.40%

Summary_of_Option_Activity_Det

Summary of Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Number of Shares	'	'	'
Outstanding - January 1, 2013	5,999,875	'	'
Granted	1,302,128	'	'
Exercised	-106,265	0	0
Expired	-402,447	'	'
Forfeited	-829,813	'	'
Outstanding - December 31, 2013	5,963,478	5,999,875	'
Exercisable - December 31, 2013	3,422,387	'	'
Vested and Expected to Vest - December 31, 2013	5,846,588	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'
Outstanding - January 1, 2013	$3.99	'	'
Granted	$2.77	'	'
Exercised	$1.76	'	'
Expired	$6.06	'	'
Forfeited	$3.72	'	'
Outstanding - December 31, 2013	$3.66	$3.99	'
Exercisable - December 31, 2013	$4.37	'	'
Vested and Expected to Vest - December 31, 2013	$3.68	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'	'	'
Outstanding - December 31, 2013	'6 years 5 months 9 days	'	'
Exercisable - December 31, 2013	'5 years 15 days	'	'
Vested and Expected to Vest - December 31, 2013	'6 years 4 months 24 days	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value of Options	'	'	'
Outstanding - December 31, 2013	$2,912,216	'	'
Exercisable - December 31, 2013	1,252,372	'	'
Vested and Expected to Vest - December 31, 2013	$2,835,864	'	'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	$280	'	'
Federal research and development tax credit carryforwards	$14.50	'	'
Effective tax rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Minimum	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration dates	'2020	'	'
Federal research and development tax credit carryforwards expiration dates	'2020	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration dates	'2033	'	'
Federal research and development tax credit carryforwards expiration dates	'2032	'	'

Component_of_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Component of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Net operating losses	$112,880	$100,836
Research and development credits	14,522	10,276
Share-based compensation	2,805	2,571
Amortization of intangible assets	184	1,145
Other	722	405
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	131,113	115,233
Valuation allowance	-130,652	-115,056
Net deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	461	177
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Depreciation on property and equipment	-461	-177
Deferred tax assets - net	'	'

Reconciliation_of_Federal_Stat

Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Effective Tax Rates Line Items	'	'	'
Tax provision at the statutory federal rate	34.00%	34.00%	34.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	6.30%	6.30%	6.30%
Other	4.00%	-1.40%	-8.10%
Valuation allowance	-44.30%	-38.90%	-32.20%
Effective tax rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

License_Agreements_Additional_

License Agreements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
License fees	3.3
Minimum annual royalty payments, 2014	0.2
Minimum annual royalty payments, 2015	0.2
Minimum annual royalty payments, thereafter	0.1
Minimum	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Royalty percentage paid	1.00%
License agreement, expiration date	'2014
Maximum	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Royalty percentage paid	12.00%
License agreement, expiration date	'2027

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	31-May-13	Dec. 31, 2013	6-May-13	Dec. 31, 2013	6-May-13	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
				Additional loan fee payable at maturity, acceleration or prepayment of first loan.	Second loan	Second loan	Initial loan	Initial loan
						Additional loan fee payable at maturity, acceleration or prepayment of the loan.		Due upon maturity, acceleration or prepayment of loan.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt facility, agreement amount	'	'	$22,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Debt facility, outstanding amount	'	'	12,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Debt facility, remaining borrowing capacity	'	'	10,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Debt facility, Initial available date	'	'	'	'	1-Dec-13	'	'	'
Debt facility, final available date	'	'	'	'	30-Apr-14	'	'	'
Debt facility, covenants	'	'	'	'	'The remaining $10 million of the facility could be drawn between December 1, 2013 and April 30, 2014 if Nanosphere achieved certain revenue levels and other conditions.	'	'	'
Interest rate on borrowings	'	'	'	'	'	'	9.25%	'
Debt repayment description	'Under the Loan Agreement, the Company will repay interest only on a monthly basis for the first 12 months and thereafter the Company will repay the principal and interest on a monthly basis for 36 months through the maturity date.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Term	'	'	'	'	'	'	'4 years	'
Facility fee description	'	'The facility fee paid for the loan was $120,000 with another $100,000 due upon the maturity, acceleration or prepayment of the loan.	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt, facility fee	'	'	'	$240,000	'	$100,000	'	$120,000
Additional loan fee, Percentage	'	'	'	2.00%	'	'	'	'

Annual_Future_Debt_Payments_De

Annual Future Debt Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Debt [Line Items]	'
2014	$2,081
2015	3,838
2016	4,209
2017	1,872
2018	'
Total debt	$12,000

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

31-May-13

Apr. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jan. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2007

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-13

Jul. 19, 2012

13-May-11

Oct. 21, 2009

Initial Public Offering

Initial Public Offering

Underwritten Public Offering

Underwritten Public Offering

Underwritten Public Offering

Underwritten Public Offering

Underwritten Public Offering

Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock issued, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,050,000

17,250,000

1,923,077

12,075,000

15,686,000

5,405,000

Stock issued, price per shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14

$1.75

$2.60

$2.40

$2.20

$7

Net proceeds from the initial public offering

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$102,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Payment of stock transaction expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from the public offering

'

'

32,537,000

26,964,000

32,178,000

'

'

'

27,800,000

4,700,000

27,000,000

32,200,000

35,400,000

Number of warrants outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,119

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of warrants expired

'

1,135,194

164,925

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrants expiration period

'

'

'2013-04

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Warrants

136,019

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common - exercise price per share

$2.65

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrant expiration month

6-May-20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of warrants outstanding

$200,000

'

$246,000

$992,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value assumption , closing price per share

$2.65

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value assumption, volatility rate

74.15%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value assumption, expected term

'7 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value assumption, risk free rate

0.97%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value assumption, dividend yield

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 13, 2014
					sqft
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Lease Expiration date	'	'2014-05	'	'	'
Lease extended date	'2017-05	'	'	'	'
Lease additional space	'	'	'	'	8,535
Rent and operating expenses associated with office and laboratory space	'	$0.50	$0.60	$0.70	'

Annual_Future_Minimum_Obligati

Annual Future Minimum Obligations for Operating Lease (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Operating Leases [Line Items]	'
2014	$486
2015	497
2016	509
2017	214
2018	'
Total minimum lease payments	$1,706

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Supplemental Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'
Raw materials	$2,263	$1,910
Work-in-process	0	300
Finished goods	6,189	5,116
Total	$8,452	$7,326

Supplemental_Financial_Informa2

Supplemental Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory valuation reserves	$0.70	$0.70

Property_and_EquipmentNet_Deta

Property and Equipment-Net (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment - at cost	$21,820	$19,626
Less accumulated depreciation	-18,147	-16,754
Property and Equipment - Net	3,673	2,872
Equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment - at cost	2,628	2,228
Computer Equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment - at cost	932	944
Laboratory Equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment - at cost	7,313	6,747
Furniture and Fixtures	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment - at cost	329	269
Leasehold Improvements	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment - at cost	2,878	2,878
Manufacturing Equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment - at cost	6,211	5,031
Office Equipment	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment - at cost	67	67
Tools, Dies and Molds	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment - at cost	$1,462	$1,462

Other_Current_Liabilities_Deta

Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Supplemental Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'
Accrued clinical trial expenses	$320	$205
Accrued license fees	84	855
All other	1,130	820
Total	$1,534	$1,880

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	$3,414	$2,367	$1,852	$2,369	$1,569	$865	$1,345	$1,299	$10,002	$5,078	$2,533
Research and development	4,587	4,992	4,006	4,987	4,250	5,118	5,467	4,865	18,572	19,700	21,054
Sales, general and administrative	5,175	4,959	4,215	4,384	3,833	3,869	3,445	3,595	18,733	14,742	15,113
Gross profit	1,278	891	583	832	464	226	461	386	'	'	'
Loss from operations	-8,484	-9,060	-7,638	-8,539	-7,619	-8,761	-8,451	-8,074	-33,721	-32,905	-35,454
Net loss	($8,839)	($9,427)	($7,847)	($8,534)	($7,623)	($8,749)	($8,439)	($8,061)	($34,647)	($32,872)	($35,419)
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted	($0.11)	($0.16)	($0.14)	($0.15)	($0.14)	($0.16)	($0.19)	($0.18)	($0.56)	($0.67)	($0.94)

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6-May-13	Feb. 18, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Subsequent Event
		Second loan
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Debt facility, remaining borrowing capacity	$10	$10