Harvard Bioscience (HBIO) 10-K14 Mar 142013 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 07, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document period end date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Amendment flag	'false	'	'
Document Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Current fiscal year end date	'--12-13	'	'
Entity central index key	'0001123494	'	'
Entity current reporting status	'Yes	'	'
Entity filer category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity registrant name	'HARVARD BIOSCIENCE INC	'	'
Entity voluntary filers	'No	'	'
Entity well known seasoned issuer	'No	'	'
Entity common stock shares outstanding	'	31,639,467	'
Entity public float	'	'	$100,095,274
Non Affiliate Share Holding	'	'	28,116,650

Statements_of_Financial_Positi

Statements of Financial Position (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$25,771	$20,681
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $358 and $194, respectively	13,884	14,357
Inventories	15,777	17,762
Deferred income tax assets - current	1,547	1,553
Other receivables and other assets	3,771	4,619
Total current assets	60,750	58,972
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,375	4,551
Deferred income tax assets - non-current	13,116	10,770
Amortizable intangible assets, net	19,009	21,225
Goodwill	36,605	36,200
Other indefinite lived intangible assets	1,289	1,276
Other assets	316	490
Total Assets	135,460	133,484
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion, long-term debt	5,000	0
Accounts payable	4,682	4,680
Deferred revenue	640	482
Accrued income taxes payable	99	506
Accrued expenses	5,078	3,505
Other liabilities - current	586	728
Total current liabilities	16,085	9,901
Long-term debt	19,750	12,950
Deferred income tax liabilities - non-current	160	277
Other liabilities- non current	4,980	6,143
Total liabilities	40,975	29,271
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders Equity Abstract	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized; 39,384,974 and 37,123,705 shares issued and 31,639,467 and 29,378,198 shares outstanding, respectively	390	370
Additional paid-in-capital	202,446	196,634
Accumulated deficit	-95,039	-77,260
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,644	-4,863
Treasury stock at cost, 7,745,507 common shares	-10,668	-10,668
Total stockholders' equity	94,485	104,213
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$135,460	$133,484

Statements_of_Financial_Positi1

Statements of Financial Position (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$358	$194
Preferred Stock Par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock - Shares Authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Common stock par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock- Shares Authorized	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common Stock- Shares Issued	39,384,974	37,123,705
Common Stock- Shares Outstanding	31,639,467	29,378,198
Treasury Stock common shares	7,745,507	7,745,507

Statements_of_Operations

Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS	'	'	'
Revenues	$105,171	$111,171	$108,864
Cost of product revenues	57,475	58,831	58,672
Gross profit	47,696	52,340	50,192
Sales and marketing expenses	17,330	18,287	16,909
General and administrative expenses	17,887	18,121	17,630
Research and development expenses	4,154	4,344	3,874
HART transaction costs	2,048	696	161
Restructuring charges	2,150	310	467
Amortization of intangible assets	2,590	2,752	2,746
Total Operating Expenses	46,159	44,510	41,787
Operating income	1,537	7,830	8,405
Other (expense) income:	'	'	'
Foreign exchange	-139	-113	-41
Interest expense	-955	-584	-752
Interest income	43	46	65
Other expense, net	-51	-287	-809
Other (expense) income, net	-1,102	-938	-1,537
Income before income taxes	435	6,892	6,868
Total Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-288	2,398	1,579
Income from continuing operations	723	4,494	5,289
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	-2,553	-2,124	-1,477
Net (loss) income	($1,830)	$2,370	$3,812
Income per share:	'	'	'
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations	$0.02	$0.16	$0.19
Discontinued operations	($0.08)	($0.07)	($0.05)
Basic earnings per common share	($0.06)	$0.09	$0.14
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations	$0.02	$0.15	$0.18
Discontinued operations	($0.08)	($0.07)	($0.05)
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	($0.06)	$0.08	$0.13
Weighted average common shares:	'	'	'
Basic	30,384,010	28,799,377	28,451,386
Diluted	31,913,799	29,792,107	29,818,734

Statement_of_Comprehensive_Inc

Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	($1,830)	$2,370	$3,812
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,573	1,863	-976
Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease [Abstract]	'	'	'
Loss on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges	-116	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income	67	0	0
Derivatives qualifying as hedges, net of tax total	-49	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amount of net loss included in net periodic pension costs, net of tax expense of $62, $57 and $40 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively	243	191	119
Net gain (loss), net of tax expense (benefits) of $115, ($357) and ($323) in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively	452	-1,195	-969
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, net of tax, total	695	-1,004	-850
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, total	2,219	859	-1,826
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, total	$389	$3,229	$1,986

Statement_of_Comprehensive_Inc1

Statement of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Tax	$62	$57	$40
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax	$115	($357)	($323)

Statement_of_Shareholders_Equi

Statement of Shareholders Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Total stockholders' equity at begining of the year, Value at Dec. 31, 2010	$90,248	$361	$187,893	($83,442)	($3,896)	($10,668)
Balance at December 31, 2008, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010	36,058,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises during the year, Value	400	1	399	'	'	'
Stock option exercises during the year, Shares	106,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock issued during the year, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	167	0	167	'	'	'
Stock issued during the year, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	49,000	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Unit Issuance	117,000	'	'	'	'	'
Shares Withheld For Taxes	-41,000	'	'	'	'	'
Shares Withheld For Taxes- Value	-165	'	-165	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	2,863	'	2,863	'	'	'
Purchases of treasury stock	0	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-1,826	'	'	'	-1,826	'
Net income	3,812	'	'	3,812	'	'
Total stockholders' equity at year end, Value at Dec. 31, 2011	95,499	362	191,157	-79,630	-5,722	-10,668
Shares issued at year end, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011	36,289,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises during the year, Value	2,117	7	2,110	'	'	'
Stock option exercises during the year, Shares	648,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock issued during the year, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	192	1	191	'	'	'
Stock issued during the year, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	60,028	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Unit Issuance	164,000	'	'	'	'	'
Shares Withheld For Taxes	-37,000	'	'	'	'	'
Shares Withheld For Taxes- Value	-145	'	-145	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	3,321	'	3,321	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	859	'	'	'	859	'
Net income	2,370	'	'	2,370	'	'
Total stockholders' equity at year end, Value at Dec. 31, 2012	104,213	370	196,634	-77,260	-4,863	-10,668
Shares issued at year end, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012	37,124,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock option exercises during the year, Value	4,051	20	4,031	'	'	'
Stock option exercises during the year, Shares	2,135,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock issued during the year, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	194	0	194	'	'	'
Stock issued during the year, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	56,938	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Unit Issuance	282,000	'	'	'	'	'
Shares Withheld For Taxes	-213,000	'	'	'	'	'
Shares Withheld For Taxes- Value	-1,083	'	-1,083	'	'	'
Stockholders Equity Note Spinoff Transaction	-15,949	'	'	-15,949	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	2,670	'	2,670	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,219	'	'	'	2,219	'
Net income	-1,830	'	'	-1,830	'	'
Total stockholders' equity at year end, Value at Dec. 31, 2013	$94,485	$390	$202,446	($95,039)	($2,644)	($10,668)
Shares issued at year end, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	39,385,000	'	'	'	'	'

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 income	($1,830)	$2,370	$3,812
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	2,670	3,321	2,863
Depreciation	1,298	1,270	1,276
Receivable for the earn-out related to discontinued assets	440	1,344	0
Gain on sales of fixed assets	0	-24	-19
Non cash restructuring charge	-46	-13	210
Amortization Of Catalog Costs	101	184	307
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	172	-31	67
Amortization of intangible assets	2,590	2,752	2,746
Amortization of deferred financing costs	46	52	89
Deferrred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-2,441	-731	-849
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Decrease (increase) n accounts receivable	436	1,154	232
Decrease (increase) in inventories	1,921	1,174	-1,705
(Increase) decrease in other receivables and other assets	-1,020	-925	-73
(Decrease) increase in trade accounts payable	-41	-905	69
Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes	323	213	-544
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses	847	-485	-1,368
(Decrease) increase in deferred revenue	146	-48	31
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	-672	78	-496
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	4,060	8,062	6,648
Cash flows used in investing activities:	'	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-1,622	-1,769	-1,506
Additions to catalog costs	-57	-62	-252
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment	66	33	25
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	1,784	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-2,878	-5,465
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	171	-4,676	-7,198
Cash flows used in financing activities:	'	'	'
Repayments of debt	-2,750	-3,850	-1,708
Net proceeds from issuance of debt	14,550	500	0
Purchases of treasury stock	'	'	0
Transfer of cash and cash equivalents to HART	-15,041	0	0
Payments of debt issuance costs	-312	0	0
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,621	2,287	567
Net cash provided (used in) financing activities	68	-1,063	-1,141
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	791	442	-97
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,090	2,765	-1,788
Cash and cash equivalents at the begining of period	20,681	17,916	19,704
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	25,771	20,681	17,916
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest	892	577	638
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$1,479	$1,519	$2,234

Organization

Organization	12 Months Ended
Organization	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Organization Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	1. Organization

	Harvard Bioscience, Inc. ( “Harvard Bioscience” or “the Company”) is a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of scientific instruments, systems and lab consumables used to advance life science research for basic research, drug discovery, clinical and environmental testing. The Company's products are sold to thousands of researchers in over 100 countries through its global sales organization, catalogs, websites, and through distributors including GE Healthcare, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., VWR and other specialized distributors. The Company has sales and manufacturing operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Spain, France and Canada. .

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

	(a) Principles of Consolidation

	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

	(b) Use of Estimates

	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the use of management estimates. Such estimates include the determination and establishment of certain accruals and provisions, including those for inventory obsolescence, catalog cost amortization periods, income tax and reserves for bad debts. In addition, certain estimates are required in order to determine the value of assets and liabilities associated with acquisitions. Estimates are also required to evaluate the value and recoverability of existing long-lived and intangible assets, including goodwill. On an ongoing basis, the Company reviews its estimates based upon currently available information. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents

	For purposes of the consolidated balance sheets and statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

	(d) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

	Allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company's assessment of collectability of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances and other factors that may affect a customer's ability to pay.

	(e) Inventories

	The Company values its inventories at the lower of the actual cost to purchase (first-in, first-out method) and/or manufacture the inventories or the current estimated market value of the inventories. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and records a provision to write down excess and obsolete inventories to its estimated net realizable value if less than cost, based primarily on historical inventory usage and estimated forecast of product demand.

	(f) Property, Plant and Equipment

	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
		Buildings			40	years
		Machinery and equipment	3	-	10	years
		Computer equipment and software	3	-	7	years
		Furniture and fixtures	5	-	10	years
		Automobiles	3	-	6	years
	Property and equipment held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.

	(g) Catalog Costs

	Significant costs of product catalog design, development and production are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the catalog (usually one to three years).
	(h) Income Taxes

	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

	The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition are reflected in the period in which the judgement occurs.

	(i) Foreign Currency Translation

	The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is generally their local currency. All assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries are translated at exchange rates in effect at period-end. Income and expenses are translated at rates which approximate those in effect on the transaction dates. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in net income.

	(j) Earnings per Share

	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods presented. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to the computation of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased for the assumed exercise of dilutive options and other potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method unless the effect is antidilutive. Since the Company is reporting discontinued operations, it used income from continuing operations as the control number in determining whether those potential dilutive securities are dilutive or antidilutive.

	(k) Comprehensive Income

	The Company follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 220, “Comprehensive Income”. FASB ASC 220 requires companies to report all changes in equity during a period, resulting from net income (loss) and transactions from non-owner sources, in a financial statement in the period in which they are recognized. The Company has chosen to disclose comprehensive income, which encompasses net income (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, gains and losses on derivatives, the underfunded status of its pension plans, and pension minimum additional liability adjustments, net of tax, in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

	(l) Revenue Recognition

	The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition”. The Company recognizes product revenue when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred, and collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured. Sales of some of its products include provisions to provide additional services such as installation and training. Revenues on these products are recognized when the additional services have been performed. Service agreements on its equipment are typically sold separately from the sale of the equipment. Revenues on these service agreements are recognized ratably over the life of the agreement, typically one year, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 605-20, “Revenue Recognition—Services”.

	The Company accounts for shipping and handling fees and costs in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 605-45-45, “Revenue Recognition—Principal Agent Considerations”, which requires all amounts charged to customers for shipping and handling to be classified as revenues. The costs incurred related to shipping and handling is classified as cost of product revenues. Warranties and product returns are estimated and accrued for at the time sales are recorded. The Company has no obligations to customers after the date products are shipped or installed, if applicable, other than pursuant to warranty obligations and service or maintenance contracts. The Company provides for the estimated amount of future returns upon shipment of products or installation, if applicable, based on historical experience.

	(m) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

	Goodwill and other intangible assets include goodwill, unamortizable intangible assets and amortizable intangible assets. Amortizable intangible assets (those intangible assets with definite estimated useful lives) are initially recorded at fair value and amortized, using the straight-line method, over their estimated useful lives. At December 31, 2013, amortizable intangible assets include existing technology, trade names, distribution agreements, customer relationships and patents. These amortizable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over 7 to 15 years, 15 years, 5 years, 5 to 15 years and 5 to 15 years, respectively.

	Goodwill and unamortizable intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”.

For the purpose of its goodwill analysis, and following the spin-off of HART, the Company has one reporting unit. The Company conducted its annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. The first step of the impairment analysis compares the Company's fair value to its carrying value to determine if there is any indication of impairment. Step two of the analysis compares the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation for business combination. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to that excess. For indefinite-lived intangible assets if the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset, the Company would write down the indefinite-lived intangible asset to fair value.

At December 31, 2013, the Company compared its carrying value to its overall market capitalization, noting the fair value of the Company significantly exceeded the carrying value. The Company concluded that none of its goodwill was impaired.

The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually and when events occur or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying amount. Events or circumstances that might require an interim evaluation include unexpected adverse business conditions, economic factors, unanticipated technological changes or competitive activities, loss of key personnel and acts by governments and courts. At December 31, 2013 the Company concluded that none of its indefinite-lived intangible assets were impaired.

(n) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses recoverability of its long-lived assets that are held for use, such as property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment” when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets or an asset group to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or the asset group. Cash flow projections are based on trends of historical performance and management's estimate of future performance. If the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its estimated fair value. At December 31, 2013 the Company concluded that none of its long-lived assets were impaired.

(o) Derivatives

The Company uses interest-rate-related derivative instruments to manage its exposure related to changes in interest rates on its variable-rate debt instruments. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than cash flow hedging. The Company does not speculate using derivative instruments. The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet at their respective fair values. For derivatives designated in hedging relationships, changes in the fair value are either offset through earnings against the change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), to the extent the derivative is effective at offsetting the changes in cash flows being hedged until the hedged item affects earnings.

The Company only enters into derivative contracts that it intends to designate as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). For all hedging relationships, the Company formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method used to measure ineffectiveness. The Company also formally assesses, both at the inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging relationships are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged transactions. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as part of a cash flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, the cash flow hedge is de-designated because a forecasted transaction is not probable of occurring, or management determines to remove the designation of the cash flow hedge.

In all situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative remains outstanding, the Company continues to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet and recognizes any subsequent changes in its fair value in earnings. When it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting and recognizes immediately in earnings gains and losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income related to the hedging relationship.

(p) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying values of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable and short-term debt approximate their fair values because of the short maturities of those instruments. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt approximates its carrying value and is based on the amount of future cash flows associated with the debt discounted using current borrowing rates for similar debt instruments of comparable maturity.

Financial reporting standards define a fair value hierarchy that consists of three levels:

Level 1 includes instruments for which quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the Company at the measurement date.
Level 2 includes instruments for which the valuations are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 includes valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.


(q) Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based payment awards in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”, which requires it to recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors including stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases (“employee stock purchases”) related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended, the “ESPP”). The Company issues new shares upon stock option exercises, upon vesting of the restricted stock units and under the Company's ESPP.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest and has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The Company values stock-based payment awards, except restricted stock units at grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”). The determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by its stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to its expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected stock option exercise behaviors.

The fair value of restricted stock units are based on the market price of the Company's stock on the date of grant and are recorded as compensation expense ratably over the applicable service period, which ranges from one to four years. Unvested restricted stock units are forfeited in the event of termination of employment with the Company.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized under FASB ASC 718 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 consisted of stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, the employee stock purchase plan, and the restricted stock units and was recorded as a component of cost of product revenues, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses, research and development expenses and discontinued operations.

(r) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”, which requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward, or similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, rather than as a liability when the uncertain tax position would reduce the NOL or other carryforward under the tax law. The ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company believes the adoption of this new guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In February 2013, the FASB issued additional guidance in ASU 2013-02, “Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The new guidance requires the presentation of effects on net income line items of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income, but only if the item reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. The Company shall provide this information either on the face of the statements or in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance, which is related to disclosure only, did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Pro

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Dec. 31, 2013
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]	'
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Disclosure [Text Block]	'

	(r) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”, which requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward, or similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, rather than as a liability when the uncertain tax position would reduce the NOL or other carryforward under the tax law. The ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company believes the adoption of this new guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

	In February 2013, the FASB issued additional guidance in ASU 2013-02, “Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The new guidance requires the presentation of effects on net income line items of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income, but only if the item reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. The Company shall provide this information either on the face of the statements or in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance, which is related to disclosure only, did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Concentrations

Concentrations	12 Months Ended
Concentrations	Dec. 31, 2013
Concentrations Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Concentrations Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	3. Concentrations

	No customer accounted for more than 10% of the revenues for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, no customer accounted for more than 10% of net accounts receivable.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
Inventories	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventories Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4. Inventories

	Inventories consist of the following:
				December 31,
				2013		2012
				(in thousands)
	Finished goods		$	7,039	$	8,023
	Work in process			752		731
	Raw materials			7,986		9,008
		Total	$	15,777	$	17,762

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
Property, Plant and Equipment	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	5. Property, Plant and Equipment

	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Land, buildings and leasehold improvements	$	3,082	$	2,790
	Machinery and equipment		9,471		8,760
	Computer equipment and software		4,927		4,917
	Furniture and fixtures		1,281		1,201
	Automobiles		59		194
			18,820		17,862
	Less: accumulated depreciation		-14,445		-13,311
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	4,375	$	4,551

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	6. Acquisitions

	The Company's continuing operations did not complete any acquisitions during 2013, while the Company's continuing operations completed two acquisitions during 2012.

	AHN Biotechnologie GmbH

	On February 3, 2012, the Company acquired all issued and outstanding shares of AHN Biotechnologie GmbH (“AHN”) for approximately $2.0 million. The Company funded the acquisition from its existing cash balances.

	AHN is located in Nordhausen, Germany. AHN is a manufacturer of plastic laboratory consumables which include pipettes, pipette tips, PCR tubes and spin columns.

	With the assistance of an external valuation company, the aggregate purchase price for this acquisition was allocated to tangible and intangible assets acquired as follows:

			(in thousands)
	Tangible assets	$	1,500
	Liabilities assumed		-1,454
	Net assets assumed		46

	Goodwill and intangible assets:
	Goodwill		1,308
	Customer relationships		474
	Trade name		180
	Total goodwill and intangible assets		1,962
	Acquisition purchase price	$	2,008
	The results of operations for AHN have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The financial results of this acquisition are considered immaterial for the purposes of pro forma financial statement disclosures. Goodwill recorded as a result of the acquisition of AHN is not deductible for tax purposes.

	Modular SFC, Inc.

	On May 31, 2012, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Modular SFC, Inc. (“Modular”) for approximately $0.5 million. The Company funded the acquisition from its existing cash balances.

	Consideration for the acquisition comprised of the following:
				(in thousands)
		Cash	$	500
		Contingent consideration		20
		Total	$	520
	The fair value of the assets and liabilities was as follows:
				(in thousands)
		Tangible assets	$	30
		Liabilities assumed		-
		Net assets assumed		30

		Goodwill and intangible assets:
		Goodwill		145
		Customer relationships		50
		Technology		200
		Trade name		95
		Total goodwill and intangible assets		490
		Acquisition purchase price	$	520
	The results of operations for Modular have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The financial results of this acquisition are considered immaterial for the purposes of pro forma financial statement disclosures. Goodwill recorded as a result of the acquisition of Modular is deductible for tax purposes.

	Direct acquisition costs recorded in other expense, net in the Company's consolidated statements of operations were $0 and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7. Discontinued Operations

	Genomic Solutions

	In November 2007, the Company completed the sale of the assets of its Genomic Solutions Division and the stock of its Belgian subsidiary, MAIA Scientific, both of which were part of its Capital Equipment Business Segment, to Digilab, Inc. The purchase price paid by Digilab under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement consisted of $1.0 million in cash plus additional consideration in the form of an earn-out based on 20% of the revenue generated by the acquired business as it is conducted by Digilab over a three-year period post-transaction. Any earn-out amounts were evidenced by interest bearing promissory notes which were due on November 30, 2012. The unpaid principal balance of the promissory notes had an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1100 basis points per annum. Digilab had delivered promissory notes of $4.6 million. The Company has recorded valuation allowances for 100% of the earn-out promissory notes as their collectability is uncertain. Going forward, the Company will continue to monitor the financial performance of Digilab and recognize any contingent consideration in discontinued operations when and if realization of earn-out amounts is probable. The Company has included the contingent consideration as sale proceeds in its income tax returns. Accordingly, the tax effect of this contingent consideration is included in the Company's deferred tax assets.

	UBI

	In September 2008, the Company completed the sale of assets of its Union Biometrica Division (“UBI”) including its German subsidiary, Union Biometrica GmbH, representing the remaining portion of its Capital Equipment Business Segment, to UBIO Acquisition Company. The purchase price paid by UBIO Acquisition Company under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement consisted of $1 in cash, the assumption of certain liabilities, plus additional consideration in the form of an earn-out based on the revenue generated by the acquired business as it is conducted by UBIO Acquisition Company over a five-year post-transaction period in an amount equal to (i) 5% of the revenue generated up to and including $6.0 million and (ii) 8% of the revenue generated above $6.0 million each year. During 2013, UBIO Acquisition Company made payments, including interest, of $1.8 million. UBIO Acquisition Company's final payment under the earn-out obligation was received in October 2013.

	HART

	On November 1, 2013, the previously announced spin-off of Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology, Inc., or HART, from the Company was completed. Through the spin-off date the historical operations of HART were reported as continuing operations in the consolidated statements of operations. Following the spin-off, the historical operations of HART have been broken out and reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. HART became an independent company that operates the regenerative medicine business previously owned by Harvard Bioscience. The spin-off was completed through the distribution to Harvard Bioscience's stockholders of record all of the shares of common stock of HART (the “Distribution”). In the Distribution, the Company distributed to its stockholders one share of HART common stock for every four shares of Harvard Bioscience common stock outstanding as of the close of business on October 21, 2013, the record date for the Distribution. Fractional shares of HART common stock were not included in the distribution. Instead, Registrar & Transfer Company aggregated fractional shares into whole shares, sold the whole shares in the open market and distributed the aggregate net cash proceeds of the sales pro rata to each holder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the Distribution.

	Effective with the spin-off, the Company contributed $15.0 million in cash to HART to fund its operations. In addition, the Company transferred approximately $0.9 million in assets, made up primarily of property, plant and equipment, to HART as part of the spin-off.

	In connection with the spin-off of HART, certain required adjustments were made to the Company's outstanding equity compensation awards under its employee benefit plans. Each outstanding option to purchase Harvard Bioscience common stock was converted on the date of the Distribution into both an adjusted Harvard Bioscience option to purchase Harvard Bioscience common stock and an option to purchase HART common stock. Black-Scholes valuation modeling was used to determine the value that each Harvard Bioscience option had lost at the time of the Distribution and to ensure the holder maintained such lost value, 80% of such lost value was provided back to the holder by making appropriate adjustments to the share amount and exercise price of the existing Harvard Bioscience option and 20% of such lost value was provided back to the holder through the issuance of an option to purchase HART common stock. Similar to the adjustment of the existing Harvard Bioscience options, with respect to each unvested Harvard Bioscience restricted stock unit outstanding at the time of the Distribution, such Harvard Bioscience restricted stock unit was converted on the date of the Distribution into both an adjusted Harvard Bioscience restricted stock unit and a HART restricted stock unit. The market prices of Harvard Bioscience and HART common stock were used to determine the value that each Harvard Bioscience restricted stock unit lost at the time of the Distribution and then to ensure the holder maintained such lost value, 80% of such lost value was provided back to the holder by making the appropriate increases of the share amount of the existing Harvard Bioscience restricted stock unit and 20% of such lost value was provided back to the holder through the issuance of a HART restricted stock unit. The share amounts and exercise prices of the adjusted Harvard Bioscience options and HART options, as well as the share amounts of the adjusted Harvard Bioscience restricted stock units and HART restricted stock units, were each adjusted and set in a manner to ensure the intrinsic value held by the holder pertaining to the existing Harvard Bioscience award was maintained immediately following the Distribution and was determined such that tax was not triggered under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. As part of these required adjustments, the Company issued approximately 1.7 million options and approximately 0.1 million restricted stock units to holders of its outstanding equity compensation awards.

	In connection with the spin-off, on October 31, 2013, the Company entered into various commercial agreements with HART which contain many of the key provisions related to the Distribution. These agreements include: (i) a Separation and Distribution Agreement; (ii) an Intellectual Property Matters Agreement; (iii) a Product Distribution Agreement; (iv) a Tax Sharing Agreement; (v) a Transition Services Agreement; and (vi) a Sublease.

	Harvard Bioscience intends for the HART Distribution, taken together, to qualify as a reorganization pursuant to which no gain or loss is recognized by Harvard Bioscience or its stockholders for federal income tax purposes under Sections 355, 368(a)(1)(D) and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. On June 28, 2013, Harvard Bioscience received a Supplemental Ruling to the Private Letter Ruling dated March 22, 2013 from the IRS to the effect that, among other things, the spin-off will qualify as a transaction that is tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code continuing in effect. Harvard Bioscience has also received an opinion from its outside tax advisor to such effect. In connection with the ruling and the opinion, Harvard Bioscience made certain representations regarding it and its business. The Company has agreed that it will not take or fail to take any action which prevents or could reasonably be expected to prevent the tax-free status of the spin-off. HART has agreed to certain restrictions that are intended to preserve the tax-free status of the contribution and the Distribution. HART may take certain actions otherwise prohibited by these covenants if Harvard Bioscience receives a private letter ruling from the IRS or if HART obtains, and provides to Harvard Bioscience, an opinion from a U.S. tax counsel or accountant of recognized national standing, in either case, acceptable to Harvard Bioscience in its sole and absolute discretion to the effect that such action would not jeopardize the tax-free status of the contribution and the Distribution. These covenants include restrictions on HART's:

	• issuance or sale of stock or other securities (including securities convertible into HART's stock but excluding certain compensatory arrangements);

	• sales of assets outside the ordinary course of business; and

	• entering into any other corporate transaction which would cause HART to undergo a 50 percent or greater change in HART's stock ownership.

	In addition, current U.S. federal income tax law creates a presumption that the spin-off of HART would be taxable to the Company, but not its stockholders, if such spin-off is part of a “plan or series of related transactions” pursuant to which one or more persons acquire directly or indirectly stock representing a 50% or greater interest (by vote or value) in the Company or HART. Acquisitions that occur during the four-year period that begins two years before the date of the spin-off are presumed to occur pursuant to a plan or series of related transactions, unless it is established that the acquisition is not pursuant to a plan or series of transactions that includes the spin-off. U.S. Treasury regulations currently in effect generally provide that whether an acquisition and a spin-off are part of a plan is determined based on all of the facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, specific factors described in the U.S. Treasury regulations. In addition, the U.S. Treasury regulations provide several “safe harbors” for acquisitions that are not considered to be part of a plan. These rules will limit the Company's ability during the two-year period following the spin-off to enter into certain transactions that may be advantageous to the Company and its stockholders, particularly issuing equity securities to satisfy financing needs, repurchasing equity securities, disposing of certain assets, engaging in mergers and acquisitions, and, under certain circumstances, acquiring businesses or assets with equity securities or agreeing to be acquired.

	The following table sets forth the impact discontinued operations had on the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

			Year ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, UBI	$	440	$	1,344	$	-
	(Loss) from discontinued operations, HART		-4,861		-4,664		-2,326
	Income tax (benefit)		-1,868		-1,196		-849
	(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	-2,553	$	-2,124	$	-1,477

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

	Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to impairment reviews annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment.

	For purposes of the Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis, and following the spin-off of HART, the Company has one reporting unit. As of December 31, 2013, the Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test and concluded there was no impairment to goodwill. Intangible assets consist of the following:
											Weighted
			December 31,								Average
			2013					2012			Life	(a)
			(in thousands)
	Amortizable intangible assets:		Gross			Accumulated Amortization		Gross		Accumulated Amortization
	Existing technology	$	13,464		$	-11,091	$	13,258	$	-10,207	4.3	Years
	Tradename		6,178			-2,185		6,167		-1,756	11	Years
	Distribution agreement/customer relationships		21,827			-9,447		21,699		-7,938	10.6	Years
	Patents		271			-8		9		-7	5	Years
	Total amortizable intangible assets		41,740		$	-22,731		41,133	$	-19,908

	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	Goodwill		36,605					36,200
	Other indefinite-lived intangible assets		1,289					1,276
	Total goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets		37,894					37,476

	Total intangible assets	$	79,634				$	78,609

	(a) Weighted average life is as of December 31, 2013.
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
				(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	34,209
		Goodwill arising from business combination		1,453
		Effect of change in foreign currencies		538
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	36,200
		Effect of change in foreign currencies		405
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	36,605
	Intangible asset amortization expense was $2.6 million, $2.8 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Amortization expense of existing amortizable intangible assets is currently estimated to be $2.5 million for the year ending December 31, 2014, $2.2 million for the year ending December 31, 2015, $2.1 million for the year ending December 31, 2016, $1.8 million for the year ending December 31, 2017 and $1.7 million for the year ending December 31, 2018.

Restructuring_and_Other_Exit_C

Restructuring and Other Exit Costs	12 Months Ended
Restructuring and Other Exit Costs	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring And Other Exit Costs Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	9. Restructuring and Other Exit Costs

	2013 Restructuring Plans

	During the fourth quarter of 2013, the management of Harvard Bioscience initiated a plan to realign global operations to create organizational efficiencies and reduce operating expenses throughout the Company. The plan included an approximately 13% reduction in the workforce, as well as the elimination of the position of Chief Operating Officer. The Company recorded restructuring charges of approximately $2.1 million representing severance payments. Additional charges related to this plan are expected to be incurred through the second quarter of 2014, and include, but are not limited to, contract termination costs, as well as moving and employee relocation costs. Payments related to this plan are expected to be made through the end of 2014. Activity and liability balances related to these charges were as follows:
			Severance
			and Related Costs
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	2,100
	Cash payments		-666
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,434

	During the third quarter of 2013, the management of Harvard Bioscience initiated a plan to reduce operating expenses at one of its foreign subsidiaries. Activity and liability balances related to these charges were as follows:

			Severance
			and Related Costs
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	96
	Cash payments		-96
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2013	$	-
	2012 Restructuring Plan

	During 2012, the management of Harvard Bioscience initiated a plan to reduce operating expenses at one of its foreign subsidiaries. The Company recorded restructuring charges of approximately $0.3 million representing severance payments. No further charges are expected to be incurred on this matter. Activity and liability balances related to these charges were as follows:
			Severance
			and Related Costs		Other		Total
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	312	$	11	$	323
	Cash payments		-179		-		-179
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2012	$	133	$	11	$	144
	Cash payments	$	-84	$	-11	$	-95
	Non-cash reversal of restructuring charges		-46		-		-46
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2013	$	3	$	-	$	3
	2011 Restructuring Plan

	During 2011, the management of Harvard Bioscience initiated a plan to relocate one if its U.S. facilities as part of a business improvement initiative. The Company also developed a plan to improve operating margins at another U.S. subsidiary. The Company recorded restructuring charges of approximately $0.5 million, which included $0.3 million in fixed asset write offs, $0.1 million in severance payments and $0.1 million in other expenses. No further charges are expected to be incurred on this matter. Activity and liability balances related to these charges were as follows:
			Severance and		Fixed Asset
			Related Costs		Write offs		Other		Total
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	78	$	307	$	110	$	495
	Cash payments		-33		-		-180		-213
	Non-cash charges		-		-307		70		-237
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2011		45		-		-		45
	Cash payments		-45		-		-		-45
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2012	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
	Aggregate restructuring charges relating to the 2013 Restructuring Plans, 2012 Restructuring Plan and the 2011 Restructuring Plan were as follows:
			Years ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	2,150		$	310		$	467

Long_Term_Debt

Long Term Debt	12 Months Ended
Long Term Debt	Dec. 31, 2013
Long Term Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long Term Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	10. Long Term Debt

	On August 7, 2009, the Company entered into an amended and restated $20.0 million revolving credit loan agreement with Bank of America, as agent, and Bank of America and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co as lenders. On September 30, 2011, the Company entered into the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Loan Agreement (the “First Amendment”) with Bank of America as agent, and Bank of America and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co as lenders. The First Amendment extended the maturity date of the credit facility to August 7, 2013 and reduced the interest rate to the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 3.0%. On October 4, 2012, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Loan Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) with Bank of America as agent, and Bank of America and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co as lenders. The Second Amendment extends the maturity date of the credit facility to August 7, 2014 with no changes to other terms.

	On March 29, 2013, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, as agent, and Bank of America and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co as lenders. The Credit Agreement converted the Company's existing outstanding revolving advances into a term loan in the principal amount of $15.0 million (the “Term Loan”), provides a revolving credit facility in the maximum principal amount of $25.0 million (“Revolving Line”) and provides a delayed draw term loan of up to $15.0 million (the “DDTL”) to fund capital contributions to the Company's former subsidiary, HART. The maximum amount available under the Credit Agreement is $50.0 million as borrowings against the DDTL in excess of $10.0 million results in a dollar for dollar reduction in the Revolving Line capacity. The Revolving Line has a maturity date of March 29, 2016, while the Term Loan and DDTL have a maturity date of March 29, 2018.

	On October 31, 2013, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to reduce the DDTL from up to $15.0 million to up to $10.0 million and allow for up to $5.0 million to instead be available for drawing as advances under the Revolving Line.

	Borrowings under the Term Loan and the DDTL shall bear interest at a rate based on either the effective London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) for certain interest periods selected by the Company, or a daily floating rate based on the British Bankers' Association (BBA) LIBOR as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR), plus in either case, a margin of 3.0%. The Revolving Line shall bear interest at a rate based on either the effective LIBOR for certain interest periods selected by the Company, or a daily floating rate based on the BBA LIBOR, plus in either case, a margin of 2.5%. The Company was required to fix the rate of interest on at least 50% of the Term Loan and the DDTL through the purchase of interest rate swaps. The Term Loan and DDTL each have interest payments due at the end of the applicable LIBOR period, or monthly with respect to BBA LIBOR borrowings, and principal payments due quarterly. The Revolving Line has interest payments due at the end of the applicable LIBOR period, or monthly with respect to BBA LIBOR borrowings.

	The Loans are guaranteed by all of the Company's direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the guarantors. The Loans are subject to restrictive covenants under the Credit Agreement, and financial covenants that require the Company and its subsidiaries to maintain certain financial ratios on a consolidated basis, including a maximum leverage, minimum fixed charge coverage and minimum working capital. Prepayment of the Loans is allowed by the Credit Agreement at any time during the terms of the Loans. The Loans also contain limitations on the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness and requires lender approval for acquisitions funded with cash, promissory notes and/or other consideration in excess of $6.0 million and for acquisitions funded solely with equity in excess of $10.0 million.

	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had borrowings of $24.8 million and $13.0 million, respectively, outstanding under its Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants contained in the Credit Agreement; the Company was subject to a working capital borrowing restriction and had available borrowing capacity under its Credit Agreement of $17.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred $0.3 million of debt issuance costs associated with the Credit Agreement. The costs were capitalized, reflected in the balance sheet as an asset, and will be amortized over the finite life of the underlying Credit Agreement.

	As of December 31, 2013, the weighted effective interest rates on the Company's Term Loan, DDTL and Revolving Line borrowings were 3.96%, 3.55% and 3.16%, respectively.

	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company's borrowings were comprised of:

			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Long-term debt:
	Term loan	$	12,750	$	-
	DDTL		9,500		-
	Revolving line		2,500		12,950
	Total debt		24,750		12,950
	Less: current installments		-5,000		-
	Long-term debt	$	19,750	$	12,950
	The aggregate amounts of debt maturing during the next five years are as follows:

				(in thousands)

		2014	$	5,000
		2015		5,000
		2016		7,500
		2017		5,000
		2018		2,250
		Total	$	24,750

Derivatives

Derivatives	12 Months Ended
Derivatives	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	11. Derivatives

	The Company uses interest-rate-related derivative instruments to manage its exposure related to changes in interest rates on its variable-rate debt instruments. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than cash flow hedging. The Company does not speculate using derivative instruments.

	By using derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to changes in interest rates, the Company exposes itself to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes the Company, which creates credit risk for the Company. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, the Company owes the counterparty and, therefore, the Company is not exposed to the counterparty's credit risk in those circumstances. The Company minimizes counterparty credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with carefully selected major financial institutions based upon their credit profile.

	Market risk is the adverse effect on the value of a derivative instrument that results from a change in interest rates. The market risk associated with interest-rate contracts is managed by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken.

	The Company assesses interest rate risk by continually identifying and monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely impact expected future cash flows and by evaluating hedging opportunities. The Company maintains risk management control systems to monitor interest rate risk attributable to both the Company's outstanding or forecasted debt obligations as well as the Company's offsetting hedge positions. The risk management control systems involve the use of analytical techniques, including cash flow sensitivity analysis, to estimate the expected impact of changes in interest rates on the Company's future cash flows.

	The Company uses variable-rate London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) debt to finance its operations. The debt obligations expose the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. Management believes that it is prudent to limit the variability of a portion of its interest payments. To meet this objective, management enters into LIBOR based interest rate swap agreements to manage fluctuations in cash flows resulting from changes in the benchmark interest rate of LIBOR. These swaps change the variable-rate cash flow exposure on the debt obligations to fixed cash flows. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, the Company receives LIBOR based variable interest rate payments and makes fixed interest rate payments, thereby creating the equivalent of fixed-rate debt for the notional amount of its debt hedged. In accordance with its Credit Agreement, the Company was required to fix the rate of interest on at least 50% of its Term Loan and the DDTL through the purchase of interest rate swaps. On June 5, 2013, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract with an original notional amount of $15.0 million and a maturity date of March 29, 2018 in order to hedge the risk of changes in the effective benchmark interest rate (LIBOR) associated with the Company's Term Loan. On November 29, 2013, the Company entered into a second interest rate swap contract with an original notional amount of $5.0 million and a maturity date of March 29, 2018 in order to hedge the risk of changes in the effective benchmark interest rate (LIBOR) associated with the DDTL. The Term Loan swap contract converted specific variable-rate debt into fixed-rate debt and fixed the LIBOR rate associated with the Term Loan at 0.96% plus a bank margin of 3.0%. The DDTL swap contract converted specific variable-rate debt into fixed-rate debt and fixed the LIBOR rate associated with the Term Loan at 0.93% plus a bank margin of 3.0%.The interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”.

	The following table presents the notional amount and fair value of the Company's derivative instruments as of December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2012 the Company did not have any derivative instruments outstanding.

						31-Dec-13			31-Dec-13
						Notional			Fair
						Amount			Value (a)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815			Balance sheet classification		(in thousands)
	Interest rate swap			Other liabilities-non current	$	17,500		$	-49

		(a) See note 12 for the fair value measurements related to these financial instruments.
	All of the Company's derivative instruments are designated as hedging instruments.
	The Company has structured its interest rate swap agreements to be 100% effective and as a result, there was no impact to earnings resulting from hedge ineffectiveness. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments that effectively offset the variability of cash flows associated with variable-rate, long-term debt obligations are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). These amounts subsequently are reclassified into interest expense as a yield adjustment of the hedged interest payments in the same period in which the related interest affects earnings. The Company's interest rate swap agreement was deemed to be fully effective in accordance with ASC 815, and, as such, unrealized gains and losses related to these derivatives were recorded as AOCI.
	The following table summarizes the effect of derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments on the Company's consolidated statements of operations:
				For the Year ended December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)		Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in OCI on derivative (effective portion)		Location of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)		Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)

		Interest rate swaps	$	-49		Interest expense	$	-67

	As of December 31, 2013, $0.1 million of deferred losses on derivative instruments accumulated in AOCI are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next 12 months. Transactions and events expected to occur over the next twelve months that will necessitate reclassifying these derivatives' losses to earnings include the repricing of variable-rate debt. There were no cash flow hedges discontinued during 2013 or 2012.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	12. Fair Value Measurements

	Fair value measurement is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three broad levels as follows:

	Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2—Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3—Unobservable inputs based on the Company's own assumptions.

	The following table presents the fair value hierarchy for those liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	-	$	49	$	-	$	49

	The Company uses the market approach technique to value its financial liabilities. The Company's financial liabilities carried at fair value include derivative instruments used to hedge the Company's interest rate risks. The fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreements was based on LIBOR yield curves at the reporting date.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
Leases	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Leases Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	13. Leases

	As part of the spin-off of HART, the Company entered into a Sublease with HART for approximately 17,000 square feet of space for the next 18 months, with extended terms through May 31, 2017. The Company charges HART for sublease rent, applicable taxes and utilities. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company charged HART $26,000, which was recorded as a reduction to rent expense.

	The Company has noncancelable operating leases for office and warehouse space expiring at various dates through 2018 and thereafter. Rent expense, which is recorded on a straight-line basis, was approximately $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

	Future minimum lease payments for operating leases, with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2013, for its continuing operations are as follows:
			Operating
			Leases
			(in thousands)
	2014	$	1,228
	2015		1,073
	2016		763
	2017		422
	2018		160
	Thereafter		70
	Net minimum lease payments	$	3,716

Accrued_Expenses

Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
Accrued Expenses	Dec. 31, 2013
Accrued Liabilities Current [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	14. Accrued Expenses

	Accrued expenses consist of:
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and payroll	$	1,349	$	1,389
	Accrued legal and professional fees		927		869
	Accrued severance		1,434		133
	Warranty costs		305		222
	Other		1,063		892
	Total	$	5,078	$	3,505

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	15. Income Tax

	Income tax (benefit) expense attributable to income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 consisted of:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	Current income tax expense:
	Federal and state	$	47	$	70	$	111
	Foreign		413		1,705		1,156
			460		1,775		1,267
	Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:
	Federal and state		-594		931		478
	Foreign		-154		-308		-166
			-748		623		312
	Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	-288	$	2,398	$	1,579
	Income tax (benefit) expense for the periods ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 differed from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 34% to pre-tax continuing operations income as a result of the following:
			Years ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	Computed "expected" income tax expense	$	147	$	2,343	$	2,335
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	Permanent differences, net		482		-25		109
	Foreign tax rate differential		-64		-435		-333
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		31		135		113
	Non-deductible stock compensation expense		1		254		345
	Impact of prior year pension deductions		-294		-		-
	Tax credits		-615		-127		-558
	Release of uncertain tax position liability due to
	expiration of statute of limitations		-		-		-528
	Change in valuation allowance allocated to income
	tax expense (benefit)		31		281		63
	Other		-7		-28		33
	Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	-288	$	2,398	$	1,579
	Income tax (benefit) expense is based on the following pre-tax continuing operations (loss) income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			Years ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	Domestic	$	-2,549	$	681	$	339
	Foreign		2,984		6,211		6,529
	Total	$	435	$	6,892	$	6,868
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant components of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities from continuing operations at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accounts receivable	$	65	$	62
	Inventory		1,405		1,251
	Operating loss and credit carryforwards		12,978		8,829
	Accrued expenses		409		107
	Pension liabilities		985		1,366
	Contingent consideration		2,593		2,413
	Other accrued liabilities		1,867		3,761
	Total gross deferred assets		20,302		17,789
	Less: valuation allowance		-1,249		-1,307
	Deferred tax assets	$	19,053	$	16,482

	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets	$	4,242	$	4,057
	Property, plant and equipment		70		115
	Other accrued liabilities		238		264
	Total deferred tax liabilities		4,550		4,436
	Net deferred tax assets	$	14,503	$	12,046
	The amounts recorded as deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 represent the amount of tax benefits of existing deductible temporary differences and carryforwards that are more likely than not to be realized through the generation of sufficient future taxable income within the carryforward period. Significant management judgment is required in determining any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company provides valuation allowances for net deferred tax assets in several foreign jurisdictions.

At December 31, 2013, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable income of approximately $26.6 million. The operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2014. Furthermore, the Company had foreign operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income of approximately $3.9 million, which can be carried forward indefinitely. The Company also had federal and state general business and minimum tax credit carryforwards available to reduce future federal and state regular income taxes of approximately $5.1 million, which begin to expire in 2020. Approximately $7.2 million of net operating losses are subject to an annual limitation of $0.7 million imposed by change in ownership provisions of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. As mentioned above, certain of these net operating loss and credit carryforwards have full valuation allowances set up against them.

Undistributed earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $49.2 million, $46.0 million and $40.9 million at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Undistributed foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no related provision for U.S federal and state income taxes has been provided. It is impracticable to estimate the total tax liability, if any, which would be created by the future distribution of these earnings.

At December 31, 2013 and 2012, cash and cash equivalents held by the Company's foreign subsidiaries was $23.6 million and $19.2 million, respectively. These funds are not available for domestic operations unless the funds are repatriated. If the Company planned to or did repatriate these funds then U.S. federal and state income taxes would have to be recorded on such amounts. The Company currently has no plans and does not intend to repatriate any of its undistributed foreign earnings. The foreign earnings are considered permanently reinvested and will be used for foreign acquisitions, capital investments and operations. In July 2011, the Company acquired the assets of CMA, a Swedish manufacturer, and utilized approximately $4.4 million of foreign cash on hand to do so. In February 2012, the Company acquired all issued and outstanding shares of AHN Biotechnologie GmbH, a German manufacturer, and utilized approximately $2.0 million of foreign cash on hand. In 2013, the Company also used $0.9 million of foreign cash on hand for capital improvements at AHN.

During 2010, the Company completed an analysis of its research and development credit carryforwards and determined that due to certain documentation requirements to substantiate the credit, an uncertain tax liability of $0.2 million should be recorded. No penalties or interest have been accrued on this liability because the credits have not yet been utilized. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be unnecessary, the reversal of the liabilities would result in tax benefits being recognized in the period when the Company determines the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result. A reconciliation of uncertain tax liabilities is as follows:
		(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	191
Additions based on tax positions of prior years		-
Balance at December 31, 2012		191
Additions based on tax positions of prior years		-
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	191
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009. During 2013, The Company closed its IRS audit for the 2009 and 2010 tax years. There were no material adjustments. The Company is also under audit for tax years 2009 and 2010 by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. The Company is not aware of any tax audits in other major jurisdictions.

During 2013, the Company spun off its HART subsidiary. All related carryforward tax attributes remained with Harvard Bioscience.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	16. Employee Benefit Plans

	The Company sponsors profit sharing retirement plans for its U.S. employees, which includes employee savings plans established under Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) Plans”). The 401(k) Plans cover substantially all full-time employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. Contributions to the profit sharing retirement plans are at the discretion of management. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company contributed approximately $0.6 million, $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, to the 401(k) Plans.

	Certain of the Company's subsidiaries in the United Kingdom (UK), Harvard Apparatus Limited and Biochrom Limited, maintain contributory, defined benefit or defined contribution pension plans for substantially all of their employees. The provisions of FASB ASC 715-20 require that the funded status of the Company's pension plans be recognized in its balance sheet. FASB ASC 715-20 does not change the measurement or income statement recognition of these plans, although it does require that plan assets and benefit obligations be measured as of the balance sheet date. The Company has historically measured the plan assets and benefit obligations as of the balance sheet date.

	The components of pension expense follows:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	288		$	314	$	298
	Interest cost		797			819		836
	Expected return on plan assets		-524			-570		-608
	Net amortization loss		305			248		159
	Curtailment gain		-197			-		-
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	669		$	811	$	685
	The measurement date is December 31 for these plans. The funded status of the Company's defined benefit pension plans and the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	19,643	$	16,866
	Service cost		272		303
	Interest cost		797		819
	Participants' contributions		56		60
	Actuarial (gain) loss		-329		1,547
	Benefits paid		-431		-663
	Currency translation adjustment		395		711
	Balance at end of year	$	20,403	$	19,643

			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Change in fair value of plan assets:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	13,704	$	12,006
	Actual return on plan assets		1,125		944
	Participants' contributions		56		60
	Employer contributions		801		873
	Benefits paid		-431		-663
	Currency translation adjustment		285		484
	Balance at end of year	$	15,540	$	13,704

			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Funded status	$	-4,863	$	-5,939
	Unrecognized net loss		N/A		N/A
	Net amount recognized	$	-4,863	$	-5,939
	The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $19.5 million and $18.1 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

	The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Deferred income tax assets	$	985	$	1,366
	Other long term liabilities		-4,863		-5,939
	Net amount recognized	$	-3,878	$	-4,573

	The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax consist of:
			December 31,
			2013		2012
		(in thousands)
Underfunded status of pension plans	$	-3,878	$	-4,573
Net amount recognized	$	-3,878	$	-4,573

The weighted average assumptions used in determining the net pension cost for these plans follows:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011

Discount rate		4.43%		4.09%		4.70%
Expected return on assets		3.79%		4.02%		4.40%
Rate of compensation increase		2.99%		3.51%		3.50%
The discount rate assumptions used for pension accounting reflect the prevailing rates available on high-quality, fixed-income debt instruments with terms that match the average expected duration of the Company's defined benefit pension plan obligations. The Company uses the iBoxx AA 15yr+ index, which matches the average duration of its pension plan liability of approximately 15 years. With the current base of assets in the pension plans, a 0.1% increase/decrease in the discount rate assumption would decrease/increase annual pension expense by approximately $157,000.

The Company's mix of pension plan investments among asset classes also affects the long-term expected rate of return on plan assets. As of December 31, 2013, the Company's actual asset mix approximated its target mix. Differences between actual and expected returns are recognized in the calculation of net periodic pension (income)/cost over the average remaining expected future working lifetime, which is approximately 15 years, of active plan participants. With the current base of assets, a 0.1% increase/decrease in the asset return assumption would decrease/increase annual pension expense by approximately $94,000.

The fair value and asset allocations of the Company's pension benefits as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 measurement dates were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
		(in thousands)
Asset category:
Equity securities	$	7,404		48%	$	6,918	50%
Debt securities		6,061		39%		5,049	37%
Cash and cash equivalents		1,488		9%		969	7%
Other		587		4%		768	6%
Total	$	15,540		100%	$	13,704	100%
Financial reporting standards define a fair value hierarchy that consists of three levels. The fair values of the plan assets by fair value hierarchy level as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	$	1,488	$	969
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		13,465		11,967
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		587		768
Total	$	15,540	$	13,704
Level 1 assets consist of cash and cash equivalents held in the pension plans at December 31, 2013. The Level 2 assets primarily consist of investments in private investment funds that are valued using the net asset values provided by the trust or fund, including an insurance contract. Although these funds are not traded in an active market with quoted prices, the investments underlying the net asset value are based on quoted prices. Level 3 assets consist of an investment in a longevity fund which invests in a portfolio of physical life insurance settlements that are valued using the net asset values provided by the fund. Since June 2011, the fund has been closed to all activity. During the current year, the Company wrote down the value of this investment by $0.2 million. This is due, in part, to the illiquidity and inactivity of the fund, however, the fund has entered into premium financing contracts to ensure premium obligations on the policies are met for the foreseeable future or until maturities result in reliable liquidity. Going forward, the Company will monitor the financial condition of this fund to determine if additional write down is necessary.

The following table presents a summary of changes in the Company's Level 3 investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	768	$	1,042
Purchases during the year		-		-
Unrealized loss		-181		-274
Balance at end of year	$	587	$	768
The Company expects to contribute approximately $0.8 million to its pension plans during 2014.

The benefits expected to be paid from the pension plans are $0.5 million in 2014, $0.6 million in 2015, $0.9 million in 2016, $0.7 million in 2017 and $0.9 million in 2018. The expected benefits to be paid in the five years from 2019—2023 are $4.6 million. The expected benefits are based on the same assumptions used to measure the Company's benefit obligation at December 31, 2013 and include estimated future employee service.

Commitments_and_Contingent_Lia

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	17. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

	From time to time, the Company may be involved in various claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently a party to any such material claims or proceedings.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	18. Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

	Changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax are as follows:

			Foreign currency		Derivatives
			translation		qualifying as		Defined benefit
	(in thousands)		adjustments		hedges		pension plans		Total

	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	-290	$	-	$	-4,573	$	-4,863

	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		1,573		-116		452		1,909
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		-		67		243		310

	Net other comprehensive income (loss)		1,573		-49		695		2,219

	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,283	$	-49	$	-3,878	$	-2,644

	The amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income are as follows:

							Affected line item in the				Year Ended December 31,
	(in thousands)						Statements of Operations				2013		2012		2011

	Amounts Reclassified From AOCI
		Derivatives qualifying as hedges
			Realized loss on derivatives qualifying as hedges				Interest expense			$	67	$	-	$	-
			Income tax				Income tax (benefit) expense				-		-		-
											67		-		-
		Defined benefit pension plans
			Amortization of net losses included in net periodic pension costs				General and administrative expenses				305		248		159
			Income tax				Income tax (benefit) expense				-62		-57		-40
											243		191		119

		Total reclassifications								$	310	$	191	$	119

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock	Dec. 31, 2013
Capital Stock Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Capital Stock Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	19. Capital Stock

	Common Stock

	On February 5, 2008, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan and declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of the Company's common stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 6, 2008. Initially, these rights will not be exercisable and will trade with the shares of the Company's common stock. Under the Shareholder Rights Plan, the rights generally will become exercisable if a person becomes an “acquiring person” by acquiring 20% or more of the common stock of the Company or if a person commences a tender offer that could result in that person owning 20% or more of the common stock of the Company. If a person becomes an acquiring person, each holder of a right (other than the acquiring person) would be entitled to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, such number of shares of preferred stock which are equivalent to shares of the Company's common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the right. If the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction after any such event, each holder of a right would then be entitled to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, shares of the acquiring company's common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the right.

	Preferred Stock

	The Company's Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 5.0 million shares of preferred stock and to determine the price privileges and other terms of the shares. The Board of Directors may exercise this authority without any further approval of stockholders. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had no preferred stock issued or outstanding.

	Employee Stock Purchase Plan

	In 2000, the Company approved the ESPP. Under this ESPP, participating employees can authorize the Company to withhold a portion of their base pay during consecutive six-month payment periods for the purchase of shares of the Company's common stock. At the conclusion of the period, participating employees can purchase shares of the Company's common stock at 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Company's common stock at the beginning or end of the period. Shares are issued under the ESPP for the six-month periods ending June 30 and December 31. Under this plan, 750,000 shares of common stock are authorized for issuance of which 527,340 shares were issued as of December 31, 2013. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company issued 56,938 shares and 60,028 shares, respectively, under the ESPP.

	Stock-Based Payment Awards

	The Company accounts for stock-based payment awards in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, which requires it to recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors including stock options, restricted stock units, and employee stock purchases related to the ESPP (“employee stock purchases”).

	FASB ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based payment awards, except restricted stock units, on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in its consolidated statements of income.
	Upon adoption of FASB ASC 718, the Company elected to retain its method of valuation for stock-based payment awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”). The determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by its stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to its expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected stock option exercise behaviors. The Company records stock compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for all awards granted since the adoption of FASB ASC 718.

	Stock Option Plans

	1996 Stock Option and Grant Plan

	In 1996, the Company adopted the 1996 Stock Option and Grant Plan (the “1996 Stock Plan”) pursuant to which the Board of Directors could grant stock options to employees, directors and consultants. The 1996 Stock Plan authorized grants of options to purchase 4,072,480 shares of authorized but unissued common stock. In 2000, the 1996 Stock Plan was replaced by the 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2013, there were no options to purchase shares outstanding under the 1996 Stock Plan.

	Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

	The Third Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2000 Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors on April 13, 2011. Such amendment to the 2000 Plan was approved by the stockholders at the Company's 2011 Annual Meeting. The 2000 Plan made the following changes, among others, to the Second Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”):


	the aggregate number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan was increased by 3,700,000 shares to 13,067,675 shares of Common Stock;
	the current limitation that no more than 3,750,000 shares of restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, and performance share awards may be issued under the Plan was replaced with a fungible share provision deducting from shares available for grant under the Plan 1.79 shares for each share that underlies an award granted under the Company's 2000 Plan for deferred stock awards of restricted stock units, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards, performance share awards or other awards under the Company's 2000 Plan for which the full value of such share is transferred by the Company to the award recipient; and
	other clarifying and updating changes.


	The Company currently has 13,067,675 shares of its common stock reserved for the issuance of awards under the 2000 Plan. As of December 31, 2013, there were options to purchase 6,690,845 shares, and 463,973 restricted stock units outstanding.

	Through December 31, 2013 and 2012, incentive stock options to purchase 10,218,057 and 8,990,395 shares and non-qualified stock options to purchase 11,028,074 and 8,906,684 shares, respectively, had been granted to employees and directors under the Stock Plans. Generally, both the incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options become fully vested over a range of one to four-year periods.

	During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 3,349,052, 1,220,934 and 1,030,500 options, respectively, were granted to employees and directors at exercise prices equal to or greater than fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.

	During 2013, 2012 and 2011, 259,931, 349,295 and 188,750 restricted stock units, respectively, were granted to certain employees and directors under the 2000 Plan.

	Earnings per share

	Basic earnings per share is based upon net income divided by the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share assumes conversion of stock options and restricted stock units into common stock using the treasury method. The weighted average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share consists of the following:
			Year ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011

	Basic		30,384,010		28,799,377		28,451,386
	Effect of assumed conversion of employee and director stock options and restricted stock units		1,529,789		992,730		1,367,348
	Diluted		31,913,799		29,792,107		29,818,734
	Excluded from the shares used in calculating the diluted earnings per common share in the above table are options to purchase approximately 2,547,580 shares, 4,700,033 shares and 3,653,317 shares of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, as the impact of these shares would be anti-dilutive.

	General Option Information

	The following is a summary of stock option and the restricted stock unit activity:
				Stock Options					Restricted Stock Units
							Weighted
				Stock			Average		Restricted
				Options			Exercise		Stock Units			Grant Date
			Outstanding			Price		Outstanding			Fair Value

Balance at December 31, 2010			7,826,200		$	4.38		467,600		$	3.61
	Granted		1,030,500			5.64		188,750			5.64
	Exercised		-105,625			3.79		-			-
	Vested (RSU's)		-			-		-116,900			-
	Cancelled / forfeited		-231,500			5.27		-			-
Balance at December 31, 2011			8,519,575			4.52		539,450			4.32
	Granted		1,220,934			3.6		349,295			3.57
	Exercised		-648,000			3.94		-			-
	Vested (RSU's)		-			-		-164,090			-
	Cancelled / forfeited		-1,014,000			6.36		-47,462			4.21
Balance at December 31, 2012			8,078,509			4.25		677,193			3.97
	Granted		3,349,052			4.44		259,931			4.62
	Exercised		-3,410,483			3.2		-			-
	Vested (RSU's)		-			-		-281,650			-
	Cancelled / forfeited		-1,326,233			5.26		-191,501			4.07
Balance at December 31, 2013			6,690,845		$	3.42		463,973		$	4.32
For 2013 and included in the table above are grants of 1,715,164 options and 135,650 restricted stock units related to the spin-off of HART. Pursuant to the spin-off, share amounts and exercise prices of Harvard Bioscience options, as well as share amounts of Harvard Bioscience restricted stock units were adjusted so that the intrinsic value held by the holder pertaining to the existing option or award was maintained immediately following the spin-off.
The Company's policy is to issue stock available from its registered but unissued stock pool through its transfer agent to satisfy stock option exercises and vesting of the restricted stock units.

The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2013 (Aggregate Intrinsic Value, in thousands):
			Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
					Weighted								Weighted
					Average		Weighted						Average		Weighted
	Range of		Shares		Remaining		Average		Aggregate		Shares		Remaining		Average		Aggregate
	Exercise		Outstanding at		Contractual Life		Exercise		Intrinsic		Exercisable at		Contractual Life		Exercise		Intrinsic
	Price		Dec. 31, 2013		in Years		Price		Value		Dec. 31, 2013		in Years		Price		Value

$	1.43-2.15		306,358		4.03	$	1.86	$	870		306,358		4.03	$	1.86	$	870
	2.28-2.28		981,082		5.37		2.28		2,372		981,082		5.37		2.28		2,372
	2.45-2.45		13,172		1.43		2.45		30		13,172		1.43		2.45		30
	2.56-2.56		994,618		7.82		2.56		2,128		198,402		7.82		2.56		425
	2.59-3.54		836,338		4.66		3.03		1,397		723,635		4.66		3.1		1,158
	3.64-3.64		935,371		8.89		3.64		991		-		0		-		-
	3.68-3.99		486,706		3.3		3.87		404		486,706		3.3		3.87		404
	4.04-4.04		865,617		7.2		4.04		571		444,865		7.2		4.04		294
	4.21-4.31		807,500		9.88		4.31		315		-		0		-		-
	5.73-6.57		464,083		0.22		5.75		-		464,083		0.22		5.75		-
$	1.43-6.57		6,690,845		6.34	$	3.42	$	9,078		3,618,303		4.56	$	3.3	$	5,553
The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the Company's closing stock price of $4.70 as of December 31, 2013, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. The weighted average exercise prices above were adjusted to reflect the effect of the spin-off of HART on the Company's outstanding options. Pursuant to the spin-off, share amounts and exercise prices of Harvard Bioscience options were adjusted so that the intrinsic value held by the holder pertaining to the existing option was maintained immediately following the spin-off. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $5.1 million, $0.3 million and $8,450, respectively. The total number of in-the-money options that were exercisable as of December 31, 2013 was 3,154,220.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, the total compensation costs related to unvested awards not yet recognized is $3.4 million and the weighted average period over which it is expected to be recognized is 2.31 years.

Valuation and Expense Information under Stock-Based-Payment Accounting

Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock units and the employee stock purchase plan for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was allocated as follows:

		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)

Cost of product revenues	$	131		$	87		$	76
Sales and marketing		223			154			152
General and administrative		2,200			2,990			2,570
Research and development		45			25			21
Discontinued operations		71			65			44
Total stock-based compensation	$	2,670		$	3,321		$	2,863
The Company did not capitalize any stock-based compensation.

The weighted-average estimated fair value per share of stock options granted during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $2.41, $1.84 and $2.94, respectively, using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Volatility	57.18	%		55.09	%		54.24	%
Risk-free interest rate	1.42	%		0.8	%		2.01	%
Expected holding period	5.67	years		5.98	years		5.94	years
Dividend Yield	0	%		0	%		0	%
The Company used historical volatility to calculate the expected volatility as of December 31, 2013. Historical volatility was determined by calculating the mean reversion of the daily adjusted closing stock price. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon observed Treasury bill interest rates (risk free) appropriate for the term of the Company's stock options. The expected life of stock options represents the period of time options are expected to be outstanding and were based on historical experience. The vesting period ranges from one to four years and the contractual life is ten years.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest and has been reduced for annualized estimated forfeitures of 6.54%, 5.38% and 5.04%, respectively. Stock-based-payment accounting requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	20. Related Party Transactions

	In connection with the HART spin-off, the Company entered into various commercial agreements with HART. These agreements include: (i) a Separation and Distribution Agreement to effect the separation and spin-off distribution and provide other agreements to govern the Company's relationship with HART after the spin-off; (ii) an Intellectual Property Matters Agreement, which governs various intellectual property related arrangements between the Company and HART, including the separation of intellectual property rights between the Company and HART, as well as certain related cross-licenses between the two companies; (iii) a Product Distribution Agreement, which provides that each company will become the exclusive distributor for the other party for products such other party develops for sale in the markets served by the other; (iv) a Tax Sharing Agreement, which governs the Company's and HART's respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings and other matters regarding taxes for periods before, during and after the spin-off; and (v) a Transition Services Agreement, which provides for certain services to be performed on a transitional basis by the Company to facilitate HART's transition into a separate public reporting company. As part of the Transition Services Agreement, and for one year following the spin-off date, the Company will provide certain support services to HART, including, among others, accounting, payroll, human resources and information technology services, with the charges for the transition services generally intended to allow the Company to fully recover the costs directly associated with providing the services, plus all out-of-pocket costs and expenses.

	The Company's operating expenses were reduced by $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as a result of the fees the Company charged to HART for services provided pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement. In addition, the Company's rent expense was reduced by $26,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013, as a result of sublease rent charged to HART pursuant to a sublease between the two companies. Refer to Note 13 for further details on the sublease.

	David Green, who is currently a Director of the Company and was also formerly the Company's President and interim CEO, is currently the Chairman and CEO of HART.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
Segment Reporting	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment and Related Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	21. Segment and Related Information

	Operating segments are determined by products and services provided by each segment, internal organization structure, the manner in which operations are managed, criteria used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) to assess the segment performance, as well as resource allocation and the availability of discrete financial information. Following the spin-off of HART, the Company's former Regenerative Medicine Device (“RMD”) segment, the Company has one operating segment. As such, segment results and consolidated results are the same.
	The following tables summarize selected financial information of the Company's continuing operations by geographic location:
	Revenues originating from the following geographic areas consist of:

			Year ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	United States	$	63,810	$	65,190	$	64,185
	United Kingdom		23,123		27,137		26,160
	Rest of the world		18,238		18,844		18,519
	Total revenues	$	105,171	$	111,171	$	108,864
	Long-lived assets by geographic area consist of the following:

			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	United States	$	14,128	$	16,744
	United Kingdom		2,343		2,441
	Rest of the world		6,913		6,591
	Total long-lived assets (1)	$	23,384	$	25,776

	(1) Total long-lived assets includes property, plant and equipment, net and amortizable intangible assets, net.

	Net assets by geographic area consist of the following:

			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	United States	$	37,497	$	51,218
	United Kingdom		32,214		29,741
	Rest of the world		24,774		23,254
	Total net assets	$	94,485	$	104,213

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Debts

Allowance for Doubtful Debts	12 Months Ended
Allowance for Doubtful Debts	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance For Doubtful Debts Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Allowance For Doubtful Debts Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	22. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

	Allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company's assessment of the collectability of customer accounts. A rollforward of allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
			Charged (credited) to
			Beginning	Bad Debt	Charged to		Ending
			Balance	Expense	Allowance (1)		Balance
			(in thousands)

	Year ended December 31, 2011	$	273	67	-38	$	302
	Year ended December 31, 2012		302	-31	-77		194
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	194	172	-8	$	358

	(1) Consists of accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Warranties

Warranties	12 Months Ended
Warranties	Dec. 31, 2013
Warranties Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Warranties Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	23. Warranties

	A rollforward of product warranties is as follows:
			Beginning				Ending
			Balance	Payments	Additions		Balance
			(in thousands)

	Year ended December 31, 2011	$	158	-58	44	$	144
	Year ended December 31, 2012		144	-136	214		222
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	222	-179	262	$	305

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	24. Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)

	The following quarterly 2013 and 2012 financial information has been restated to reflect HART's operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The operations of HART have been combined with the Company's other discontinued operations.
	Statement of Operations Data:
				First		Second		Third		Fourth		Fiscal
	2013			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year
				(in thousands, except per share data)

	Revenues		$	26,086	$	26,094	$	25,137	$	27,854	$	105,171
	Cost of product revenues			13,826		14,005		13,838		15,806		57,475
		Gross profit		12,260		12,089		11,299		12,048		47,696
	Total operating expenses			10,934		11,343		10,885		12,997		46,159
	Operating income (loss)			1,326		746		414		-949		1,537
	Other (expense) income, net			-95		-330		-358		-319		-1,102
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			1,231		416		56		-1,268		435
	Income tax expense (benefit)			299		321		105		-1,013		-288
	Income (loss) from continuing operations			932		95		-49		-255		723
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax			-836		-281		-935		-501		-2,553
	Net income (loss)		$	96	$	-186	$	-984	$	-756	$	-1,830


	Earnings (loss) per share:

		Basic earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$	0.03	$	0	$	0	$	-0.01	$	0.02
		Discontinued operations		-0.03		-0.01		-0.03		-0.01		-0.08
		Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	0	$	-0.01	$	-0.03	$	-0.02	$	-0.06

		Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$	0.03	$	0	$	0	$	-0.01	$	0.02
		Discontinued operations		-0.03		-0.01		-0.03		-0.01		-0.08
		Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	0	$	-0.01	$	-0.03	$	-0.02	$	-0.06

	Statement of Operations Data:
				First		Second		Third		Fourth		Fiscal
	2012			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year
				(in thousands, except per share data)

	Revenues		$	28,322	$	28,496	$	26,104	$	28,249	$	111,171
	Cost of product revenues			14,939		14,901		14,135		14,856		58,831
		Gross profit		13,383		13,595		11,969		13,393		52,340
	Total operating expenses			11,321		11,121		10,813		11,255		44,510
	Operating income			2,062		2,474		1,156		2,138		7,830
	Other (expense) income, net			-385		-226		-178		-149		-938
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes			1,677		2,248		978		1,989		6,892
	Income tax expense			605		698		278		817		2,398
	Income from continuing operations			1,072		1,550		700		1,172		4,494
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax			-543		-776		-833		28		-2,124
	Net income (loss)		$	529	$	774	$	-133	$	1,200	$	2,370

	Earnings per share:

		Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations	$	0.04	$	0.05	$	0.02	$	0.04	$	0.16
		Discontinued operations		-0.02		-0.03		-0.03		0		-0.07
		Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.02	$	0.02	$	-0.01	$	0.04	$	0.09

		Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations	$	0.04	$	0.05	$	0.02	$	0.04	$	0.15
		Discontinued operations		-0.02		-0.03		-0.03		0		-0.07
		Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.02	$	0.02	$	-0.01	$	0.04	$	0.08

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]	'
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Disclosure [Text Block]	'

	(r) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”, which requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward, or similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, rather than as a liability when the uncertain tax position would reduce the NOL or other carryforward under the tax law. The ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company believes the adoption of this new guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

	In February 2013, the FASB issued additional guidance in ASU 2013-02, “Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The new guidance requires the presentation of effects on net income line items of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income, but only if the item reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. The Company shall provide this information either on the face of the statements or in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance, which is related to disclosure only, did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]	'
	(a) Principles of Consolidation

	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates [Policy Text Block]	'

	(b) Use of Estimates

	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the use of management estimates. Such estimates include the determination and establishment of certain accruals and provisions, including those for inventory obsolescence, catalog cost amortization periods, income tax and reserves for bad debts. In addition, certain estimates are required in order to determine the value of assets and liabilities associated with acquisitions. Estimates are also required to evaluate the value and recoverability of existing long-lived and intangible assets, including goodwill. On an ongoing basis, the Company reviews its estimates based upon currently available information. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]	'
	(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents

	For purposes of the consolidated balance sheets and statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Policy Text Block]	'

	(d) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

	Allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company's assessment of collectability of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances and other factors that may affect a customer's ability to pay.
Inventories [Policy Text Block]	'

	(e) Inventories

	The Company values its inventories at the lower of the actual cost to purchase (first-in, first-out method) and/or manufacture the inventories or the current estimated market value of the inventories. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and records a provision to write down excess and obsolete inventories to its estimated net realizable value if less than cost, based primarily on historical inventory usage and estimated forecast of product demand.
Property, Plant and Equipment [Policy Text Block]	'

	(f) Property, Plant and Equipment

	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
		Buildings			40	years
		Machinery and equipment	3	-	10	years
		Computer equipment and software	3	-	7	years
		Furniture and fixtures	5	-	10	years
		Automobiles	3	-	6	years
	Property and equipment held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.

Catalog Costs [Policy Text Block]	'
	(g) Catalog Costs

	Significant costs of product catalog design, development and production are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the catalog (usually one to three years).

Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]	'
	(h) Income Taxes

	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

	The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition are reflected in the period in which the judgement occurs.

Foreign Currency Transaction [Policy Text Block]	'

	(i) Foreign Currency Translation

	The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is generally their local currency. All assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries are translated at exchange rates in effect at period-end. Income and expenses are translated at rates which approximate those in effect on the transaction dates. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in net income.

Earnings Per Share [Policy Text Block]	'

	(j) Earnings per Share

	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods presented. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to the computation of basic earnings per share, except that the denominator is increased for the assumed exercise of dilutive options and other potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method unless the effect is antidilutive. Since the Company is reporting discontinued operations, it used income from continuing operations as the control number in determining whether those potential dilutive securities are dilutive or antidilutive.
Comprehensive Income Loss [Policy Text Block]	'

	(k) Comprehensive Income

	The Company follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 220, “Comprehensive Income”. FASB ASC 220 requires companies to report all changes in equity during a period, resulting from net income (loss) and transactions from non-owner sources, in a financial statement in the period in which they are recognized. The Company has chosen to disclose comprehensive income, which encompasses net income (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments, gains and losses on derivatives, the underfunded status of its pension plans, and pension minimum additional liability adjustments, net of tax, in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]	'

	(l) Revenue Recognition

	The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition”. The Company recognizes product revenue when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred, and collectibility of the sales price is reasonably assured. Sales of some of its products include provisions to provide additional services such as installation and training. Revenues on these products are recognized when the additional services have been performed. Service agreements on its equipment are typically sold separately from the sale of the equipment. Revenues on these service agreements are recognized ratably over the life of the agreement, typically one year, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 605-20, “Revenue Recognition—Services”.

	The Company accounts for shipping and handling fees and costs in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 605-45-45, “Revenue Recognition—Principal Agent Considerations”, which requires all amounts charged to customers for shipping and handling to be classified as revenues. The costs incurred related to shipping and handling is classified as cost of product revenues. Warranties and product returns are estimated and accrued for at the time sales are recorded. The Company has no obligations to customers after the date products are shipped or installed, if applicable, other than pursuant to warranty obligations and service or maintenance contracts. The Company provides for the estimated amount of future returns upon shipment of products or installation, if applicable, based on historical experience.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]	'

	(m) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

	Goodwill and other intangible assets include goodwill, unamortizable intangible assets and amortizable intangible assets. Amortizable intangible assets (those intangible assets with definite estimated useful lives) are initially recorded at fair value and amortized, using the straight-line method, over their estimated useful lives. At December 31, 2013, amortizable intangible assets include existing technology, trade names, distribution agreements, customer relationships and patents. These amortizable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over 7 to 15 years, 15 years, 5 years, 5 to 15 years and 5 to 15 years, respectively.

	Goodwill and unamortizable intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”.

	For the purpose of its goodwill analysis, and following the spin-off of HART, the Company has one reporting unit. The Company conducted its annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. The first step of the impairment analysis compares the Company's fair value to its carrying value to determine if there is any indication of impairment. Step two of the analysis compares the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation for business combination. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to that excess. For indefinite-lived intangible assets if the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset, the Company would write down the indefinite-lived intangible asset to fair value.

	At December 31, 2013, the Company compared its carrying value to its overall market capitalization, noting the fair value of the Company significantly exceeded the carrying value. The Company concluded that none of its goodwill was impaired.

	The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually and when events occur or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying amount. Events or circumstances that might require an interim evaluation include unexpected adverse business conditions, economic factors, unanticipated technological changes or competitive activities, loss of key personnel and acts by governments and courts. At December 31, 2013 the Company concluded that none of its indefinite-lived intangible assets were impaired.

Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets [Policy Text Block]	'

	(n) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

	The Company assesses recoverability of its long-lived assets that are held for use, such as property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment” when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets or an asset group to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or the asset group. Cash flow projections are based on trends of historical performance and management's estimate of future performance. If the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its estimated fair value. At December 31, 2013 the Company concluded that none of its long-lived assets were impaired.

Derivatives [Policy Text Block]	'

	(o) Derivatives

	The Company uses interest-rate-related derivative instruments to manage its exposure related to changes in interest rates on its variable-rate debt instruments. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than cash flow hedging. The Company does not speculate using derivative instruments. The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet at their respective fair values. For derivatives designated in hedging relationships, changes in the fair value are either offset through earnings against the change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), to the extent the derivative is effective at offsetting the changes in cash flows being hedged until the hedged item affects earnings.

	The Company only enters into derivative contracts that it intends to designate as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). For all hedging relationships, the Company formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method used to measure ineffectiveness. The Company also formally assesses, both at the inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging relationships are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged transactions. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as part of a cash flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

	The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, the cash flow hedge is de-designated because a forecasted transaction is not probable of occurring, or management determines to remove the designation of the cash flow hedge.

	In all situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative remains outstanding, the Company continues to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet and recognizes any subsequent changes in its fair value in earnings. When it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting and recognizes immediately in earnings gains and losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income related to the hedging relationship.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Policy Text Block]	'
	p) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

	The carrying values of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable and short-term debt approximate their fair values because of the short maturities of those instruments. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt approximates its carrying value and is based on the amount of future cash flows associated with the debt discounted using current borrowing rates for similar debt instruments of comparable maturity.

	Financial reporting standards define a fair value hierarchy that consists of three levels:

	Level 1 includes instruments for which quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the Company at the measurement date.
	Level 2 includes instruments for which the valuations are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 includes valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.


Share-based Compensation [Policy Text Block]	'

	(q) Stock-based Compensation

	The Company accounts for stock-based payment awards in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”, which requires it to recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors including stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases (“employee stock purchases”) related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended, the “ESPP”). The Company issues new shares upon stock option exercises, upon vesting of the restricted stock units and under the Company's ESPP.

	Stock-based compensation expense recognized is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest and has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The Company values stock-based payment awards, except restricted stock units at grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”). The determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by its stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to its expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected stock option exercise behaviors.

	The fair value of restricted stock units are based on the market price of the Company's stock on the date of grant and are recorded as compensation expense ratably over the applicable service period, which ranges from one to four years. Unvested restricted stock units are forfeited in the event of termination of employment with the Company.

	Stock-based compensation expense recognized under FASB ASC 718 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 consisted of stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, the employee stock purchase plan, and the restricted stock units and was recorded as a component of cost of product revenues, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses, research and development expenses and discontinued operations.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life [Table Text Block]	'
		Buildings			40	years
		Machinery and equipment	3	-	10	years
		Computer equipment and software	3	-	7	years
		Furniture and fixtures	5	-	10	years
		Automobiles	3	-	6	years

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Inventories (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventories Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory [Table Text Block]	'
				December 31,
				2013		2012
				(in thousands)
	Finished goods		$	7,039	$	8,023
	Work in process			752		731
	Raw materials			7,986		9,008
		Total	$	15,777	$	17,762

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Land, buildings and leasehold improvements	$	3,082	$	2,790
	Machinery and equipment		9,471		8,760
	Computer equipment and software		4,927		4,917
	Furniture and fixtures		1,281		1,201
	Automobiles		59		194
			18,820		17,862
	Less: accumulated depreciation		-14,445		-13,311
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	4,375	$	4,551

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Business Acquisitions [Table Text Block]	'
			(in thousands)
	Tangible assets	$	1,500
	Liabilities assumed		-1,454
	Net assets assumed		46

	Goodwill and intangible assets:
	Goodwill		1,308
	Customer relationships		474
	Trade name		180
	Total goodwill and intangible assets		1,962
	Acquisition purchase price	$	2,008
				(in thousands)
		Tangible assets	$	30
		Liabilities assumed		-
		Net assets assumed		30

		Goodwill and intangible assets:
		Goodwill		145
		Customer relationships		50
		Technology		200
		Trade name		95
		Total goodwill and intangible assets		490
		Acquisition purchase price	$	520
Schedule of Business Acquisitions , Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block]	'
				(in thousands)
		Cash	$	500
		Contingent consideration		20
		Total	$	520

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Discontinued Operations (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
			Year ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, UBI	$	440	$	1,344	$	-
	(Loss) from discontinued operations, HART		-4,861		-4,664		-2,326
	Income tax (benefit)		-1,868		-1,196		-849
	(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	-2,553	$	-2,124	$	-1,477

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
											Weighted
			December 31,								Average
			2013					2012			Life	(a)
			(in thousands)
	Amortizable intangible assets:		Gross			Accumulated Amortization		Gross		Accumulated Amortization
	Existing technology	$	13,464		$	-11,091	$	13,258	$	-10,207	4.3	Years
	Tradename		6,178			-2,185		6,167		-1,756	11	Years
	Distribution agreement/customer relationships		21,827			-9,447		21,699		-7,938	10.6	Years
	Patents		271			-8		9		-7	5	Years
	Total amortizable intangible assets		41,740		$	-22,731		41,133	$	-19,908

	Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
	Goodwill		36,605					36,200
	Other indefinite-lived intangible assets		1,289					1,276
	Total goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets		37,894					37,476

	Total intangible assets	$	79,634				$	78,609

	(a) Weighted average life is as of December 31, 2013.
Goodwill Rollforward [Table Text Block]	'
				(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	34,209
		Goodwill arising from business combination		1,453
		Effect of change in foreign currencies		538
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	36,200
		Effect of change in foreign currencies		405
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	36,605

Restructuring_and_Other_Exit_C1

Restructuring and Other Exit Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Restructuring and Other Exit Costs (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Plan Table [Table Text Block]	'
			Severance
			and Related Costs
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	2,100
	Cash payments		-666
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,434
			Severance
			and Related Costs
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	96
	Cash payments		-96
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2013	$	-
			Severance
			and Related Costs		Other		Total
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	312	$	11	$	323
	Cash payments		-179		-		-179
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2012	$	133	$	11	$	144
	Cash payments	$	-84	$	-11	$	-95
	Non-cash reversal of restructuring charges		-46		-		-46
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2013	$	3	$	-	$	3
			Severance and		Fixed Asset
			Related Costs		Write offs		Other		Total
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	78	$	307	$	110	$	495
	Cash payments		-33		-		-180		-213
	Non-cash charges		-		-307		70		-237
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2011		45		-		-		45
	Cash payments		-45		-		-		-45
	Restructuring balance at December 31, 2012	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
			Years ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Restructuring charges	$	2,150		$	310		$	467

Long_Term_Debt_Tables

Long Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Long Term Debt (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Long Term Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	The aggregate amounts of debt maturing during the next five years are as follows:

				(in thousands)

		2014	$	5,000
		2015		5,000
		2016		7,500
		2017		5,000
		2018		2,250
		Total	$	24,750
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Long-term debt:
	Term loan	$	12,750	$	-
	DDTL		9,500		-
	Revolving line		2,500		12,950
	Total debt		24,750		12,950
	Less: current installments		-5,000		-
	Long-term debt	$	19,750	$	12,950

Derivative_Tables

Derivative (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Derivative (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	'
						31-Dec-13			31-Dec-13
						Notional			Fair
						Amount			Value (a)
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815			Balance sheet classification		(in thousands)
	Interest rate swap			Other liabilities-non current	$	17,500		$	-49

		(a) See note 12 for the fair value measurements related to these financial instruments.
Schedule of effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations [Table Text Block]	'
				For the Year ended December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)		Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in OCI on derivative (effective portion)		Location of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)		Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)

		Interest rate swaps	$	-49		Interest expense	$	-67

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
		Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	-	$	49	$	-	$	49

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Leases (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
			Operating
			Leases
			(in thousands)
	2014	$	1,228
	2015		1,073
	2016		763
	2017		422
	2018		160
	Thereafter		70
	Net minimum lease payments	$	3,716

Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Accrued Expenses (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Accrued Liabilities Current [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and payroll	$	1,349	$	1,389
	Accrued legal and professional fees		927		869
	Accrued severance		1,434		133
	Warranty costs		305		222
	Other		1,063		892
	Total	$	5,078	$	3,505

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
			Year ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	Current income tax expense:
	Federal and state	$	47	$	70	$	111
	Foreign		413		1,705		1,156
			460		1,775		1,267
	Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:
	Federal and state		-594		931		478
	Foreign		-154		-308		-166
			-748		623		312
	Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	-288	$	2,398	$	1,579
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
			Years ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	Computed "expected" income tax expense	$	147	$	2,343	$	2,335
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	Permanent differences, net		482		-25		109
	Foreign tax rate differential		-64		-435		-333
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		31		135		113
	Non-deductible stock compensation expense		1		254		345
	Impact of prior year pension deductions		-294		-		-
	Tax credits		-615		-127		-558
	Release of uncertain tax position liability due to
	expiration of statute of limitations		-		-		-528
	Change in valuation allowance allocated to income
	tax expense (benefit)		31		281		63
	Other		-7		-28		33
	Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	-288	$	2,398	$	1,579
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	'
			Years ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	Domestic	$	-2,549	$	681	$	339
	Foreign		2,984		6,211		6,529
	Total	$	435	$	6,892	$	6,868
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accounts receivable	$	65	$	62
	Inventory		1,405		1,251
	Operating loss and credit carryforwards		12,978		8,829
	Accrued expenses		409		107
	Pension liabilities		985		1,366
	Contingent consideration		2,593		2,413
	Other accrued liabilities		1,867		3,761
	Total gross deferred assets		20,302		17,789
	Less: valuation allowance		-1,249		-1,307
	Deferred tax assets	$	19,053	$	16,482

	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets	$	4,242	$	4,057
	Property, plant and equipment		70		115
	Other accrued liabilities		238		264
	Total deferred tax liabilities		4,550		4,436
	Net deferred tax assets	$	14,503	$	12,046
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
			(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	191
	Additions based on tax positions of prior years		-
	Balance at December 31, 2012		191
	Additions based on tax positions of prior years		-
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	191

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Costs Of Retirement Plans [Table Text Block]	'
			Year ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	288		$	314		$	298
	Interest cost		797			819			836
	Expected return on plan assets		-524			-570			-608
	Net amortization loss		305			248			159
	Curtailment gain		-197			-			-
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	669		$	811		$	685
Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	19,643	$	16,866
	Service cost		272		303
	Interest cost		797		819
	Participants' contributions		56		60
	Actuarial (gain) loss		-329		1,547
	Benefits paid		-431		-663
	Currency translation adjustment		395		711
	Balance at end of year	$	20,403	$	19,643

Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Change in fair value of plan assets:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	13,704	$	12,006
	Actual return on plan assets		1,125		944
	Participants' contributions		56		60
	Employer contributions		801		873
	Benefits paid		-431		-663
	Currency translation adjustment		285		484
	Balance at end of year	$	15,540	$	13,704

Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Funded status	$	-4,863	$	-5,939
	Unrecognized net loss		N/A		N/A
	Net amount recognized	$	-4,863	$	-5,939
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Deferred income tax assets	$	985	$	1,366
	Other long term liabilities		-4,863		-5,939
	Net amount recognized	$	-3,878	$	-4,573

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Underfunded status of pension plans	$	-3,878	$	-4,573
	Net amount recognized	$	-3,878	$	-4,573

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	'
			Year ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011

	Discount rate		4.43%		4.09%		4.70%
	Expected return on assets		3.79%		4.02%		4.40%
	Rate of compensation increase		2.99%		3.51%		3.50%
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013				2012
			(in thousands)
	Asset category:
	Equity securities	$	7,404		48%	$	6,918		50%
	Debt securities		6,061		39%		5,049		37%
	Cash and cash equivalents		1,488		9%		969		7%
	Other		587		4%		768		6%
	Total	$	15,540		100%	$	13,704		100%
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	$	1,488	$	969
	Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		13,465		11,967
	Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		587		768
	Total	$	15,540	$	13,704
Schedule of Effect of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Changes in Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of year	$	768	$	1,042
	Purchases during the year		-		-
	Unrealized loss		-181		-274
	Balance at end of year	$	587	$	768

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'
			Foreign currency		Derivatives
			translation		qualifying as		Defined benefit
	(in thousands)		adjustments		hedges		pension plans		Total

	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	-290	$	-	$	-4,573	$	-4,863

	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		1,573		-116		452		1,909
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		-		67		243		310

	Net other comprehensive income (loss)		1,573		-49		695		2,219

	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,283	$	-49	$	-3,878	$	-2,644
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'
							Affected line item in the				Year Ended December 31,
	(in thousands)						Statements of Operations				2013		2012		2011

	Amounts Reclassified From AOCI
		Derivatives qualifying as hedges
			Realized loss on derivatives qualifying as hedges				Interest expense			$	67	$	-	$	-
			Income tax				Income tax (benefit) expense				-		-		-
											67		-		-
		Defined benefit pension plans
			Amortization of net losses included in net periodic pension costs				General and administrative expenses				305		248		159
			Income tax				Income tax (benefit) expense				-62		-57		-40
											243		191		119

		Total reclassifications								$	310	$	191	$	119

Capital_Stock_Tables

Capital Stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Capital Stock Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units Activity Rollforward [Table Text Block]	'
				Stock Options					Restricted Stock Units
							Weighted
				Stock			Average		Restricted
				Options			Exercise		Stock Units			Grant Date
				Outstanding			Price		Outstanding			Fair Value

	Balance at December 31, 2010			7,826,200		$	4.38		467,600		$	3.61
		Granted		1,030,500			5.64		188,750			5.64
		Exercised		-105,625			3.79		-			-
		Vested (RSU's)		-			-		-116,900			-
		Cancelled / forfeited		-231,500			5.27		-			-
	Balance at December 31, 2011			8,519,575			4.52		539,450			4.32
		Granted		1,220,934			3.6		349,295			3.57
		Exercised		-648,000			3.94		-			-
		Vested (RSU's)		-			-		-164,090			-
		Cancelled / forfeited		-1,014,000			6.36		-47,462			4.21
	Balance at December 31, 2012			8,078,509			4.25		677,193			3.97
		Granted		3,349,052			4.44		259,931			4.62
		Exercised		-3,410,483			3.2		-			-
		Vested (RSU's)		-			-		-281,650			-
		Cancelled / forfeited		-1,326,233			5.26		-191,501			4.07
	Balance at December 31, 2013			6,690,845		$	3.42		463,973		$	4.32
Table Of Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'

		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Volatility	57.18	%		55.09	%		54.24	%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.42	%		0.8	%		2.01	%
	Expected holding period	5.67	years		5.98	years		5.94	years
	Dividend Yield	0	%		0	%		0	%
Stock Based Compensation Expense Activity By Function [Table Text Block]	'

			Year Ended December 31,
			2013			2012			2011
			(in thousands)

	Cost of product revenues	$	131		$	87		$	76
	Sales and marketing		223			154			152
	General and administrative		2,200			2,990			2,570
	Research and development		45			25			21
	Discontinued operations		71			65			44
	Total stock-based compensation	$	2,670		$	3,321		$	2,863
Basic and Diluted Shares [Table Text Block]	'
			Year ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011

	Basic		30,384,010		28,799,377		28,451,386
	Effect of assumed conversion of employee and director stock options and restricted stock units		1,529,789		992,730		1,367,348
	Diluted		31,913,799		29,792,107		29,818,734
Schedule of Summary of Outstanding and Exercisable Options [Table Text Block]	'
				Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
						Weighted							Weighted
						Average		Weighted					Average		Weighted
		Range of		Shares		Remaining		Average		Aggregate		Shares	Remaining		Average		Aggregate
		Exercise		Outstanding at		Contractual Life		Exercise		Intrinsic		Exercisable at	Contractual Life		Exercise		Intrinsic
		Price		Dec. 31, 2013		in Years		Price		Value		Dec. 31, 2013	in Years		Price		Value

	$	1.43-2.15		306,358		4.03	$	1.86	$	870		306,358	4.03	$	1.86	$	870
		2.28-2.28		981,082		5.37		2.28		2,372		981,082	5.37		2.28		2,372
		2.45-2.45		13,172		1.43		2.45		30		13,172	1.43		2.45		30
		2.56-2.56		994,618		7.82		2.56		2,128		198,402	7.82		2.56		425
		2.59-3.54		836,338		4.66		3.03		1,397		723,635	4.66		3.1		1,158
		3.64-3.64		935,371		8.89		3.64		991		-	0		-		-
		3.68-3.99		486,706		3.3		3.87		404		486,706	3.3		3.87		404
		4.04-4.04		865,617		7.2		4.04		571		444,865	7.2		4.04		294
		4.21-4.31		807,500		9.88		4.31		315		-	0		-		-
		5.73-6.57		464,083		0.22		5.75		-		464,083	0.22		5.75		-
	$	1.43-6.57		6,690,845		6.34	$	3.42	$	9,078		3,618,303	4.56	$	3.3	$	5,553

Segment_and_Related_Informatio

Segment and Related Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Segment and Related Information (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment and Related Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	'
	Revenues originating from the following geographic areas consist of:

			Year ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(in thousands)
	United States	$	63,810	$	65,190	$	64,185
	United Kingdom		23,123		27,137		26,160
	Rest of the world		18,238		18,844		18,519
	Total revenues	$	105,171	$	111,171	$	108,864
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]	'
	Long-lived assets by geographic area consist of the following:

			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	United States	$	14,128	$	16,744
	United Kingdom		2,343		2,441
	Rest of the world		6,913		6,591
	Total long-lived assets (1)	$	23,384	$	25,776

	(1) Total long-lived assets includes property, plant and equipment, net and amortizable intangible assets, net.

Net Assets By Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	'
	Net assets by geographic area consist of the following:

			December 31,
			2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	United States	$	37,497	$	51,218
	United Kingdom		32,214		29,741
	Rest of the world		24,774		23,254
	Total net assets	$	94,485	$	104,213

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Debts_T

Allowance for Doubtful Debts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Allowance for Doubtful Debts (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance For Doubtful Debts Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Credit Losses for Financing Receivables, Current [Table Text Block]	'
			Charged (credited) to
			Beginning	Bad Debt	Charged to		Ending
			Balance	Expense	Allowance (1)		Balance
			(in thousands)

	Year ended December 31, 2011	$	273	67	-38	$	302
	Year ended December 31, 2012		302	-31	-77		194
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	194	172	-8	$	358

	(1) Consists of accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Warranties_Tables

Warranties (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Warranties (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Warranties Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Warranty Rollforward Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
			Beginning				Ending
			Balance	Payments	Additions		Balance
			(in thousands)

	Year ended December 31, 2011	$	158	-58	44	$	144
	Year ended December 31, 2012		144	-136	214		222
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	222	-179	262	$	305

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013												Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'												'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'												'
				First		Second		Third		Fourth		Fiscal				First		Second		Third		Fourth		Fiscal
	2013			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year	2012			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year
				(in thousands, except per share data)												(in thousands, except per share data)

	Revenues		$	26,086	$	26,094	$	25,137	$	27,854	$	105,171	Revenues		$	28,322	$	28,496	$	26,104	$	28,249	$	111,171
	Cost of product revenues			13,826		14,005		13,838		15,806		57,475	Cost of product revenues			14,939		14,901		14,135		14,856		58,831
		Gross profit		12,260		12,089		11,299		12,048		47,696		Gross profit		13,383		13,595		11,969		13,393		52,340
	Total operating expenses			10,934		11,343		10,885		12,997		46,159	Total operating expenses			11,321		11,121		10,813		11,255		44,510
	Operating income (loss)			1,326		746		414		-949		1,537	Operating income			2,062		2,474		1,156		2,138		7,830
	Other (expense) income, net			-95		-330		-358		-319		-1,102	Other (expense) income, net			-385		-226		-178		-149		-938
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			1,231		416		56		-1,268		435	Income from continuing operations before income taxes			1,677		2,248		978		1,989		6,892
	Income tax expense (benefit)			299		321		105		-1,013		-288	Income tax expense			605		698		278		817		2,398
	Income (loss) from continuing operations			932		95		-49		-255		723	Income from continuing operations			1,072		1,550		700		1,172		4,494
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax			-836		-281		-935		-501		-2,553	(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax			-543		-776		-833		28		-2,124
	Net income (loss)		$	96	$	-186	$	-984	$	-756	$	-1,830	Net income (loss)		$	529	$	774	$	-133	$	1,200	$	2,370

													Earnings per share:
	Earnings (loss) per share:
														Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations	$	0.04	$	0.05	$	0.02	$	0.04	$	0.16
		Basic earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$	0.03	$	0	$	0	$	-0.01	$	0.02		Discontinued operations		-0.02		-0.03		-0.03		0		-0.07
		Discontinued operations		-0.03		-0.01		-0.03		-0.01		-0.08		Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.02	$	0.02	$	-0.01	$	0.04	$	0.09
		Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	0	$	-0.01	$	-0.03	$	-0.02	$	-0.06
														Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations	$	0.04	$	0.05	$	0.02	$	0.04	$	0.15
		Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations	$	0.03	$	0	$	0	$	-0.01	$	0.02		Discontinued operations		-0.02		-0.03		-0.03		0		-0.07
		Discontinued operations		-0.03		-0.01		-0.03		-0.01		-0.08		Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.02	$	0.02	$	-0.01	$	0.04	$	0.08
		Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	0	$	-0.01	$	-0.03	$	-0.02	$	-0.06

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policy (Details 1)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policy (Details 1)	Dec. 31, 2013
Maximum [Member] \| Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'40 years
Maximum [Member] \| Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Computer Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'7 years
Maximum [Member] \| Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Automobiles [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'6 years
Minimum [Member] \| Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Computer Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'5 years
Minimum [Member] \| Automobiles [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment useful life	'3 years
Developed Technology Rights [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'4 years 3 months 18 days	[1]
Developed Technology Rights [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'15 years
Developed Technology Rights [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'7 years
Trade Names [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'11 years 0 months 0 days	[1]
Trade Names [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'15 years
Distribution Agreements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'5 years
Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'10 years 7 months 6 days	[1]
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'15 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'5 years
Patents [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'5 years 0 months 0 days	[1]
Patents [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'15 years
Patents [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'5 years

[1]	(a) Weighted average life is as of December 31, 2013.

Concentrations_Narratives_Deta

Concentrations (Narratives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Customers	Customers	Customers
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Customer	'3. Concentrations No customer accounted for more than 10% of the revenues for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.	'	'
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number Of Customers With Benchmark Contribution Of More Than 10%	0	0	0
Concentration Risk, Percentage	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Customer	'At December 31, 2013 and 2012, no customer accounted for more than 10% of net accounts receivable.	'	'
Number Of Customers With Benchmark Contribution Of More Than 10%	0	0	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	10.00%	10.00%	'

Inventories_Details_1

Inventories (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventories Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Finished Goods	$7,039	$8,023
Work in Process	752	731
Raw Materials	7,986	9,008
Total Inventories, Net	$15,777	$17,762

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$18,820	$17,862
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	-14,445	-13,311
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,375	4,551
Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,082	2,790
Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	9,471	8,760
Computer Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,927	4,917
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,281	1,201
Automobiles [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$59	$194

Acquisitions_Narratives_Detail

Acquisitions (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 03, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	31-May-12	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	NumberOfBusinesses	AHN Biotechnologie GmbH Acquisition [Member]	AHN Biotechnologie GmbH Acquisition [Member]	Modular SFC Acquisition [Member]	Modular SFC Acquisition [Member]	Modular SFC Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	'	'	3-Feb-12	'	31-May-12	'
Cash Paid for Acquisition	'	$2,000,000	'	$500,000	'	'
Business Acquisition Direct Acquisition Costs In Income Statement	'	'	'	'	$0	$300,000
Number of businesses acquired	2	'	'	'	'	'

Acquisitions_Details_1

Acquisitions (Details 1) (USD $)	0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 03, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	31-May-12	31-May-12	31-May-12	31-May-12
	AHN Biotechnologie GmbH Acquisition [Member]	AHN Biotechnologie GmbH Acquisition [Member]	AHN Biotechnologie GmbH Acquisition [Member]	AHN Biotechnologie GmbH Acquisition [Member]	Modular SFC Acquisition [Member]	Modular SFC Acquisition [Member]	Modular SFC Acquisition [Member]	Modular SFC Acquisition [Member]
			Customer Relationships [Member]	Trade Names [Member]		Unpatented Technology [Member]	Customer Relationships [Member]	Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tangible Assets Acquired	'	$1,500	'	'	$30	'	'	'
Liabilities Assumed	'	-1,454	'	'	0	'	'	'
Net Tangible Assets Acquired	'	46	'	'	30	'	'	'
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount	'	1,308	'	'	145	'	'	'
Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets	'	'	474	180	'	200	50	95
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Total Intangible Assets Amount Including Goodwill	'	1,962	'	'	490	'	'	'
Total Acquisition Purchase Price	'	2,008	'	'	520	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity 1 [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash Paid for Acquisition	2,000	'	'	'	500	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, at Fair Value	'	'	'	'	20	'	'	'
Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Purchase Price 1	'	$2,008	'	'	$520	'	'	'

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
Discontinued Operations (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013	Oct. 21, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	'	'	'	'	($2,553,000)	($2,124,000)	($1,477,000)
Assets transferred as part of HART spin-off	'	900,000	'	'	'	'	'
Transfer of cash and cash equivalents to HART	'	'	'	'	-15,041,000	0	0
Date of Separation Plan Completed	'	'November 1, 2013	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends Payable Date Of Record Day Month And Year	'	'	21-Oct-13	'	'	'	'
Spin-off distribution ratio spinnee to spinnor	'	'1 for 4	'	'	'	'	'
Date Entered Into Commerical Agreements With Spinnee	'31-Oct-13	'	'	'	'	'	'
Lost Value Adjustment Maintained To Share And Exercise Price Of Existing Options	'	80.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Percent Lost Value Provided Back To Option Holder	'	20.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Lost Value Adjustment To Share Amount Of Existing Outstanding Restricted Stock Units	'	80.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Percent Lost Value Provided Back To Restricted Stock Unit Holder	'	20.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Options Granted due to the Spin-off of HART	'	'	'	'	1,715,164	'	'
Restricted Stock Units Granted due to the Spin-off of HART	'	'	'	'	135,650	'	'
Date of Private Letter Ruling	'	'	'	'	'22-Mar-13	'	'
Date of Supplemental Ruling to Private Letter Ruling	'	'	'	'28-Jun-13	'	'	'
Percent of Acquired Stock to Create Taxable Spin-off	'	50.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	1,784,000	0	0
Genomic Solutions Division [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Disposal Purchase Price	'	'	'	'	1,000,000	'	'
Business Disposal Earn-Out Period In Years	'	'	'	'	3	'	'
Business Disposal Earn-Out Percent Of Revenue	'	'	'	'	20.00%	'	'
Business Disposal Promissory Note Amount	'	'	'	'	4,600,000	'	'
Business Disposal Promissory Note Interest Basis Points Over LIBOR	'	'	'	'	11.00%	'	'
Valuation Allowance For Uncertain Collectability Of Business Disposal Promissory Note	'	'	'	'	100.00%	'	'
Union Biometrica Division [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Disposal Purchase Price	'	'	'	'	1	'	'
Business Disposal Earn-Out Period In Years	'	'	'	'	5	'	'
Business Disposal Earn-Out Percent Of Revenue Up To Six Million	'	'	'	'	5.00%	'	'
Business Disposal Earn-Out Percent Of Revenue Above Six Million	'	'	'	'	8.00%	'	'
Business Disposal Promissory Note Interest Percent	'	'	'	'	12.00%	'	'
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	'	'	'	'	440,000	1,344,000	0
Harvard Apparatus Regnerative Technology [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	'	'	'	'	-4,861,000	-4,664,000	-2,326,000
Income Taxes [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	'	'	'	'	($1,868,000)	($1,196,000)	($849,000)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	$2,590,000	$2,752,000	$2,746,000
Estimated 2013 Amortization Expense	2,500,000	'	'
Estimated 2014 Amortization Expense	2,200,000	'	'
Estimated 2015 Amortization Expense	2,100,000	'	'
Estimated 2016 Amortization Expense	1,800,000	'	'
Estimated 2017 Amortization Expense	$1,700,000	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Developed Technology Rights [Member]

Trade Names [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Patents [Member]

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross

$41,740

$41,133

$13,464

$13,258

$6,178

$6,167

$21,827

$21,699

$271

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization

-22,731

-19,908

-11,091

-10,207

-2,185

-1,756

-9,447

-7,938

-8

-7

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life

'4 years 3 months 18 days

[1]

'11 years 0 months 0 days

[1]

'10 years 7 months 6 days

[1]

'5 years 0 months 0 days

[1]

Goodwill

36,605

36,200

34,209

Other indefinite lived intangible assets

1,289

1,276

Total goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets

37,894

37,476

Total intangible assets

$79,634

$78,609

[1]

(a) Weighted average life is as of December 31, 2013.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$36,200	$34,209
Acquired during the period	0	1,453
Foreign currency translation adjustments related to goodwill balance	405	538
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$36,605	$36,200

Restructuring_and_Other_Exit_C2

Restructuring and Other Exit Cots (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$2,150	$310	$467
Restructuring Plan 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	323	'
Restructuring Plan 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	495
Employee Severance [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	312	'
Employee Severance [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	78
Employee Severance [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2013 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	96	'	'
Fixed Assets Write Off [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	307
Other Costs [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	11	'
Other Costs [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	$110

Restructuring_and_Other_Exit_C3

Restructuring and Other Exit Costs (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$2,150	$310	$467
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0	'	'
Restructuring Plan 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	144	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	323	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-95	-179	'
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	-46	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	3	144	'
Restructuring Plan 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	'	45	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	495
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	'	-45	-213
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	'	'	-237
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	'	0	45
Employee Severance [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	133	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	312	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-84	-179	'
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	-46	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	3	133	'
Employee Severance [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	'	45	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	78
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	'	-45	-33
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	'	'	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	'	0	45
Employee Severance [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2013 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	96	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-96	'	'
Employee Severance [Member] \| Restructuring Plan December 2013 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	2,100	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-666	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	1,434	'	'
Fixed Assets Write Off [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	'	0	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	307
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	'	0	0
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	'	'	-307
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	'	0	0
Other Costs [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2012 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	11	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	11	'
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	-11	0	'
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	0	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0	11	'
Other Costs [Member] \| Restructuring Plan 2011 [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	'	0	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	110
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash	'	0	-180
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	'	'	70
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	'	$0	$0

Long_Term_Debt_Narratives_Deta

Long Term Debt (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Aug. 07, 2009

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 29, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 29, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 29, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2013

Mar. 29, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Delayed Drawdown Term Loan [Member]

Credit Agreement [Line Items]

Previous Approved Credit Facility

$20,000,000

Secured Debt

24,750,000

12,950,000

25,000,000

2,500,000

12,950,000

15,000,000

12,750,000

15,000,000

9,500,000

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

50,000,000

Maturity Dates

29-Mar-16

29-Mar-18

Basis Spread Over LIBOR

2.50%

3.00%

Minimum percentage of Term Loan and the DDTL that company was required to fix the rate of interest on

50.00%

Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity

17,400,000

Debt Issuance Costs

300,000

Interest Rate In Excess Of LIBOR On Credit Facility

3.00%

Maximum Borrowings Available Under The Current Credit Agreement

10,000,000

Interest Rate As Of Reporting Date

3.16%

3.96%

3.55%

DDTL Threshold For Dollar For Dollar Reduction In Revolving Line

10,000,000

Transfer Of Delayed Draw Down Term Loan Capacity To Revolver Capacity

5,000,000

Lender Approval To Fund Acquisition With Cash Promissory Note In Excess Of Threshold

6,000,000

Lender Approval To Fund Acquisition With Equity In Excess Of Threshold

$10,000,000

Long_Term_Debt_Details_1

Long Term Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Secured Debt	$24,750	'	$12,950
Current portion, long-term debt	-5,000	'	0
Long-term debt	19,750	'	12,950
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Secured Debt	2,500	25,000	12,950
Term Loan [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Secured Debt	12,750	15,000	0
Delayed Drawdown Term Loan [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Secured Debt	$9,500	$15,000	$0

Long_Term_Debt_Details_2

Long Term Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Long Term Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt repayments of principal in the next twelve months	$5,000
Debt repayments of principal in Year Two	5,000
Debt repayments of principal in Year Three	7,500
Debt repayments of principal in Year Four	5,000
Debt repayments of principal in Year Five	2,250
Long-term Debt	$24,750

Derivative_Narratives_Details

Derivative (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 05, 2013
	Dec. 31, 2013	Delayed Drawdown Term Loan [Member]	Delayed Drawdown Term Loan [Member]	Term Loan [Member]	Term Loan [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Minimum percentage of Term Loan and the DDTL that company was required to fix the rate of interest on	50.00%	'	'	'	'
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Swaps	$17,500,000	'	$5,000,000	'	$15,000,000
LIBOR Fixed Rate	'	0.93%	'	0.96%	'
Deferred losses on derivative instruments accumulated in AOCI expected to be reclassified to earnings	$100,000	'	'	'	'
Derivative Interest Rate Swap Effective Percentage	100.00%	'	'	'	'

Derivative_Details_1

Derivative (Details 1) (Other liabilities-non current [Member], Derivatives qualifying as hedges [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Other liabilities-non current [Member] \| Derivatives qualifying as hedges [Member]	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Net	($49)	[1]

[1]	(a) See note 12 for the fair value measurements related to these financial instruments.

Derivative_Details_2

Derivative (Details 2) (Derivatives qualifying as hedges [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Derivative Instruments, Loss Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion	($49)
Interest Expense [Member]	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Derivative Instruments, Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion	($67)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Derivatives qualifying as hedges [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivative Liabilities	$49
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivative Liabilities	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivative Liabilities	49
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivative Liabilities	$0

Leases_Narratives_Details

Leases (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	sqft	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Leases Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$1,300,000	$1,300,000	$1,500,000
Square Footage of Real Estate Property	17,000	'	'
HART Sublease Rent	$26,000	'	'
HART Sublease Initial Term	'P1Y6M0D	'	'
HART Sublease Extended Term	31-May-17	'	'

Leases_Details_1

Leases (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2013	$1,228
2014	1,073
2015	763
2016	422
2017	160
Thereafter	70
Operating Leases, Total Future Minimum Payments Due	$3,716

Accrued_Expenses_Details_1

Accrued Expenses (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accrued Liabilities Current [Abstract]	'	'
Employee Related Liabilities Current	$1,349	$1,389
Accrued Professional Fees Current	927	869
Accrued Severance Current	1,434	133
Product Warranty Accrual Current	305	222
Other Accrued Liabilities Current	1,063	892
Total Accrued Expenses	$5,078	$3,505

Income_Tax_Narratives_Details

Income Tax (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Income Tax (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) In Income Taxes Resulting From Release Of Uncertain Tax Position Liability Due To Expiration Of Statute Of Limitations	$0	$0	($528,000)	'
US Federal Income Tax Rate	34.00%	'	'	'
Net Operating Loss Carryforward Federal And State	26,600,000	'	'	'
Net Operating Loss Carryforward Foreign	3,900,000	'	'	'
Tax Credit Carryforwards	5,100,000	'	'	'
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards Subject To Annual Limitation	7,200,000	'	'	'
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards Annual Limitation	700,000	'	'	'
Undistributed Foreign Earnings	49,200,000	46,000,000	40,900,000	'
Cash In Foreign Subsidiaries	23,600,000	19,200,000	'	'
Cash Held In Foreign Subsidiaries Used For Foreign Capital Improvements	900,000	'	'	'
Additions Based On Tax Positions Of Prior Years	'	0	200,000	500,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	191,000	191,000	191,000	'
CMA Acquisition [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Held In Foreign Subsidiaries Used For Acquisitions	'	4,400,000	'	'
AHN Biotechnologie GmbH Acquisition [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Held In Foreign Subsidiaries Used For Acquisitions	$2,000,000	'	'	'

Income_Tax_Details_1

Income Tax (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, 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
Income Tax Expense (benefit) Attributable To Income From Continuing Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current Federal And State Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$47	$70	$111
Current Foreign Income Tax Expense (benefit) From Continuing Operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	413	1,705	1,156
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	460	1,775	1,267
Deferred Federal And State Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-594	931	478
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-154	-308	-166
Deferred Income Taxes Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-748	623	312
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	-1,013	105	321	299	817	278	698	605	-288	2,398	1,579
Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Computed "Expected" Income Tax Expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	147	2,343	2,335
Net Change In Income Tax Expense Benefit Resulting From Permanent Differences	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	482	-25	109
Increase (Decrease) In Income Taxes Resulting From Foreign Tax Rate Differential	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-64	-435	-333
Increase (Decrease) In Income Taxes Resulting From State Income Taxes, Net Of Federal Income Tax Benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	31	135	113
Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Share-based Compensation Cost	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	254	345
Increase (Decrease) In Income Taxes Resulting From Adjustment Of Prior Year Tax Accruals	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-294	0	0
Income Tax Reconciliation, Tax Credits	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-615	-127	-558
Increase (Decrease) In Income Taxes Resulting From Release Of Uncertain Tax Position Liability Due To Expiration Of Statute Of Limitations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	-528
Increase (Decrease) In Income Taxes Resulting From Change In Valuation Allowance Allocated To Income Tax Expense Benefit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	31	281	63
Increase (Decrease) In Income Taxes Resulting From Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-7	-28	33
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	-1,013	105	321	299	817	278	698	605	-288	2,398	1,579
Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income From Continuing Operations, Domestic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,549	681	339
Income from continuing operations, Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,984	6,211	6,529
Income before income taxes	($1,268)	$56	$416	$1,231	$1,989	$978	$2,248	$1,677	$435	$6,892	$6,868

Income_Tax_Details_2

Income Tax (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Accounts Receivable	$65	$62
Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory	1,405	1,251
Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss And Credits Carryforwards	12,978	8,829
Deferred Tax Assets, Accrued Expenses	409	107
Deferred Tax Assets, Pension Liabilities	985	1,366
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves And Accruals, Contingencies	2,593	2,413
Deferred Tax Assets, Other Accrued Liabilities	1,867	3,761
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	20,302	17,789
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	-1,249	-1,307
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	19,053	16,482
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Intangible Assets	4,242	4,057
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	70	115
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	238	264
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities	4,550	4,436
Net Deferred Tax Assets	14,503	12,046
Reconciliation Of Uncertain Tax Liabilities [abstract]	'	'
Beginning Balance	191	191
Additions Based On Tax Positions Of Prior Years	'	0
Increase (Decrease) In Income Taxes Resulting From Release Of Uncertain Tax Position Liability Due To Expiration Of Statute Of Limitations	0	0
Ending Balance	$191	$191

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Narrati

Employee Benefit Plans (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year One	$500,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Two	600,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Three	900,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Four	700,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Five	900,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	4,600,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data	'The discount rate assumptions used for pension accounting reflect the prevailing rates available on high-quality, fixed-income debt instruments with terms that match the average expected duration of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan obligations. The Company uses the iBoxx AA 15yr+ index, which matches the average duration of its pension plan liability of approximately 15 years. With the current base of assets in the pension plans, a 0.1% increase/decrease in the discount rate assumption would decrease/increase annual pension expense by approximately $157,000.	'	'
Employee Benefit Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan Payments In Current Fiscal Year	600,000	500,000	600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	19,500,000	18,100,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	800,000	'	'
Fair Value Impairment Of Pension Assets	200,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data	'The discount rate assumptions used for pension accounting reflect the prevailing rates available on high-quality, fixed-income debt instruments with terms that match the average expected duration of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan obligations. The Company uses the iBoxx AA 15yr+ index, which matches the average duration of its pension plan liability of approximately 15 years. With the current base of assets in the pension plans, a 0.1% increase/decrease in the discount rate assumption would decrease/increase annual pension expense by approximately $157,000.	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Increase (Decrease) In Discount Rate Percentage	0.10%	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Average Pension Plan Liability	'15 years	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Increase (Decrease) In Discount Rate Value	157,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Increase (Decrease) In Asset Return Percentage	0.10%	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Average Remaining Work Lifetime	'15 years	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Increase (Decrease) In Asset Return Value	$94,000	'	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Benefit Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service Cost	$288	$314	$298
Interest Cost	797	819	836
Expected Return on Plan Assets	-524	-570	-608
Net Amortization Loss	305	248	159
Curtailment Gain	-197	0	0
Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Total	669	811	685
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	19,643	16,866	'
Service Cost for Defined Benefit Plan	272	303	'
Interest Cost	797	819	836
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants	56	60	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses	-329	1,547	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-431	-663	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Benefit Obligation	395	711	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	20,403	19,643	16,866
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	13,704	12,006	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets	1,125	944	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants	56	60	'
Defined Benefit Plan Payments In Current Fiscal Year	801	873	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-431	-663	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets	285	484	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	15,540	13,704	12,006
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Funded Status Of Plan	-4,863	-5,939	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes On Pension Liabilities	985	1,366	'
Pension Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities	-4,863	-5,939	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	-3,878	-4,573	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	($3,878)	($4,573)	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details1

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.43%	4.09%	4.70%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	3.79%	4.02%	4.40%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	2.99%	3.51%	3.50%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details2

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$15,540	$13,704	$12,006
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%	100.00%	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,488	969	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	13,465	11,967	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	587	768	1,042
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	7,404	6,918	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	48.00%	50.00%	'
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	6,061	5,049	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	39.00%	37.00%	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,488	969	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	9.00%	7.00%	'
Other Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$587	$768	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	4.00%	6.00%	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details3

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$15,540	$13,704	$12,006	$768	$1,042
Defined Benefit Plan Purchases During Year	'	'	'	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan Unrealized Loss Gain	'	'	'	-181	-274
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$15,540	$13,704	$12,006	$587	$768

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Opening Balance	($4,863)	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications	1,909	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	310	191	119
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,219	859	-1,826
Closing Balance	-2,644	-4,863	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Opening Balance	-290	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications	1,573	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	0	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	1,573	'	'
Closing Balance	1,283	'	'
Derivatives qualifying as hedges [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Opening Balance	0	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications	-116	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	67	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-49	'	'
Closing Balance	-49	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Opening Balance	-4,573	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications	452	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	243	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	695	'	'
Closing Balance	($3,878)	'	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivatives Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, net tax	$67	$0	$0
Pension Plan Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, net tax	243	191	119
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	310	191	119
Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivatives Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before tax	67	0	0
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pension Plan Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before tax	305	248	159
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Member]	'	'	'
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivatives Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, tax	0	0	0
Pension Plan Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, tax	($62)	($57)	($40)

Capital_Stock_Narratives_Detai

Capital Stock (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			127 Months Ended
Capital Stock (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 1996
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury Stock, Value Acquired, Cost Method	'	'	$0	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Discount from Market Price, Offering Date	85.00%	'	'	'	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares Authorized	750,000	'	'	750,000	'
Stock issued during the year, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	56,938	60,028	49,000	527,340	'
Date Of Amendment Of Stock Option And Incentive Plan By Board Of Directors	'	'4/13/2011	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	13,067,675	'	'	13,067,675	'
Increase In Number Of Shares Authorized For Issuance Under Stock Option And Incentive Plan	'	3,700,000	'	'	'
Limitation Of Number Of Awards That Can Be Issued Under Stock Option And Incentive Plan	3,750,000	'	'	3,750,000	'
Fungible Shares Issuance Ratio	179.00%	'	'	'	'
Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	259,931	349,295	188,750	'	'
Options, Grants in Period, Gross	3,349,052	1,220,934	1,030,500	'	'
Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$4.44	$3.60	$5.64	'	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Maximum Contractual Term	'10	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,547,580	4,700,033	3,653,317	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount	0	0	0	'	'
Percentage Of Outstanding Common Stock	20.00%	'	'	20.00%	'
Shares Authorized For Issuance Under 1996 Stock Option And Incentive Plan	0	'	'	0	4,072,480
Shares held in Employee Stock Option Plan, Suspense Shares	6,690,845	'	'	6,690,845	'
Restricted Stock Units Outstanding For Issuance Of Awards	463,973	'	'	463,973	'
Incentive Stock Options Granted To Date	10,218,057	8,990,395	'	10,218,057	'
Non Qualified Stock Options Granted To Date	11,028,074	8,906,684	'	11,028,074	'
Common Stock Market Value Per Share On Reporting Date	$4.70	'	'	$4.70	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	5,100,000	300,000	8,450	'	'
In The Money Stock Options Exercisable At The Reporting Date	3,154,220	'	'	3,154,220	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$3,400,000	'	'	$3,400,000	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'2 years 3 months 21 days	'	'	'	'
Annualized Estimated Forfeiture Rate	6.54%	5.38%	5.04%	'	'
Weighted Average Estimated Black Scholes Value Of Option Grants	$2.41	$1.84	$2.94	$2.41	'
Options Granted due to the Spin-off of HART	1,715,164	'	'	1,715,164	'
Restricted Stock Units Granted due to the Spin-off of HART	135,650	'	'	135,650	'
Preferred Stock - Shares Authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000	'	5,000,000	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Maximum	'1 year	'	'	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Maximum	'4 years	'	'	'	'

Capital_Stock_Details_1

Capital Stock (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Capital Stock Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Opening Balance Stock Options Outstanding	8,078,509	8,519,575	7,826,200
Begining Balance Weighted Average Exercise Price	$4.25	$4.52	$4.38
Increase In Number Of Shares Authorized For Issuance Under Stock Option And Incentive Plan	'	3,700,000	'
Options, Grants in Period, Gross	3,349,052	1,220,934	1,030,500
Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$4.44	$3.60	$5.64
Stock option exercises during the year, Shares	-2,135,000	-648,000	-106,000
Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period	-1,326,233	-1,014,000	-231,500
Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.26	$6.36	$5.27
Closing Balance Stock Options Outstanding	6,690,845	8,078,509	8,519,575
Closing Balance Weighted Average Exercise Price	$3.42	$4.25	$4.52
Begining Balance Restricted Stock Units Outstanding	677,193	539,450	467,600
Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	259,931	349,295	188,750
Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	-281,650	-164,090	-116,900
Closing Balance Restricted Stock Units Outstanding	463,973	677,193	539,450
Begining Balance Grant Date Fair Value Of Restricted Stock Units	$3.97	$4.32	$3.61
Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$4.62	$3.57	$5.64
Closing Balance Grant Date Fair Value Of Restricted Stock Units	$4.32	$3.97	$4.32
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	57.18%	55.09%	54.24%
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.42%	0.80%	2.01%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	'5 years 8 months 2 days	'5 years 11 months 23 days	'5 years 11 months 8 days
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$3.20	$3.94	$3.79
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$4.07	$4.21	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	-191,501	-47,462	'
Preferred Stock - Shares Authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000	'
Stock Issued During Period Gross Stock Options Exercised	3,410,483	648,000	105,625

Capital_Stock_Details_2

Capital Stock (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation	$2,670	$3,321	$2,863
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Basic	30,384,010	28,799,377	28,451,386
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	1,529,789	992,730	1,367,348
Diluted	31,913,799	29,792,107	29,818,734
Cost of Sales [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation	131	87	76
Research and Development Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation	45	25	21
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation	223	154	152
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation	2,200	2,990	2,570
Discontinued Operations [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation	$71	$65	$44

Capital_Stock_Details_3

Capital Stock (Details 3) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

One Dollar Forty Three Cents To Two Dollars Fifteen Cents [Member]

Two Dollars Twenty Eight Cents [Member]

Two Dollars Fourty Five Cents [Member]

Two Dollars Fifty Six Cents [Member]

Two Dollars Fifty Nine Cents To Three Dollars Fifty Four Cents [Member]

Three Dollars Sixty Four Cents [Member]

Three Dollars Sixty Eight Cents To Three Dollars Ninety Nine Cents [Member]

Four Dollars Four Cents [Member]

Four Dollars Twenty One Cents To Four Dollars Thirty One Cents [Member]

Five Dollars Seventy Three Cents To Six Dollars Fifty Seven Cents [Member]

One Dollar Forty Three Cents To Six Dollars Fifty Seven Cents [Member]

Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number

6,690,845

8,078,509

8,519,575

7,826,200

306,358

981,082

13,172

994,618

836,338

935,371

486,706

865,617

807,500

464,083

6,690,845

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

'4 years 0 months 10 days

'5 years 4 months 13 days

'1 year 5 months 4 days

'7 years 9 months 25 days

'4 years 7 months 28 days

'8 years 10 months 20 days

'3 years 3 months 18 days

'7 years 2 months 12 days

'9 years 10 months 17 days

'0 years 2 months 19 days

'6 years 4 months 2 days

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$1.86

$2.28

$2.45

$2.56

$3.03

$3.64

$3.87

$4.04

$4.31

$5.75

$3.42

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value

$870

$2,372

$30

$2,128

$1,397

$991

$404

$571

$315

$9,078

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number

306,358

981,082

13,172

198,402

723,635

486,706

444,865

464,083

3,618,303

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

'4 years 0 months 10 days

'5 years 4 months 13 days

'1 year 5 months 4 days

'7 years 9 months 25 days

'4 years 7 months 28 days

'3 years 3 months 18 days

'7 years 2 months 12 days

'0 years 2 months 19 days

'4 years 6 months 18 days

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$1.86

$2.28

$2.45

$2.56

$3.10

$3.87

$4.04

$5.75

$3.30

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value

$870

$2,372

$30

$425

$1,158

$404

$294

$5,553

Related_Party_Transactions_Nar

Related Party Transactions (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
HART Sublease Rent	$26,000
Transition Services Charged to HART	$100,000

Segment_and_Related_Informatio1

Segment and Related Information (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, 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
Segment and Related Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$27,854	$25,137	$26,094	$26,086	$28,249	$26,104	$28,496	$28,322	$105,171	$111,171	$108,864

Segment_and_Related_Informatio2

Segment and Related Information (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, 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
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$27,854	$25,137	$26,094	$26,086	$28,249	$26,104	$28,496	$28,322	$105,171	$111,171	$108,864
Net Assets	94,485	'	'	'	104,213	'	'	'	94,485	104,213	'
Segment, Geographical, United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	63,810	65,190	64,185
Net Assets	37,497	'	'	'	51,218	'	'	'	37,497	51,218	'
Long-lived assets, net	14,128	'	'	'	16,744	'	'	'	14,128	16,744	'
Segment, Geographical, United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	23,123	27,137	26,160
Net Assets	32,214	'	'	'	29,741	'	'	'	32,214	29,741	'
Long-lived assets, net	2,343	'	'	'	2,441	'	'	'	2,343	2,441	'
Rest Of The World [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	18,238	18,844	18,519
Net Assets	24,774	'	'	'	23,254	'	'	'	24,774	23,254	'
Long-lived assets, net	6,913	'	'	'	6,591	'	'	'	6,913	6,591	'
Total [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets, net	$23,384	'	'	'	$25,776	'	'	'	$23,384	$25,776	'

Allowance_for_doubtful_debts_D

Allowance for doubtful debts (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves Roll Forward [Abstract]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	$194	$302	$273
Charged To Bad Debt Expense	172	-31	67
Charged To Allowance	-8	-77	-38
Ending Balance	$358	$194	$302

Warranties_Details_1

Warranties (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Product Warranty Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Warranty, Beginning Balance	$222	$144	$158
Warranty payments	-179	-136	-58
Warranty additions	262	214	44
Warranty, Ending Balance	$305	$222	$144

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Details 1) (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
Income per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per common share	($0.02)	($0.03)	($0.01)	$0	$0.04	($0.01)	$0.02	$0.02	($0.06)	$0.09	$0.14
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	($0.02)	($0.03)	($0.01)	$0	$0.04	($0.01)	$0.02	$0.02	($0.06)	$0.08	$0.13
Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations	($0.01)	$0	$0	$0.03	$0.04	$0.02	$0.05	$0.04	$0.02	$0.16	$0.19
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	($0.01)	($0.03)	($0.01)	($0.03)	$0	($0.03)	($0.03)	($0.02)	($0.08)	($0.07)	($0.05)
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations	($0.01)	$0	$0	$0.03	$0.04	$0.02	$0.05	$0.04	$0.02	$0.15	$0.18
Discontinued operations	($0.01)	($0.03)	($0.01)	($0.03)	$0	($0.03)	($0.03)	($0.02)	($0.08)	($0.07)	($0.05)
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$27,854	$25,137	$26,094	$26,086	$28,249	$26,104	$28,496	$28,322	$105,171	$111,171	$108,864
Cost of product revenues	15,806	13,838	14,005	13,826	14,856	14,135	14,901	14,939	57,475	58,831	58,672
Gross profit	12,048	11,299	12,089	12,260	13,393	11,969	13,595	13,383	47,696	52,340	50,192
Total operating expenses	12,997	10,885	11,343	10,934	11,255	10,813	11,121	11,321	46,159	44,510	41,787
Operating income	-949	414	746	1,326	2,138	1,156	2,474	2,062	1,537	7,830	8,405
Other (expense) income, net	-319	-358	-330	-95	-149	-178	-226	-385	-1,102	-938	-1,537
Income From Continuing Operations, Total	-1,268	56	416	1,231	1,989	978	2,248	1,677	435	6,892	6,868
Total Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-1,013	105	321	299	817	278	698	605	-288	2,398	1,579
Net income	-756	-984	-186	96	1,200	-133	774	529	-1,830	2,370	3,812
Income from continuing operations	-255	-49	95	932	1,172	700	1,550	1,072	723	4,494	5,289
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	($501)	($935)	($281)	($836)	$28	($833)	($776)	($543)	($2,553)	($2,124)	'