Cutera (CUTR) 10-K 16 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CUTERA INC
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,685,960
Entity Public Float			$85,000,000
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	1162461
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$9,803	$16,242
Marketable investments	71,343	66,831
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 and $19, respectively	11,137	9,679
Inventories	10,988	9,006
Deferred tax assets	26	31
Other current assets and prepaid expenses	1,591	1,507
Total current assets	104,888	103,296
Property and equipment, net	1,461	1,362
Deferred tax assets, net of current portion	269	329
Intangibles, net	595	2,019
Goodwill	1,339	1,339
Other long-term assets	361	324
Total assets	108,913	108,669
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,083	1,820
Accrued liabilities	11,007	9,328
Deferred revenue	8,898	7,494
Total current liabilities	22,988	18,642
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	4,346	4,340
Income tax liability	145	108
Other long-term liabilities	926	1,314
Total liabilities	28,405	24,404
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value:
Authorized: 50,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 14,446,950 and 13,931,833 shares at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	14	14
Additional paid-in capital	105,721	98,820
Accumulated deficit	-25,232	-14,620
Accumulated other comprehensive income	5	51
Total stockholders’ equity	80,508	84,265
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	108,913	108,669
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value:
Authorized: 5,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: none	$0	$0

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in Dollars)	$0	$19
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, issued	14,446,950	13,931,833
Common stock, outstanding	14,446,950	13,931,833
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Convertible preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Convertible preferred stock, authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Convertible preferred stock, issued	0	0
Convertible preferred stock, outstanding	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net revenue:
Products	$60,299	$56,905	$60,057
Service	17,839	17,689	17,220
Total net revenue	78,138	74,594	77,277
Cost of revenue:
Products	26,796	24,179	26,911
Service	7,969	8,533	8,826
Total cost of revenue	34,765	32,712	35,737
Gross profit	43,373	41,882	41,540
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	32,246	27,984	28,664
Research and development	10,543	9,216	8,427
General and administrative	11,203	9,938	11,276
Total operating expenses	53,922	47,138	48,367
Loss from operations	-10,619	-5,256	-6,827
Interest and other income, net	226	455	497
Loss before income taxes	-10,393	-4,801	-6,330
Income tax (benefit) provision	219	-54	218
Net loss	($10,612)	($4,747)	($6,548)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted (in Dollars per share)	($0.74)	($0.33)	($0.46)
Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic and diluted (in Shares)	14,254	14,421	14,089

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net loss	($10,612)	($4,747)	($6,548)
Available-for-sale investments
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	-42	-21	959
Less: Reclassification adjustment for net gains on investments recognized during the year	-4	-9	-19
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	-46	-30	940
Tax provision (benefit)			18
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-46	-30	922
Comprehensive loss	($10,658)	($4,777)	($5,626)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$14	$95,719	($3,325)	($841)	$91,567
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	13,948,395
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan	0	289	0	0	289
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan (in Shares)	46,982
Exercise of stock options	0	1,480	0	0	1,480
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	211,551				211,551
Issuance of common stock in settlement of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for employee taxes, and stock awards	0	-101	0	0	-101
Issuance of common stock in settlement of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for employee taxes, and stock awards (in Shares)	26,548
Stock-based compensation expense	0	3,159	0	0	3,159
Tax benefit from exercises of stock-based payment awards	0	6	0	0	6
Net loss	0	0	-6,548	0	-6,548
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	0	0	0	922	922
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	14	100,552	-9,873	81	90,774
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	14,233,476
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan	0	362	0	0	362
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan (in Shares)	51,338
Exercise of stock options	1	5,048	0	0	5,049
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	612,210				612,210
Issuance of common stock in settlement of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for employee taxes, and stock awards	0	-222	0	0	-222
Issuance of common stock in settlement of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for employee taxes, and stock awards (in Shares)	95,256
Repurchase of common stock	-1	-10,030	0		-10,031
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)	-1,060,447
Stock-based compensation expense	0	3,110	0	0	3,110
Net loss	0	0	-4,747	0	-4,747
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	0	0	0	-30	-30
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	14	98,820	-14,620	51	84,265
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	13,931,833				13,931,833
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan	0	451	0	0	451
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan (in Shares)	52,759
Exercise of stock options	0	3,307	0	0	3,307
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	396,970				396,970
Issuance of common stock in settlement of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for employee taxes, and stock awards	0	-156	0	0	-156
Issuance of common stock in settlement of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for employee taxes, and stock awards (in Shares)	65,388
Stock-based compensation expense	0	3,299	0	0	3,299
Net loss	0	0	-10,612	0	-10,612
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	0	0	0	-46	-46
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$14	$105,721	($25,232)	$5	$80,508
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	14,446,950				14,446,950

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	$18

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($10,612,000)	($4,747,000)	($6,548,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Stock-based compensation	3,299,000	3,110,000	3,160,000
Tax benefit (deficit) from stock-based compensation			6,000
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation			-6,000
Depreciation and amortization	1,336,000	1,304,000	1,606,000
Impairment of intangible assets	650,000
Other	206,000	243,000	-87,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-1,460,000	-857,000	-3,690,000
Inventories	-1,982,000	2,108,000	1,167,000
Other current assets and prepaid expenses	239,000	345,000	859,000
Other long-term assets	-37,000	73,000	89,000
Accounts payable	1,263,000	-287,000	-466,000
Accrued liabilities	1,650,000	-371,000	-177,000
Other long-term liabilities	-285,000	-218,000	-62,000
Deferred revenue	1,410,000	3,114,000	1,915,000
Income tax liability	37,000	-304,000	-66,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-4,286,000	3,513,000	-2,300,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, equipment and software	-734,000	-517,000	-516,000
Acquisition of intangible asset		-155,000
Business acquisition			-5,091,000
Disposal of property and equipment		63,000
Proceeds from sales of marketable and long-term investments	12,354,000	15,578,000	31,564,000
Proceeds from maturities of marketable investments	26,915,000	36,030,000	43,009,000
Purchase of marketable investments	-44,146,000	-56,847,000	-58,813,000
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-5,611,000	-5,848,000	10,153,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock		-10,031,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan	3,602,000	5,189,000	1,667,000
Payments on capital lease obligation	-144,000	-127,000
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation			6,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,458,000	-4,969,000	1,673,000
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-6,439,000	-7,304,000	9,526,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	16,242,000	23,546,000	14,020,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	9,803,000	16,242,000	23,546,000
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	26,000	19,000
Cash paid for income taxes	225,000	337,000	307,000
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
Assets acquired under capital lease	$70,000	$577,000

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]	NOTE 1—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Description of Operations and Principles of Consolidation
	Cutera, Inc. (“Cutera” or the “Company”) is a global provider of laser and other energy-based aesthetic systems for practitioners worldwide. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets laser and other energy-based product platforms for use by physicians and other qualified practitioners which enable them to offer safe and effective aesthetic treatments to their customers. The Company currently markets the following key product platforms: CoolGlide®, xeo, solera®, Genesis Plus, excel V, truSculpt, excel HR and enlighten. The Company’s products offer multiple hand pieces and applications, which allow customers to upgrade their systems. The sales of systems, upgrades, hand pieces, hand piece refills (Titan® and truSculpt) and the distribution of third party manufactured dermal fillers and cosmeceuticals are classified as “Product” revenue. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company terminated its agreement with Merz Pharma GmbH (“Merz”) for the distribution of its Radiesse dermal filler product. In addition to Product revenue, the Company generates revenue from the sale of post-warranty service contracts, parts, detachable hand piece replacements (except for Titan and truSculpt) and service labor for the repair and maintenance of products that are out of warranty, all of which is classified as “Service” revenue.
	Headquartered in Brisbane, California, the Company has wholly-owned subsidiaries that are currently operational in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Japan, Switzerland and Hong Kong, that market, sell and service its products outside of the United States. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates their estimates, including those related to warranty obligation, sales commission, accounts receivable and sales allowances, valuation of inventories, fair values of acquired intangible assets, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of options to purchase the Company’s common stock and other share based awards, recoverability of deferred tax assets, and effective income tax rates, among others. Management bases their estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
	Cash, Cash Equivalents,andMarketable Investments
	The Company invests its cash primarily in money market funds and in highly liquid debt instruments of U.S. federal and municipal governments and their agencies, commercial paper and corporate debt securities. All highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents; all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of greater than three months are classified as marketable investments. The majority of the Company’s cash and investments are held in U.S. banks and its foreign subsidiaries maintain a limited amount of cash in their local banks to cover their short term operating expenses.
	The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in marketable securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. The Company’s marketable securities have been classified and accounted for as available-for-sale. Investments with remaining maturities more than one year are viewed by the Company as available to support current operations, and are classified as current assets under the caption marketable investments in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Investments in marketable securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. Any realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities are determined on a specific identification method, and such gains and losses are reflected as a component of interest and other income, net.
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. Carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate their fair values as of the balance sheet dates because of their generally short maturities.
	The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
		●	Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities.
		●	Level 2: Directly or indirectly observable inputs as of the reporting date through correlation with market data, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices in markets that are not active. Level 2 also includes assets and liabilities that are valued using models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment since the input assumptions used in the models, such as interest rates and volatility factors, are corroborated by readily observable data from actively quoted markets for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
		●	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
	Impairment of Marketable Investments
	After determining the fair value of available-for-sales debt instruments, gains or losses on these securities are recorded to other comprehensive income, until either the security is sold or the Company determines that the decline in value is other-than-temporary. The primary differentiating factors that the Company considers in classifying impairments as either temporary or other-than-temporary impairments is the intent and ability to retain the investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value, the length of the time and the extent to which the market value of the investment has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. There were no other-than-temporary impairments in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
	Allowance for Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts
	The allowance for sales returns is based on the Company’s estimates of potential future product returns and other allowances related to current period product revenue. The Company analyzes historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products.
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s assessment of the collectability of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, the age of the accounts receivable balances, and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay.
	Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, marketable investments and accounts receivable. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are primarily invested in deposits and money market accounts with three major financial institutions in the U.S. In addition, the Company has operating cash balances in banks in each of the international locations in which it operates. Deposits in these banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits, if any. Management believes that these financial institutions are financially sound and, accordingly, believes that minimal credit risk exists. The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents.
	The Company invests in debt instruments, including bonds of the U.S. Government, its agencies and municipalities. The Company has also invested in other high grade investments such as commercial paper and corporate bonds. By policy, the Company restricts its exposure to any single issuer by imposing concentration limits. To minimize the exposure due to adverse shifts in interest rates, the Company maintains investments at an average maturity (interest reset date for auction-rate securities and variable rate demand notes) of generally less than eighteen months.
	Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenue earned from worldwide customers. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers and maintains reserves for potential credit losses. No single customer represented more than 10% of net accounts receivable as of either December 31, 2014 or 2013.
	During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, domestic revenue accounted for 45%, 42%, and 41%, respectively, of total revenue, while international revenue accounted for 55%, 58%, and 59%, respectively, of total revenue, for each of the years. No single customer represented more than 10% of total revenue for any of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
	The Company is also subject to risks common to companies in the medical device industry, including, but not limited to, new technology innovations, dependence on key personnel, dependence on key suppliers, protection of proprietary technology, product liability, Food and Drug Administration and/ or international regulatory approvals required for new products and compliance with government regulations.
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a standard cost basis (which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis) and market being determined as the lower of replacement cost or net realizable value.
	The Company includes demonstration units within inventories. Demonstration units are carried at cost and amortized over an estimated economic life of two years. Amortization expense related to demonstration units is recorded in cost of revenue or in the respective operating expense line based on which function and purpose for which it is being used for. Proceeds from the sale of demonstration units are recorded as revenue and all costs incurred to refurbish the systems prior to sale are charged to cost of revenue.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, demonstration inventories included in the “Finished goods inventory” balance was $2.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation recognized is on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally as follows:
			Useful Lives
	Leasehold improvements		Lesser of useful life or term of lease
	Office equipment and furniture (years)		3
	Machinery and equipment (years)		3
	Upon sale or retirement of assets, the costs and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the balance sheet and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in operating expenses. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
	Depreciation expense related to property, equipment and leasehold improvements for 2014, 2013 and 2012, were $562,000, $602,000 and $436,000 respectively. Amortization expense for vehicles leased under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets, is not subject to amortization, but is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment, applying a fair-value based test.
	The Company’s intangible assets are comprised of purchased technology sub-licenses, acquired customer relationships, and those assets acquired in conjunction with an asset acquisition in February 2012 including, existing customer relationships, product portfolio and a manufacturing process for the products acquired. All identifiable intangibles have finite lives and are carried at cost, net of accumulated amortization. Amortization was recorded using the straight-line method, over their respective useful lives, which range from approximately 11 months to 10 years.
	Impairment of Long-lived Assets
	Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment at least annually or as circumstances indicate their value may no longer be recoverable. The goodwill impairment test is generally performed annually during the fourth fiscal quarter (or earlier if impairment indicators arise). The Company continues to operate in one segment, which is considered to be the sole reporting unit and therefore, goodwill was tested for impairment at the enterprise level. As of December 31, 2014, there has been no impairment of goodwill.
	The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, which include amortizable intangible and tangible assets. Acquired intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. The Company recognizes such impairment in the event the net book value of such assets exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows attributable to such assets. In 2014, the Company’s impairment review indicated that certain purchased long-lived assets associated with the Iridex acquisition were impaired and an impairment charge of $650,000 was recognized. No other impairment losses were incurred in the periods presented.
	Warranty Obligations
	The Company provides a one-year standard warranty on all systems. Warranty coverage provided is for labor and parts necessary to repair the systems during the warranty period.
	The Company accounts for the estimated warranty cost of the standard warranty coverage as a charge to costs of revenue when revenue is recognized. The estimated warranty cost is based on historical product performance. To determine the estimated warranty reserve, the Company utilizes actual service records to calculate the average service expense per system and applies this to the equivalent number of units exposed under warranty. The Company updates these estimated charges every quarter.
	Revenue Recognition
	Product, Upgrade, Titan hand piece refill, and Dermal filler and cosmeceutical revenue is recognized when title and risk of ownership has been transferred, provided that:
		●	Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
		●	The price is fixed or determinable;
		●	Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; and
		●	Collectability is probable.
	Transfer of title and risk of ownership occurs when the product is shipped to the customer or when the customer receives the product, depending on the nature of the arrangement. Revenue is recorded net of customer and distributor discounts. For sales transactions when collectability is not reasonably assured, the Company recognizes revenue upon receipt of cash payment. Sales to customers and distributors do not include any return or exchange rights. In addition, the Company’s distributor agreements obligate the distributor to pay the Company for the sale regardless of whether the distributor is able to resell the product. Shipping and handling charges are invoiced to customers based on the amount of products sold. Shipping and handling fees are recorded as revenue and the related expense as a component of cost of revenue.
	Multiple-element arrangements
	A multiple-element arrangement includes the sale of one or more tangible product offerings with one or more associated services offerings, each of which are individually considered separate units of accounting. The Company determined that its multiple-element arrangements are generally comprised of the following elements that are recognized as separate units of accounting: system and upgrade sales; and service contracts.
	For multiple-element arrangements revenue is allocated to each element based on their relative selling prices. Relative selling prices would be based first on vendor specified objective evidence (“VSOE”), then on third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”) when VSOE does not exist, and then on best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) when VSOE and TPE do not exist. Because the Company has neither VSOE nor TPE for its systems, the allocation of revenue has been based on the Company’s BESPs. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if the product was sold on a stand-alone basis. The Company determines BESP for its systems by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, prices charged for stand-alone sales, features and functionality of the system, geographies, type of customer, and market conditions. Revenue allocated to each element is then recognized when the other revenue recognition criteria are met for each element.
	In the first and second quarter of 2013, with respect to the sale of its truSculpt product, the Company provided promotions that included an unlimited number of “free” hand piece replacements during a stated trial period of 3 months or 12 months. These free refills were treated as an undelivered element under FASB ASC 605-25 in the original revenue transaction. The Company deferred the relative fair value related to the estimated number of hand piece replacements to be delivered during the promotional period and recognized that deferred revenue over the free refills promotion period. Commencing with the third quarter of 2013, the Company included unlimited refills as part of the truSculpt standard warranty and determined that this was no longer a separate deliverable under the multiple-element arrangement revenue guidance. Following this change, the Company recognized the revenue under the warranty model, in which the revenue for the system sale was recognized up-front along with an estimate of the costs which will be incurred under the warranty obligation recorded in cost of revenue.
	The Company also offers customers extended service contracts. Revenue under service contracts is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of the applicable service contract. Service revenue, from customers whose systems are not under a service contact, is recognized as the services are provided. Service revenue for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $17.8 million, $17.7 million, and $17.2 million, respectively.
	Cost of Revenue
	Cost of revenue consists primarily of material, finished and semi-finished products purchased from third-party manufacturers, labor, stock-based compensation expenses, overhead involved in our internal manufacturing processes, technology license amortization and royalties, costs associated with product warranties and any inventory or intangible write-downs.
	The Company's system sales include a control console, universal graphic user interface, control system software, high voltage electronics and a combination of applications (referred to as hand pieces). Hand pieces are programmed to have a limited number of uses to ensure the safety of the device to patients. The Company sells refurbished hand pieces, or "refills," of its Titan product and provides for refurbishment of other hand pieces under warranty or service contracts. When customers purchase a replacement hand piece (or “refill”) or are provided a replacement hand piece under a warranty or service contract, Cutera ships a previously refurbished unit. Upon the receipt of the expended hand piece from the customer the Company capitalizes the expended hand piece as inventory at the estimated fair value. Cost of revenue includes the costs incurred to refurbish hand pieces.
	Research and Development Expenditures
	Costs related to research, design, development and testing of products are charged to research and development expense as incurred. Expenses incurred primarily relate to employees, facilities, material, third party contractors and clinical and regulatory fees.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are included as part of sales and marketing expense and are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $1.6 million, $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation plans under the fair value recognition and measurement provisions under U.S. GAAP. The Company’s stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The Company elected to use the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options on the dates of grant. Restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance stock units (“PSUs”) and stock awards are measured based on the fair market values of the underlying stock on the dates of grant. Shares are issued on the vesting dates, net of the tax withholding requirements to be paid by the Company on behalf of its employees. As a result, the actual number of shares issued will be fewer than the actual number of RSUs outstanding. Furthermore, the Company records the liability for withholding amounts to be paid by us as a reduction to additional paid-in capital when the shares are issued. Also, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation using the straight-line method.
U.S. GAAP requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits due to tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for stock-based awards for options exercised and RSUs vested during the period (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows.
Income Taxes
The Company recognizes income taxes under the liability method. The Company recognizes deferred income taxes for differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities at enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the years in which differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date. For deferred tax assets which are not subject to a valuation allowance, the Company has determined that its future taxable income will be sufficient to recover all of the deferred tax assets. However, should there be a change in their ability to recover the deferred tax assets, the Company could be required to record a valuation allowance against the net carrying value of its deferred tax assets. This would result in an increase to the Company’s tax provision in the period in which they determined that the recovery was not probable.
The measurement of deferred taxes often involves an exercise of judgment related to the computation and realization of tax basis. The deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect management’s assessment that tax positions taken, and the resulting tax basis, are more likely than not to be sustained if they are audited by taxing authorities. Also, assessing tax rates that the Company expects to apply and determining the years when the temporary differences are expected to affect taxable income requires judgment about the future apportionment of our income among the states in which the Company operates. These matters, and others, involve the exercise of significant judgment. Any changes in our practices or judgments involved in the measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities could materially impact our financial condition or results of operations.
Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to amounts that the Company believes are more likely than not to be recovered. The Company evaluates its deferred tax assets quarterly to determine whether adjustments to our valuation allowance are appropriate. In making this evaluation, the Company relies on its recent history of pre-tax earnings, estimated timing of future deductions and benefits represented by the deferred tax assets, and its forecasts of future earnings, the latter two of which involve the exercise of significant judgment. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance against its U.S. federal and state deferred tax asset due to a history of operating losses.
The Company establishes reserves for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the Income Taxes subtopic of ASC 740. The subtopic prescribes the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. Additionally, the subtopic provides guidance on de-recognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, and transition of uncertain tax positions. The impact of an uncertain income tax position on income tax expense must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company has provided taxes and related interest and penalties due for potential adjustments that may result from examinations of open U.S. Federal, state and foreign tax years. The Company will reverse the liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which the Company makes the determination that the tax position is effectively settled through examination, negotiation, or litigation, or the statute of limitations for the relevant taxing authority to examine and challenge the tax position has expired. The Company will record an additional charge in the Company’s provision for taxes in the period in which the Company determines that the recorded tax liability is less than the Company expects the ultimate assessment to be.
Computation of Net Lossper Share
Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential shares primarily consist of employee stock options. Dilute earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share for the periods presented because the inclusion of outstanding common stock equivalents would be anti-dilutive.
U.S. GAAP requires that employee equity share options, non-vested shares and similar equity instruments granted by the Company be treated as potential common shares outstanding in computing diluted earnings per share. In periods of net income, diluted shares outstanding include the dilutive effect of in-the-money options, which is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional-paid-in-capital (“APIC”) when the award becomes deductible are all assumed to be used to repurchase shares.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss includes all changes in stockholders’ equity except those resulting from investments or contributions by stockholders. For the periods presented, the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted solely of the unrealized gains or losses on the Company's available-for-sale investments, net of tax.
Foreign Currency
The U.S. Dollar is the functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries. Monetary and non-monetary assets and liabilities are re-measured into U.S. Dollars at the applicable period end exchange rate. Sales and operating expenses are re-measured at average exchange rates in effect during each period, except for those expenses related to non-monetary assets which are re-measured at historical exchange rates. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in net income (loss) and are insignificant for each of the three years ended December 31, 2014. The effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents was insignificant for each of the three years presented in the period ended December 31, 2014.
Segments
The Company operates in one segment. Management uses one measurement of profitability and does not segregate its business for internal reporting. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, 71% and 83%, respectively, of all long-lived assets were maintained in the U.S. See Note 10 for details relating to revenue by geography.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Updates No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled to for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. The updated standard becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on the Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Note_2_Investment_Securities

Note 2 - Investment Securities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Investments in Debt and Equity Instruments, Cash and Cash Equivalents, Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses) [Text Block]	NOTE 2—INVESTMENT SECURITIES
	The following tables summarize cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	7,761		$	3,816
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds		242			9,926
	Commercial paper		1,800			2,500
	Total cash and cash equivalents		9,803			16,242
	Marketable securities:
	U.S. government notes		18,361			10,522
	U.S. government agencies		19,800			25,858
	Municipal securities		3,607			2,039
	Commercial paper		10,695			10,242
	Corporate debt securities		18,880			18,170
	Total marketable securities		71,343			66,831
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	81,146		$	83,073
	The following table summarizes unrealized gains and losses related to our marketable investments (in thousands):
	31-Dec-14	Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	9,803		$	—	$	—		$	9,803
	Marketable investments
	U.S. government notes		18,345			17		(1	)		18,361
	U.S. government agencies		19,768			33		(1	)		19,800
	Municipal securities		3,607			3		(3	)		3,607
	Commercial paper		10,693			2		—			10,695
	Corporate debt securities		18,875			13		(8	)		18,880
	Total marketable securities		71,288			68		(13	)		71,343
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	81,091		$	68	$	(13	)	$	81,146
	31-Dec-13	Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	16,242		$	—	$	—		$	16,242
	Marketable investments
	U.S. government notes		10,516			11		(5	)		10,522
	U.S. government agencies		25,823			38		(3	)		25,858
	Municipal securities		2,043			1		(5	)		2,039
	Commercial paper		10,239			3		—			10,242
	Corporate debt securities		18,109			61		—			18,170
	Total marketable securities		66,730			114		(13	)		66,831
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	82,972		$	114	$	(13	)	$	83,073
	No investments were in a continuous unrealized loss position for longer than 12 months.
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of our marketable investments classified by the contractual maturity date of the security as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Amount
	Due in less than one year (fiscal year 2015)	$	37,023
	Due in 1 to 3 years (fiscal year 2016 - 2017)		34,320
		$	71,343
	Fair Value Measurements
	The following table summarizes financial assets measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis and classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as described above (in thousands):
	31-Dec-14	Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	242		$	—	$	—		$	242
	Commercial paper		—			1,800		—			1,800
	Short term marketable investments:
	Available-for-sale securities		—			71,343		—			71,343
	Total assets at fair value	$	242		$	73,143	$	—		$	73,385
	31-Dec-13	Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	9,926		$	—	$	—		$	9,926
	Commercial paper		—			2,500		—			2,500
	Short term marketable investments:
	Available-for-sale securities		—			66,831		—			66,831
	Total assets at fair value	$	9,926		$	69,331	$	—		$	79,257
	The Company’s Level 1 financial assets are money market funds with fair values are based on quoted market prices The Company’s Level 2 investments include U.S. government-backed securities and corporate securities that are valued based upon observable inputs that may include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including market research publications. The average remaining maturity of the Company’s Level 2 investments as of December 31, 2014 is less than 36 months and all of these investments are rated by S&P and Moody’s at A or better.
	The table presented below summarizes the change in carrying value associated with Level 3 financial assets, which represents the Company’s investment in long term Auction Rate Securities, for the year ended December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		Amount
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	3,027
Total gains or losses (realized or unrealized)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		262
Settlements		(3,289	)
Balance at December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014	$	—
At December 31, 2014, the Company evaluated the fair values of its intangible assets, which are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. With respect to the purchased intangible assets associated with the Iridex acquisition in 2012, the Company determined that there was impairment in the value of these intangible assets based on an undiscounted cash flow model. Based on a discounted cash flow model, we measured the impairment of the purchased intangibles. This model relied on Level 3 inputs that included expected future cash flow streams as well as a market discount rate and is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict.

Note_3_Acquisition

Note 3 - Acquisition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 3—ACQUISITION
	On February 2, 2012, Cutera acquired certain assets and liabilities of Iridex’s global aesthetics business unit for $5.1 million in cash. This business is engaged in developing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing laser-based medical systems and delivery devices. The business purpose of this transaction was to acquire access to an expanded installed base of customers, add to Cutera’s product offerings and acquire a recurring stream of service revenue. This acquisition was considered a business combination for accounting purposes, and as such, in addition to valuing all the assets, the Company recorded goodwill associated with the expected synergies from leveraging the customer relationships and integrating new product offerings into the Company’s business.
	The fair values of the assets acquired were determined to be $4.8 million of net tangible and intangible assets and $1.3 million of goodwill. The customer relationship intangible assets are being amortized over 5 years on a straight-line basis. Other intangible assets are being amortized over 11 months to 5 years from the date of acquisition on a straight-line basis.
	The following table summarizes the fair value as of February 2, 2012 of the net assets acquired (in thousands):
	Purchase price paid	$	5,091
	Assets (liabilities acquired):
	Inventory		1,552
	Customer relationship intangible assets		2,510
	Other identified intangible assets		780
	Goodwill		1,339
	Deferred service revenue		(780	)
	Accrued warranty liability		(310	)
	Total	$	5,091
	The identifiable intangible assets and goodwill identified above shall be deductible for income taxes over a useful economic life of 15 years.

Note_4_Balance_Sheet_Detail

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block]	NOTE 4—BALANCE SHEET DETAIL
	Inventories
	Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	7,185		$	5,989
	Finished goods		3,803			3,017
	Total	$	10,988		$	9,006
	Property and Equipment, net
	Property and equipment, net, consists of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Leasehold improvements	$	641		$	625
	Office equipment and furniture		2,964			3,285
	Machinery and equipment		4,140			3,876
			7,745			7,786
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		(6,284	)		(6,424	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	1,461		$	1,362
	Included in machinery and equipment are financed vehicles used by the Company’s North American sales employees. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the gross capitalized value of the leased vehicles was $647,000 and $577,000 and the related accumulated depreciation was $253,000 and $98,000, respectively.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and other intangible assets comprise a patent sublicense acquired from Palomar in 2006, intangible assets and goodwill related to the acquisition of Iridex’s aesthetic business unit, and, customer relationships in the Benelux countries acquired from a former distributor in 2013. The components of intangible assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		Gross			Accumulated			Net
		Carrying			Amortization & Impairment			Amount
		Amount			Amount
	31-Dec-14
	Patent sublicense	$	1,218		$	1,206		$	12
	Customer relationship intangible related to acquisition		2,510			1,998			512
	Other identified intangible assets related to acquisition		780			780			—
	Other intangible		155			84			71
	Goodwill		1,339			—			1,339
	Total	$	6,002		$	4,068		$	1,934
	31-Dec-13
	Patent sublicense	$	1,218		$	1,068		$	150
	Customer relationship intangible related to acquisition		2,510			962			1,548
	Other identified intangible assets related to acquisition		780			607			173
	Other intangible		155			6			149
	Goodwill		1,339			—			1,339
	Total	$	6,002		$	2,643		$	3,359
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company evaluated the recoverability of its long-lived assets. Relating to the purchased intangible assets associated with the Iridex acquisition in 2012, due to the discontinuation of the manufacture and sale of all products acquired, lower than projected future Service revenue, and lower than projected revenue expected from the distributor relationships acquired, the Company concluded based on future undiscounted cash flows that the remaining carrying value of these assets was impaired. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $650,000 in cost of revenue.
	Amortization expense (excluding the impairment charge described above) in 2014, 2013, and 2012 for intangible assets was $773,000, $702,000, and $1.2 million, respectively.
	Based on intangible assets recorded at December 31, 2014, and assuming no subsequent additions to, or impairment of the underlying assets, the remaining estimated annual amortization expense is expected to be as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	452
	2016		142
	2017		1
	Total	$	595
	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Payroll and related expenses	$	5,533		$	4,753
	Sales tax		1,789			1,307
	Warranty		1,167			1,202
	Other		2,518			2,066
	Total	$	11,007		$	9,328

Note_5_Warranty_and_Service_Co

Note 5 - Warranty and Service Contracts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 5—WARRANTY AND SERVICE CONTRACTS
	The Company has a direct field service organization in the U.S. Internationally, the Company provides direct service support through its wholly-owned subsidiaries in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France and Japan as well as through a network of distributors and third-party service providers in several other countries where it does not have a direct presence. The Company provides a warranty with its products, depending on the type of product. After the original warranty period, maintenance and support are offered on a service contract basis or on a time and materials basis. The Company currently provides for the estimated cost to repair or replace products under warranty at the time of sale.
	Warranty Accrual (in thousands)
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	1,202		$	1,212
	Add: Accruals for warranties issued during the year		2,497			3,420
	Less: Settlements made during the year		(2,532	)		(3,430	)
	Balance at end of year	$	1,167		$	1,202
	Deferred Service Contract Revenue (in thousands)
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	11,637		$	8,539
	Add: Payments received		13,913			15,026
	Less: Revenue recognized		(12,601	)		(11,928	)
	Balance at end of year	$	12,949		$	11,637
	Costs incurred under service contracts in 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $6.6 million, $6.9 million, and $7.2 million, respectively, and are recognized as incurred.

Note_6_Stockholders_Equity_Sto

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	NOTE 6—STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, STOCK PLANS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had the following stock-based employee compensation plans:
	2004 Equity Incentive Plan and 1998 Stock Plan
	In 1998, the Company adopted the 1998 Stock Plan, or 1998 Plan, under which 4,650,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for issuance to employees, directors and consultants.
	On January 12, 2004, the Board of Directors adopted the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. A total of 1,750,000 shares of common stock were originally reserved for issuance pursuant to the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. In addition, the shares reserved for issuance under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan included shares reserved but un-issued under the 1998 Plan and shares returned to the 1998 Plan as the result of termination of options or the repurchase of shares. In 2012 the stockholders approved a “fungible share” provision whereby each full-value award issued under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan results in a requirement to subtract 2.12 shares from the shares reserved under the Plan.
	Options granted under the 1998 Plan and 2004 Equity Incentive Plan may be incentive stock options or non-statutory stock options. Stock purchase rights may also be granted under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. Incentive stock options may only be granted to employees. The Board of Directors determines the period over which options become exercisable. Options granted under the Plan to employees generally vest over a four year term from the vesting commencement date and become exercisable 25% on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and an additional 1/48th on the last day of each calendar month until all of the shares have become exercisable. During 2013 and 2012 the officers of the Company were granted options that vest over a three year term at the rate of 1/3rd on the one year anniversary of the vesting commencement date and 1/36th thereafter. In 2014 the officers of the Company were granted RSUs and PSUs but were not granted any options. The contractual term of the options granted in 2013 and 2012 was seven years.
	In accordance with the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, prior to 2012, the Company’s non-employee directors were granted $60,000 of grant date fair value, fully vested, stock awards annually on the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting of stockholders. Commencing with 2012, the Company’s non-employee directors get $60,000 of RSUs annually that cliff-vest on the one year anniversary of the grant date. In the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company issued 38,688, 40,674 and 52,938 shares of stock to its non-employee directors, respectively.
	In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors granted 211,250 and 148,004, respectively, of RSUs to its executive officers and certain members of the Company’s management. The RSUs granted to the employees vest at the rate of one-fourth on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, and one-fourth in each of the subsequent three years. The RSUs granted to the executive officers vest at the rate of one-third on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, and one-third in each of the subsequent two years. The Company measured the fair market values of the underlying stock on the dates of grant and recognizes the stock-based compensation expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period.
	In addition, in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company’s Board of Directors granted its executive officers and certain senior management employees 105,000 and 33,751 of PSUs that had a vesting date of June 30, 2015, and June 1, 2014, respectively, subject to the recipient’s continued service through that date and achievement of the pre-established performance objectives. At the vest date, the Company issues fully-paid up common stock, based on the degree of achievement towards pre-established targets. The Company’s targets were based on revenue and operating loss improvements, compared to the same period in the prior year. The Company recognizes stock based compensation expense over the requisite services period if it is probable that the performance goals will be met.
	2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	On January 12, 2004, the Board of Directors adopted the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Under the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or 2004 ESPP, eligible employees are permitted to purchase common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. The 2004 ESPP offering and purchase periods are for approximately six months. The 2004 ESPP has an evergreen provision based on which shares of common stock eligible for purchase are increased on the first day of each fiscal year by an amount equal to the lesser of:
	i.		600,000 shares;
	ii.		2.0% of the outstanding shares of common stock on such date; or
	iii.		an amount as determined by the Board of Directors.
	The Company’s Board of Directors did not increase the shares available for future grant on January 1, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The price of the common stock purchased is the lower of 85% of the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning or end of a six month offering period. In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, under the 2004 ESPP, the Company issued 52,759 and 51,338 shares, respectively. At December 31, 2014, 905,857 shares remained available for future issuance.
	Option Activity
	Activity under the 1998 Plan and 2004 Equity Incentive Plan is summarized as follows:
							Options Outstanding
			Shares				Number of				Weighted-				Weighted-Average			Aggregate
			Available				Shares				Average				Remaining Contractual Life			Intrinsic
			For Grant								Exercise				(in years)			Value
											Price							(in $ millions)(1)
	Balances as of December 31, 2011			474,537				3,549,022			$	9.92				4.6			0.4
	Additional shares reserved(2)			1,910,000				—				—
	Options granted			(921,500	)			921,500			$	7.04
	Options exercised			—				(211,551	)		$	7
	Options cancelled (expired or forfeited)			470,732				(470,732	)		$	9.45
	Stock awards granted			(314,159	)			—				—
	Stock awards cancelled (expired or forfeited)			24,746				—				—
	Balances as of December 31, 2012			1,644,356				3,788,239			$	9.44				4.3		$	2.6
	Options granted			(1,007,166	)			1,007,166			$	8.97
	Options exercised			—				(612,210	)		$	8.16
	Options cancelled (expired or forfeited)			391,033				(391,033	)		$	10.37
	Stock awards granted			(399,997	)			—				—
	Stock awards cancelled (expired or forfeited)			81,257				—				—
	Balances as of December 31, 2013			709,483				3,792,162			$	9.42				4.2		$	5.1
	Additional shares reserved(3)			200,000				—				—
	Options granted			(486,300	)			486,300			$	9.78
	Options exercised			—				(396,970	)		$	8.33
	Options cancelled (expired or forfeited)			418,925				(418,925	)		$	11.15
	Stock awards granted			(764,394	)			—				—
	Stock awards cancelled (expired or forfeited)			52,046				—				—
	Balances as of December 31, 2014			129,760				3,462,567			$	9.39				3.4		$	5.7
	Exercisable as of December 31, 2014							2,330,762			$	9.62				2.7		$	3.7
	Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2014							909,562			$	8.86				4.96		$	1.7
	-1	Based on the closing stock price of the Company’s stock of $10.68 on December 31, 2014, $10.18 on December 31, 2013, $9.00 on December 30, 2012 and $7.45 on December 31, 2011.
	-2	Approved by stock holders in 2012.
	-3	Approved by Board of Directors in 2014, subject to stock holder’s approval in 2015.
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the fiscal year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2014. The aggregate intrinsic amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $824,000, $2.1 million, and $397,000, respectively. The options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014 were in the following exercise price ranges:
				Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Price			Number		Weighted-Average				Number				Weighted-Average
				Outstanding		Remaining				Outstanding				Exercise
						Contractual Life								Price
						(in years)
	$	6.54		17,125			1.3				17,125			$	6.54
	$	6.88		460,530			4.37				278,266				6.88
	$	7.11–$ 8.66		442,525			1.63				428.942				8.53
	$	8.72		473,989			3.21				431,615				8.72
	$	8.8		553,795			5.08				196,926				8.8
	$	8.81–$9.65		432,778			5.47				114,960				9.15
	$	9.74–$10.03		183,000			4.66				28,000				9.74
	$	10.24		441,325			2.21				441,325				10.24
	$	10.32–$14.78		354,500			1.36				290,603				11.14
	$	16.25–$25.73		103,000			0.81				103,000				20.93
$	6.54–$25.73		3,462,567			3.42				2,330,762			$	9.62
As of December 31, 2013 there were 2,221,657 options that were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $10.14.
Stock Awards(RSU and PSU)Activity Table
Information with respect to restricted stock units’ and performance stock units’ activity is as follows (in thousands):
		Number				Weighted-Average				Aggregate				Aggregate
		of				Grant-				Fair Value(1)				Intrinsic Value(2)
		Shares				Date Fair				(in thousands)				(in thousands)
						Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2011			55,253			$	9.55							$	412
Granted			148,188			$	6.85
Vested (3)			(41,522	)		$	9.79			$	279	-4
Forfeited			(13,210	)		$	7.39
Outstanding at December 31, 2012			148,709			$	6.99							$	1,338
Granted			188,678			$	8.94
Vested (3)			(119,505	)		$	7.68			$	1,091	-5
Forfeited			(38,417	)		$	8.11
Outstanding at December 31, 2013			179,465			$	8.34							$	1,827
Granted			360,563			$	9.72
Vested (3)			(81,157	)		$	8.62			$	777	-6
Forfeited			(24,550	)		$	8.14
Outstanding at December 31, 2014			434,321			$	9.31							$	4,639
-1	Represents the value of the Company’s stock on the date that the restricted stock units vest.
-2	Based on the closing stock price of the Company’s stock of $10.68 on December 31, 2014, $10.18 on December 31, 2013, $9.00 on December 30, 2012 and $7.45 on December 31, 2011.
-3	The number of restricted stock units vested includes shares that the Company withheld on behalf of the employees to satisfy the statutory tax withholding requirements.
-4	On the grant date, the fair value for these vested awards was $407,000.
-5	On the grant date, the fair value for these vested awards was $917,000.
-6	On the grant date, the fair value for these vested awards was $699,000.
Performance Stock Units
In 2014 and 2013, the Company granted its executive officers and certain senior management 105,000 and 33,751 PSUs that vest on June 30, 2015 and June 1, 2014, respectively, subject to the recipient’s continued service through that date. At the vest date, the Company issues fully-paid up common stock based on the percentage achievement of each performance goal. For the July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 PSUs, there are three performance goals. For the June 1, 2013 to May 30, 2014 PSUs, there were also three performance goals, related to Company revenue and profitability targets, based on which the Company issued 5,625 shares of common stock on June 1, 2014.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense for stock options, restricted stock units, stock awards and ESPP shares for the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
Stock options		$	1,811			$	2,201			$	2,421
RSUs			875				631				501
PSUs			455				162				138
ESPP			158				116				100
Total stock-based compensation expense		$	3,299			$	3,110			$	3,160
As of December 31, 2014, the unrecognized compensation cost, net of expected forfeitures, was $4.9 million for stock options and stock awards, which will be recognized using the straight-line attribution method over an estimated weighted-average remaining amortization period of 2.31 years. For the ESPP, the unrecognized compensation cost, net of expected forfeitures, was $59,000, which will be recognized using the straight- line attribution method over an estimated weighted-average amortization period 0.33 years.
The Company issues new shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of RSUs and PSUs, and the issuance of ESPP shares. The amount of cash received from these issuances, net of taxes withheld and paid, in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $3.6 million, $5.2 million and $1.7 million. The total direct tax benefit realized, including the excess tax benefit, from stock-based award activity was $6,000 in 2012. There was no direct tax benefit (deficit) in 2013 or 2014. The Company elected to account for the indirect effects of stock-based awards—primarily the research and development tax credit—through the Statement of Operations.
Total stock-based compensation expense recorded by department during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
Cost of revenue		$	560			$	638			$	658
Sales and marketing			641				744				657
Research and development			581				397				514
General and administrative			1,517				1,331				1,331
Total stock-based compensation expense		$	3,299			$	3,110			$	3,160
Valuation Assumptions and Fair Value of Stock Options and ESPP Grants
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of options granted under its equity incentive plans and rights to acquire stock granted under its employee stock purchase plan. The Company based the weighted average estimated values of employee stock option grants and rights granted under the employee stock purchase plan, as well as the weighted average assumptions used in calculating these values, on estimates at the date of grant, as follows:
		Stock Options												Stock Purchase Plan
		2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
Expected term (in years)(1)			4.18				4.3				4.17				0.5			0.5			0.5
Risk-free interest rate(2)			1.31	%			1.13	%			0.45	%			0.06	%		0.08	%		0.15	%
Volatility(3)			41	%			43	%			44	%			37	%		44	%		43	%
Dividend yield(4)			—	%			—	%			—	%			—	%		—	%		—	%
Weighted average estimated fair value at grant date		$	3.36			$	3.22			$	2.47			$	2.65		$	2.84		$	2.16
-1	The expected term represents the period during which the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The estimated term is based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the awards, vesting requirements, and expectation of future employee behavior, including post-vesting terminations.
-2	The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury debt securities with maturities close to the expected term of the option as of the date of grant.
-3	Estimated volatility is based on historical volatility. The Company also considers implied volatility when there is sufficient volume of freely traded options with comparable terms and exercise prices in the open market.
-4	The Company has not historically issued any dividends and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.
The Company periodically estimates forfeiture rates based on its historical experience within separate groups of employees and adjusts the stock-based payment expense accordingly.
RSU Withholdings
For RSUs granted to employees, the number of shares issued on the date the RSUs vest is net of the tax withholding requirements paid on behalf of the employees. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company withheld 15,769, 24,249, and 14,974 shares of common stock, respectively, to satisfy its employees’ tax obligations of $156,000, $222,000, and $101,000, respectively. The Company paid this amount in cash to the appropriate taxing authorities. Although shares withheld are not issued, they are treated as common stock repurchases for accounting and disclosure purposes, as they reduce the number of shares that would have been issued upon vesting.
Share Repurchase Program
On August 5, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors modified Cutera, Inc.’s stock buyback program, originally adopted in November 2012, to permit an additional $10 million of its issued and outstanding common shares to be repurchased. As modified, the stock buyback program permits the Company to purchase an aggregate of $20 million of its common stock through a 10b5-1 program based on predetermined pricing and volume as well as open-market purchases that are subject to management discretion and regulatory restrictions
In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased 1,060,447 shares of its common stock at an average price of $9.43 per share, for approximately $10.0 million. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock in 2014. As of December 31, 2014, there remained an additional $10.0 million of the Company's common stock to be purchased under the modified stock buyback program. The number of shares to be repurchased and the timing of such repurchases will be based on several factors, including the price of the Company's common stock, regulatory restrictions, and general market and business conditions.
On February 18, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved the expansion of its Stock Repurchase Program from $10 million to $40 million, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase shares of its common stock. The Company plans to make the repurchases from time to time through open market transactions at prevailing prices and/ or through privately-negotiated transactions, and/ or through a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Note_7_Income_Taxes

Note 7 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 7—INCOME TAXES
	The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state and local jurisdictions and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s loss before provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S.	$	(10,592	)	$	(4,919	)	$	(6,767	)
	Foreign		199			118			437
	Loss before income taxes	$	(10,393	)	$	(4,801	)	$	(6,330	)
	The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	(7	)	$	(329	)	$	(13	)
	State		19			7			(56	)
	Foreign		110			159			366
			122			(163	)		297
	Deferred:
	Federal		32			33			(12	)
	State		—			—			—
	Foreign		65			76			(67	)
			97			109			(79	)
	Tax (benefit) provision	$	219		$	(54	)	$	218
	The Company’s deferred tax asset consists of the following (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Net operating loss	$	12,138		$	11,014
	Stock-based compensation		3,884			3,806
	Other accruals and reserves		4,735			3,686
	Credits		3,808			3,121
	Foreign		295			360
	Accrued warranty		417			441
	Depreciation and amortization		998			224
	Other		66			470
	Deferred tax asset before valuation allowance		26,341			23,122
	Valuation allowance		(26,046	)		(22,762	)
	Deferred tax asset after valuation allowance		295			360
	Deferred tax liability on goodwill		(71	)		(39	)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	224		$	321
	The Company’s deferred tax asset balance is reported in the following captions in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax asset (current portion)	$	26		$	31
	Deferred tax asset, net of current portion		269			329
	Accrued liabilities (non-current deferred tax liability)		(71	)		(39	)
	Net deferred tax asset after valuation allowance	$	224		$	321
	The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rates to the Company’s effective tax rate are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. federal statutory income tax rate		34	%		35	%		35	%
	State tax rate, net of federal benefit		1.62			1.57			3.28
	Benefit for research and development credit		7.24			19.91			3.4
	Foreign rate differential		(1.04	)		(4.53	)		(1.49	)
	Changes in unrecognized tax benefits		(0.53	)		2.6			1.06
	Foreign income inclusion		—			—			(0.05	)
	Income tax refund		0.08			0.19			1.07
	Stock-based compensation		(5.56	)		(34.33	)		(21.31	)
	Meals and entertainment		(1.11	)		(2.10	)		(1.68	)
	Tax effect of other comprehensive income		—			—			0.28
	Valuation allowance		(36.58	)		(17.82	)		(21.15	)
	Other		(0.22	)		0.63			(1.86	)
	Effective tax rate		(2.10	)%		1.12	%		(3.45	)%
	The Company recognizes deferred tax assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value, when it is more likely than not that it will not be able to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize the net carrying value. The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets due to its history of operating losses. In the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there was a net increase in the valuation allowance of $3.3 million, $0.9 million, and $1.4 million, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had cumulative net operating loss carry-forwards for federal and state income tax reporting purposes of approximately $34.3 million and $10.4 million, respectively. The federal net operating loss carry-forwards expire through the year 2034 and the state net operating loss carry-forwards expire at various dates through the year 2033. The Company maintained a valuation allowance against these net operating loss carry-forwards as of December 31, 2014.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had research and development tax credits for federal and state income tax purposes of approximately $4.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively. The federal research and development tax credits expire through the year 2034. The state research and development credits can be carried forward indefinitely, except for $284,000, which will expire at various dates through the year 2020. The Company maintained a valuation allowance against these tax credits as of December 31, 2014.
	Included in the net operating loss and research and development tax credit carryforwards are approximately $4.2 million of excess tax benefits from employee stock option exercises, for which the Company has not recorded a deferred tax asset. When such excess tax benefits are ultimately realized, the Company will record the deferred tax asset and the credit to additional paid in capital.
Utilization of U.S. net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards may be limited by “ownership change” rules, as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Similar rules may apply under state tax laws. The Company has not conducted a study to-date to assess whether a limitation would apply under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code as and when it starts utilizing its net operating losses and tax credits. The Company will continue to monitor activities in the future. In the event the Company previously experienced an ownership change, or should experience an ownership change in the future, the amount of net operating losses and research and development credit carryovers available in any taxable year could be limited and may expire unutilized.
Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries at both December 31, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $2.6 million, are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no provision for federal and state income taxes has been provided thereon. If these foreign earnings were to be repatriated in the future, the related U.S. tax liability would be reduced by any foreign income taxes previously paid on these earnings. Because of the availability of U.S. foreign tax credits, the determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability on these earnings is not practicable.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company establishes reserves for uncertain tax positions based on the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company has provided taxes and related interest and penalties due for potential adjustments that may result from examinations of open U.S. Federal, state and foreign tax years. If the Company ultimately determines that payment of these amounts are not more-likely-than-not, the Company will reverse the liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which the Company makes the determination. The Company will record an additional charge in the Company’s provision for taxes in the period in which the Company determines that the recorded tax liability is less than the Company expects the ultimate assessment to be. The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes.
The Company files U.S., state, and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. The 2004 through 2014 tax years generally remain subject to examination by U.S., federal and California state tax authorities due to the Company’s net operating loss and credit carryforwards. For significant foreign jurisdictions, the 2009 through 2014 tax years generally remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities.
The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits in December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Balance at beginning of year	$	535		$	536		$	583
Increases related to prior year tax positions		—			36			—
Increases related to current year tax positions		62			116			29
Decreases related to lapsing of statute of limitations		—			(153	)		(76	)
Balance at end of year	$	597		$	535		$	536
The Company’s total unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect its effective tax rate at December 31, 2014 and 2013, were approximately $33,000. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had accrued approximately $41,000 and $37,000 for payment of interest, respectively. Interest included in the provision for income taxes was not significant in all the periods presented. The Company has not accrued any penalties related to its uncertain tax positions as it believes that it is more likely than not that there will not be any assessment of penalties. The Company expects that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will not materially change within the next 12 months.

Note_8_Net_Loss_Per_Share

Note 8 - Net Loss Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	NOTE 8—NET LOSS PER SHARE
	Diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share for the periods presented because the inclusion of outstanding common stock equivalents would be anti-dilutive. The following number of weighted shares outstanding, prior to the application of the treasury stock method, were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common share for the years presented because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Options to purchase common stock		3,489		3,830		3,746
	Restricted stock units		213		173		97
	Employee stock purchase plan shares		86		72		78
	Performance stock units		37		34		8
	Total		3,825		4,109		3,929

Note_9_Defined_Contribution_Pl

Note 9 - Defined Contribution Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 9—DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
	In the U.S., the Company has an employee savings plan (“401(k) Plan”) that qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Eligible employees may make voluntary contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to 100% of their annual compensation, subject to statutory annual limitations. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company made discretionary contributions under the 401(k) Plan of $211,000, $184,000 and $146,000 respectively.
	For the Company’s Japanese subsidiary, it has established an employee retirement plan at its discretion. In addition, for some of the Company’s other foreign subsidiaries, the Company deposits funds with insurance companies, third-party trustees, or into government-managed accounts consistent with the requirements of local laws. The Company has fully funded or accrued for its obligations as of December 31, 2014, and the related expense for each of the three years then ended was not significant.

Note_10_Segment_Information_an

Note 10 - Segment Information and Revenue by Geography and Products	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 10—SEGMENT INFORMATION AND REVENUE BY GEOGRAPY AND PRODUCTS
	Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s chief decision maker, as defined under the FASB’s ASC 280 guidance, is a combination of the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. To date, the Company has viewed its operations, managed its business, and used one measurement of profitability for the one operating segment – the sale of aesthetic medical equipment and services, and distribution of cosmeceutical and dermal filler products, to qualified medical practitioners. In addition, substantially all of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the U.S.
	The following table summarizes revenue by geographic region, which is based on the shipping location of where the product is delivered, and product category (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Revenue mix by geography:
	United States	$	35,494	$	31,487	$	31,949
	Japan		13,328		14,205		17,826
	Asia, excluding Japan		11,023		11,263		8,902
	Europe		7,792		7,358		4,958
	Rest of the world		10,501		10,281		13,642
	Consolidated total	$	78,138	$	74,594	$	77,277
	Revenue mix by product category:
	Products and upgrades	$	53,106	$	48,374	$	49,605
	Titan and truSculpt hand piece refills		3,714		4,267		4,807
	Dermal filler and cosmeceuticals		3,479		4,264		5,645
	Total product revenue		60,299		56,905		60,057
	Service		17,839		17,689		17,220
	Consolidated total	$	78,138	$	74,594	$	77,277

Note_11_Commitments_and_Contin

Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 11—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Facility Leases
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company was committed to minimum lease payments for facilities and other leased assets under long-term non-cancelable operating leases as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	1,821
	2016		1,745
	2017		1,722
	2018		78
	2019		2
	Future minimum rental payments	$	5,368
	Gross rent expense in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.5 million, $1.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
	VehicleLeases
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company was committed to minimum lease payments for leased vehicles under long-term non-cancelable capital leases as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	167
	2016		211
	2017		24
	Future minimum lease payments	$	402
	Purchase Commitments
	The Company maintains certain open inventory purchase commitments with its suppliers to ensure a smooth and continuous supply for key components. The Company’s liability in these purchase commitments is generally restricted to a forecasted time-horizon as agreed between the parties. These forecasted time-horizons can vary among different suppliers. The Company’s open inventory purchase commitments with its suppliers were not significant at December 31, 2014 or 2013.
	Indemnifications
	In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements that contain a variety of representations, warranties, and indemnification obligations. For example, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers and certain key employees. The Company’s exposure under its various indemnification obligations is unknown and not reasonably estimable as they involve future claims that may be made against the Company. As such, the Company has not accrued any amounts for such obligations.
	Litigation and Litigation Settlements
	The Company is named from time to time as a party to product liability and contractual lawsuits in the normal course of business. The Company routinely assesses the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes related to legal matters and claims, as well as ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after analysis of each known issue, historical experience, whether it is more likely than not that the Company shall incur a loss, and whether the loss is estimable. As of December, 2014, the Company had accrued $74,000 related to pending product liability and contractual lawsuits.

Note_12_Subsequent_Events

Note 12 - Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	NOTE 12—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On February 18, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved the expansion of its Stock Repurchase Program from $10 million to $40 million, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase shares of its common stock. The Company plans to make the repurchases from time to time through open market transactions at prevailing prices and/ or through privately-negotiated transactions, and/ or through a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Note_13_Supplementary_Financia

Note 13 - Supplementary Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	Quarter ended:	Dec. 31,			Sept. 30,			June 30,			March 31,			Dec. 31,			Sept. 30,			June 30,			March 31,
		2014			2014			2014			2014			2013			2013			2013			2013
	Net revenue	$	25,499		$	18,726		$	17,724		$	16,189		$	22,239		$	16,828		$	19,560		$	15,967
	Cost of revenue		11,679			7,935			7,848			7,303			9,202			7,651			8,442			7,417
	Gross profit		13,820			10,791			9,876			8,886			13,037			9,177			11,118			8,550
	Operating expenses:
	Sales and marketing		9,356			7,805			7,754			7,331			7,804			6,554			7,170			6,456
	Research and development		2,649			2,628			2,622			2,644			2,438			2,440			2,217			2,121
	General and administrative		3,407			2,897			2,335			2,564			3,135			2,160			2,354			2,289
	Total operating expenses		15,412			13,330			12,711			12,539			13,377			11,154			11,741			10,866
	Income (loss) from operations		(1,592	)		(2,539	)		(2,835	)		(3,653	)		(340	)		(1,977	)		(623	)		(2,316	)
	Interest and other income, net		8			—			138			80			105			140			75			135
	Income (loss) before income taxes		(1,584	)		(2,539	)		(2,697	)		(3,573	)		(235	)		(1,837	)		(548	)		(2,181	)
	Income tax provision (benefit)		41			97			44			37			43			(169	)		90			(18	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(1,625	)	$	(2,636	)	$	(2,741	)	$	(3,610	)	$	(278	)	$	(1,668	)	$	(638	)	$	(2,163	)
	Net income (loss) per share—basic	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.26	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)
	Net income (loss) per share—diluted	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.26	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)
	Weighted average number of shares used in per share calculations:
	Basic		14,425			14,334			14,231			14,021			14,016			14,541			14,723			14,408
	Diluted		14,425			14,334			14,231			14,021			14,016			14,541			14,723			14,408

Note_14_Valuation_and_Qualifyi

Note 14 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]		Balance at		Additions		Deductions		Balance
		Beginning						at End of
		of Year						Year
	Deferred tax assets valuation allowance
	Year ended December 31, 2014	$	22,762	$	3,780	$	496	$	26,046
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	21,907	$	3,437	$	2,582	$	22,762
	Year ended December 31, 2012(1)	$	20,551	$	1,773	$	417	$	21,907
		Balance at		Additions		Deductions		Balance
		Beginning						at End of
		of Year						Year
	Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable
	Year ended December 31, 2014	$	19	$	4	$	23	$	—
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	—	$	19	$	—	$	19
	Year ended December 31, 2012	$	8	$	66	$	74	$	—
	(1)The Company revised the deferred tax assets valuation allowance balance for calendar year 2012 as a result of revisions to its deferred tax assets relating to stock-based compensation and the resulting valuation allowance for them. These changes had no impact to the Company’s balance sheets, statement of operations, earnings per share, statement of cash flows, or statement of equity for any period presented. The beginning balance for 2012 was reduced by $723,000, and the deductions for the year were increased by $276,000, which resulted in a net change in the ending balance for the year by $999,000.

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Description of Operations and Principles of Consolidation
	Cutera, Inc. (“Cutera” or the “Company”) is a global provider of laser and other energy-based aesthetic systems for practitioners worldwide. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets laser and other energy-based product platforms for use by physicians and other qualified practitioners which enable them to offer safe and effective aesthetic treatments to their customers. The Company currently markets the following key product platforms: CoolGlide®, xeo, solera®, Genesis Plus, excel V, truSculpt, excel HR and enlighten. The Company’s products offer multiple hand pieces and applications, which allow customers to upgrade their systems. The sales of systems, upgrades, hand pieces, hand piece refills (Titan® and truSculpt) and the distribution of third party manufactured dermal fillers and cosmeceuticals are classified as “Product” revenue. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company terminated its agreement with Merz Pharma GmbH (“Merz”) for the distribution of its Radiesse dermal filler product. In addition to Product revenue, the Company generates revenue from the sale of post-warranty service contracts, parts, detachable hand piece replacements (except for Titan and truSculpt) and service labor for the repair and maintenance of products that are out of warranty, all of which is classified as “Service” revenue.
	Headquartered in Brisbane, California, the Company has wholly-owned subsidiaries that are currently operational in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Japan, Switzerland and Hong Kong, that market, sell and service its products outside of the United States. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates their estimates, including those related to warranty obligation, sales commission, accounts receivable and sales allowances, valuation of inventories, fair values of acquired intangible assets, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of options to purchase the Company’s common stock and other share based awards, recoverability of deferred tax assets, and effective income tax rates, among others. Management bases their estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Marketable Investments and Long-Term Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash, Cash Equivalents,andMarketable Investments
	The Company invests its cash primarily in money market funds and in highly liquid debt instruments of U.S. federal and municipal governments and their agencies, commercial paper and corporate debt securities. All highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents; all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of greater than three months are classified as marketable investments. The majority of the Company’s cash and investments are held in U.S. banks and its foreign subsidiaries maintain a limited amount of cash in their local banks to cover their short term operating expenses.
	The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in marketable securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. The Company’s marketable securities have been classified and accounted for as available-for-sale. Investments with remaining maturities more than one year are viewed by the Company as available to support current operations, and are classified as current assets under the caption marketable investments in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Investments in marketable securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. Any realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities are determined on a specific identification method, and such gains and losses are reflected as a component of interest and other income, net.
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value. Carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate their fair values as of the balance sheet dates because of their generally short maturities.
	The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
		●	Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities.
		●	Level 2: Directly or indirectly observable inputs as of the reporting date through correlation with market data, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices in markets that are not active. Level 2 also includes assets and liabilities that are valued using models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment since the input assumptions used in the models, such as interest rates and volatility factors, are corroborated by readily observable data from actively quoted markets for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
		●	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impairment of Marketable Investments
	After determining the fair value of available-for-sales debt instruments, gains or losses on these securities are recorded to other comprehensive income, until either the security is sold or the Company determines that the decline in value is other-than-temporary. The primary differentiating factors that the Company considers in classifying impairments as either temporary or other-than-temporary impairments is the intent and ability to retain the investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value, the length of the time and the extent to which the market value of the investment has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. There were no other-than-temporary impairments in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
Allowances for Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Allowance for Sales Returns and Doubtful Accounts
	The allowance for sales returns is based on the Company’s estimates of potential future product returns and other allowances related to current period product revenue. The Company analyzes historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products.
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s assessment of the collectability of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, the age of the accounts receivable balances, and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, marketable investments and accounts receivable. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are primarily invested in deposits and money market accounts with three major financial institutions in the U.S. In addition, the Company has operating cash balances in banks in each of the international locations in which it operates. Deposits in these banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits, if any. Management believes that these financial institutions are financially sound and, accordingly, believes that minimal credit risk exists. The Company has not experienced any losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents.
	The Company invests in debt instruments, including bonds of the U.S. Government, its agencies and municipalities. The Company has also invested in other high grade investments such as commercial paper and corporate bonds. By policy, the Company restricts its exposure to any single issuer by imposing concentration limits. To minimize the exposure due to adverse shifts in interest rates, the Company maintains investments at an average maturity (interest reset date for auction-rate securities and variable rate demand notes) of generally less than eighteen months.
	Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenue earned from worldwide customers. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers and maintains reserves for potential credit losses. No single customer represented more than 10% of net accounts receivable as of either December 31, 2014 or 2013.
	During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, domestic revenue accounted for 45%, 42%, and 41%, respectively, of total revenue, while international revenue accounted for 55%, 58%, and 59%, respectively, of total revenue, for each of the years. No single customer represented more than 10% of total revenue for any of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
	The Company is also subject to risks common to companies in the medical device industry, including, but not limited to, new technology innovations, dependence on key personnel, dependence on key suppliers, protection of proprietary technology, product liability, Food and Drug Administration and/ or international regulatory approvals required for new products and compliance with government regulations.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined on a standard cost basis (which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis) and market being determined as the lower of replacement cost or net realizable value.
	The Company includes demonstration units within inventories. Demonstration units are carried at cost and amortized over an estimated economic life of two years. Amortization expense related to demonstration units is recorded in cost of revenue or in the respective operating expense line based on which function and purpose for which it is being used for. Proceeds from the sale of demonstration units are recorded as revenue and all costs incurred to refurbish the systems prior to sale are charged to cost of revenue.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, demonstration inventories included in the “Finished goods inventory” balance was $2.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation recognized is on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally as follows:
			Useful Lives
	Leasehold improvements		Lesser of useful life or term of lease
	Office equipment and furniture (years)		3
	Machinery and equipment (years)		3
	Upon sale or retirement of assets, the costs and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the balance sheet and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in operating expenses. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
	Depreciation expense related to property, equipment and leasehold improvements for 2014, 2013 and 2012, were $562,000, $602,000 and $436,000 respectively. Amortization expense for vehicles leased under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets, is not subject to amortization, but is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment, applying a fair-value based test.
	The Company’s intangible assets are comprised of purchased technology sub-licenses, acquired customer relationships, and those assets acquired in conjunction with an asset acquisition in February 2012 including, existing customer relationships, product portfolio and a manufacturing process for the products acquired. All identifiable intangibles have finite lives and are carried at cost, net of accumulated amortization. Amortization was recorded using the straight-line method, over their respective useful lives, which range from approximately 11 months to 10 years.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impairment of Long-lived Assets
	Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment at least annually or as circumstances indicate their value may no longer be recoverable. The goodwill impairment test is generally performed annually during the fourth fiscal quarter (or earlier if impairment indicators arise). The Company continues to operate in one segment, which is considered to be the sole reporting unit and therefore, goodwill was tested for impairment at the enterprise level. As of December 31, 2014, there has been no impairment of goodwill.
	The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, which include amortizable intangible and tangible assets. Acquired intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. The Company recognizes such impairment in the event the net book value of such assets exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows attributable to such assets. In 2014, the Company’s impairment review indicated that certain purchased long-lived assets associated with the Iridex acquisition were impaired and an impairment charge of $650,000 was recognized. No other impairment losses were incurred in the periods presented.
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Warranty Obligations
	The Company provides a one-year standard warranty on all systems. Warranty coverage provided is for labor and parts necessary to repair the systems during the warranty period.
	The Company accounts for the estimated warranty cost of the standard warranty coverage as a charge to costs of revenue when revenue is recognized. The estimated warranty cost is based on historical product performance. To determine the estimated warranty reserve, the Company utilizes actual service records to calculate the average service expense per system and applies this to the equivalent number of units exposed under warranty. The Company updates these estimated charges every quarter.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition
	Product, Upgrade, Titan hand piece refill, and Dermal filler and cosmeceutical revenue is recognized when title and risk of ownership has been transferred, provided that:
		●	Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
		●	The price is fixed or determinable;
		●	Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; and
		●	Collectability is probable.
	Transfer of title and risk of ownership occurs when the product is shipped to the customer or when the customer receives the product, depending on the nature of the arrangement. Revenue is recorded net of customer and distributor discounts. For sales transactions when collectability is not reasonably assured, the Company recognizes revenue upon receipt of cash payment. Sales to customers and distributors do not include any return or exchange rights. In addition, the Company’s distributor agreements obligate the distributor to pay the Company for the sale regardless of whether the distributor is able to resell the product. Shipping and handling charges are invoiced to customers based on the amount of products sold. Shipping and handling fees are recorded as revenue and the related expense as a component of cost of revenue.
	Multiple-element arrangements
	A multiple-element arrangement includes the sale of one or more tangible product offerings with one or more associated services offerings, each of which are individually considered separate units of accounting. The Company determined that its multiple-element arrangements are generally comprised of the following elements that are recognized as separate units of accounting: system and upgrade sales; and service contracts.
	For multiple-element arrangements revenue is allocated to each element based on their relative selling prices. Relative selling prices would be based first on vendor specified objective evidence (“VSOE”), then on third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”) when VSOE does not exist, and then on best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) when VSOE and TPE do not exist. Because the Company has neither VSOE nor TPE for its systems, the allocation of revenue has been based on the Company’s BESPs. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if the product was sold on a stand-alone basis. The Company determines BESP for its systems by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, prices charged for stand-alone sales, features and functionality of the system, geographies, type of customer, and market conditions. Revenue allocated to each element is then recognized when the other revenue recognition criteria are met for each element.
	In the first and second quarter of 2013, with respect to the sale of its truSculpt product, the Company provided promotions that included an unlimited number of “free” hand piece replacements during a stated trial period of 3 months or 12 months. These free refills were treated as an undelivered element under FASB ASC 605-25 in the original revenue transaction. The Company deferred the relative fair value related to the estimated number of hand piece replacements to be delivered during the promotional period and recognized that deferred revenue over the free refills promotion period. Commencing with the third quarter of 2013, the Company included unlimited refills as part of the truSculpt standard warranty and determined that this was no longer a separate deliverable under the multiple-element arrangement revenue guidance. Following this change, the Company recognized the revenue under the warranty model, in which the revenue for the system sale was recognized up-front along with an estimate of the costs which will be incurred under the warranty obligation recorded in cost of revenue.
	The Company also offers customers extended service contracts. Revenue under service contracts is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of the applicable service contract. Service revenue, from customers whose systems are not under a service contact, is recognized as the services are provided. Service revenue for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $17.8 million, $17.7 million, and $17.2 million, respectively.
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cost of Revenue
	Cost of revenue consists primarily of material, finished and semi-finished products purchased from third-party manufacturers, labor, stock-based compensation expenses, overhead involved in our internal manufacturing processes, technology license amortization and royalties, costs associated with product warranties and any inventory or intangible write-downs.
	The Company's system sales include a control console, universal graphic user interface, control system software, high voltage electronics and a combination of applications (referred to as hand pieces). Hand pieces are programmed to have a limited number of uses to ensure the safety of the device to patients. The Company sells refurbished hand pieces, or "refills," of its Titan product and provides for refurbishment of other hand pieces under warranty or service contracts. When customers purchase a replacement hand piece (or “refill”) or are provided a replacement hand piece under a warranty or service contract, Cutera ships a previously refurbished unit. Upon the receipt of the expended hand piece from the customer the Company capitalizes the expended hand piece as inventory at the estimated fair value. Cost of revenue includes the costs incurred to refurbish hand pieces.
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and Development Expenditures
	Costs related to research, design, development and testing of products are charged to research and development expense as incurred. Expenses incurred primarily relate to employees, facilities, material, third party contractors and clinical and regulatory fees.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are included as part of sales and marketing expense and are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $1.6 million, $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock-based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation plans under the fair value recognition and measurement provisions under U.S. GAAP. The Company’s stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The Company elected to use the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options on the dates of grant. Restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance stock units (“PSUs”) and stock awards are measured based on the fair market values of the underlying stock on the dates of grant. Shares are issued on the vesting dates, net of the tax withholding requirements to be paid by the Company on behalf of its employees. As a result, the actual number of shares issued will be fewer than the actual number of RSUs outstanding. Furthermore, the Company records the liability for withholding amounts to be paid by us as a reduction to additional paid-in capital when the shares are issued. Also, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation using the straight-line method.
	U.S. GAAP requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits due to tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for stock-based awards for options exercised and RSUs vested during the period (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes
	The Company recognizes income taxes under the liability method. The Company recognizes deferred income taxes for differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities at enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the years in which differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date. For deferred tax assets which are not subject to a valuation allowance, the Company has determined that its future taxable income will be sufficient to recover all of the deferred tax assets. However, should there be a change in their ability to recover the deferred tax assets, the Company could be required to record a valuation allowance against the net carrying value of its deferred tax assets. This would result in an increase to the Company’s tax provision in the period in which they determined that the recovery was not probable.
	The measurement of deferred taxes often involves an exercise of judgment related to the computation and realization of tax basis. The deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect management’s assessment that tax positions taken, and the resulting tax basis, are more likely than not to be sustained if they are audited by taxing authorities. Also, assessing tax rates that the Company expects to apply and determining the years when the temporary differences are expected to affect taxable income requires judgment about the future apportionment of our income among the states in which the Company operates. These matters, and others, involve the exercise of significant judgment. Any changes in our practices or judgments involved in the measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities could materially impact our financial condition or results of operations.
	Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to amounts that the Company believes are more likely than not to be recovered. The Company evaluates its deferred tax assets quarterly to determine whether adjustments to our valuation allowance are appropriate. In making this evaluation, the Company relies on its recent history of pre-tax earnings, estimated timing of future deductions and benefits represented by the deferred tax assets, and its forecasts of future earnings, the latter two of which involve the exercise of significant judgment. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance against its U.S. federal and state deferred tax asset due to a history of operating losses.
	The Company establishes reserves for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the Income Taxes subtopic of ASC 740. The subtopic prescribes the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. Additionally, the subtopic provides guidance on de-recognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, and transition of uncertain tax positions. The impact of an uncertain income tax position on income tax expense must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company has provided taxes and related interest and penalties due for potential adjustments that may result from examinations of open U.S. Federal, state and foreign tax years. The Company will reverse the liability and recognize a tax benefit during the period in which the Company makes the determination that the tax position is effectively settled through examination, negotiation, or litigation, or the statute of limitations for the relevant taxing authority to examine and challenge the tax position has expired. The Company will record an additional charge in the Company’s provision for taxes in the period in which the Company determines that the recorded tax liability is less than the Company expects the ultimate assessment to be.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Computation of Net Lossper Share
	Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential shares primarily consist of employee stock options. Dilute earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share for the periods presented because the inclusion of outstanding common stock equivalents would be anti-dilutive.
	U.S. GAAP requires that employee equity share options, non-vested shares and similar equity instruments granted by the Company be treated as potential common shares outstanding in computing diluted earnings per share. In periods of net income, diluted shares outstanding include the dilutive effect of in-the-money options, which is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional-paid-in-capital (“APIC”) when the award becomes deductible are all assumed to be used to repurchase shares.
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Comprehensive Loss
	Comprehensive loss includes all changes in stockholders’ equity except those resulting from investments or contributions by stockholders. For the periods presented, the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted solely of the unrealized gains or losses on the Company's available-for-sale investments, net of tax.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency
	The U.S. Dollar is the functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries. Monetary and non-monetary assets and liabilities are re-measured into U.S. Dollars at the applicable period end exchange rate. Sales and operating expenses are re-measured at average exchange rates in effect during each period, except for those expenses related to non-monetary assets which are re-measured at historical exchange rates. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in net income (loss) and are insignificant for each of the three years ended December 31, 2014. The effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents was insignificant for each of the three years presented in the period ended December 31, 2014.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Segments
	The Company operates in one segment. Management uses one measurement of profitability and does not segregate its business for internal reporting. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, 71% and 83%, respectively, of all long-lived assets were maintained in the U.S. See Note 10 for details relating to revenue by geography.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Updates No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled to for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. The updated standard becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on the Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_1

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Lives [Table Text Block]		Useful Lives
	Leasehold improvements	Lesser of useful life or term of lease
	Office equipment and furniture (years)	3
	Machinery and equipment (years)	3

Note_2_Investment_Securities_T

Note 2 - Investment Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Investment [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	7,761		$	3,816
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds		242			9,926
	Commercial paper		1,800			2,500
	Total cash and cash equivalents		9,803			16,242
	Marketable securities:
	U.S. government notes		18,361			10,522
	U.S. government agencies		19,800			25,858
	Municipal securities		3,607			2,039
	Commercial paper		10,695			10,242
	Corporate debt securities		18,880			18,170
	Total marketable securities		71,343			66,831
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	81,146		$	83,073
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]	31-Dec-14	Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	9,803		$	—	$	—		$	9,803
	Marketable investments
	U.S. government notes		18,345			17		(1	)		18,361
	U.S. government agencies		19,768			33		(1	)		19,800
	Municipal securities		3,607			3		(3	)		3,607
	Commercial paper		10,693			2		—			10,695
	Corporate debt securities		18,875			13		(8	)		18,880
	Total marketable securities		71,288			68		(13	)		71,343
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	81,091		$	68	$	(13	)	$	81,146
	31-Dec-13	Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	16,242		$	—	$	—		$	16,242
	Marketable investments
	U.S. government notes		10,516			11		(5	)		10,522
	U.S. government agencies		25,823			38		(3	)		25,858
	Municipal securities		2,043			1		(5	)		2,039
	Commercial paper		10,239			3		—			10,242
	Corporate debt securities		18,109			61		—			18,170
	Total marketable securities		66,730			114		(13	)		66,831
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	82,972		$	114	$	(13	)	$	83,073
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]		Amount
	Due in less than one year (fiscal year 2015)	$	37,023
	Due in 1 to 3 years (fiscal year 2016 - 2017)		34,320
		$	71,343
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	31-Dec-14	Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	242		$	—	$	—		$	242
	Commercial paper		—			1,800		—			1,800
	Short term marketable investments:
	Available-for-sale securities		—			71,343		—			71,343
	Total assets at fair value	$	242		$	73,143	$	—		$	73,385
	31-Dec-13	Level 1			Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	9,926		$	—	$	—		$	9,926
	Commercial paper		—			2,500		—			2,500
	Short term marketable investments:
	Available-for-sale securities		—			66,831		—			66,831
	Total assets at fair value	$	9,926		$	69,331	$	—		$	79,257
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]		Amount
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	3,027
	Total gains or losses (realized or unrealized)
	Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		262
	Settlements		(3,289	)
	Balance at December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014	$	—

Note_3_Acquisition_Tables

Note 3 - Acquisition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	Purchase price paid	$	5,091
	Assets (liabilities acquired):
	Inventory		1,552
	Customer relationship intangible assets		2,510
	Other identified intangible assets		780
	Goodwill		1,339
	Deferred service revenue		(780	)
	Accrued warranty liability		(310	)
	Total	$	5,091

Note_4_Balance_Sheet_Detail_Ta

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	7,185		$	5,989
	Finished goods		3,803			3,017
	Total	$	10,988		$	9,006
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Leasehold improvements	$	641		$	625
	Office equipment and furniture		2,964			3,285
	Machinery and equipment		4,140			3,876
			7,745			7,786
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		(6,284	)		(6,424	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	1,461		$	1,362
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]		Gross			Accumulated			Net
		Carrying			Amortization & Impairment			Amount
		Amount			Amount
	31-Dec-14
	Patent sublicense	$	1,218		$	1,206		$	12
	Customer relationship intangible related to acquisition		2,510			1,998			512
	Other identified intangible assets related to acquisition		780			780			—
	Other intangible		155			84			71
	Goodwill		1,339			—			1,339
	Total	$	6,002		$	4,068		$	1,934
	31-Dec-13
	Patent sublicense	$	1,218		$	1,068		$	150
	Customer relationship intangible related to acquisition		2,510			962			1,548
	Other identified intangible assets related to acquisition		780			607			173
	Other intangible		155			6			149
	Goodwill		1,339			—			1,339
	Total	$	6,002		$	2,643		$	3,359
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	Year ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	452
	2016		142
	2017		1
	Total	$	595
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Payroll and related expenses	$	5,533		$	4,753
	Sales tax		1,789			1,307
	Warranty		1,167			1,202
	Other		2,518			2,066
	Total	$	11,007		$	9,328

Note_5_Warranty_and_Service_Co1

Note 5 - Warranty and Service Contracts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	1,202		$	1,212
	Add: Accruals for warranties issued during the year		2,497			3,420
	Less: Settlements made during the year		(2,532	)		(3,430	)
	Balance at end of year	$	1,167		$	1,202
Deferred Revenue, by Arrangement, Disclosure [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Balance at beginning of year	$	11,637		$	8,539
	Add: Payments received		13,913			15,026
	Less: Revenue recognized		(12,601	)		(11,928	)
	Balance at end of year	$	12,949		$	11,637

Note_6_Stockholders_Equity_Sto1

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]							Options Outstanding
			Shares				Number of				Weighted-				Weighted-Average			Aggregate
			Available				Shares				Average				Remaining Contractual Life			Intrinsic
			For Grant								Exercise				(in years)			Value
											Price							(in $ millions)(1)
	Balances as of December 31, 2011			474,537				3,549,022			$	9.92				4.6			0.4
	Additional shares reserved(2)			1,910,000				—				—
	Options granted			(921,500	)			921,500			$	7.04
	Options exercised			—				(211,551	)		$	7
	Options cancelled (expired or forfeited)			470,732				(470,732	)		$	9.45
	Stock awards granted			(314,159	)			—				—
	Stock awards cancelled (expired or forfeited)			24,746				—				—
	Balances as of December 31, 2012			1,644,356				3,788,239			$	9.44				4.3		$	2.6
	Options granted			(1,007,166	)			1,007,166			$	8.97
	Options exercised			—				(612,210	)		$	8.16
	Options cancelled (expired or forfeited)			391,033				(391,033	)		$	10.37
	Stock awards granted			(399,997	)			—				—
	Stock awards cancelled (expired or forfeited)			81,257				—				—
	Balances as of December 31, 2013			709,483				3,792,162			$	9.42				4.2		$	5.1
	Additional shares reserved(3)			200,000				—				—
	Options granted			(486,300	)			486,300			$	9.78
	Options exercised			—				(396,970	)		$	8.33
	Options cancelled (expired or forfeited)			418,925				(418,925	)		$	11.15
	Stock awards granted			(764,394	)			—				—
	Stock awards cancelled (expired or forfeited)			52,046				—				—
	Balances as of December 31, 2014			129,760				3,462,567			$	9.39				3.4		$	5.7
	Exercisable as of December 31, 2014							2,330,762			$	9.62				2.7		$	3.7
	Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2014							909,562			$	8.86				4.96		$	1.7
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]				Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Price			Number		Weighted-Average				Number				Weighted-Average
				Outstanding		Remaining				Outstanding				Exercise
						Contractual Life								Price
						(in years)
	$	6.54		17,125			1.3				17,125			$	6.54
	$	6.88		460,530			4.37				278,266				6.88
	$	7.11–$ 8.66		442,525			1.63				428.942				8.53
	$	8.72		473,989			3.21				431,615				8.72
	$	8.8		553,795			5.08				196,926				8.8
	$	8.81–$9.65		432,778			5.47				114,960				9.15
	$	9.74–$10.03		183,000			4.66				28,000				9.74
	$	10.24		441,325			2.21				441,325				10.24
	$	10.32–$14.78		354,500			1.36				290,603				11.14
	$	16.25–$25.73		103,000			0.81				103,000				20.93
	$	6.54–$25.73		3,462,567			3.42				2,330,762			$	9.62
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]			Number				Weighted-Average				Aggregate				Aggregate
			of				Grant-				Fair Value(1)				Intrinsic Value(2)
			Shares				Date Fair				(in thousands)				(in thousands)
							Value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011			55,253			$	9.55							$	412
	Granted			148,188			$	6.85
	Vested (3)			(41,522	)		$	9.79			$	279	-4
	Forfeited			(13,210	)		$	7.39
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			148,709			$	6.99							$	1,338
	Granted			188,678			$	8.94
	Vested (3)			(119,505	)		$	7.68			$	1,091	-5
	Forfeited			(38,417	)		$	8.11
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			179,465			$	8.34							$	1,827
	Granted			360,563			$	9.72
	Vested (3)			(81,157	)		$	8.62			$	777	-6
	Forfeited			(24,550	)		$	8.14
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014			434,321			$	9.31							$	4,639
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Stock options		$	1,811			$	2,201			$	2,421
	RSUs			875				631				501
	PSUs			455				162				138
	ESPP			158				116				100
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	3,299			$	3,110			$	3,160
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]			Year Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Cost of revenue		$	560			$	638			$	658
	Sales and marketing			641				744				657
	Research and development			581				397				514
	General and administrative			1,517				1,331				1,331
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	3,299			$	3,110			$	3,160
Valuation Assumptions and Fair Value of Stock Options and ESPP Grants [Table Text Block]			Stock Options												Stock Purchase Plan
			2014				2013				2012				2014			2013			2012
	Expected term (in years)(1)			4.18				4.3				4.17				0.5			0.5			0.5
	Risk-free interest rate(2)			1.31	%			1.13	%			0.45	%			0.06	%		0.08	%		0.15	%
	Volatility(3)			41	%			43	%			44	%			37	%		44	%		43	%
	Dividend yield(4)			—	%			—	%			—	%			—	%		—	%		—	%
	Weighted average estimated fair value at grant date		$	3.36			$	3.22			$	2.47			$	2.65		$	2.84		$	2.16

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S.	$	(10,592	)	$	(4,919	)	$	(6,767	)
	Foreign		199			118			437
	Loss before income taxes	$	(10,393	)	$	(4,801	)	$	(6,330	)
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	(7	)	$	(329	)	$	(13	)
	State		19			7			(56	)
	Foreign		110			159			366
			122			(163	)		297
	Deferred:
	Federal		32			33			(12	)
	State		—			—			—
	Foreign		65			76			(67	)
			97			109			(79	)
	Tax (benefit) provision	$	219		$	(54	)	$	218
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Net operating loss	$	12,138		$	11,014
	Stock-based compensation		3,884			3,806
	Other accruals and reserves		4,735			3,686
	Credits		3,808			3,121
	Foreign		295			360
	Accrued warranty		417			441
	Depreciation and amortization		998			224
	Other		66			470
	Deferred tax asset before valuation allowance		26,341			23,122
	Valuation allowance		(26,046	)		(22,762	)
	Deferred tax asset after valuation allowance		295			360
	Deferred tax liability on goodwill		(71	)		(39	)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	224		$	321
Schedule of Deferred Tax Reported in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax asset (current portion)	$	26		$	31
	Deferred tax asset, net of current portion		269			329
	Accrued liabilities (non-current deferred tax liability)		(71	)		(39	)
	Net deferred tax asset after valuation allowance	$	224		$	321
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. federal statutory income tax rate		34	%		35	%		35	%
	State tax rate, net of federal benefit		1.62			1.57			3.28
	Benefit for research and development credit		7.24			19.91			3.4
	Foreign rate differential		(1.04	)		(4.53	)		(1.49	)
	Changes in unrecognized tax benefits		(0.53	)		2.6			1.06
	Foreign income inclusion		—			—			(0.05	)
	Income tax refund		0.08			0.19			1.07
	Stock-based compensation		(5.56	)		(34.33	)		(21.31	)
	Meals and entertainment		(1.11	)		(2.10	)		(1.68	)
	Tax effect of other comprehensive income		—			—			0.28
	Valuation allowance		(36.58	)		(17.82	)		(21.15	)
	Other		(0.22	)		0.63			(1.86	)
	Effective tax rate		(2.10	)%		1.12	%		(3.45	)%
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	535		$	536		$	583
	Increases related to prior year tax positions		—			36			—
	Increases related to current year tax positions		62			116			29
	Decreases related to lapsing of statute of limitations		—			(153	)		(76	)
	Balance at end of year	$	597		$	535		$	536

Note_8_Net_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Note 8 - Net Loss Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Options to purchase common stock		3,489		3,830		3,746
	Restricted stock units		213		173		97
	Employee stock purchase plan shares		86		72		78
	Performance stock units		37		34		8
	Total		3,825		4,109		3,929

Note_10_Segment_Information_an1

Note 10 - Segment Information and Revenue by Geography and Products (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Revenue mix by geography:
	United States	$	35,494	$	31,487	$	31,949
	Japan		13,328		14,205		17,826
	Asia, excluding Japan		11,023		11,263		8,902
	Europe		7,792		7,358		4,958
	Rest of the world		10,501		10,281		13,642
	Consolidated total	$	78,138	$	74,594	$	77,277
	Revenue mix by product category:
	Products and upgrades	$	53,106	$	48,374	$	49,605
	Titan and truSculpt hand piece refills		3,714		4,267		4,807
	Dermal filler and cosmeceuticals		3,479		4,264		5,645
	Total product revenue		60,299		56,905		60,057
	Service		17,839		17,689		17,220
	Consolidated total	$	78,138	$	74,594	$	77,277

Note_11_Commitments_and_Contin1

Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	1,821
	2016		1,745
	2017		1,722
	2018		78
	2019		2
	Future minimum rental payments	$	5,368
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	167
	2016		211
	2017		24
	Future minimum lease payments	$	402

Note_13_Supplementary_Financia1

Note 13 - Supplementary Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	Quarter ended:	Dec. 31,			Sept. 30,			June 30,			March 31,			Dec. 31,			Sept. 30,			June 30,			March 31,
		2014			2014			2014			2014			2013			2013			2013			2013
	Net revenue	$	25,499		$	18,726		$	17,724		$	16,189		$	22,239		$	16,828		$	19,560		$	15,967
	Cost of revenue		11,679			7,935			7,848			7,303			9,202			7,651			8,442			7,417
	Gross profit		13,820			10,791			9,876			8,886			13,037			9,177			11,118			8,550
	Operating expenses:
	Sales and marketing		9,356			7,805			7,754			7,331			7,804			6,554			7,170			6,456
	Research and development		2,649			2,628			2,622			2,644			2,438			2,440			2,217			2,121
	General and administrative		3,407			2,897			2,335			2,564			3,135			2,160			2,354			2,289
	Total operating expenses		15,412			13,330			12,711			12,539			13,377			11,154			11,741			10,866
	Income (loss) from operations		(1,592	)		(2,539	)		(2,835	)		(3,653	)		(340	)		(1,977	)		(623	)		(2,316	)
	Interest and other income, net		8			—			138			80			105			140			75			135
	Income (loss) before income taxes		(1,584	)		(2,539	)		(2,697	)		(3,573	)		(235	)		(1,837	)		(548	)		(2,181	)
	Income tax provision (benefit)		41			97			44			37			43			(169	)		90			(18	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(1,625	)	$	(2,636	)	$	(2,741	)	$	(3,610	)	$	(278	)	$	(1,668	)	$	(638	)	$	(2,163	)
	Net income (loss) per share—basic	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.26	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)
	Net income (loss) per share—diluted	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.26	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.15	)
	Weighted average number of shares used in per share calculations:
	Basic		14,425			14,334			14,231			14,021			14,016			14,541			14,723			14,408
	Diluted		14,425			14,334			14,231			14,021			14,016			14,541			14,723			14,408

Note_14_Valuation_and_Qualifyi1

Note 14 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Summary of Valuation Allowance [Table Text Block]		Balance at		Additions		Deductions		Balance
		Beginning						at End of
		of Year						Year
	Deferred tax assets valuation allowance
	Year ended December 31, 2014	$	22,762	$	3,780	$	496	$	26,046
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	21,907	$	3,437	$	2,582	$	22,762
	Year ended December 31, 2012(1)	$	20,551	$	1,773	$	417	$	21,907
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]		Balance at		Additions		Deductions		Balance
		Beginning						at End of
		of Year						Year
	Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable
	Year ended December 31, 2014	$	19	$	4	$	23	$	—
	Year ended December 31, 2013	$	—	$	19	$	—	$	19
	Year ended December 31, 2012	$	8	$	66	$	74	$	—

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_2

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Long-Term Investment, Marketable Period	1 year
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	$0	$0	$0
Number of Major Banks Used by Entity	3
Average Maturity Period of Interest Rate of Auction Securities	18 months
Inventories, Estimated Useful Lives	2 years
Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross	2,300,000	1,800,000
Depreciation	562,000	602,000	436,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	650,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	0	0	0
Standard Warranty Period	1 year
Sales Revenue, Services, Net	17,839,000	17,689,000	17,220,000
Advertising Expense	$1,600,000	$1,600,000	$1,300,000
Uncertain Income Tax Position, Minimum Rate	50.00%
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Entity's Country of Domicile, Percent	71.00%	83.00%
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | UNITED STATES
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	45.00%	42.00%	41.00%
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Outside the United States [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	55.00%	58.00%	59.00%
Minimum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	11 months
Maximum [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	10 years

Note_1_Summary_of_Significant_3

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of useful life or term of lease
Equipment and Furniture [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	3 years

Note_2_Investment_Securities_D

Note 2 - Investment Securities (Details) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Note 2 - Investment Securities (Details) [Line Items]
Maturity of Money Market Fund	36 months

Note_2_Investment_Securities_D1

Note 2 - Investment Securities (Details) - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$7,761	$3,816
Cash equivalents:
Total cash and cash equivalents	9,803	16,242	23,546	14,020
Marketable securities:
Marketable securities	71,343	66,831
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	81,146	83,073
US Treasury and Government [Member]
Marketable securities:
Marketable securities	18,361	10,522
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Marketable securities:
Marketable securities	19,800	25,858
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Marketable securities:
Marketable securities	3,607	2,039
Commercial Paper, Not Included with Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Marketable securities:
Marketable securities	10,695	10,242
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Marketable securities:
Marketable securities	18,880	18,170
Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Cash equivalents	242	9,926
Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Cash equivalents	$1,800	$2,500

Note_2_Investment_Securities_D2

Note 2 - Investment Securities (Details) - Unrealized Gains and Losses Related to Marketable Investments and Long-term Investments (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 2 - Investment Securities (Details) - Unrealized Gains and Losses Related to Marketable Investments and Long-term Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$9,803	$16,242	$23,546	$14,020
Marketable investments
Gross Unrealized Gains	68	114
Gross Unrealized Losses	-13	-13
Fair Market Value	71,343	66,831
Amortized Cost	81,091	82,972
Gross Unrealized Gains	68	114
Fair Market Value	81,146	83,073
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Note 2 - Investment Securities (Details) - Unrealized Gains and Losses Related to Marketable Investments and Long-term Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	9,803	16,242
Fair Market Value	9,803	16,242
MarketableInvestmentsMember
Marketable investments
Amortized Cost	71,288	66,730
Gross Unrealized Gains	68	114
Gross Unrealized Losses	-13	-13
Fair Market Value	71,343	66,831
Gross Unrealized Gains	68	114
US Treasury and Government [Member]
Marketable investments
Amortized Cost	18,345	10,516
Gross Unrealized Gains	17	11
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-5
Fair Market Value	18,361	10,522
Gross Unrealized Gains	17	11
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Marketable investments
Amortized Cost	19,768	25,823
Gross Unrealized Gains	33	38
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-3
Fair Market Value	19,800	25,858
Gross Unrealized Gains	33	38
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Marketable investments
Amortized Cost	3,607	2,043
Gross Unrealized Gains	3	1
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3	-5
Fair Market Value	3,607	2,039
Gross Unrealized Gains	3	1
Commercial Paper, Not Included with Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Marketable investments
Amortized Cost	10,693	10,239
Gross Unrealized Gains	2	3
Fair Market Value	10,695	10,242
Gross Unrealized Gains	2	3
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Marketable investments
Amortized Cost	18,875	18,109
Gross Unrealized Gains	13	61
Gross Unrealized Losses	-8
Fair Market Value	18,880	18,170
Gross Unrealized Gains	$13	$61

Note_2_Investment_Securities_D3

Note 2 - Investment Securities (Details) - Estimated Fair Value of Marketable Investments and Long-term Investments (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimated Fair Value of Marketable Investments and Long-term Investments [Abstract]
Due in less than one year (fiscal year 2015)	$37,023
Due in 1 to 3 years (fiscal year 2016 - 2017)	34,320
	$71,343	$66,831

Note_2_Investment_Securities_D4

Note 2 - Investment Securities (Details) - Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short term marketable investments:
Available-for-sale securities	$71,343	$66,831
Total assets at fair value	73,385	79,257
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents	242	9,926
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Short term marketable investments:
Total assets at fair value	242	9,926
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,800	2,500
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Short term marketable investments:
Available-for-sale securities	71,343	66,831
Total assets at fair value	73,143	69,331
Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents	242	9,926
Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,800	$2,500

Note_2_Investment_Securities_D5

Note 2 - Investment Securities (Details) - Carrying Value Associated with Level 3 Financial Assets (USD $)	36 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Carrying Value Associated with Level 3 Financial Assets [Abstract]
Balance at December 31	$3,027
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	262
Settlements	($3,289)

Note_3_Acquisition_Details

Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 02, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross (in Dollars)	$5,091,000
Goodwill (in Dollars)		1,339,000		1,339,000
Customer Relationships [Member] | Iridex's Global Aesthetics Business Unit [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		5 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Iridex's Global Aesthetics Business Unit [Member]
Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		5 years
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Iridex's Global Aesthetics Business Unit [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		11 years
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Iridex's Global Aesthetics Business Unit [Member]
Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Tax, UsefulLife		15 years
Finite-Lived Goodwill [Member] | Iridex's Global Aesthetics Business Unit [Member]
Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Tax, UsefulLife		15 years
Iridex's Global Aesthetics Business Unit [Member]
Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross (in Dollars)	5,091,000		5,100,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill (in Dollars)			4,800,000
Goodwill (in Dollars)	$1,339,000		$1,300,000

Note_3_Acquisition_Details_Fai

Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) - Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 02, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) - Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired [Line Items]
Purchase price paid	$5,091
Assets (liabilities acquired):
Goodwill			1,339	1,339
Customer Relationships [Member] | Iridex's Global Aesthetics Business Unit [Member]
Assets (liabilities acquired):
Acquired Intangibles	2,510
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Iridex's Global Aesthetics Business Unit [Member]
Assets (liabilities acquired):
Acquired Intangibles	780
Iridex's Global Aesthetics Business Unit [Member]
Note 3 - Acquisition (Details) - Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired [Line Items]
Purchase price paid	5,091	5,100
Assets (liabilities acquired):
Inventory	1,552
Goodwill	1,339	1,300
Deferred service revenue	-780
Accrued warranty liability	-310
Total	$5,091

Note_4_Balance_Sheet_Detail_De

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	$647,000	$577,000
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation	253,000	98,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	650,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$773,000	$702,000	$1,200,000

Note_4_Balance_Sheet_Detail_De1

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Inventories (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw materials	$7,185	$5,989
Finished goods	3,803	3,017
Total	$10,988	$9,006

Note_4_Balance_Sheet_Detail_De2

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Property and Equipment (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plany and equipment, gross	$7,745	$7,786
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-6,284	-6,424
Property and equipment, net	1,461	1,362
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plany and equipment, gross	641	625
Equipment and Furniture [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plany and equipment, gross	2,964	3,285
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plany and equipment, gross	$4,140	$3,876

Note_4_Balance_Sheet_Detail_De3

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	$4,068	$2,643
Intangible assets, net amount	595
Goodwill, gross carrying amount	1,339	1,339
Goodwill, net amount	1,339	1,339
Total intangible assets, gross carrying amount	6,002	6,002
Total finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	4,068	2,643
Total intangible assets, net amount	1,934	3,359
Patents [Member]
Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	1,218	1,218
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	1,206	1,068
Intangible assets, net amount	12	150
Total finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	1,206	1,068
Customer Relationships [Member]
Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	2,510	2,510
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	1,998	962
Intangible assets, net amount	512	1,548
Total finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	1,998	962
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	780	780
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	780	607
Intangible assets, net amount		173
Total finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	780	607
Other Intangible [Member]
Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	155	155
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	84	6
Intangible assets, net amount	71	149
Total finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization amount	$84	$6

Note_4_Balance_Sheet_Detail_De4

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Estimated Annual Amortization Expense (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimated Annual Amortization Expense [Abstract]
2015	$452
2016	142
2017	1
Total	$595

Note_4_Balance_Sheet_Detail_De5

Note 4 - Balance Sheet Detail (Details) - Accrued Liabilities (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Payroll and related expenses	$5,533	$4,753
Sales tax	1,789	1,307
Warranty	1,167	1,202
Other	2,518	2,066
Total	$11,007	$9,328

Note_5_Warranty_and_Service_Co2

Note 5 - Warranty and Service Contracts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue, Costs Incurred	$6.60	$6.90	$7.20

Note_5_Warranty_and_Service_Co3

Note 5 - Warranty and Service Contracts (Details) - Summary of Warranties (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Warranties [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$1,202	$1,212
Add: Accruals for warranties issued during the year	2,497	3,420
Less: Settlements made during the year	-2,532	-3,430
Balance at end of year	$1,167	$1,202

Note_5_Warranty_and_Service_Co4

Note 5 - Warranty and Service Contracts (Details) - Deferred Service Contract Revenue (Nonsoftware Service, Support and Maintenance Arrangement [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Nonsoftware Service, Support and Maintenance Arrangement [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$11,637	$8,539
Add: Payments received	13,913	15,026
Less: Revenue recognized	-12,601	-11,928
Balance at end of year	$12,949	$11,637

Note_6_Stockholders_Equity_Sto2

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	13 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 02, 2014	30-May-14	Jun. 30, 2015	Aug. 05, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 18, 2015	Dec. 30, 2013
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	$824,000	$2,100,000	$397,000
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options (in Shares)		2,221,657
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)		$10.14
Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options	3,602,000	5,189,000	1,667,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	0	0	6,000
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation (in Shares)	15,769	24,249	14,974
Adjustments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	156,000	222,000	101,000
Employee Stock Option [Member] | 2004 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		4 years
Options Exercisable in Hundredths		25.00%
Share Price (in Dollars per share)	$10.68	$10.18	$9					$7.45
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		3 years	3 years
Option Granted, Contractual Term	7 years	7 years	7 years
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	4,900,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 113 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | 2004 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment, Fully Vested Stock Awards, Grant Date Fair Value		60,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period (in Shares)	211,250	148,004
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Share Price (in Dollars per share)	$10.68	$10.18	$9					$7.45
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	407,000	917,000	699,000
Performance Shares [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted (in Shares)	105,000	33,751		5,625
Number of Revenue-Based Performance Goals					3	3
Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
ESPP Offering and Purchase Period		6 years
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	59,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	120 days
Subsequent Event [Member] | Modified Stock Buyback Program [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount									40,000,000
1998 Stock Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in Shares)	4,650,000
2004 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in Shares)	1,750,000
Fungible Share Provision (in Shares)	2.12
Share-based Compensation by Share-based Payment, Fully Vested Stock Awards, Grant Date Fair Value										60,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures (in Shares)	38,688	40,674	52,938
2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
ESPP Offering and Purchase Period		6 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized (in Shares)		600,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent		85.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (in Shares)	52,759	51,338
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance (in Shares)	905,857
Modified Stock Buyback Program [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in Dollars per share)		$9.43
Increase in Authorized Amount Under Stock Repurchase Plan							10,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount							20,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares (in Shares)		1,060,447
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method		10,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$10,000,000

Note_6_Stockholders_Equity_Sto3

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Equity Incentive Plan (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Equity Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Balances as of December 31	129,760		709,483		1,644,356		474,537
Balances as of December 31	3,462,567		3,792,162		3,788,239		3,549,022
Balances as of December 31 (in Dollars per share)	$9.39		$9.42		$9.44		$9.92
Balances as of December 31	3 years 146 days		4 years 73 days		4 years 109 days		4 years 219 days
Balances as of December 31 (in Dollars)	$5.70	[1]	$5.10	[1]	$2.60	[1]	$0.40	[1]
Exercisable as of December 31, 2014	2,330,762
Exercisable as of December 31, 2014 (in Dollars per share)	$9.62
Exercisable as of December 31, 2014	2 years 255 days
Exercisable as of December 31, 2014 (in Dollars)	3.7
Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2014	909,562
Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2014 (in Dollars per share)	$8.86
Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2014	4 years 350 days
Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2014 (in Dollars)	$1.70
Additional shares reserved	200,000	[2]			1,910,000	[3]
Options granted	-486,300		-1,007,166		-921,500
Options granted	486,300		1,007,166		921,500
Options granted (in Dollars per share)	$9.78		$8.97		$7.04
Options exercised	-396,970		-612,210		-211,551
Options exercised (in Dollars per share)	$8.33		$8.16		$7
Options cancelled (expired or forfeited)	418,925		391,033		470,732
Options cancelled (expired or forfeited)	-418,925		-391,033		-470,732
Options cancelled (expired or forfeited) (in Dollars per share)	$11.15		$10.37		$9.45
Stock awards granted	-764,394		-399,997		-314,159
Stock awards cancelled (expired or forfeited)	52,046		81,257		24,746
[1]	Based on the closing stock price of the Company's stock of $10.68 on December 31, 2014, $10.18 on December 31, 2013, $9.00 on December 30, 2012 and $7.45 on December 31, 2011.
[2]	Approved by Board of Directors in 2014, subject to stock holder's approval in 2015.
[3]	Approved by stock holders in 2012.

Note_6_Stockholders_Equity_Sto4

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Options Outstanding and Exercisable Price Ranges (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)		2,221,657
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price		$10.14
Exercise Price Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$6.54
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	17,125
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 109 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	17,125
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$6.54
Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$6.88
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	460,530
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 135 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	278,266
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$6.88
Exercise Price Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$7.11
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$8.66
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	442,525
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 229 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	428.942
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$8.53
Exercise Price Range 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$8.72
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	473,989
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 76 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	431,615
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$8.72
Exercise Price Range 5 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$8.80
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	553,795
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 29 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	196,926
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$8.80
Exercise Price Range 6 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$8.81
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$9.65
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	432,778
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 171 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	114,960
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$9.15
Exercise Price Range 7 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$9.74
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$10.03
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	183,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 240 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	28,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$9.74
Exercise Price Range 8 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$10.24
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	441,325
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 76 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	441,325
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$10.24
Exercise Price Range 9 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$10.32
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$14.78
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	354,500
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 131 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	290,603
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$11.14
Exercise Price Range 10 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$16.25
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$25.73
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	103,000
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	295 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	103,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$20.93
Exercise Price Range 11 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	$6.54
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	$25.73
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	3,462,567
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 153 days
Options Exercisable, Number Outstanding (in Shares)	2,330,762
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$9.62

Note_6_Stockholders_Equity_Sto5

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Restricted Stock Units Activity (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Restricted Stock Units Activity [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding, balance	434,321		179,465		148,709		55,253
Shares outstanding, weighted-average grant-date fair value	$9.31		$8.34		$6.99		$9.55
Shares outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$4,639	[1]	$1,827	[1]	$1,338	[1]	$412	[1]
Shares vested, number of shares	-81,157	[2]	-119,505	[2]	-41,522	[2]
Shares vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value	$8.62	[2]	$7.68	[2]	$9.79	[2]
Shares vested, aggregate fair value	$777	[2],[3],[4]	$1,091	[2],[3],[5]	$279	[2],[3],[6]
Shares forfeited, number of shares	-24,550		-38,417		-13,210
Shares forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value	$8.14		$8.11		$7.39
Number of shares granted	360,563		188,678		148,188
Shares granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value	$9.72		$8.94		$6.85
[1]	Based on the closing stock price of the Company's stock of $10.68 on December 31, 2014, $10.18 on December 31, 2013, $9.00 on December 30, 2012 and $7.45 on December 31, 2011.
[2]	The number of restricted stock units vested includes shares that the Company withheld on behalf of the employees to satisfy the statutory tax withholding requirements.
[3]	Represents the value of the Company's stock on the date that the restricted stock units vest.
[4]	On the grant date, the fair value for these vested awards was $699,000.
[5]	On the grant date, the fair value for these vested awards was $917,000.
[6]	On the grant date, the fair value for these vested awards was $407,000.

Note_6_Stockholders_Equity_Sto6

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Stock-based Compensation Expense (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Stock-based Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$3,299	$3,110	$3,160
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Stock-based Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,811	2,201	2,421
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Stock-based Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	875	631	501
Performance Shares [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Stock-based Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	455	162	138
ESPP [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Stock-based Compensation Expense [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$158	$116	$100

Note_6_Stockholders_Equity_Sto7

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Stock-based Compensation Expense by Department (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$3,299	$3,110	$3,160
Cost of Sales [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	560	638	658
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	641	744	657
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	581	397	514
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,517	$1,331	$1,331

Note_6_Stockholders_Equity_Sto8

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Valuation Assumptions and Fair Value of Stock Option and ESPP Grants (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Valuation Assumptions and Fair Value of Stock Option and ESPP Grants [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)(1)	4 years 65 days	[1]	4 years 109 days	[1]	4 years 62 days	[1]
Risk-free interest rate(2)	1.31%	[2]	1.13%	[2]	0.45%	[2]
Volatility(3)	41.00%	[3]	43.00%	[3]	44.00%	[3]
Dividend yield(4)		[4]		[4]		[4]
Weighted average estimated fair value at grant date (in Dollars per share)	$3.36		$3.22		$2.47
Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - Valuation Assumptions and Fair Value of Stock Option and ESPP Grants [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)(1)	6 months	[1]	6 months	[1]	6 months	[1]
Risk-free interest rate(2)	0.06%	[2]	0.08%	[2]	0.15%	[2]
Volatility(3)	37.00%	[3]	44.00%	[3]	43.00%	[3]
Dividend yield(4)		[4]		[4]		[4]
Weighted average estimated fair value at grant date (in Dollars per share)	$2.65		$2.84		$2.16
[1]	The expected term represents the period during which the Company's stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. The estimated term is based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the awards, vesting requirements, and expectation of future employee behavior, including post-vesting terminations.
[2]	The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury debt securities with maturities close to the expected term of the option as of the date of grant.
[3]	Estimated volatility is based on historical volatility. The Company also considers implied volatility when there is sufficient volume of freely traded options with comparable terms and exercise prices in the open market.
[4]	The Company has not historically issued any dividends and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount	$3,300,000	$900,000	$1,400,000
Tax Credit Recorded to Additional Paid In Capital	4,200,000
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	2,600,000	2,600,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	33,000	33,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued	41,000	37,000
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	34,300,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date	2033
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	4,200,000
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	2034
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards		10,400,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date	2034
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Research	5,100,000
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	2020
Research and Development Tax Credits Expiring in 2020	$284,000

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_Lo

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes [Abstract]
U.S.									($10,592)	($4,919)	($6,767)
Foreign									199	118	437
Loss before income taxes	($1,584)	($2,539)	($2,697)	($3,573)	($235)	($1,837)	($548)	($2,181)	($10,393)	($4,801)	($6,330)

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_In

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Provision (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal									($7)	($329)	($13)
State									19	7	-56
Foreign									110	159	366
									122	-163	297
Deferred:
Federal									32	33	-12
Foreign									65	76	-67
									97	109	-79
Tax (benefit) provision	$41	$97	$44	$37	$43	($169)	$90	($18)	$219	($54)	$218

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_De

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Deferred Tax Assets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Net operating loss	$12,138	$11,014
Stock-based compensation	3,884	3,806
Other accruals and reserves	4,735	3,686
Credits	3,808	3,121
Foreign	295	360
Accrued warranty	417	441
Depreciation and amortization	998	224
Other	66	470
Deferred tax asset before valuation allowance	26,341	23,122
Valuation allowance	-26,046	-22,762
Deferred tax asset after valuation allowance	295	360
Deferred tax liability on goodwill	-71	-39
Net deferred tax asset	$224	$321

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_De1

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Deferred Tax Asset Balance (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Tax Asset Balance [Abstract]
Deferred tax asset (current portion)	$26	$31
Deferred tax asset, net of current portion	269	329
Accrued liabilities (non-current deferred tax liability)	-71	-39
Net deferred tax asset after valuation allowance	$224	$321

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_Re

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	34.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State tax rate, net of federal benefit	1.62%	1.57%	3.28%
Benefit for research and development credit	7.24%	19.91%	3.40%
Foreign rate differential	-1.04%	-4.53%	-1.49%
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits	-0.53%	2.60%	1.06%
Foreign income inclusion			-0.05%
Income tax refund	0.08%	0.19%	1.07%
Stock-based compensation	-5.56%	-34.33%	-21.31%
Meals and entertainment	-1.11%	-2.10%	-1.68%
Tax effect of other comprehensive income			0.28%
Valuation allowance	-36.58%	-17.82%	-21.15%
Other	-0.22%	0.63%	-1.86%
Effective tax rate	-2.10%	1.12%	-3.45%

Note_7_Income_Taxes_Details_Un

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details) - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Abstract]
Balance	$535	$536	$583
Increases related to prior year tax positions		36
Increases related to current year tax positions	62	116	29
Decreases related to lapsing of statute of limitations		-153	-76
Balance	$597	$535	$536

Note_8_Net_Loss_Per_Share_Deta

Note 8 - Net Loss Per Share (Details) - Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	3,825	4,109	3,929
Equity Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	3,489	3,830	3,746
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	213	173	97
ESPP [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	86	72	78
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	37	34	8

Note_9_Defined_Contribution_Pl1

Note 9 - Defined Contribution Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Note 9 - Defined Contribution Plan (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount	$211,000	$184,000	$146,000
Maximum [Member]
Note 9 - Defined Contribution Plan (Details) [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Percentage of Employee Voluntary Contribution	100.00%

Note_10_Segment_Information_an2

Note 10 - Segment Information and Revenue by Geography and Products (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Operating Segments	1

Note_10_Segment_Information_an3

Note 10 - Segment Information and Revenue by Geography and Products (Details) - Revenue by Geographic Region (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix	$25,499	$18,726	$17,724	$16,189	$22,239	$16,828	$19,560	$15,967	$78,138	$74,594	$77,277
Products and Upgrades [Member]
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									53,106	48,374	49,605
Titan and truSculpt Hand Piece Refills [Member]
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									3,714	4,267	4,807
Dermal Filler and Cosmeceuticals [Member]
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									3,479	4,264	5,645
Total Product Revenue [Member]
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									60,299	56,905	60,057
Service [Member]
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									17,839	17,689	17,220
UNITED STATES
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									35,494	31,487	31,949
JAPAN
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									13,328	14,205	17,826
Asia, Excluding Japan [Member]
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									11,023	11,263	8,902
Europe [Member]
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									7,792	7,358	4,958
Rest of World [Member]
Revenue mix by geography:
Revenue mix									$10,501	$10,281	$13,642

Note_11_Commitments_and_Contin2

Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$1,500,000	$1,600,000	$1,600,000
Estimated Litigation Liability	$74,000

Note_11_Commitments_and_Contin3

Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Minimum Lease and Other Leased Assets under Long-term Non-cancellable Operating Leases (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Minimum Lease and Other Leased Assets under Long-term Non-cancellable Operating Leases [Abstract]
2015	$1,821
2016	1,745
2017	1,722
2018	78
2019	2
Future minimum rental payments	$5,368

Note_11_Commitments_and_Contin4

Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Minimum Lease Payments for Leased Vehicles under Long-term Non-cancellable Capital Leases (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Minimum Lease Payments for Leased Vehicles under Long-term Non-cancellable Capital Leases [Abstract]
2015	$167
2016	211
2017	24
Future minimum lease payments	$402

Note_12_Subsequent_Events_Deta

Note 12 - Subsequent Events (Details) (Modified Stock Buyback Program [Member], USD $)	Feb. 18, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Note 12 - Subsequent Events (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		$10
Subsequent Event [Member]
Note 12 - Subsequent Events (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$40

Note_13_Supplementary_Financia2

Note 13 - Supplementary Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - Supplementary Financial Data (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplementary Financial Data [Abstract]
Net revenue	$25,499	$18,726	$17,724	$16,189	$22,239	$16,828	$19,560	$15,967	$78,138	$74,594	$77,277
Cost of revenue	11,679	7,935	7,848	7,303	9,202	7,651	8,442	7,417	34,765	32,712	35,737
Gross profit	13,820	10,791	9,876	8,886	13,037	9,177	11,118	8,550	43,373	41,882	41,540
Sales and marketing	9,356	7,805	7,754	7,331	7,804	6,554	7,170	6,456	32,246	27,984	28,664
Research and development	2,649	2,628	2,622	2,644	2,438	2,440	2,217	2,121	10,543	9,216	8,427
General and administrative	3,407	2,897	2,335	2,564	3,135	2,160	2,354	2,289	11,203	9,938	11,276
Total operating expenses	15,412	13,330	12,711	12,539	13,377	11,154	11,741	10,866	53,922	47,138	48,367
Income (loss) from operations	-1,592	-2,539	-2,835	-3,653	-340	-1,977	-623	-2,316	-10,619	-5,256	-6,827
Interest and other income, net	8		138	80	105	140	75	135
Income (loss) before income taxes	-1,584	-2,539	-2,697	-3,573	-235	-1,837	-548	-2,181	-10,393	-4,801	-6,330
Income tax provision (benefit)	41	97	44	37	43	-169	90	-18	219	-54	218
Net income (loss)	($1,625)	($2,636)	($2,741)	($3,610)	($278)	($1,668)	($638)	($2,163)	($10,612)	($4,747)	($6,548)
Net income (loss) per share—basic (in Dollars per share)	($0.11)	($0.18)	($0.19)	($0.26)	($0.02)	($0.11)	($0.04)	($0.15)
Net income (loss) per share—diluted (in Dollars per share)	($0.11)	($0.18)	($0.19)	($0.26)	($0.02)	($0.11)	($0.04)	($0.15)
Weighted average number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (in Shares)	14,425	14,334	14,231	14,021	14,016	14,541	14,723	14,408
Diluted (in Shares)	14,425	14,334	14,231	14,021	14,016	14,541	14,723	14,408

Note_14_Valuation_and_Qualifyi2

Note 14 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 02, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Note 14 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) [Line Items]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance	$21,907,000	[1]	$26,046,000	$22,762,000		$20,551,000	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions	417,000	[1]	496,000	2,582,000
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Note 14 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) [Line Items]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance	-999,000				-723,000
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions	$276,000
[1]	The Company revised the deferred tax assets valuation allowance balance for calendar year 2012 as a result of revisions to its deferred tax assets relating to stock-based compensation and the resulting valuation allowance for them. These changes had no impact to the Company's balance sheets, statement of operations, earnings per share, statement of cash flows, or statement of equity for any period presented. The beginning balance for 2012 was reduced by $723,000, and the deductions for the year were increased by $276,000, which resulted in a net change in the ending balance for the year by $999,000.

Note_14_Valuation_and_Qualifyi3

Note 14 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Summary of the Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance (Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance
Balance at Beginning of Year	$22,762,000	$21,907,000	[1]	$20,551,000	[1]
Additions	3,780,000	3,437,000		1,773,000	[1]
Deductions	496,000	2,582,000		417,000	[1]
Balance at End of Year	$26,046,000	$22,762,000		$21,907,000	[1]
[1]	The Company revised the deferred tax assets valuation allowance balance for calendar year 2012 as a result of revisions to its deferred tax assets relating to stock-based compensation and the resulting valuation allowance for them. These changes had no impact to the Company's balance sheets, statement of operations, earnings per share, statement of cash flows, or statement of equity for any period presented. The beginning balance for 2012 was reduced by $723,000, and the deductions for the year were increased by $276,000, which resulted in a net change in the ending balance for the year by $999,000.

Note_14_Valuation_and_Qualifyi4

Note 14 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Summary of the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable
Balance at Beginning of Year	$19,000		$8,000
Additions	4,000	19,000	66,000
Deductions	23,000		74,000
Balance at End of Year		$19,000