Natus Medical (NTUS) 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	Mar. 09, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	BABY
Entity Registrant Name	NATUS MEDICAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	878526
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,699,839
Entity Public Float			$811,167,165

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$66,558	$56,106
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,324 and $2,962	82,277	82,110
Inventories	40,051	40,563
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,408	12,045
Deferred income tax	11,511	8,956
Total current assets	217,805	199,780
Property and equipment, net	17,923	23,295
Intangible assets, net	92,761	98,820
Goodwill	96,316	97,238
Other assets	10,016	10,324
Total assets	434,821	429,457
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	21,371	29,777
Current portion of long-term debt		10,517
Accrued liabilities	36,024	27,954
Deferred revenue	11,745	12,946
Total current liabilities	69,140	81,194
Long-term liabilities
Other liabilities	4,859	2,845
Long-term debt		27,500
Deferred income tax	8,107	9,704
Total liabilities	82,106	121,243
Commitments and contingencies (Note 19)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 120,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding 32,649,158 in 2014 and 31,401,602 in 2013	315,296	292,055
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding in 2014 and in 2013
Retained earnings	68,890	36,412
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-31,471	-20,253
Total stockholders' equity	352,715	308,214
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$434,821	$429,457

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$4,324	$2,962
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common Stock, shares authorized	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	32,649,158	31,401,602
Common Stock, shares outstanding	32,649,158	31,401,602
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, issued	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$355,834		$344,112		$292,280
Cost of revenue	141,447		141,700		128,954
Gross profit	214,387		202,412		163,326
Operating expenses:
Marketing and selling	87,472		87,151		77,285
Research and development	31,788		32,073		29,966
General and administrative	49,276	[1]	48,528	[1]	50,963	[1]
Total operating expenses	168,536		167,752		158,214
Income from operations	45,851		34,660		5,112
Other income (expense), net	158		-2,716		-835
Income (loss) before provision for income tax	46,009		31,944		4,277
Provision for income tax	13,531		8,797		454
Net income	32,478		23,147		3,823
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-11,218		-1,972		-1,340
Comprehensive income	$21,260		$21,175		$2,483
Net income per share:
Basic	$1.03		$0.77		$0.13
Diluted	$1		$0.75		$0.13
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of net income per share:
Basic	31,499		29,993		29,031
Diluted	32,568		30,821		29,837
[1]	Includes restructuring charges of $4.0 million, $4.7 million and $8.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
General and administrative	$49,276,000	[1]	$48,528,000	[1]	$50,963,000	[1]
Restructuring Charges
General and administrative	$4,000,000		$4,700,000		$8,800,000
[1]	Includes restructuring charges of $4.0 million, $4.7 million and $8.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common stock, amount	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
In Thousands, except Share data
Balances, amount at Dec. 31, 2011	$260,000	$267,499	$9,442	($16,941)
Balances, share at Dec. 31, 2011		29,439,272
Tax benefit of options exercises	-381	-381
Vesting of restricted stock units, shares		7,075
Net issuance of restricted stock awards, shares		350,015
Employee stock purchase plan	807	807
Employee stock purchase plan, shares		85,699
Stock-based compensation expense	6,420	6,420
Exercise of stock options	1,050	1,050
Exercise of stock options, shares		224,872
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,340			-1,340
Net income	3,823		3,823
Balances, amount at Dec. 31, 2012	270,379	275,395	13,265	-18,281
Balances, share at Dec. 31, 2012		30,106,933
Tax benefit of options exercises	1,601	1,601
Vesting of restricted stock units, shares		6,224
Net issuance of restricted stock awards, shares		159,935
Employee stock purchase plan	1,061	1,061
Employee stock purchase plan, shares		69,780
Stock-based compensation expense	5,919	5,919
Exercise of stock options	8,079	8,079
Exercise of stock options, shares	1,058,730	1,058,730
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,972			-1,972
Net income	23,147		23,147
Balances, amount at Dec. 31, 2013	308,214	292,055	36,412	-20,253
Balances, share at Dec. 31, 2013		31,401,602
Tax benefit of options exercises	7,525	7,525
Vesting of restricted stock units	0	0	0	0
Vesting of restricted stock units, shares		13,121
Net issuance of restricted stock awards	0	0	0	0
Net issuance of restricted stock awards, shares		180,665
Employee stock purchase plan	1,197	1,197
Employee stock purchase plan, shares		45,625
Stock-based compensation expense	6,062	6,062
Stock-based compensation expense, shares		0
Repurchase of treasury stock	-4,633	-4,633
Repurchase of treasury stock, shares		-161,400
Tax payments to settle employee liability	-1,999	-1,999
Tax payments to settle employee liability, shares		-73,134
Exercise of stock options	15,089	15,089
Exercise of stock options, shares	1,242,679	1,242,679
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-11,218			-11,218
Net income	32,478		32,478
Balances, amount at Dec. 31, 2014	$352,715	$315,296	$68,890	($31,471)
Balances, share at Dec. 31, 2014		32,649,158

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$32,478	$23,147	$3,823
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	991	277	1,319
Excess tax (benefit)/expense on the exercise of stock options	-7,525	-3,109	381
Depreciation and amortization	11,759	12,848	12,615
Impairment of intangible assets	598	1,500	560
Impairment of property and equipment	2,177	292	414
Warranty reserve	2,306	1,938	1,452
Share-based compensation	6,062	6,078	6,420
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired in acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	-2,431	9,357	-22,031
Inventories	-2,017	-2,679	5,259
Other assets	-3,667	-6,899	-827
Accounts payable	-7,648	-1,387	11,311
Accrued liabilities	6,595	-5,301	5,194
Deferred revenue	-775	-768	1,712
Deferred taxes	3,240	1,503	-8,210
Net cash provided by operating activities	42,143	36,797	19,392
Investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-4,925	-18,600	-55,123
Acquisition of property and equipment	-4,239	-1,825	-2,246
Acquisition of intangible assets	-1,481	-1,875	-5,094
Net cash used in investing activities	-10,645	-22,300	-62,463
Financing activities:
Proceeds from stock option exercises and ESPP	16,210	8,981	1,857
Excess tax benefit (expense) on the exercise of stock options	7,525	3,109	-381
Repurchase of company stock	-4,633
Tax payments to settle employee liability	-1,999
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		22,000	11,300
Proceeds from long-term borrowings		35,383	25,000
Payments on borrowings	-38,017	-52,226	-4,359
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities	-20,914	17,247	33,417
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents	-132	1,305	-105
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	10,452	33,049	-9,759
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	56,106	23,057	32,816
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	66,558	56,106	23,057
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	434	1,311	489
Cash paid for income taxes	5,672	12,908	6,942
Non-cash investing activities:
Fixed assets included in accounts payable	122	80	392
Inventory transferred to PP&E	$1,350	$991	$278

Organization_and_Significant_A

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	1—ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Organization
	Natus Medical Incorporated (“Natus”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”) was incorporated in California in May 1987 and reincorporated in Delaware in August 2000. Natus is a leading provider of healthcare products used for the screening, detection, treatment, monitoring and tracking of common medical ailments in newborn care, hearing impairment, neurological dysfunction, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and balance and mobility disorders. Product offerings include computerized neurodiagnostic systems for audiology, neurology, polysomnography, and neonatology, as well as newborn care products such as hearing screening systems, phototherapy devices for the treatment of newborn jaundice, head-cooling products for the treatment of brain injury in newborns, incubators to control the newborn’s environment, and software systems for managing and tracking disorders and diseases for public health laboratories. The Company’s headquarters are in Pleasanton, California.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates include allowances for potentially uncollectible accounts receivable, valuation of inventory, intangible assets, goodwill, share-based compensation, deferred income taxes, reserves for warranty obligations, and the provision for income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Revenue recognition
	Revenue, net of discounts, is recognized from sales of medical devices and supplies, including sales to distributors, when the following conditions have been met: a purchase order has been received, title has transferred, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Terms of sale for most domestic sales are FOB origin, reflecting that title and risk of loss are assumed by the purchaser at the shipping point; however, terms of sale for some neurology, sleep-diagnostic, and head cooling systems are FOB destination, reflecting that title and risk of loss are assumed by the purchaser upon delivery. Terms of sales to international distributors are generally EXW, reflecting that goods are shipped “ex works,” in which title and risk of loss are assumed by the distributor at the shipping point. For products shipped under FOB origin or EXW terms, delivery is generally considered to have occurred when the product is shipped. Freight charges billed to customers are included in revenue and freight-related expenses are charged to cost of revenue. We generally do not provide rights of return on products.
	For products containing embedded software, we have determined that the hardware and software components function together to deliver the products’ essential functionality, and therefore, the revenue from the sale of these products does not fall within the scope of the software revenue recognition rules. Our revenue recognition policies for sales of these products are substantially the same as for our other tangible products.
	Revenue from sales of certain of our products that remain within the scope of the software revenue recognition rules under ASC Subtopic 985-605 is not significant.
	Revenue from extended service and maintenance agreements, for both medical devices and data management systems, is recognized ratably over the service period. Revenue from installation or training services is deferred until such time service is provided.
	Certain revenue transactions include multiple element arrangements. We allocate revenue in these arrangements to each unit of accounting using the relative selling price method. The selling prices used during the allocation process are based on vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value.
	Group purchasing organizations (“GPOs”) negotiate volume purchase prices for member hospitals, group practices, and other clinics. Our agreements with GPOs typically contain preferential terms for the GPO and its members, including provisions for some, if not all, of the following:
		•	Payment of marketing fees by Natus to the GPO, usually based on purchasing experience of group members; and
		•	Non-recourse cancellation provisions.
	We do not sell products to GPOs. Hospitals, group practices, and other clinics that are members of a GPO purchase products directly from us under the terms negotiated by the GPO. Negotiated pricing and discounts are recognized as a reduction of the selling price of products at the time of the sale. Revenue from sales to members of GPOs is otherwise consistent with general revenue recognition policies as previously described.
	Inventory
	Inventories are carried at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost, determined by the first-in-first-out method) or market. The carrying value of our inventories is reduced for any difference between cost and estimated market value of inventories that is determined to be obsolete or unmarketable, based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Adjustments to the value of our inventory establish a new cost basis and are considered permanent even if circumstances later suggest that increased carrying amounts are recoverable. If demand is higher than expected, we may sell inventory that had previously been written down.
	Carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill
	We amortize intangible assets with finite lives over their useful lives; any future changes that would limit their useful lives or any determination that these assets are carried at amounts greater than their estimated fair value could result in additional charges. We carry goodwill and any other intangible assets with indefinite lives at original cost but do not amortize them.
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually as of October 1st; this assessment is also performed whenever there is a change in circumstances that indicates the carrying value of these assets may be impaired.
	In 2014, we performed qualitative assessments to test our reporting units’ goodwill for impairment. Qualitative factors considered in this assessment include industry and market considerations, overall financial performance and other relevant events and factors affecting each reporting unit. Based on our qualitative assessment, we determined that the fair value of each reporting unit was more likely than not to be greater than its carrying amount, and no impairment was recognized.
	In 2013 and 2012 we performed a two-step impairment test on our goodwill. The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use a projected discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired, and the second step of the impairment test is not required. The second step, if required, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
	We test indefinite lived intangibles for impairment by comparing the carrying value of those assets to the fair value as of the assessment date. To determine the fair value of the assets, the Company uses the relief from royalty method. This analysis is dependent upon a number of quantitative and qualitative factors including estimates of forecasted revenue, royalty rate, and taxes. The discount rate applied also has an impact on the estimates of fair value, as use of a higher rate will result in a lower estimate of fair value. As of the October 1, 2014 testing date, we determined that certain trade names were impaired and we recorded an impairment charge of $0.6 million.
	Goodwill impairment analysis and measurement is a process that requires significant judgment. Future changes in the judgments and estimates underlying our analysis of goodwill for possible impairment, including expected future cash flows and discount rate, could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of the reporting units and could result in additional impairment of goodwill.
	Long lived assets
	The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company assesses the recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through their undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of these assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets.
	Liability for product warranties
	Our medical device products are generally covered by a standard one-year product warranty. A liability has been established for the expected cost of servicing our medical device products during this service period. We base the liability on actual warranty costs incurred to service those products, actual service department costs, and other judgments, such as the degree to which the product incorporates new technology. Actual material usage costs and service department costs that differ from our estimates result in revisions to the estimated warranty liability.
	The estimates we use in projecting future product warranty costs may prove to be incorrect. Any future determination that our product warranty reserves are understated could result in increases to our cost of sales and reductions in our operating profits and results of operations.
	Share-based compensation
	We recognize share-based compensation expense associated with employee stock options under the single-option straight line method over the requisite service period, which is generally a four-year vesting period pursuant to ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. See Note 12 of our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	For employee stock options, the value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which was developed for use in estimating the value of freely traded options. Similar to other option pricing models, the Black-Scholes method requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including stock price volatility. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the estimated fair value of our employee stock options.
	The Company issues new shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock and RSUs.
	Forfeitures of employee stock options are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. Share-based compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures, such that expense is recorded only for those share-based awards that are expected to vest.
	The cash flow from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for employee options (excess tax benefits) is classified as a cash inflow from financing activities and a cash outflow from operating activities in our Statements of Cash Flows. We treat tax deductions from certain stock option exercises as being realized when they reduce taxes payable in accordance with relevant tax law.
	We recognize share-based compensation associated with Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units. RSAs and RSUs vest ratably over a three-year period for employees. For executives RSAs and RSUs vest over a four-year period; 50% on the second anniversary of the vesting start date and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the vesting date. The value is estimated based on the market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant pursuant to ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation.
	Cash Equivalents
	All highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	We assess the sufficiency of the allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts receivable. Estimates are based on historical collection experience within the markets in which we operate and other customer-specific information, such as bankruptcy filings or liquidity problems of customers. When all internal efforts have been exhausted to collect the receivable, it is written off and relieved from the reserve.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. Cash is reported at its respective fair values on the balance sheet dates. The recorded carrying amount of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates their fair value due to their short-term maturities.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which are three to five years for office furniture and equipment, three to five years for computer software and hardware, three years for demonstration and loaned equipment, and 30 to 40 years for buildings. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life. Land is not depreciated. Costs associated with acquiring and installing software to be used for internal purposes are capitalized.
	Research & Development and Capitalized Software Development Costs
	Costs incurred in research and development are charged to operations as incurred. Some of our products include embedded software which is essential to the product’s functionality. In accordance with FASB ASC 985-20, Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed, costs incurred in the research and development of new software components and enhancements to existing software components are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. We capitalize software development costs when the project reaches technological feasibility and cease capitalization when the project is ready for release. Software development costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the product. Amortization begins when the product is available for general release to the customer.
	Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
	We recognize the tax benefit of uncertain tax positions in the financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Tax. When the tax position is deemed more likely than not of being sustained, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being ultimately realized upon settlement, in accordance with ASC 740-10-05.
	Foreign Currency
	The functional currency of our subsidiaries outside of North America is generally the local currency of the country where the subsidiary is located. Accordingly, foreign currency translation adjustments relating to the translation of foreign subsidiary financial statements are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. We recorded $11.2 million, $2.0 million, and $1.3 million of foreign currency translation losses for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Gains and losses from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of the Company and its subsidiaries are included in other income and expense. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, net foreign currency transaction losses were $37,000, $1.4 million, and $221,000, respectively. Foreign currency gains and losses result primarily from fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Argentine Peso, British Pound, and Danish Kroner.
	Comprehensive Income
	We report by major components and as a single total the change in our net assets during the period from non-owner sources in accordance with ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. The consolidated statement of comprehensive income has been included with the consolidated statements of operations. Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of translation gains and losses on foreign subsidiary financial statements.
	Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share
	We compute net income per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share. Basic net income per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents are options granted and shares of restricted stock issued under our stock awards plans and are calculated under the treasury stock method. Common equivalent shares from unexercised stock options and restricted stock are excluded from the computation when there is a loss as their effect is anti-dilutive, or if the exercise price of such options is greater than the average market price of the stock for the period.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 sets forth a new revenue recognition model that requires identifying the contract, identifying the performance obligations, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to performance obligations and recognizing the revenue upon satisfaction of performance obligations. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09, which is effective for the Company in our fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	2—BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
	The assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition are recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the acquired net assets is recorded as goodwill.
	The determination of estimated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. We determine the fair value by applying established valuation techniques, based on information that management believes to be relevant to this determination. The Company also utilizes independent third parties to assist in the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets, and real estate.
	The results of operations of our acquisitions are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of the acquisition.
	Hearing Screening as a Service
	In the first quarter of 2014, the company entered into two asset purchase agreements for companies in the newborn hearing screening services market for a total cash consideration of $2.6 million. Both acquisitions support the Company’s objective to enter this market that complements our newborn hearing screening device business. This new hearing screening services business operates under the name Peloton.
	Grass Technologies
	On February 2, 2013, we completed an asset purchase of the Grass Technologies Product Group (“Grass”) from Astro-Med Inc. for cash consideration of $21.0 million. Included in the total cash consideration is an adjustment of $2.4 million made in the first quarter of 2014 for inventory purchase commitments. Grass manufactures and sells clinically differentiated neurodiagnostic and monitoring products, including a portfolio of electroencephalography (“EEG”) and polysomnography (“PSG”) systems for both clinical and research use and related accessories and proprietary electrodes. The acquisition strengthened the Company’s existing neurology portfolio and provided new product categories. A total of $624,000 of direct costs associated with the acquisition was expensed as incurred and reported as a component of general and administrative expenses.
	The Company has accounted for the acquisition as a business combination. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Grass are recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the acquired net assets has been recorded as goodwill. Grass’ results of operations are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements since February 2, 2013, the date of the acquisition.
	The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, as adjusted (in thousands):
	Accounts receivable		$	4,098
	Prepaid and other assets			33
	Inventories			547
	Identifiable intangible assets:
	Developed technology			2,500
	Customer-related			5,200
	Trademarks and trade names			3,000
	Other property and equipment			237
	Goodwill			7,014
	Accounts payable			(431	)
	Accrued expenses			(895	)
	Deferred revenue			(348	)
	Total purchase price		$	20,955
	Identifiable intangible assets.    Intangible assets included in the purchase price allocation consist of: (i) developed technology of $2.5 million assigned a weighted average economic life of 8 years being amortized on the straight line method (ii) customer-related intangible assets of $5.2 million assigned an economic life of 13 years being amortized on the straight line method, and (iii) trademarks and trade names of $3.0 million that have an indefinite life and are not being amortized but tested for impairment annually. During the fourth quarter 2014 and 2013 impairment testing, management determined there was an impairment to Grass trademarks and trade names in the amount of $400,000 and $600,000, respectively, reducing the indefinite life value to $2.0 million. All straight-line method of amortization above is based on the expected pattern of future benefits related to those respective intangible assets.
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and other liabilities, are stated at their historical carrying value, which approximate fair value given the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. The fair values of the non-financial assets, summarized above, were derived from significant unobservable inputs (“Level 3 inputs”) determined by management based on market analysis, income analysis and discounted cash flow model. The fair value of fixed assets (“Level 2 inputs”) was determined using market data for similar assets. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using our discounted cash flow models from income projections prepared by management, using weighted average cost of capital plus up to a 13% risk premium.
	Goodwill.    Approximately $7.0 million has been allocated to goodwill. Goodwill is calculated as the difference between the acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred and the values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and represents primarily the expected synergies of combining the operations of the Company and the Grass business. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. In accordance with ASC 350-20, goodwill will not be amortized but instead will be tested for impairment at least annually (more frequently if certain indicators are present). In the event that management determines that the value of goodwill has become impaired, we will incur an accounting charge for the amount of impairment during the fiscal quarter in which the determination is made.
	Pro forma financial information
	The following unaudited pro forma information combines our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 with the results of operations for Grass as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2013.
	Unaudited Pro forma Financial Information
	(in thousands)
			2013
	Revenue		$	345,117
	Income from operations		$	35,369
	The unaudited pro forma financial information is provided for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what actual results would have been had the acquisitions occurred on the date indicated, nor does it give effect to synergies, cost savings, and other changes expected to result from the acquisitions. Accordingly, the pro forma financial results do not purport to be indicative of results of operations as of the date hereof, for any period ended on the date hereof, or for any other future date or period.
	Grass revenue of $12.8 million and income from operations of $2.6 million are included in our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the period from February 2, 2013 (acquisition date) to December 31, 2013.
	For purposes of preparing the unaudited pro forma financial information for the year ended December 31, 2013, Grass’ statement of income for the period January 1, 2013 through February 1, 2013 was combined with our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The unaudited pro forma consolidated results reflect the historical information of Natus and Grass in 2013 adjusted for the following pre-tax amounts:
		•		Additional amortization expense related to the fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired (approximately $59,300 through December 31, 2013);
		•		Decrease of depreciation expense related to the fair value adjustment to property and equipment acquired (approximately $14,800 through December 31, 2013); and
		•		Change in general and administrative expense related to the direct acquisition costs that were recorded in the unaudited pro forma financial (approximately $624,000 through December 31, 2013);
	Nicolet
	We acquired the Nicolet neurodiagnostic business (“Nicolet”) from CareFusion on July 2, 2012 pursuant to a Share and Acquisition Purchase Agreement. The Nicolet business develops clinically differentiated neurodiagnostic and monitoring products, including a portfolio of electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) systems and related accessories, as well as vascular and obstetric Doppler sensors and connectivity products. The acquisition strengthens the Company’s existing neurology portfolio and provides new product categories. The acquisition also better positions the Company in international markets, as over 50 percent of the CareFusion Nicolet business was in markets outside of the United States.
	We acquired all of the outstanding common shares of CareFusion subsidiaries comprising the Nicolet business in the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, and certain assets and liabilities of Nicolet sales divisions principally in China, Brazil, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain for $55.5 million in cash excluding direct costs of the acquisition. A total of $2.6 million of direct costs associated with the acquisition was expensed as incurred and reported as a component of general and administrative expenses.
	The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Nicolet are recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the acquired net assets has been recorded as goodwill. Nicolet’s results of operations are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of the acquisition.
	The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, (in thousands):
	Cash		$	364
	Accounts receivable			14,680
	Inventories			13,158
	Current deferred tax asset			237
	Prepaid and other assets			569
	Other long-term assets			52
	Non-current deferred tax asset			1,094
	Identifiable intangible assets:
	Developed technology			11,600
	Customer-related			8,300
	Trademarks and trade names			9,000
	Backlog			720
	Land and building			1,177
	Other property and equipment			1,739
	Goodwill			11,733
	Accounts payable			(5,322	)
	Accrued expenses			(8,613	)
	Deferred revenue			(3,943	)
	Non-current deferred tax liability			(1,058	)
Total purchase price		$	55,487
Identifiable intangible assets.    Intangible assets included in the purchase price allocation consist of: (i) developed technology of $11.0 million assigned a weighted average economic life of 18 years being amortized on the straight line method and developed technology of $600,000 assigned a weighted average economic life of 4 years being amortized on the straight line method (ii) customer-related intangible assets of $8.3 million assigned an economic life of 16 years being amortized on the straight line method, (iii) trademarks and trade names of $9.0 million that have an indefinite life and are not being amortized, and (iv) backlog of $720,000 assigned an economic life of three months being amortized on the straight line method. All straight-line method of amortization above is based on the expected pattern of future benefits related to those respective intangible assets.
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and other liabilities are stated at their historical carrying value, which approximate fair value given the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. The fair value of the inventory was derived from model-based valuations for which all significant inputs and value drivers are observable directly or indirectly (“Level 2 inputs”) in accordance with a fair value hierarchy as described in Note 20—Fair Value Measurements. The fair value of the non-financial assets, summarized above, were derived from significant unobservable inputs (“Level 3 inputs”) determined by management based on market analysis, income analysis and discounted cash flow model. The fair value of fixed assets (“Level 2 inputs”) was determined using market data for similar assets. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using our discounted cash flow models from income projections prepared by management.
Goodwill.    Approximately $11.7 million has been allocated to goodwill. Goodwill is calculated as the difference between the acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred and the values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and represents primarily the expected synergies of combining the operations of the Company and the Nicolet business. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. In accordance with ASC 350-20, goodwill will not be amortized but instead will be tested for impairment at least annually (more frequently if certain indicators are present). In the event that management determines that the value of goodwill has become impaired, we will incur an accounting charge for the amount of impairment during the fiscal quarter in which the determination is made.
Deferred income tax.    Deferred taxes are as follows: $237,000 current deferred tax asset, $1.1 million non-current deferred tax asset, and $1.1 million non-current deferred tax liability. These deferred taxes result primarily from differences between the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired under financial reporting and their tax basis.
Pro forma financial information
The following unaudited pro forma information combines our results of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 with the results of operations for Nicolet as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012.
Unaudited Pro forma Financial Information
(in thousands)
		2012
Revenue		$	342,081
Income from operations		$	5,896
The unaudited pro forma financial information is provided for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what actual results would have been had the acquisitions occurred on the dates indicated, nor does it give effect to synergies, cost savings, and other changes expected to result from the acquisitions. Accordingly, the pro forma financial results do not purport to be indicative of results of operations as of the date hereof, for any period ended on the date hereof, or for any other future date or period.
Nicolet’s revenue of $51.5 million and income from operations of $7.4 million are included in our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the period from July 2, 2012 (acquisition date) to December 31, 2012.
For purposes of preparing the unaudited pro forma financial information for the year ended December 31, 2012, Nicolet’s statement of income for the period January 1, 2012 through July 2, 2012 was combined with our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2012. Since the former owner did not maintain separate stand-alone financial statements for the Nicolet business, expenses include only cost of goods sold and operating expenses directly attributable to the operations of the business.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated results reflect the historical information of Natus and Nicolet in 2012, adjusted for the following pre-tax amounts:
	•		Elimination of Nicolet’s historical intangible asset amortization expense (approximately $423,000 through June 30, 2012);
	•		Additional amortization expense related to Nicolet (approximately $574,000 through June 30, 2012) related to the fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired;
	•		Decrease of Nicolet’s depreciation expense (approximately $793,000 through June 30, 2012) related to the fair value adjustment to property and equipment acquired;
	•		Adjustments to general and administrative expense relating to Nicolet’s direct acquisition costs (approximately $(2.6) million in 2012); and
	•		Adjustments to cost of goods sold relating to Nicolet’s fair value inventory adjustments (approximately $687,000 in 2012).

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	3— INVENTORIES
	Inventories consist of (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials and subassemblies	$	19,821		$	24,312
	Work in process		1,808			2,584
	Finished goods		26,037			20,739
	Total Inventories		47,666			47,635
	Less: Non-current Inventories		(7,615	)		(7,072	)
	Inventories	$	40,051		$	40,563
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company has classified $7.6 million and $7.1 million, respectively, of inventories as non-current. This inventory consists primarily of service components used to repair products held by our customers pursuant to warranty obligations and extended service contracts, including service components for products we are not currently selling. Management believes that these inventories will be utilized for their intended purpose.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	4— PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
	Property and equipment consist of (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	3,092		$	4,152
	Buildings		6,828			10,269
	Leasehold improvements		2,118			2,796
	Office furniture and equipment		12,839			10,820
	Computer software and hardware		8,821			10,250
	Demonstration and loaned equipment		10,929			9,470
			44,627			47,757
	Accumulated depreciation		(26,704	)		(24,462	)
	Total	$	17,923		$	23,295
	Depreciation expense of property and equipment was $4.3 million, $4.7 million, and $4.6 million in the years ending December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	In the third quarter of 2014 our manufacturing facility in Mundelein, Illinois was listed for sale. This asset was measured at fair value less cost to sell as of September 30, 2014 based on market price and Level 2 inputs and resulted in a $2.2 million impairment. The impairment was recorded in general and administrative expenses and the asset was reclassified from property and equipment, net to other current assets. During the fourth quarter of 2013 we began transitioning the manufacturing operations from the Mundelein facility to our facilities in Seattle, Washington and British Columbia, Canada as well as outsourcing some of the operations in preparation for this sale. This effort is part of Natus’ continuing cost reduction and restructuring activities.

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	5—GOODWILL
	The carrying amount of goodwill and the changes in those balances are as follows (in thousands):
	As of December 31, 2012	$	92,048
	Acquisitions/Purchase Accounting Adjustments		5,412
	Foreign currency translation		(222	)
	As of December 31, 2013	$	97,238
	Acquisitions/Purchase Accounting Adjustments		4,002
	Foreign currency translation		(4,924	)
	As of December 31, 2014	$	96,316

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	6—INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The following table summarizes the components of gross and net intangible asset balances (in thousands):
		December 31, 2014										December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated			Accumulated			Net Book		Gross		Accumulated			Accumulated			Net Book
		Carrying		Impairment			Amortization			Value		Carrying		Impairment			Amortization			Value
		Amount										Amount
	Intangible assets with finite lives:
	Technology	$	64,376		—		$	(28,195	)	$	36,181	$	65,904		—		$	(25,519	)	$	40,385
	Customer related		31,189		—			(11,786	)		19,403		31,231		—			(9,763	)		21,468
	Internally developed software		14,109		—			(6,511	)		7,598		11,069		—			(5,107	)		5,962
	Patents		2,794		—			(2,154	)		640		2,724		—			(2,094	)		630
	Backlog		719		—			(719	)		—		722		—			(722	)		—
	Finite lived intangible assets		113,187		—			(49,365	)		63,822		111,650		—			(43,205	)		68,445
	Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
	Trade names		32,443		(3,504	)		—			28,939		33,435		(3,060	)		—			30,375
	Total intangibles assets	$	145,630	$	(3,504	)	$	(49,365	)	$	92,761	$	145,085	$	(3,060	)	$	(43,205	)	$	98,820
	Finite lived intangible assets are amortized over their weighted average lives of 14 years for patents, 15 years for technology, 11 years for customer-related intangibles, and 7 years for internally developed software. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization.
	Internally developed software consists of $11.9 million relating to costs incurred for development of internal use computer software and $2.2 million for development of software to be sold.
	During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 the Company recorded charges of $0.6 million, $1.5 million, and $0.6 million respectively, related to the impairment of trade names acquired from Grass, Deltamed, Alpine, Schwarzer, Olympic, and Neurocom. These impairments are a result of deterioration of expected future cash flows. Impairments are determined by performing a discounted cash flow analyses on our intangibles assets. These charges were recorded in Marketing and Selling expense.
	Amortization expense related to intangible assets with finite lives was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
	Technology	$	3,993	$	4,355		$	3,697
	Customer Related		1,892		2,644			2,090
	Software		1,434		1,034			1,326
	Patents		113		121			222
	Backlog		—		—			724
	Total amortization	$	7,433	$	8,156		$	8,059
	Expected annual amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	7,729
	2016		7,017
	2017		6,731
	2018		6,503
	2019		5,530
	Thereafter		30,312
	Total expected amortization expense	$	63,822
	During the second quarter 2014 we identified an inaccuracy related to intangibles amortization. Amortization expense was being recorded on a straight line basis in U.S. dollars for foreign entities when the expense should have been recorded on a straight line basis in the entities’ functional currency. As a result there was a $1.1 million adjustment to reduce amortization expense in the second quarter of 2014 related to prior periods.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	7— ACCRUED LIABILITIES
	Accrued liabilities consist of (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Compensation and related benefits	$	16,075	$	12,398
	Accrued federal, state, and local taxes		9,213		4,813
	Warranty reserve		2,753		3,143
	Accrued professional fees		1,027		1,681
	Other		6,956		5,919
	Total	$	36,024	$	27,954

LongTerm_Other_Liabilities

Long-Term Other Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Other Liabilities	8— LONG-TERM OTHER LIABILITIES
	Long-term other liabilities consist of (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Contingent tax obligations	$	3,299	$	1,631
	Non-current deferred revenue		1,537		1,120
	Insurance discount		—		94
	Rental Deposits		23		—
	Total	$	4,859	$	2,845

Reserve_for_Product_Warranties

Reserve for Product Warranties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]
Reserve for Product Warranties	9— RESERVE FOR PRODUCT WARRANTIES
	We provide a warranty on all medical device products that is generally one year in length. We also sell extended service agreements on our medical device products. Service for domestic customers is provided by Company-owned service centers that perform all service, repair and calibration services. Service for international customers is provided by a combination of Company-owned facilities and third-party vendors on a contract basis.
	We have accrued a warranty reserve, included in accrued liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets, for the expected future costs of servicing products during the initial warranty period. We base the liability on actual warranty costs incurred to service those products. On new products, additions to the reserve are based on a combination of factors including the percentage of service department labor applied to warranty repairs, as well as actual service department costs, and other judgments, such as the degree to which the product incorporates new technology. The reserve is reduced as costs are incurred to honor existing warranty obligations or when current facts indicate that the original estimates of expected future costs of servicing products were overstated.
	Detail of activity in product warranty reserve is as follows, (in thousands):
		Balance at		Assumed		Additions		Reductions			Balance
		Beginning		Through		Charged to					at End
		of Period		Acquisitions		Expense					of Period
	December 31, 2014	$	3,143	$	—	$	2,306	$	(2,696	)	$	2,753
	December 31, 2013	$	2,260	$	191	$	1,938	$	(1,246	)	$	3,143
	December 31, 2012	$	2,157	$	615	$	1,452	$	(1,964	)	$	2,260
	The estimates we use in projecting future product warranty costs may prove to be incorrect. Any future determination that our product warranty reserves are understated could result in increases to our cost of sales and reductions in our operating profits and results of operations.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	10— STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Common Stock – We have 120,000,000 shares of common stock authorized at a par value or $0.001 per share.
	Preferred Stock – We have 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized at a par value of $0.001 per share. In accordance with the terms of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock, including increases or decreases to the series. The Board of Directors has the authority to set the rights, preferences, and terms of such shares. As of December 31, 2014, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	11— Earnings Per Share
	The components of basic and diluted EPS are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Net income	$	32,478	$	23,147	$	3,823
	Weighted average common shares		31,499		29,993		29,031
	Dilutive effect of stock based awards		1,069		828		806
	Basic earnings per share	$	1.03	$	0.77	$	0.13
	Diluted earnings per share	$	1	$	0.75	$	0.13
	Shares excluded from calculations of diluted EPS		239		1,413		1,899

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	12—SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
	Share-Based Compensation Expense—We account for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. Share-based compensation was recognized as follows in the consolidated statement of income (in thousands):
			December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Cost of revenue		$	143		$	120		$	214
	Marketing and sales			977			816			1,199
	Research and development			664			527			500
	General and administrative			4,277			4,456			4,507
	Total expense			6,062			5,919			6,420
	As of December 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation related to the unvested portion of our stock options and other stock awards was approximately $7.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.
	Stock Awards Plans—Our 2011 Stock Awards Plan (the “Plan”) provides for the granting of the following:
		•		Incentive stock options to employees;
		•		Non-statutory stock options to employees, directors and consultants;
		•		Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units;
		•		Stock bonuses; and
		•		Stock appreciation rights.
	As of December 31, 2014, there were 1,508,727 shares available for future awards under the plan.
	Under the Plan, stock options may be issued at not less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Board of Directors. Options issued under the Plan become exercisable as determined by the Board of Directors and expire no more than six years after the date of grant. Most options vest ratably over four years. Since 2005, our option awards have consisted solely of non-statutory stock options. Stock awards are typically granted to existing employees once a year at the time of the Company’s annual shareholder meeting.
	Stock Option Activity—Stock option activity under our stock awards plans for the year ended December 31, 2014 is summarized as follows:
			Number of			Weighted
			Shares			Average
						Exercise Price
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012 (2,809,325 shares exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $11.34 per share)			3,882,239		$	11.71
	Granted			629,420		$	14.11
	Exercised			(1,058,730	)	$	7.63
	Cancelled			(648,806	)	$	15.51
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (1,843,779 shares exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $12.68 per share)			2,804,123		$	12.91
	Granted			244,500		$	22.6
	Exercised			(1,242,679	)	$	12.14
	Cancelled			(34,942	)	$	15.29
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014 (1,051,616 shares exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $14.13 per share)			1,771,002		$	14.73
	The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options outstanding at December 31, 2014:
			Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Price		Number			Weighted			Weighted  Average			Number		Weighted
			Outstanding			Average			Remaining			Exercisable		Average
			as of			Exercise			Contractual			as of		Exercise
			12/31/14			Price			Life (Years)			12/31/14		Price
	$  7.78 - $10.03			97,664		$	9.85			0.88			92,664	$	9.89
	$10.69 - $10.69			357,752		$	10.69			3.4			219,348	$	10.69
	$10.73 - $13.24			218,442		$	11.85			2.39			123,653	$	11.14
	$13.27 - $13.27			10,800		$	13.27			4.69			3,376	$	13.27
	$14.34 - $14.34			411,550		$	14.34			4.38			155,231	$	14.34
	$16.26 - $16.26			625		$	16.26			2.22			250	$	16.26
	$16.38 - $16.38			218,696		$	16.38			2.38			188,902	$	16.38
	$16.78 - $16.78			207,973		$	16.78			1.38			207,973	$	16.78
	$19.96 - $19.96			3,000		$	19.96			4.83			938	$	19.96
	$22.50 - $24.50			244,500		$	22.6			5.02			59,281	$	22.7
	$  7.78 - $24.50			1,771,002		$	14.73			3.23			1,051,616	$	14.13
	The intrinsic value of options exercised, representing the difference between the closing stock price of Company’s common stock on the date of the exercise and the exercise price, in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was $20.6 million, $9.9 million, and $1.5 million, respectively. For the restricted stock units and restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the total intrinsic value was $6.4 million, $3.2 million, and $3.0 million, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014, there were: (i) 1,667,009 options vested and expected to vest with a weighted average exercise price of $14.63, an intrinsic value of $35.7 million, and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 3.2 years; and (ii) 1,051,616 options exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $14.13, an intrinsic value of $23.0 million, and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 2.6 years.
	Cash received from option exercises for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $15.1 million and $8.1 million, respectively.
	Black-Scholes Inputs—The fair value of option grants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted		$	7.25		$	4.24		$	3.37
	Expected life in years			4			4.1			4.4
	Risk-free interest rate			1.4	%		1.2	%		0.6	%
	Expected volatility			39	%		37	%		39	%
	Dividend yield			None			None			None
	The expected life of options is based primarily on historical share option exercise experience of our employees for options granted by the Company. All options are treated as a single group in the determination of expected life, as we do not currently expect substantially different exercise or post-vesting termination behavior among our employee population. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a term consistent with the expected life of the awards in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatility is based primarily on historical volatility data of our common stock. We have no history or expectation of paying dividends on our common stock.
	Share-based compensation expense associated with options is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. At the time of an option grant, we estimate the expected future rate of forfeitures based on historical experience. These estimates are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeiture rates differ from those estimates. If the actual forfeiture rate is lower than estimated we will record additional expense and if the actual forfeiture is higher than estimated we will record a recovery of prior expense.
	Restricted Stock Awards Activity—The following table summarizes the activity for restricted stock awards during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Shares			Weighted
						Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
Unvested at December 31, 2012			690,890		$	13.02
Granted			313,180		$	14.1
Vested			(227,195	)	$	13.92
Forfeited			(153,245	)	$	12.88
Unvested at December 31, 2013			623,630		$	13.29
Granted			196,650		$	22.68
Vested			(221,936	)	$	13.03
Forfeited			(14,285	)	$	14.73
Unvested at December 31, 2014			584,059		$	16.5
The fair market value of outstanding restricted stock awards at December 31, 2014 was $21.0 million. The weighted average remaining recognition period for unvested restricted stock awards at December 31, 2014 was 2.3 years.
Restricted Stock Units Activity—The following table summarizes restricted stock units activity for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
Beginning outstanding balance			51,291			50,050
Awarded			20,600			30,890
Released			(14,996	)		(6,224	)
Forfeited			(4,245	)		(23,425	)
Ending outstanding balance			52,650			51,291
The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding restricted stock units at December 31, 2014 was $1.9 million. The weighted average remaining recognition period for unvested restricted stock units at December 31, 2014 was 2.0 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan—Under our 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), our U.S. employees can elect to have salary withholdings of up to 15% of their eligible compensation to a maximum of $10,625 per offering period, to purchase shares of common stock on April 30 and October 31 of each year. The purchase price for shares acquired under the ESPP is 85% of the fair market value on the last day of the offering period. As of December 31, 2014, there were 246,722 shares reserved for future issuance under the ESPP.
Because the ESPP does not have a “look back” feature, the compensation expense associated with the Plan is not measured by the use of the Black-Scholes pricing model, but rather by measuring the difference between the fair market value of our common stock on the last day of the offering period and the purchase price for the offering period, which is 85% of the fair market value. Compensation expense associated with the ESPP for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, was $198,000, $159,000, and $136,000.
Cash received from purchases under the ESPP for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, was approximately $1.2 million, $902,000, and $807,000.

Restructuring_Reserve

Restructuring Reserve	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Reserve	13—RESTRUCTURING RESERVE
	The Company has historically incurred an ongoing level of restructuring-type activities to maintain a competitive cost structure, including manufacturing and workforce optimization resulting from acquisitions.
	During the third quarter of 2014, the Company adopted a restructuring plan to reduce operating costs and close one of its North American distribution centers. This restructuring plan is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2015.
	The balance of the restructuring reserve is included in accrued liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets. Employee termination benefits expensed are included as a part of general and administrative expenses.
	Activity in the restructuring reserves for these plans for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Personnel			Facility			Other			Total
		Related			Related
	Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	774			—			—		$	774
	Additions		8,814			—			—			8,814
	Payments		(6,843	)		—			—			(6,843	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		2,745			—			—			2,745
	Additions		4,218			504			1,363			6,085
	Reversals		(1,357	)		—			—			(1,357	)
	Payments		(5,271	)		(504	)		(1,363	)		(7,138	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		335			—			—			335
	Additions		1,209			680			—			1,889
	Reversals		(52	)		—			—			(52	)
	Payments		(1,124	)		(680	)		—			(1,804	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	368			—			—		$	368

Other_Income_expense_net

Other Income (expense), net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (expense), net	14— OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
	Other income (expense), net consisted of (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Interest income	$	119		$	32		$	56
	Interest expense		(438	)		(1,675	)		(489	)
	Foreign currency exchange loss		(37	)		(1,412	)		(221	)
	Other		514			339			(181	)
	Total other income (expense), net	$	158		$	(2,716	)	$	(835	)
	During the second quarter 2014 we identified a prior period inaccuracy related to the revaluation of two intercompany loans acquired in the acquisition of the Nicolet neurodiagnostic business from CareFusion on July 2, 2012. The revaluation of these loans was recorded to Other Comprehensive Income rather than Foreign Exchange Gain or Loss. This resulted in a $1.2 million reclassification from Other Comprehensive Income to Foreign Exchange Gains in 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	15—INCOME TAXES
	Income before provision for income tax (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S.	$	16,621		$	13,200		$	6,135
	Foreign		29,388			18,744			(1,858	)
	Total income	$	46,009		$	31,944		$	4,277
	The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current
	U.S. Federal	$	6,514		$	5,338		$	2,971
	U.S. State and local		1,082			723			1,167
	Non-U.S.		6,874			1,708			298
	Total current tax expense		14,470			7,769			4,436
	Deferred
	U.S. Federal		(728	)		(1,042	)		(1,872	)
	U.S. State and local		(37	)		(85	)		(490	)
	Non-U.S.		(174	)		2,155			(1,620	)
	Total deferred tax expense (benefit)		(939	)		1,028			(3,982	)
	Total income tax expense	$	13,531		$	8,797		$	454
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	4,153		$	6,425
	Credit carryforwards		2,191			3,187
	Accruals deductible in different periods		15,666			11,626
	Employee benefits		2,864			3,404
	Total deferred tax assets		24,874			24,642
	Valuation allowance		(3,151	)		(5,043	)
	Total net deferred tax assets	$	21,723		$	19,599
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Basis difference in fixed and intangible assets		(17,169	)		(17,597	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(17,169	)		(17,597	)
	Total net deferred tax assets	$	4,554		$	2,002
	The income tax expense (benefit) in the accompanying statements of operations differs from the provision calculated by applying the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% in 2014, 2013, and 2012, to income before taxes due to the following:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Federal statutory tax expense (benefit)	$	16,103		$	11,180		$	1,497
	State tax expense		892			352			264
	Foreign taxes at rates less than U.S. rates		(3,473	)		(1,496	)		(561	)
	Stock compensation expense on incentive stock options		93			49			90
	U.S. tax credit		(486	)		(834	)		(278	)
	Uncertain tax position		1,163			1,029			(1,782	)
	Lapse of statute		(652	)		(918	)		—
	Change of valuation allowance on foreign tax credit		(491	)		—			1,074
	Other		382			(565	)		150
	Total expense	$	13,531		$	8,797		$	454
	At December 31, 2014, we had no U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards because all operating losses were utilized during the fiscal year. We had $1.7 million of U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards that can be used to offset the 2014 and future U.S. tax liabilities related to foreign source taxable income. The foreign tax credits will start to expire in 2016, and were originally generated in 2006.
	At December 31, 2014, certain foreign subsidiaries had tax net operating loss carryforwards as follows: $1.6 million in France, $655,000 in Argentina, $762,000 in Canada, $1.0 million in Denmark, and $72,000 in United Kingdom. These foreign net operating loss carryforwards, if not utilized to offset taxable income in future periods, will expire in various amounts beginning in 2016. A valuation allowance for all tax attributes is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Accordingly, valuation allowances of $3.2 million and $5.0 million were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease of $1.8 million of valuation allowance was primarily due to a decrease of the net operating loss carryforwards in France, and greater expectation of utilization of U.S. foreign tax credits.
	The realizability of the foreign tax losses is primarily dependent on the Company’s ability to generate sufficient foreign taxable income in the future periods. Although realization is not assured, the Company’s management weighed the aggregate effect of all positive evidences and negative evidences including the applicability of ongoing tax planning strategies and history of earnings to estimate future taxable income level of each jurisdiction. In the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or a portion of our deferred tax assets in the future, we would reduce such amounts through an increase to tax expense in the period in which that determination is made or when tax law changes are enacted. Conversely, if we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net carrying amounts, we would decrease the recorded valuation allowance through a decrease to tax expense in the period in which that determination is made.
	We receive tax deductions from the gains realized by employees on the exercise of certain non-qualified stock options for which the benefit is recognized as a component of stockholders’ equity. As of December 31, 2014, we recorded approximately $7.6 million change to stockholder’s equity related to exercises or sales of certain stock options by employees. In addition, we recorded a shortfall of $97,000 to stockholder’s equity related to the stock windfall pool as of December 31, 2014.
	We have not provided for U.S. federal income and foreign withholding taxes on the majority of undistributed earnings from non-U.S. operations as of December 31, 2014 because such earnings are intended to be reinvested indefinitely outside of the U.S. As of December 31, 2014, the U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes were not provided for on a cumulative total of approximately $55.0 million of the undistributed earnings for our Canada and certain European subsidiaries. We intend to reinvest these earnings in our foreign subsidiaries in these regions for foreign acquisitions and purchase various intangible assets among our foreign subsidiaries. If these earnings were distributed to the U.S. in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would be subject to additional U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes. As of December 31, 2014, the tax impact of undistributed earnings from non-U.S. operations has not been estimated as the determination is not practicable. Our foreign subsidiaries held $51.8 million cash and short term investments out of the total cash and short term investments of $66.6 million. If the foreign earnings were repatriated, the cash and short term investments available for other foreign financing activities will be reduced by the foreign taxes paid on the repatriation of earnings in these regions.
	Uncertain Tax Positions
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance at January 1, 2012		4,587
	Increases for tax positions related to the current year		204
	Lapse of statutes of limitations		(2,075	)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	2,716
	Increases for tax positions related to prior years		1,376
	Increases for tax positions related to the current year		213
	Lapse of statutes of limitations		(918	)
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	3,386
Increases for tax positions related to prior years		493
Increases for tax positions related to the current year		73
Lapse of statutes of limitations		(558	)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3,394
For the year ended December 31, 2014, our unrecognized tax benefits increased by $8,000 and we recorded approximately $558,000 of tax benefit in our income tax provision due to a lapse of the statute of limitations and the conclusion of certain state and foreign tax examinations. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded $493,000 of tax expense in our income tax provision related to the increase for tax positions related to prior years, and $73,000 tax expense in our income tax provision related to the tax positions for the current year.
The unrecognized tax benefits for the tax years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $3.4 million, $3.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively which include $2.0 million, $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively that would impact our effective tax rate if recognized.
We expect a range from approximately zero to $798,000 of unrecognized tax benefit that will impact the effective tax rate in the next 12 months due to the lapse of statute of limitations provided that no taxing authority conducts a new examination.
At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we had cumulatively accrued approximately $288,000, $300,000, and $307,000 for estimated interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions as a component of income tax expense, which totaled approximately $82,000, $164,000, and $75,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
We are currently unaware of any uncertain tax positions that could result in significant additional payments, accruals, or other material deviation in this estimate over the next 12 months.
Our tax returns remain open to examination as follows: U.S. federal, 2011 through 2014; U.S. states, generally 2010 through 2014; significant foreign jurisdictions, generally 2010 through 2014.

Employee_Benefit_Plan

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plan	16— EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
	We offer pre-tax and after-tax 401(k) savings plan options under which eligible U.S. employees may elect to have a portion of their salary deferred and contributed to the plan. Employer matching contributions are determined by management and are discretionary. Employer matching contributions were approximately $1.2 million, $1.3 million, and $1.2 million respectively, in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. For new hires, employer contributions vest ratably over the first two years of employment.

Segment_Customer_and_Geographi

Segment, Customer and Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment, Customer and Geographic Information	17— SEGMENT, CUSTOMER, AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
	We operate in one reportable segment, which we have presented as the aggregation of our Neurology and Newborn Care operating segments. Through our one reportable segment we are organized on the basis of the healthcare products and services we provide which are used for the screening, detection, treatment, monitoring and tracking of common medical ailments in newborn care, hearing impairment, neurological dysfunction, epilepsy, sleep disorders.
	Our end-user customer base includes hospitals, clinics, laboratories, physicians, nurses, audiologists, and governmental agencies. Most of our international sales are to distributors who resell our products to end users or sub-distributors. Our foreign countries’ revenue is determined based on the customer’s billing address.
	Revenue and long-lived asset information by geographic region is as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Revenue:
	United States	$	215,543	$	199,591	$	162,993
	Foreign countries		140,291		144,521		129,287
			$355,834	$	344,112	$	292,280
	Revenue by End Market:
	Neurology Products
	Devices and Systems	$	150,889	$	139,040	$	108,051
	Supplies		59,666		61,083		46,193
	Services		22,117		23,549		13,829
	Total Neurology Revenue	$	232,672	$	223,672	$	168,073
	Newborn Care Products
	Devices and Systems	$	65,457	$	66,633	$	73,202
	Supplies		48,475		46,589		45,962
	Services		9,230		7,218		5,043
	Total Newborn Care Revenue	$	123,162	$	120,440	$	124,207
	Total Revenue	$	355,834	$	344,112	$	292,280
	Property and equipment, net:
	United States	$	5,782	$	9,619	$	9,813
	Canada		5,538		6,060		6,998
	Argentina		3,692		4,932		6,737
	Other Foreign countries		2,911		2,684		2,964
		$	17,923	$	23,295	$	26,512
	During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, no single customer or foreign country contributed to more than 10% of revenue, and revenue from services was less than 10% of revenue.

Debt_and_Credit_Arrangements

Debt and Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Credit Arrangements	18— DEBT AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
	At December 31, 2014 the Company has a $75 million credit facility consisting of a $25 million revolving credit line and a $50 million 5-year term loan with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”). The $25 million credit line is fully available under the credit agreement. The credit facility contains covenants, including covenants relating to liquidity and other financial measurements, and provides for events of default, including failure to pay any interest when due, failure to perform or observe covenants, bankruptcy or insolvency events, and the occurrence of a material adverse effect, and restricts our ability to pay dividends. We are in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2014. We have granted Wells Fargo a security interest in substantially all of our assets. We have no other significant credit facilities.
	Long-term debt is comprised of the following (2014 and 2013 columns in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Term loan $50 million, interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%, due September 30, 2017 with term loan principal repayable in quarterly installments of $2.5 million	$	—		$	37,500
	Term loan $2.9 million Canadian (“CAD”), interest at cost of funds plus 2.5%, due September 15, 2014 with principle repayable in monthly installments of $16,000 until August 15, 2014, and one final payment of $404,000 collateralized by a first lien on the land and building owned by Xltek		—			517
	Total long-term debt (including current portion)		—			38,017
	Less: current portion of long-term debt		(—	)		(10,517	)
	Total long-term debt	$	—		$	27,500
	At December 31, 2013, the carrying value of total debt approximated fair market value. The fair value of the Company’s debt is considered a Level 2 measurement.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	19— COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Leases – We have entered into noncancelable operating leases for some of our facilities including related office equipment located in the U.S. and Europe through 2024. Minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Operating Leases
	Year Ending December 31,
	2015	$	3,912
	2016		3,556
	2017		3,354
	2018		2,680
	2019		2,616
	Thereafter		7,134
	Total minimum lease payments	$	23,252
	Rent expense, which is recorded on the straight-line method from commencement over the period of the lease, totaled $4.3 million, $3.9 million and $3.9 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Purchase commitments – We had various purchase obligations for goods or services totaling $35.0 million at December 31, 2014.
	Indemnifications – Under our bylaws, we have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors for certain events or occurrences arising as a result of the officer or director serving in such capacity. We have a director and officer liability insurance policy that limits our exposure under these indemnifications and enables us to recover a portion of any future loss arising out of them. In addition, we enter into indemnification agreements with other parties in the ordinary course of business. We have determined that these agreements fall within the scope of ASC 460, Guarantees. In some cases we have obtained liability insurance providing coverage that limits its exposure for these other indemnified matters. We have not incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. We believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal and have not recorded a liability for these agreements as of December 31, 2014.
	Legal matters - We may from time to time become a party to various legal proceedings or claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any current legal or administrative proceedings are likely to have a material effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	20— FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined under ASC 820 as the exit price associated with the sale of an asset or transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes the following three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value:
	Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
	Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
	The Company does not have any financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	During the third quarter of 2014 the Company listed its facility in Mundelein, Illinois for sale. This asset was measured at fair value less cost to sell as of September 30, 2014 based on market price and Level 2 inputs. The book value of this asset on June 30, 2014 was $3.6 million. We expensed $2.2 million during the third quarter 2014 for this impairment. As of December 31, 2014 we are carrying the asset as held for sale at a value of $1.4 million.
	For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 we recorded charges of $0.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, related to impairment of trademarks and trade names. We measure these non-financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition. The fair value of these non-financial assets was measured using Level 3 inputs. See Note 6 - Intangible Assets.

Immaterial_Corrections_to_Prio

Immaterial Corrections to Prior Period Financial Statements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Immaterial Corrections to Prior Period Financial Statements	21—IMMATERIAL CORRECTIONS TO PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	Subsequent to the issuance of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 we discovered an error related to the amount of manufacturing labor and overhead applied to inventory. As a result, certain previously reported amounts included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for 2013 and 2012 have been revised to reflect the correction of this error. We believe the effects of the errors are not material to our consolidated financial statements.
	A summary of the effects of the correction of this error on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the table below (in thousands, except per share data):
		2013
		Previously			Revised
		Reported
	Balance Sheet
	Inventories	$	37,685		$	40,563
	Finished goods (Note 3)		17,861			20,739
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,904			12,045
	Total current assets		196,761			199,780
	Total assets		426,438			429,457
	Accrued liabilities		26,831			27,954
	Accrued federal, state, and local taxes (Note 7)		3,691			4,813
	Total current liabilities		80,071			81,194
	Total liabilities		120,120			121,243
	Retained earnings		34,516			36,412
	Total stockholder’s equity		306,318			308,214
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		426,438			429,457
		2013						2012
		Previously			Revised			Previously			Revised
		Reported						Reported
	Statements of Operations
	Cost of revenue	$	142,081		$	141,700		$	128,812		$	128,954
	Gross profit		202,031			202,412			163,468			163,326
	Income from operations		34,279			34,660			5,254			5,112
	Income before provision for income tax		31,563			31,944			4,419			4,277
	U.S. (Note 15)		13,108			13,200			6,500			6,135
	Foreign (Note 15)		18,455			18,744			(2,081	)		(1,858	)
	Provision for income tax expense		8,685			8,797			536			454
	Current U.S. Federal (Note 15)		5,302			5,338			3,112			2,971
	Current Non-U.S. (Note 15)		1,632			1,708			239			298
	Federal statutory tax expense (Note 15)		11,047			11,180			1,547			1,497
	Uncertain tax position (Note 15)		917			1,029			(1,699	)		(1,782	)
	Other (Note 15)		(438	)		(565	)		99			150
	Net income		22,878			23,147			3,883			3,823
	Comprehensive income		20,905			21,175			2,543			2,483
	Net income per share, basic	$	0.76		$	0.77		$	0.13		$	0.13
	Net income per share, diluted	$	0.74		$	0.75		$	0.13		$	0.13
	Statements of Cash Flows
	Net income	$	22,878		$	23,147		$	3,883		$	3,823
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired in acquisitions:
	Inventories		(2,298	)		(2,679	)		5,117			5,259
	Other Assets		(6,899	)		(6,899	)		(686	)		(827	)
	Accrued liabilities		(5,413	)		(5,301	)		5,135			5,194
	Net cash provided by operating activities		36,797			36,797			19,392			19,392
	Statement of Stockholder’s Equity
	Retained Earnings Beginning of year	$	11,638		$	13,265		$	7,755		$	9,442
	Retained Earnings End of year		34,516			36,412			11,638			13,265

Organization_and_Significant_A1

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates include allowances for potentially uncollectible accounts receivable, valuation of inventory, intangible assets, goodwill, share-based compensation, deferred income taxes, reserves for warranty obligations, and the provision for income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue recognition	Revenue recognition
	Revenue, net of discounts, is recognized from sales of medical devices and supplies, including sales to distributors, when the following conditions have been met: a purchase order has been received, title has transferred, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Terms of sale for most domestic sales are FOB origin, reflecting that title and risk of loss are assumed by the purchaser at the shipping point; however, terms of sale for some neurology, sleep-diagnostic, and head cooling systems are FOB destination, reflecting that title and risk of loss are assumed by the purchaser upon delivery. Terms of sales to international distributors are generally EXW, reflecting that goods are shipped “ex works,” in which title and risk of loss are assumed by the distributor at the shipping point. For products shipped under FOB origin or EXW terms, delivery is generally considered to have occurred when the product is shipped. Freight charges billed to customers are included in revenue and freight-related expenses are charged to cost of revenue. We generally do not provide rights of return on products.
	For products containing embedded software, we have determined that the hardware and software components function together to deliver the products’ essential functionality, and therefore, the revenue from the sale of these products does not fall within the scope of the software revenue recognition rules. Our revenue recognition policies for sales of these products are substantially the same as for our other tangible products.
	Revenue from sales of certain of our products that remain within the scope of the software revenue recognition rules under ASC Subtopic 985-605 is not significant.
	Revenue from extended service and maintenance agreements, for both medical devices and data management systems, is recognized ratably over the service period. Revenue from installation or training services is deferred until such time service is provided.
	Certain revenue transactions include multiple element arrangements. We allocate revenue in these arrangements to each unit of accounting using the relative selling price method. The selling prices used during the allocation process are based on vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value.
	Group purchasing organizations (“GPOs”) negotiate volume purchase prices for member hospitals, group practices, and other clinics. Our agreements with GPOs typically contain preferential terms for the GPO and its members, including provisions for some, if not all, of the following:
		•	Payment of marketing fees by Natus to the GPO, usually based on purchasing experience of group members; and
		•	Non-recourse cancellation provisions.
	We do not sell products to GPOs. Hospitals, group practices, and other clinics that are members of a GPO purchase products directly from us under the terms negotiated by the GPO. Negotiated pricing and discounts are recognized as a reduction of the selling price of products at the time of the sale. Revenue from sales to members of GPOs is otherwise consistent with general revenue recognition policies as previously described.
Inventory	Inventory
	Inventories are carried at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost, determined by the first-in-first-out method) or market. The carrying value of our inventories is reduced for any difference between cost and estimated market value of inventories that is determined to be obsolete or unmarketable, based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Adjustments to the value of our inventory establish a new cost basis and are considered permanent even if circumstances later suggest that increased carrying amounts are recoverable. If demand is higher than expected, we may sell inventory that had previously been written down.
Carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill	Carrying value of intangible assets and goodwill
	We amortize intangible assets with finite lives over their useful lives; any future changes that would limit their useful lives or any determination that these assets are carried at amounts greater than their estimated fair value could result in additional charges. We carry goodwill and any other intangible assets with indefinite lives at original cost but do not amortize them.
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually as of October 1st; this assessment is also performed whenever there is a change in circumstances that indicates the carrying value of these assets may be impaired.
	In 2014, we performed qualitative assessments to test our reporting units’ goodwill for impairment. Qualitative factors considered in this assessment include industry and market considerations, overall financial performance and other relevant events and factors affecting each reporting unit. Based on our qualitative assessment, we determined that the fair value of each reporting unit was more likely than not to be greater than its carrying amount, and no impairment was recognized.
	In 2013 and 2012 we performed a two-step impairment test on our goodwill. The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use a projected discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired, and the second step of the impairment test is not required. The second step, if required, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
	We test indefinite lived intangibles for impairment by comparing the carrying value of those assets to the fair value as of the assessment date. To determine the fair value of the assets, the Company uses the relief from royalty method. This analysis is dependent upon a number of quantitative and qualitative factors including estimates of forecasted revenue, royalty rate, and taxes. The discount rate applied also has an impact on the estimates of fair value, as use of a higher rate will result in a lower estimate of fair value. As of the October 1, 2014 testing date, we determined that certain trade names were impaired and we recorded an impairment charge of $0.6 million.
	Goodwill impairment analysis and measurement is a process that requires significant judgment. Future changes in the judgments and estimates underlying our analysis of goodwill for possible impairment, including expected future cash flows and discount rate, could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of the reporting units and could result in additional impairment of goodwill.
Long lived assets	Long lived assets
	The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company assesses the recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through their undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of these assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets.
Liability for product warranties	Liability for product warranties
	Our medical device products are generally covered by a standard one-year product warranty. A liability has been established for the expected cost of servicing our medical device products during this service period. We base the liability on actual warranty costs incurred to service those products, actual service department costs, and other judgments, such as the degree to which the product incorporates new technology. Actual material usage costs and service department costs that differ from our estimates result in revisions to the estimated warranty liability.
	The estimates we use in projecting future product warranty costs may prove to be incorrect. Any future determination that our product warranty reserves are understated could result in increases to our cost of sales and reductions in our operating profits and results of operations.
Share-based compensation	Share-based compensation
	We recognize share-based compensation expense associated with employee stock options under the single-option straight line method over the requisite service period, which is generally a four-year vesting period pursuant to ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. See Note 12 of our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	For employee stock options, the value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which was developed for use in estimating the value of freely traded options. Similar to other option pricing models, the Black-Scholes method requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including stock price volatility. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the estimated fair value of our employee stock options.
	The Company issues new shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock and RSUs.
	Forfeitures of employee stock options are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. Share-based compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures, such that expense is recorded only for those share-based awards that are expected to vest.
	The cash flow from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for employee options (excess tax benefits) is classified as a cash inflow from financing activities and a cash outflow from operating activities in our Statements of Cash Flows. We treat tax deductions from certain stock option exercises as being realized when they reduce taxes payable in accordance with relevant tax law.
	We recognize share-based compensation associated with Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units. RSAs and RSUs vest ratably over a three-year period for employees. For executives RSAs and RSUs vest over a four-year period; 50% on the second anniversary of the vesting start date and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the vesting date. The value is estimated based on the market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant pursuant to ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents
	All highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	We assess the sufficiency of the allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts receivable. Estimates are based on historical collection experience within the markets in which we operate and other customer-specific information, such as bankruptcy filings or liquidity problems of customers. When all internal efforts have been exhausted to collect the receivable, it is written off and relieved from the reserve.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. Cash is reported at its respective fair values on the balance sheet dates. The recorded carrying amount of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates their fair value due to their short-term maturities.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which are three to five years for office furniture and equipment, three to five years for computer software and hardware, three years for demonstration and loaned equipment, and 30 to 40 years for buildings. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life. Land is not depreciated. Costs associated with acquiring and installing software to be used for internal purposes are capitalized.
Research & Development and Capitalized Software Development Costs	Research & Development and Capitalized Software Development Costs
	Costs incurred in research and development are charged to operations as incurred. Some of our products include embedded software which is essential to the product’s functionality. In accordance with FASB ASC 985-20, Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed, costs incurred in the research and development of new software components and enhancements to existing software components are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. We capitalize software development costs when the project reaches technological feasibility and cease capitalization when the project is ready for release. Software development costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the product. Amortization begins when the product is available for general release to the customer.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
	We recognize the tax benefit of uncertain tax positions in the financial statements in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Tax. When the tax position is deemed more likely than not of being sustained, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being ultimately realized upon settlement, in accordance with ASC 740-10-05.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency
	The functional currency of our subsidiaries outside of North America is generally the local currency of the country where the subsidiary is located. Accordingly, foreign currency translation adjustments relating to the translation of foreign subsidiary financial statements are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. We recorded $11.2 million, $2.0 million, and $1.3 million of foreign currency translation losses for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Gains and losses from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of the Company and its subsidiaries are included in other income and expense. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, net foreign currency transaction losses were $37,000, $1.4 million, and $221,000, respectively. Foreign currency gains and losses result primarily from fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Euro, Argentine Peso, British Pound, and Danish Kroner.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income
	We report by major components and as a single total the change in our net assets during the period from non-owner sources in accordance with ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. The consolidated statement of comprehensive income has been included with the consolidated statements of operations. Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of translation gains and losses on foreign subsidiary financial statements.
Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share	Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share
	We compute net income per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share. Basic net income per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents are options granted and shares of restricted stock issued under our stock awards plans and are calculated under the treasury stock method. Common equivalent shares from unexercised stock options and restricted stock are excluded from the computation when there is a loss as their effect is anti-dilutive, or if the exercise price of such options is greater than the average market price of the stock for the period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 sets forth a new revenue recognition model that requires identifying the contract, identifying the performance obligations, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to performance obligations and recognizing the revenue upon satisfaction of performance obligations. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09, which is effective for the Company in our fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Grass Technologies [Member]
Summary of purchase price allocation of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities	The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, as adjusted (in thousands):
	Accounts receivable	$	4,098
	Prepaid and other assets		33
	Inventories		547
	Identifiable intangible assets:
	Developed technology		2,500
	Customer-related		5,200
	Trademarks and trade names		3,000
	Other property and equipment		237
	Goodwill		7,014
	Accounts payable		(431	)
	Accrued expenses		(895	)
	Deferred revenue		(348	)
	Total purchase price	$	20,955
Unaudited Pro forma Financial Information	The following unaudited pro forma information combines our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 with the results of operations for Grass as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2013.
	Unaudited Pro forma Financial Information
	(in thousands)
		2013
	Revenue	$	345,117
	Income from operations	$	35,369
Nicolet [Member]
Summary of purchase price allocation of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities	The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, (in thousands):
	Cash	$	364
	Accounts receivable		14,680
	Inventories		13,158
	Current deferred tax asset		237
	Prepaid and other assets		569
	Other long-term assets		52
	Non-current deferred tax asset		1,094
	Identifiable intangible assets:
	Developed technology		11,600
	Customer-related		8,300
	Trademarks and trade names		9,000
	Backlog		720
	Land and building		1,177
	Other property and equipment		1,739
	Goodwill		11,733
	Accounts payable		(5,322	)
	Accrued expenses		(8,613	)
	Deferred revenue		(3,943	)
	Non-current deferred tax liability		(1,058	)
	Total purchase price	$	55,487
Unaudited Pro forma Financial Information	The following unaudited pro forma information combines our results of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 with the results of operations for Nicolet as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012.
	Unaudited Pro forma Financial Information
	(in thousands)
		2012
	Revenue	$	342,081
	Income from operations	$	5,896

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories consist of (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials and subassemblies	$	19,821		$	24,312
	Work in process		1,808			2,584
	Finished goods		26,037			20,739
	Total Inventories		47,666			47,635
	Less: Non-current Inventories		(7,615	)		(7,072	)
	Inventories	$	40,051		$	40,563

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and equipment consist of (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	3,092		$	4,152
	Buildings		6,828			10,269
	Leasehold improvements		2,118			2,796
	Office furniture and equipment		12,839			10,820
	Computer software and hardware		8,821			10,250
	Demonstration and loaned equipment		10,929			9,470
			44,627			47,757
	Accumulated depreciation		(26,704	)		(24,462	)
	Total	$	17,923		$	23,295

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	The carrying amount of goodwill and the changes in those balances are as follows (in thousands):
	As of December 31, 2012	$	92,048
	Acquisitions/Purchase Accounting Adjustments		5,412
	Foreign currency translation		(222	)
	As of December 31, 2013	$	97,238
	Acquisitions/Purchase Accounting Adjustments		4,002
	Foreign currency translation		(4,924	)
	As of December 31, 2014	$	96,316

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Gross and Net Intangible Asset Balances	The following table summarizes the components of gross and net intangible asset balances (in thousands):
		December 31, 2014										December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated			Accumulated			Net Book		Gross		Accumulated			Accumulated			Net Book
		Carrying		Impairment			Amortization			Value		Carrying		Impairment			Amortization			Value
		Amount										Amount
	Intangible assets with finite lives:
	Technology	$	64,376		—		$	(28,195	)	$	36,181	$	65,904		—		$	(25,519	)	$	40,385
	Customer related		31,189		—			(11,786	)		19,403		31,231		—			(9,763	)		21,468
	Internally developed software		14,109		—			(6,511	)		7,598		11,069		—			(5,107	)		5,962
	Patents		2,794		—			(2,154	)		640		2,724		—			(2,094	)		630
	Backlog		719		—			(719	)		—		722		—			(722	)		—
	Finite lived intangible assets		113,187		—			(49,365	)		63,822		111,650		—			(43,205	)		68,445
	Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
	Trade names		32,443		(3,504	)		—			28,939		33,435		(3,060	)		—			30,375
	Total intangibles assets	$	145,630	$	(3,504	)	$	(49,365	)	$	92,761	$	145,085	$	(3,060	)	$	(43,205	)	$	98,820
Amortization expense related to intangible assets with definite lives	Amortization expense related to intangible assets with finite lives was as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
	Technology	$	3,993	$	4,355		$	3,697
	Customer Related		1,892		2,644			2,090
	Software		1,434		1,034			1,326
	Patents		113		121			222
	Backlog		—		—			724
	Total amortization	$	7,433	$	8,156		$	8,059
Expected annual amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets	Expected annual amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
	2015	$	7,729
	2016		7,017
	2017		6,731
	2018		6,503
	2019		5,530
	Thereafter		30,312
	Total expected amortization expense	$	63,822

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	Accrued liabilities consist of (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Compensation and related benefits	$	16,075	$	12,398
	Accrued federal, state, and local taxes		9,213		4,813
	Warranty reserve		2,753		3,143
	Accrued professional fees		1,027		1,681
	Other		6,956		5,919
	Total	$	36,024	$	27,954

LongTerm_Other_Liabilities_Tab

Long-Term Other Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Other Liabilities	Long-term other liabilities consist of (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Contingent tax obligations	$	3,299	$	1,631
	Non-current deferred revenue		1,537		1,120
	Insurance discount		—		94
	Rental Deposits		23		—
	Total	$	4,859	$	2,845

Reserve_for_Product_Warranties1

Reserve for Product Warranties (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]
Reserves for Product Warranties	Detail of activity in product warranty reserve is as follows, (in thousands):
		Balance at		Assumed		Additions		Reductions			Balance
		Beginning		Through		Charged to					at End
		of Period		Acquisitions		Expense					of Period
	December 31, 2014	$	3,143	$	—	$	2,306	$	(2,696	)	$	2,753
	December 31, 2013	$	2,260	$	191	$	1,938	$	(1,246	)	$	3,143
	December 31, 2012	$	2,157	$	615	$	1,452	$	(1,964	)	$	2,260

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Components of Basic and Diluted EPS	The components of basic and diluted EPS are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Net income	$	32,478	$	23,147	$	3,823
	Weighted average common shares		31,499		29,993		29,031
	Dilutive effect of stock based awards		1,069		828		806
	Basic earnings per share	$	1.03	$	0.77	$	0.13
	Diluted earnings per share	$	1	$	0.75	$	0.13
	Shares excluded from calculations of diluted EPS		239		1,413		1,899

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation Expense	accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. Share-based compensation was recognized as follows in the consolidated statement of income (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Cost of revenue	$	143		$	120		$	214
	Marketing and sales		977			816			1,199
	Research and development		664			527			500
	General and administrative		4,277			4,456			4,507
	Total expense		6,062			5,919			6,420
Stock Options Activity	Stock Option Activity – Stock option activity under our stock awards plans for the year ended December 31, 2014 is summarized as follows:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012 (2,809,325 shares exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $11.34 per share)		3,882,239		$	11.71
	Granted		629,420		$	14.11
	Exercised		(1,058,730	)	$	7.63
	Cancelled		(648,806	)	$	15.51
	Outstanding, December 31, 2013 (1,843,779 shares exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $12.68 per share)		2,804,123		$	12.91
	Granted		244,500		$	22.6
	Exercised		(1,242,679	)	$	12.14
	Cancelled		(34,942	)	$	15.29
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014 (1,051,616 shares exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $14.13 per share)		1,771,002		$	14.73
Summary of Outstanding and Exercisable Stock Options	The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options outstanding at December 31, 2014:
		Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Price	Number			Weighted			Weighted Average			Number		Weighted Average
		Outstanding as of			Average			Remaining			Exercisable as of		Exercise Price
		12/31/14			Exercise Price			Contractual			12/31/14
								Life (Years)
	$7.78 – $10.03		97,664		$	9.85			0.88			92,664	$	9.89
	$10.69 - $10.69		357,752		$	10.69			3.4			219,348	$	10.69
	$10.73 - $13.24		218,442		$	11.85			2.39			123,653	$	11.14
	$13.27 - $13.27		10,800		$	13.27			4.69			3,376	$	13.27
	$14.34 - $14.34		411,550		$	14.34			4.38			155,231	$	14.34
	$16.26 - $16.26		625		$	16.26			2.22			250	$	16.26
	$16.38 - $16.38		218,696		$	16.38			2.38			188,902	$	16.38
	$16.78 - $16.78		207,973		$	16.78			1.38			207,973	$	16.78
	$19.96 - $19.96		3,000		$	19.96			4.83			938	$	19.96
	$22.50 - $24.50		244,500		$	22.6			5.02			59,281	$	22.7
	$7.78 - $24.50		1,771,002		$	14.73			3.23			1,051,616	$	14.13
Black-Scholes Inputs	Black-Scholes Inputs – The fair value of option grants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$	7.25		$	4.24		$	3.37
	Expected life in years		4			4.1			4.4
	Risk-free interest rate		1.4	%		1.2	%		0.6	%
	Expected volatility		39	%		37	%		39	%
	Dividend yield		None			None			None
Restricted Stock Awards Activity	Restricted Stock Awards Activity – The following table summarizes the activity for restricted stock awards during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Shares			Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Unvested at December 31, 2012		690,890		$	13.02
	Granted		313,180		$	14.1
	Vested		(227,195	)	$	13.92
	Forfeited		(153,245	)	$	12.88
	Unvested at December 31, 2013		623,630		$	13.29
	Granted		196,650		$	22.68
	Vested		(221,936	)	$	13.03
	Forfeited		(14,285	)	$	14.73
	Unvested at December 31, 2014		584,059		$	16.5
Restricted Stock Units Activity	Restricted Stock Units Activity – The following table summarizes restricted stock units activity for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
	Beginning outstanding balance		51,291			50,050
	Awarded		20,600			30,890
	Released		(14,996	)		(6,224	)
	Forfeited		(4,245	)		(23,425	)
	Ending outstanding balance		52,650			51,291

Restructuring_Reserve_Tables

Restructuring Reserve (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Detail of Activity in the Restructuring Reserve	Activity in the restructuring reserves for these plans for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
		Personnel			Facility			Other			Total
		Related			Related
	Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	774			—			—		$	774
	Additions		8,814			—			—			8,814
	Payments		(6,843	)		—			—			(6,843	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		2,745			—			—			2,745
	Additions		4,218			504			1,363			6,085
	Reversals		(1,357	)		—			—			(1,357	)
	Payments		(5,271	)		(504	)		(1,363	)		(7,138	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013		335			—			—			335
	Additions		1,209			680			—			1,889
	Reversals		(52	)		—			—			(52	)
	Payments		(1,124	)		(680	)		—			(1,804	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	368			—			—		$	368

Other_Income_expense_net_Table

Other Income (expense), net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other income (expense), net	Other income (expense), net consisted of (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Interest income	$	119		$	32		$	56
	Interest expense		(438	)		(1,675	)		(489	)
	Foreign currency exchange loss		(37	)		(1,412	)		(221	)
	Other		514			339			(181	)
	Total other income (expense), net	$	158		$	(2,716	)	$	(835	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income tax	Income before provision for income tax (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S.	$	16,621		$	13,200		$	6,135
	Foreign		29,388			18,744			(1,858	)
	Total income	$	46,009		$	31,944		$	4,277
Summary of components of income tax expense	The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current
	U.S. Federal	$	6,514		$	5,338		$	2,971
	U.S. State and local		1,082			723			1,167
	Non-U.S.		6,874			1,708			298
	Total current tax expense		14,470			7,769			4,436
	Deferred
	U.S. Federal		(728	)		(1,042	)		(1,872	)
	U.S. State and local		(37	)		(85	)		(490	)
	Non-U.S.		(174	)		2,155			(1,620	)
	Total deferred tax expense (benefit)		(939	)		1,028			(3,982	)
	Total income tax expense	$	13,531		$	8,797		$	454
Deferred tax assets and liabilities	purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	4,153		$	6,425
	Credit carryforwards		2,191			3,187
	Accruals deductible in different periods		15,666			11,626
	Employee benefits		2,864			3,404
	Total deferred tax assets		24,874			24,642
	Valuation allowance		(3,151	)		(5,043	)
	Total net deferred tax assets	$	21,723		$	19,599
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Basis difference in fixed and intangible assets		(17,169	)		(17,597	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(17,169	)		(17,597	)
	Total net deferred tax assets	$	4,554		$	2,002
Reconciliation of effective income tax rate	The income tax expense (benefit) in the accompanying statements of operations differs from the provision calculated by applying the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% in 2014, 2013, and 2012, to income before taxes due to the following:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Federal statutory tax expense (benefit)	$	16,103		$	11,180		$	1,497
	State tax expense		892			352			264
	Foreign taxes at rates less than U.S. rates		(3,473	)		(1,496	)		(561	)
	Stock compensation expense on incentive stock options		93			49			90
	U.S. tax credit		(486	)		(834	)		(278	)
	Uncertain tax position		1,163			1,029			(1,782	)
	Lapse of statute		(652	)		(918	)		—
	Change of valuation allowance on foreign tax credit		(491	)		—			1,074
	Other		382			(565	)		150
	Total expense	$	13,531		$	8,797		$	454
Uncertain Tax Positions	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) is as follows (in thousands):
	Balance at January 1, 2012		4,587
	Increases for tax positions related to the current year		204
	Lapse of statutes of limitations		(2,075	)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	2,716
	Increases for tax positions related to prior years		1,376
	Increases for tax positions related to the current year		213
	Lapse of statutes of limitations		(918	)
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	3,386
	Increases for tax positions related to prior years		493
	Increases for tax positions related to the current year		73
	Lapse of statutes of limitations		(558	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3,394

Segment_Customer_and_Geographi1

Segment, Customer and Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenue and long-lived asset information by geographic region	Revenue and long-lived asset information by geographic region is as follows (in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Revenue:
	United States	$	215,543	$	199,591	$	162,993
	Foreign countries		140,291		144,521		129,287
			$355,834	$	344,112	$	292,280
	Revenue by End Market:
	Neurology Products
	Devices and Systems	$	150,889	$	139,040	$	108,051
	Supplies		59,666		61,083		46,193
	Services		22,117		23,549		13,829
	Total Neurology Revenue	$	232,672	$	223,672	$	168,073
	Newborn Care Products
	Devices and Systems	$	65,457	$	66,633	$	73,202
	Supplies		48,475		46,589		45,962
	Services		9,230		7,218		5,043
	Total Newborn Care Revenue	$	123,162	$	120,440	$	124,207
	Total Revenue	$	355,834	$	344,112	$	292,280
	Property and equipment, net:
	United States	$	5,782	$	9,619	$	9,813
	Canada		5,538		6,060		6,998
	Argentina		3,692		4,932		6,737
	Other Foreign countries		2,911		2,684		2,964
		$	17,923	$	23,295	$	26,512

Debt_and_Credit_Arrangements_T

Debt and Credit Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of long-term borrowings	Long-term debt is comprised of the following (2014 and 2013 columns in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Term loan $50 million, interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%, due September 30, 2017 with term loan principal repayable in quarterly installments of $2.5 million	$	—		$	37,500
	Term loan $2.9 million Canadian (“CAD”), interest at cost of funds plus 2.5%, due September 15, 2014 with principle repayable in monthly installments of $16,000 until August 15, 2014, and one final payment of $404,000 collateralized by a first lien on the land and building owned by Xltek		—			517
	Total long-term debt (including current portion)		—			38,017
	Less: current portion of long-term debt		(—	)		(10,517	)
	Total long-term debt	$	—		$	27,500

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Minimum Future Leases Payments Receivable	the U.S. and Europe through 2024. Minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Operating Leases
	Year Ending December 31,
	2015	$	3,912
	2016		3,556
	2017		3,354
	2018		2,680
	2019		2,616
	Thereafter		7,134
	Total minimum lease payments	$	23,252

Immaterial_Corrections_to_Prio1

Immaterial Corrections to Prior Period Financial Statements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Summary of Effects of the Correction of this Error on Consolidated Financial Statements	A summary of the effects of the correction of this error on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the table below (in thousands, except per share data):
		2013
		Previously			Revised
		Reported
	Balance Sheet
	Inventories	$	37,685		$	40,563
	Finished goods (Note 3)		17,861			20,739
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,904			12,045
	Total current assets		196,761			199,780
	Total assets		426,438			429,457
	Accrued liabilities		26,831			27,954
	Accrued federal, state, and local taxes (Note 7)		3,691			4,813
	Total current liabilities		80,071			81,194
	Total liabilities		120,120			121,243
	Retained earnings		34,516			36,412
	Total stockholder’s equity		306,318			308,214
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		426,438			429,457
		2013						2012
		Previously			Revised			Previously			Revised
		Reported						Reported
	Statements of Operations
	Cost of revenue	$	142,081		$	141,700		$	128,812		$	128,954
	Gross profit		202,031			202,412			163,468			163,326
	Income from operations		34,279			34,660			5,254			5,112
	Income before provision for income tax		31,563			31,944			4,419			4,277
	U.S. (Note 15)		13,108			13,200			6,500			6,135
	Foreign (Note 15)		18,455			18,744			(2,081	)		(1,858	)
	Provision for income tax expense		8,685			8,797			536			454
	Current U.S. Federal (Note 15)		5,302			5,338			3,112			2,971
	Current Non-U.S. (Note 15)		1,632			1,708			239			298
	Federal statutory tax expense (Note 15)		11,047			11,180			1,547			1,497
	Uncertain tax position (Note 15)		917			1,029			(1,699	)		(1,782	)
	Other (Note 15)		(438	)		(565	)		99			150
	Net income		22,878			23,147			3,883			3,823
	Comprehensive income		20,905			21,175			2,543			2,483
	Net income per share, basic	$	0.76		$	0.77		$	0.13		$	0.13
	Net income per share, diluted	$	0.74		$	0.75		$	0.13		$	0.13
	Statements of Cash Flows
	Net income	$	22,878		$	23,147		$	3,883		$	3,823
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired in acquisitions:
	Inventories		(2,298	)		(2,679	)		5,117			5,259
	Other Assets		(6,899	)		(6,899	)		(686	)		(827	)
	Accrued liabilities		(5,413	)		(5,301	)		5,135			5,194
	Net cash provided by operating activities		36,797			36,797			19,392			19,392
	Statement of Stockholder’s Equity
	Retained Earnings Beginning of year	$	11,638		$	13,265		$	7,755		$	9,442
	Retained Earnings End of year		34,516			36,412			11,638			13,265

Organization_and_Significant_A2

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 01, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairment of certain indefinite live intangible assets	$598,000	$1,500,000	$560,000
Vesting period	4 years
Recorded foreign currency translation adjustments	-11,218,000	-1,972,000	-1,340,000
Net foreign currency transactions gains (losses)	-37,000	-1,412,000	-221,000
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Executives RSAs and RSUs [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Executives RSAs and RSUs [Member] | Vest on second anniversary of the vesting start date [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	50.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Executives RSAs and RSUs [Member] | On each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the vesting date[Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	25.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Employees [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years
Trade names [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairment of certain indefinite live intangible assets				$600,000
Office furniture and equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of property and equipment	3 years
Office furniture and equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of property and equipment	5 years
Computer software and hardware [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of property and equipment	3 years
Computer software and hardware [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of property and equipment	5 years
Demonstration and loaned equipment [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of property and equipment	3 years
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of property and equipment	30 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of property and equipment	40 years

Business_Combinations_Textual_

Business Combinations (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 02, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Jul. 02, 2013

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Impairment of intangible assets

$598,000

$1,500,000

$560,000

Goodwill

96,316,000

97,238,000

92,048,000

96,316,000

97,238,000

92,048,000

General and administrative

49,276,000

[1]

48,528,000

[1]

50,963,000

[1]

Amortization of intangible assets acquired

7,433,000

8,156,000

8,059,000

Trademarks and trade names [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Impairment of intangible assets

600,000

1,500,000

Technology [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Amortization of intangible assets acquired

3,993,000

4,355,000

3,697,000

Customer related [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Amortization of intangible assets acquired

1,892,000

2,644,000

2,090,000

Order or Production Backlog [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Amortization of intangible assets acquired

724,000

Newborn Hearing Screening Services [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Purchase price paid in cash to acquire entity

2,600,000

Grass Technologies [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Purchase price paid in cash to acquire entity

21,000,000

Acquisition date of entity

2-Feb-13

Inventory purchase commitment

2,400,000

2,400,000

Direct cost associated with entity acquisition

624,000

Percentage of premium for discounted cash flow model

13.00%

13.00%

Goodwill

7,014,000

Revenue

12,800,000

Income from operations

2,600,000

Amortization of intangible assets acquired

59,300

Decrease in depreciation expense related to property and equipment acquired

14,800

Grass Technologies [Member] | Trademarks and trade names [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Identifiable intangible assets

2,000,000

3,000,000

2,000,000

Impairment of intangible assets

400,000

600,000

Grass Technologies [Member] | Acquisition-related Costs [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

General and administrative

624,000

Grass Technologies [Member] | Technology [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Identifiable intangible assets

2,500,000

Identifiable intangible assets, average useful life

8 years

Grass Technologies [Member] | Customer related [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Identifiable intangible assets

5,200,000

Identifiable intangible assets, average useful life

13 years

Nicolet [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Purchase price paid in cash to acquire entity

55,500,000

Acquisition date of entity

2-Jul-12

Direct cost associated with entity acquisition

2,600,000

Goodwill

11,733,000

Revenue

51,500,000

Income from operations

7,400,000

Amortization of intangible assets acquired

574,000

Decrease in depreciation expense related to property and equipment acquired

793,000

Current deferred tax asset

237,000

237,000

Non-current deferred tax asset

1,094,000

1,100,000

Non-current deferred tax liability

1,058,000

1,100,000

Amortization of intangible assets acquired

423,000

Nicolet [Member] | Trademarks and trade names [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Identifiable intangible assets

9,000,000

Nicolet [Member] | Acquisition-related Costs [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

General and administrative

-2,600,000

Nicolet [Member] | Fair Value Adjustment to Inventory [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cost of good sold

-687,000

Nicolet [Member] | Technology [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Identifiable intangible assets

11,600,000

Nicolet [Member] | Technology [Member] | Weighted average economic life of 18 years [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Identifiable intangible assets

11,000,000

Identifiable intangible assets, average useful life

18 years

Nicolet [Member] | Technology [Member] | Weighted average economic life of 4 years [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Identifiable intangible assets

600,000

Identifiable intangible assets, average useful life

4 years

Nicolet [Member] | Customer related [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Identifiable intangible assets

8,300,000

Identifiable intangible assets, average useful life

16 years

Nicolet [Member] | Order or Production Backlog [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Identifiable intangible assets

$720,000

Identifiable intangible assets, average useful life

3 months

[1]

Includes restructuring charges of $4.0 million, $4.7 million and $8.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Business_Combinations_Summary_

Business Combinations - Summary of Purchase Price Allocation of Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 02, 2013	Jul. 02, 2013	Jul. 02, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$96,316,000	$97,238,000	$92,048,000
Grass Technologies [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable				4,098,000
Inventories				547,000
Prepaid and other assets				33,000
Goodwill				7,014,000
Accounts payable				-431,000
Accrued expenses				-895,000
Deferred revenue				-348,000
Total purchase price				20,955,000
Grass Technologies [Member] | Other Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other property and equipment				237,000
Grass Technologies [Member] | Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets	2,000,000			3,000,000
Grass Technologies [Member] | Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets				2,500,000
Grass Technologies [Member] | Customer related [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets				5,200,000
Nicolet [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash						364,000
Accounts receivable						14,680,000
Inventories						13,158,000
Current deferred tax asset					237,000	237,000
Prepaid and other assets						569,000
Other long-term assets						52,000
Non-current deferred tax asset					1,100,000	1,094,000
Goodwill						11,733,000
Accounts payable						-5,322,000
Accrued expenses						-8,613,000
Deferred revenue						-3,943,000
Non-current deferred tax liability					-1,100,000	-1,058,000
Total purchase price						55,487,000
Nicolet [Member] | Other Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other property and equipment						1,739,000
Nicolet [Member] | Land and Building [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other property and equipment						1,177,000
Nicolet [Member] | Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets						9,000,000
Nicolet [Member] | Technology [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets						11,600,000
Nicolet [Member] | Customer related [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets						8,300,000
Nicolet [Member] | Order or Production Backlog [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets						$720,000

Business_Combinations_Unaudite

Business Combinations - Unaudited Pro forma Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Grass Technologies [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$345,117
Income (loss) from operations	35,369
Nicolet [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue		342,081
Income (loss) from operations		$5,896

Inventories_Detail

Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and subassemblies	$19,821	$24,312
Work in process	1,808	2,584
Finished goods	26,037	20,739
Total Inventories	47,666	47,635
Less: Non-current Inventories	-7,615	-7,072
Inventories	$40,051	$40,563

Inventories_Textual_Detail

Inventories (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Non-current Inventories	$7,615	$7,072

Property_and_Equipment_Detail

Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	$44,627	$47,757
Accumulated depreciation	-26,704	-24,462
Total	17,923	23,295
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	3,092	4,152
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	6,828	10,269
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	2,118	2,796
Office furniture and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	12,839	10,820
Computer software and hardware [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	8,821	10,250
Demonstration and loaned equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Gross	$10,929	$9,470

Property_and_Equipment_Textual

Property and Equipment (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Depreciation expense		$4.30	$4.70	$4.60
Asset held for sale, impairment	$2.20

Goodwill_Detail

Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$97,238	$92,048
Acquisitions/Purchase Accounting Adjustments	4,002	5,412
Foreign currency translation	-4,924	-222
Ending Balance	$96,316	$97,238

Intangible_Assets_Components_o

Intangible Assets - Components of Gross and Net Intangible Asset Balances (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$113,187	$111,650
Intangibles Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	145,630	145,085
Total intangible asset, Accumulated Impairment	-3,504	-3,060
Accumulated Amortization	-49,365	-43,205
Total intangibles assets	92,761	98,820
Total expected amortization expense	63,822	68,445
Trade names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	32,443	33,435
Accumulated Impairment	-3,504	-3,060
Net Book Value	28,939	30,375
Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	64,376	65,904
Accumulated Amortization	-28,195	-25,519
Total expected amortization expense	36,181	40,385
Customer related [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	31,189	31,231
Accumulated Amortization	-11,786	-9,763
Total expected amortization expense	19,403	21,468
Internally developed software [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	14,109	11,069
Accumulated Amortization	-6,511	-5,107
Total expected amortization expense	7,598	5,962
Patents [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,794	2,724
Accumulated Amortization	-2,154	-2,094
Total expected amortization expense	640	630
Order or Production Backlog [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	719	722
Accumulated Amortization	($719)	($722)

Intangible_Assets_Textual_Deta

Intangible Assets (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Costs incurred for development of internal use computer software		$11,900,000
Costs incurred for development of software to be sold		2,200,000
Impairment of certain indefinite live intangible assets		598,000	1,500,000	560,000
Adjustment to amortization expense related to functional currency	1,100,000
Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average life of intangible assets		15 years
Customer related [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average life of intangible assets		11 years
Internally developed software [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average life of intangible assets		7 years
Patents [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average life of intangible assets		14 years
Trade names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of certain indefinite live intangible assets		$600,000	$1,500,000	$600,000

Intangible_Assets_Amortization

Intangible Assets - Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortization	$7,433,000	$8,156,000	$8,059,000
Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortization	3,993,000	4,355,000	3,697,000
Customer related [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortization	1,892,000	2,644,000	2,090,000
Internally developed software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortization	1,434,000	1,034,000	1,326,000
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortization	113,000	121,000	222,000
Order or Production Backlog [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortization			$724,000

Intangible_Assets_Expected_Ann

Intangible Assets - Expected Annual Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	$7,729
2016	7,017
2017	6,731
2018	6,503
2019	5,530
Thereafter	30,312
Total expected amortization expense	$63,822	$68,445

Accrued_Liabilities_Detail

Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Compensation and related benefits	$16,075	$12,398
Accrued federal, state, and local taxes	9,213	4,813
Warranty reserve	2,753	3,143
Accrued professional fees	1,027	1,681
Other	6,956	5,919
Total	$36,024	$27,954

LongTerm_Other_Liabilities_Det

Long-Term Other Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingent tax obligations	$3,299	$1,631
Non-current deferred revenue	1,537	1,120
Insurance discount		94
Rental Deposits	23
Total	$4,859	$2,845

Reserves_for_Product_Warrantie

Reserves for Product Warranties (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Movement in Standard and Extended Product Warranty, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$3,143	$2,260	$2,157
Assumed Through Acquisitions		191	615
Additions Charged to Expense	2,306	1,938	1,452
Reductions	-2,696	-1,246	-1,964
Balance at End of Period	$2,753	$3,143	$2,260

Stockholders_Equity_Detail

Stockholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, shares authorized	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock authorized Par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock issued	0	0
Preferred stock outstanding	0	0

Components_of_Basic_and_Dilute

Components of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$32,478	$23,147	$3,823
Weighted average common shares	31,499	29,993	29,031
Dilutive effect of stock based awards	1,069	828	806
Basic earnings per share	$1.03	$0.77	$0.13
Diluted earnings per share	$1	$0.75	$0.13
Shares excluded from calculations of diluted EPS	239	1,413	1,899

ShareBased_Compensation_Alloca

Share-Based Compensation Allocation (Detail) (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]
Share-based compensation expense	$6,062	$5,919	$6,420
Cost of revenue [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	143	120	214
Marketing and sales [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	977	816	1,199
Research and development [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	664	527	500
General and administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$4,277	$4,456	$4,507

ShareBased_Compensation_Textua

Share-Based Compensation (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested portion of stock options	$7,500,000
Shares available for future awards	1,508,727
Share based compensation, vesting period	4 years
Intrinsic value of options exercised	20,600,000	9,900,000	1,500,000
Weighted average vested options	1,667,009
Weighted average exercise price of vested stock	$14.63
Intrinsic value of options vested and expected to vest	35,700,000
Weighted average remaining contractual term	3 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted average shares exercisable	1,051,616	1,843,779	2,809,325
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$14.13	$12.68	$11.34
Intrinsic value of options exercisable	23,000,000
Weighted average remaining contractual term, exercisable	2 years 7 months 6 days
Cash received from option exercises	15,100,000	8,100,000
Compensation expense associated with the ESPP	198,000	159,000	136,000
Cash received from purchases under the ESPP	1,200,000	902,000	807,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation expense	2 years 2 months 12 days
Share based compensation, expiration period	6 years
Share based compensation, vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation expense	2 years 3 months 18 days
Fair market value of unvested stock	21,000,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Maximum Withholding Rate	15.00%
Eligible compensation of employees	10,625
Purchase price for shares acquired	85.00%
Shares reserved for future issuance	246,722
Offering price, percentage of fair market value	85.00%
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation expense	2 years
Aggregate intrinsic value of unvested stock	1,900,000
Restricted Stock Units And Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units and restricted stock that vested, total intrinsic value	$6,400,000	$3,200,000	$3,000,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Stock_

Share-Based Compensation - Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning of period, shares	2,804,123	3,882,239
Granted, Shares	244,500	629,420
Exercised, Shares	-1,242,679	-1,058,730
Cancelled, Shares	-34,942	-648,806
Outstanding, end of period, Shares	1,771,002	2,804,123
Outstanding, beginning of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$12.91	$11.71
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.60	$14.11
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$12.14	$7.63
Cancelled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$15.29	$15.51
Outstanding, end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$14.73	$12.91

ShareBased_Compensation_Stock_1

Share-Based Compensation - Stock Option Activity (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Number Exercisable	1,051,616	1,843,779	2,809,325
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$14.13	$12.68	$11.34

ShareBased_Compensation_Inform

Share-Based Compensation - Information Concerning Outstanding and Exercisable Option (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number Exercisable	1,051,616	1,843,779	2,809,325
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$14.13	$12.68	$11.34
$7.78 - $10.03 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$7.78
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$10.03
Number Outstanding	97,664
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.85
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	10 months 17 days
Number Exercisable	92,664
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.89
$10.69 - $10.69 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$10.69
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$10.69
Number Outstanding	357,752
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$10.69
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 4 months 24 days
Number Exercisable	219,348
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$10.69
$10.73 - $13.24 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$10.73
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$13.24
Number Outstanding	218,442
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$11.85
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 4 months 21 days
Number Exercisable	123,653
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$11.14
$13.27 - $13.27 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$13.27
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$13.27
Number Outstanding	10,800
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$13.27
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 8 months 9 days
Number Exercisable	3,376
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$13.27
$14.34 - $14.34 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$14.34
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$14.34
Number Outstanding	411,550
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$14.34
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 4 months 17 days
Number Exercisable	155,231
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$14.34
$16.26 - $16.26 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$16.26
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$16.26
Number Outstanding	625
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$16.26
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 2 months 19 days
Number Exercisable	250
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$16.26
$16.38 - $16.38 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$16.38
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$16.38
Number Outstanding	218,696
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$16.38
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 4 months 17 days
Number Exercisable	188,902
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$16.38
$16.78 - $16.78 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$16.78
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$16.78
Number Outstanding	207,973
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$16.78
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 4 months 17 days
Number Exercisable	207,973
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$16.78
$19.96 - $19.96 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$19.96
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$19.96
Number Outstanding	3,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$19.96
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 9 months 29 days
Number Exercisable	938
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$19.96
$22.50 - $24.50 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$22.50
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$24.50
Number Outstanding	244,500
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.60
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 7 days
Number Exercisable	59,281
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.70
$7.78 - $24.50 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of exercise price, Minimum	$7.78
Range of exercise price, Maximum	$24.50
Number Outstanding	1,771,002
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$14.73
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 2 months 23 days
Number Exercisable	1,051,616
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$14.13

ShareBased_Compensation_BlackS

Share-Based Compensation - Black-Scholes Option Assumption (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Black-Scholes Inputs
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$7.25	$4.24	$3.37
Expected life in years	4 years	4 years 1 month 6 days	4 years 4 months 24 days
Risk-free interest rate	1.40%	1.20%	0.60%
Expected volatility	39.00%	37.00%	39.00%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

ShareBased_Compensation_Restri

Share-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Award Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Awards [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested, beginning of period, Shares	623,630	690,890
Granted, Shares	196,650	313,180
Vested, Shares	-221,936	-227,195
Forfeited, Shares	-14,285	-153,245
Unvested, end of period, Shares	584,059	623,630
Unvested, beginning of period, Weighted - average grant date fair value	$13.29	$13.02
Granted, Weighted - average grant date fair value	$22.68	$14.10
Vested, Weighted - average grant date fair value	$13.03	$13.92
Forfeited, Weighted - average grant date fair value	$14.73	$12.88
Unvested, end of period, Weighted - average grant date fair value	$16.50	$13.29

ShareBased_Compensation_Restri1

Share-Based Compensation - Restricted Unit Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested, beginning of period, Shares	51,291	50,050
Awarded, units	20,600	30,890
Release, units	-14,996	-6,224
Forfeited, units	-4,245	-23,425
Unvested, end of period, Shares	52,650	51,291

Restructuring_Reserves_Detail

Restructuring Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$335	$2,745	$774
Additions	1,889	6,085	8,814
Reversals	-52	-1,357
Payments	-1,804	-7,138	-6,843
Ending balance	368	335	2,745
Personnel Related [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	335	2,745	774
Additions	1,209	4,218	8,814
Reversals	-52	-1,357
Payments	-1,124	-5,271	-6,843
Ending balance	368	335	2,745
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Additions	680	504
Payments	-680	-504
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Additions		1,363
Payments		($1,363)

Other_Income_Expense_net_Detai

Other Income (Expense), net (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other expense, net
Interest income	$119	$32	$56
Interest expense	-438	-1,675	-489
Foreign currency exchange loss	-37	-1,412	-221
Other	514	339	-181
Total other income (expense), net	$158	($2,716)	($835)

Other_Income_Expense_net_Textu

Other Income (Expense), net (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Error correction, Reclassification from Other Comprehensive Income to Foreign Exchange Gains	During the second quarter 2014 we identified a prior period inaccuracy related to the revaluation of two intercompany loans acquired in the acquisition of the Nicolet neurodiagnostic business from CareFusion on July 2, 2012. The revaluation of these loans was recorded to Other Comprehensive Income rather than Foreign Exchange Gain or Loss. This resulted in a $1.2 million reclassification from Other Comprehensive Income to Foreign Exchange Gains in 2014.
Reclassification from Other Comprehensive Income to Foreign Exchange Gains	$1.20

Income_Taxes_Income_Loss_befor

Income Taxes - Income Loss before Provision (Benefit) for Income Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S.	$16,621	$13,200	$6,135
Foreign	29,388	18,744	-1,858
Income (loss) before provision for income tax	$46,009	$31,944	$4,277

Income_Taxes_Detail

Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current
U.S. Federal	$6,514	$5,338	$2,971
U.S. State and local	1,082	723	1,167
Non-U.S.	6,874	1,708	298
Total current tax expense	14,470	7,769	4,436
Deferred
U.S. Federal	-728	-1,042	-1,872
U.S. State and local	-37	-85	-490
Non-U.S.	-174	2,155	-1,620
Total deferred tax expense (benefit)	-939	1,028	-3,982
Total expense	$13,531	$8,797	$454

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Def

Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Asset and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$4,153	$6,425
Credit carryforwards	2,191	3,187
Accruals deductible in different periods	15,666	11,626
Employee benefits	2,864	3,404
Total deferred tax assets	24,874	24,642
Valuation allowance	-3,151	-5,043
Total net deferred tax assets	21,723	19,599
Deferred tax liabilities:
Basis difference in fixed and intangible assets	-17,169	-17,597
Total deferred tax liabilities	-17,169	-17,597
Total net deferred tax assets	$4,554	$2,002

Income_Taxes_Textual_Detail

Income Taxes (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Valuation allowances	$3,151,000	$5,043,000
Increase (Decrease) in valuation allowance	-1,800,000
Tax benefit of options exercises	7,525,000	1,601,000	-381,000
Addition to paid-in capital related to the cancellation of stock windfall pool	-97,000
Cash and short term investments	66,600,000
Undistributed earnings	55,000,000
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits	8,000
Lapse of statutes of limitations	558,000	918,000	2,075,000
Increase in tax position related to prior year	493,000	1,376,000
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	73,000	213,000	204,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	3,394,000	3,386,000	2,716,000	4,587,000
Unrecognized tax would impact effective tax rate	2,000,000	2,200,000	2,100,000
Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	288,000	300,000	307,000
Total Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	82,000	164,000	75,000
Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Lapse of statutes of limitations	0
Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Lapse of statutes of limitations	798,000
Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Cash and short term investments	51,800,000
Common stock, amount
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax benefit of options exercises	7,525,000	1,601,000	-381,000
U.S. Federal [Member] | Start Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax examination years	2011
U.S. Federal [Member] | Ending Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax examination years	2014
France [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax net operating loss carryforwards	1,600,000
Argentina [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax net operating loss carryforwards	655,000
Canada [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax net operating loss carryforwards	762,000
Denmark [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax net operating loss carryforwards	1,000,000
United Kingdom [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax net operating loss carryforwards	72,000
Significant foreign jurisdictions [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax credits carryforwards	$1,700,000
Significant foreign jurisdictions [Member] | Start Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax examination years	2010
Significant foreign jurisdictions [Member] | Ending Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax examination years	2014
U.S. States [Member] | Start Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax examination years	2010
U.S. States [Member] | Ending Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax examination years	2014

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Income tax Expense from Continuous Operation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory tax expense (benefit)	$16,103	$11,180	$1,497
State tax expense	892	352	264
Foreign taxes at rates less than U.S. rates	-3,473	-1,496	-561
Stock compensation expense on incentive stock options	93	49	90
U.S. tax credit	-486	-834	-278
Uncertain tax position	1,163	1,029	-1,782
Lapse of statute	-652	-918
Change of valuation allowance on foreign tax credit	-491		1,074
Other	382	-565	150
Total expense	$13,531	$8,797	$454

Income_Taxes_Unrecognized_Tax_

Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning-Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$3,386,000	$2,716,000	$4,587,000
Additions for tax positions related to the prior years	493,000	1,376,000
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	73,000	213,000	204,000
Lapse of statutes of limitations	-558,000	-918,000	-2,075,000
Ending-Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$3,394,000	$3,386,000	$2,716,000

Employee_Benefit_Plan_Detail

Employee Benefit Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Employer matching contributions	$1.20	$1.30	$1.20

Segment_Customer_and_Geographi2

Segment, Customer and Geographic Information (Textual) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reporting segments	1
Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue represented by major customers	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Revenue from Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue represented by major customers	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%

Segment_Customer_and_Geographi3

Segment, Customer and Geographic Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$355,834	$344,112	$292,280
Long-lived assets	17,923	23,295	26,512
Neurology Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	232,672	223,672	168,073
Neurology Products [Member] | Devices and Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	150,889	139,040	108,051
Neurology Products [Member] | Supplies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	59,666	61,083	46,193
Neurology Products [Member] | Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	22,117	23,549	13,829
Newborn Care Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	123,162	120,440	124,207
Newborn Care Products [Member] | Devices and Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	65,457	66,633	73,202
Newborn Care Products [Member] | Supplies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	48,475	46,589	45,962
Newborn Care Products [Member] | Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	9,230	7,218	5,043
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	215,543	199,591	162,993
Long-lived assets	5,782	9,619	9,813
Foreign countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	140,291	144,521	129,287
Long-lived assets	2,911	2,684	2,964
Canada [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	5,538	6,060	6,998
Argentina [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$3,692	$4,932	$6,737

Debt_and_Credit_Arrangements_T1

Debt and Credit Arrangements (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank	$75
Term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank	50
Term Loan expiration period	5 years
Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank	25
Available amount under credit facility	$25

Debt_and_Credit_Arrangements_C

Debt and Credit Arrangements - Components Of Long term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less: current portion of long-term debt		($10,517)
Total long-term debt		27,500
Total long-term debt	0	38,017
Term loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		37,500
Term loan [Member] | Cost of funds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		$517

Debt_and_Credit_Arrangements_C1

Debt and Credit Arrangements - Components Of Long term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	USD ($)	Term loan [Member]	Term loan [Member]	Term loan [Member]	Term loan [Member]	Term loan [Member]	Quarterly Installment [Member]	Monthly Installment [Member]	Final Installment [Member]
		USD ($)	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	Cost of funds [Member]	Cost of funds [Member]	Term loan [Member]	Term loan [Member]	Term loan [Member]
				USD ($)		CAD	London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	Cost of funds [Member]	Cost of funds [Member]
							USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, maximum borrowing capacity	$75,000,000	$50,000,000		$50,000,000		2,900,000
Long term debt, Variable rate				1.75%		2.50%
Long term debt, Due date			30-Sep-17		15-Sep-14
Long term debt, principal, periodic installments							$2,500,000	$16,000	$404,000

Recovered_Sheet1

Commitments and Contingencies - Minimum Lease Payment under Non Cancelable Operating Lease (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$3,912
2016	3,556
2017	3,354
2018	2,680
2019	2,616
Thereafter	7,134
Total minimum lease payments	$23,252

Commitment_and_Contingencies_T

Commitment and Contingencies (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rent expense	$4.30	$3.90	$3.90
Purchase commitments for inventory, total	$35

Fair_Value_Measurements_Textua

Fair Value Measurements (Textual) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of asset	$2,200,000
Impairment of certain indefinite live intangible assets		598,000	1,500,000	560,000
Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of certain indefinite live intangible assets		600,000	1,500,000
Mundelein Facility [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Book value of asset						3,600,000
Impairment of asset					2,200,000
Asset held-for-sale at fair value		$1,400,000

Summary_of_Effects_of_the_Corr

Summary of Effects of the Correction of this Error on Consolidated Financial Statements (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventories	$40,051	$40,563
Finished goods (Note 3)		20,739
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,408	12,045
Total current assets	217,805	199,780
Total assets	434,821	429,457
Accrued liabilities	36,024	27,954
Accrued federal, state, and local taxes (Note 7)	9,213	4,813
Total current liabilities	69,140	81,194
Total liabilities	82,106	121,243
Retained earnings	68,890	36,412	13,265
Total stockholder's equity	352,715	308,214	270,379	260,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	434,821	429,457
Cost of revenue	141,447	141,700	128,954
Gross profit	214,387	202,412	163,326
Income from operations	45,851	34,660	5,112
Income before provision for income tax	46,009	31,944	4,277
U.S. (Note 15)	16,621	13,200	6,135
Foreign (Note 15)	29,388	18,744	-1,858
Provision for income tax expense	13,531	8,797	454
Current U.S. Federal (Note 15)	6,514	5,338	2,971
Current Non-U.S. (Note 15)	6,874	1,708	298
Federal statutory tax expense (Note 15)	16,103	11,180	1,497
Uncertain tax position (Note 15)	1,163	1,029	-1,782
Other (Note 15)		-565	150
Net income	32,478	23,147	3,823
Comprehensive income	21,260	21,175	2,483
Net income per share, basic	$1.03	$0.77	$0.13
Net income per share, diluted	$1	$0.75	$0.13
Net income	32,478	23,147	3,823
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired in acquisition:
Inventories	-2,017	-2,679	5,259
Other assets	-3,667	-6,899	-827
Accrued liabilities	6,595	-5,301	5,194
Net cash provided by operating activities	42,143	36,797	19,392
Retained Earnings, Beginning of year	36,412	13,265	9,442
Retained Earnings, End of year	68,890	36,412	13,265
Previously Reported
Inventories		37,685
Finished goods (Note 3)		17,861
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,904
Total current assets		196,761
Total assets		426,438
Accrued liabilities		26,831
Accrued federal, state, and local taxes (Note 7)		3,691
Total current liabilities		80,071
Total liabilities		120,120
Retained earnings		34,516	11,638
Total stockholder's equity		306,318
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		426,438
Cost of revenue		142,081	128,812
Gross profit		202,031	163,468
Income from operations		34,279	5,254
Income before provision for income tax		31,563	4,419
U.S. (Note 15)		13,108	6,500
Foreign (Note 15)		18,455	-2,081
Provision for income tax expense		8,685	536
Current U.S. Federal (Note 15)		5,302	3,112
Current Non-U.S. (Note 15)		1,632	239
Federal statutory tax expense (Note 15)		11,047	1,547
Uncertain tax position (Note 15)		917	-1,699
Other (Note 15)		-438	99
Net income		22,878	3,883
Comprehensive income		20,905	2,543
Net income per share, basic		$0.76	$0.13
Net income per share, diluted		$0.74	$0.13
Net income		22,878	3,883
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired in acquisition:
Inventories		-2,298	5,117
Other assets		-6,899	-686
Accrued liabilities		-5,413	5,135
Net cash provided by operating activities		36,797	19,392
Retained Earnings, Beginning of year		11,638	7,755
Retained Earnings, End of year		$34,516	$11,638