Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Aug. 31, 2012	Oct. 02, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ANGIODYNAMICS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001275187
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--05-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		34,968,539

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 83,406	$ 54,431
Cost of sales	43,947	22,285
Gross profit	39,459	32,146
Operating expenses
Research and development	7,074	5,591
Sales and marketing	18,543	16,308
General and administrative	6,899	4,312
Amortization of intangibles	3,737	2,295
Acquisition and restructuring	2,522	923
Total operating expenses	38,775	29,429
Operating income	684	2,717
Other income (expenses)
Interest income	82	235
Interest expense	(1,332)	(116)
Other expense	(588)	(733)
Total other income (expenses)	(1,838)	(614)
(Loss) income before income tax provision	(1,154)	2,103
Income tax (benefit) provision	(433)	730
Net (loss) income	$ (721)	$ 1,373
(Loss) earnings per share
Basic	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05
Diluted	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	34,704	25,024
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	34,704	25,197

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (721)	$ 1,373
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	33	(62)
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap	(1,088)	(59)
Foreign currency translation gain	41
Other comprehensive loss, before tax	(1,014)	(121)
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive income	(391)	(45)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(623)	(76)
Total comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	$ (1,344)	$ 1,297

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 18,896	$ 23,508
Escrow receivable	2,500	2,500
Marketable securities, at fair value	11,627	14,070
Total cash, cash equivalents, escrow receivable and marketable securities	33,023	40,078
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $898 and $933, respectively	45,428	48,588
Inventories	63,414	55,823
Deferred income taxes	6,877	4,923
Prepaid expenses and other	11,849	9,826
Total current assets	160,591	159,238
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT-AT COST, less accumulated depreciation	57,525	55,915
OTHER ASSETS	10,401	10,707
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, less accumulated amortization	143,538	147,266
GOODWILL	307,171	308,912
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, long term	38,603	39,198
PREPAID ROYALTIES	533	533
TOTAL ASSETS	718,362	721,769
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	24,431	29,200
Accrued liabilities	20,448	18,722
Current portion of long-term debt	7,500	7,500
Total current liabilities	52,379	55,422
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current portion	140,625	142,500
Other long term liabilities	1,479	327
Total liabilities	194,483	198,249
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 45,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 34,942,954 and 34,826,531 shares at August 31, 2012 and May 31, 2012, respectively	349	348
Additional paid-in capital	498,077	496,375
Retained earnings	29,454	30,175
Treasury stock, 142,305 shares, at cost	(2,104)	(2,104)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,897)	(1,274)
Total stockholders' equity	523,879	523,520
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 718,362	$ 721,769

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 898	$ 933
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	45,000,000	45,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	34,942,954	34,826,531
Common stock, shares outstanding	34,942,954	34,826,531
Treasury stock, shares	142,305	142,305

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (721)	$ 1,373
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,869	3,132
Amortization of acquired inventory basis step-up	3,445
Tax effect on exercise of stock options and issuance of performance shares		(240)
Deferred income taxes	(85)	911
Stock based compensation	1,122	799
Change in accounts receivable allowances	(35)	54
Other	45	(146)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	3,195	722
Inventories	(11,036)	(1,791)
Prepaid expenses and other	(601)	(153)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(6,812)	(1,617)
Net cash (used in ) provided by operating activities	(5,614)	3,044
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(968)	(541)
Proceeds from sale of assets		1,000
Acquisition of intangible and other assets	858
Purchases of marketable securities	(4,962)	(42,303)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of marketable securities	7,365	41,560
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	2,293	(284)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,875)	(65)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan	579	1,804
Net cash (used in ) provided by financing activities	(1,296)	1,739
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	5	10
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(4,612)	4,509
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	23,508	45,984
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	18,896	50,493
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Contractual obligations in acquisition of fixed assets	$ 2,769

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Treasury Stock
Balance at May. 31, 2012	$ 523,520	$ 348	$ 496,375	$ 30,175	$ (1,274)	$ (2,104)
Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2012		(34,826,531)				(142,305)
Net (loss) income	(721)			(721)
Exercise of stock options
Exercise of stock options, Shares		300
Purchase of common stock under ESPP	580	1	579
Purchase of common stock under ESPP, Shares		59,594
Issuance of performance shares	(53)		(53)
Issuance of performance shares, Shares		56,529
Stock based compensation	1,176		1,176
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(623)				(623)
Balance at Aug. 31, 2012	$ 523,879	$ 349	$ 498,077	$ 29,454	$ (1,897)	$ (2,104)
Balance, Shares at Aug. 31, 2012		(34,942,954)				(142,305)

Consolidated Financial Statements

3 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2012

Consolidated Financial Statements/Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE A – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2012, the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity for the three months ended August 31, 2012, the consolidated statements of income, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended August 31, 2012 and August 31, 2011 have been prepared by us without audit. The consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2012 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normally recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the financial position, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the period ended August 31, 2012 (and for all periods presented) have been made.

Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012, filed by us on August 14, 2012. Our most significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note A to the consolidated financial statements included in the aforementioned Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012. The results of operations in the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2012 and August 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the respective full fiscal years.

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended August 31, 2012 and August 31, 2011 include the accounts of AngioDynamics, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, RITA Medical Systems, LLC, AngioDynamics UK Limited, AngioDynamics Netherlands B.V. and NM Holding Company, Inc. (Navilyst) since May 22, 2012 (collectively, the “Company”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Effective June 1, 2012, we consider our business to be a single segment entity – the development, manufacture and sale on a global basis of medical devices for vascular access, surgery, peripheral vascular disease and oncology. Our chief operating decision maker (CEO) evaluates the various global product portfolios on a net sales basis. Executives reporting in to the CEO include those responsible for operations and supply chain management, research and development, sales, franchise marketing and certain corporate functions. The CEO generally evaluates profitability, investment and cash flow metrics on a consolidated worldwide basis due to shared infrastructure and resources. Prior to fiscal year 2013, our business was organized as two segments: Vascular and Onology/Surgery, each under the direction of a general manager with direct responsibility for all sales, marketing and product development activities.

We have performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. See Note N for subsequent event information.

Regulatory Matters

On May 27, 2011, we received a Warning Letter from FDA in connection with its inspection of our Queensbury, NY manufacturing facility. In the Warning Letter, FDA cited deficiencies in the response letter we provided FDA pertaining to the inspection that occurred from January 4 through January 13, 2011. The deficiencies related to our internal procedures for medical device reporting, corrections and removals and complaint handling. We responded to the Warning Letter and completed corrective and preventive actions to address the observations noted.

On February 10, 2012, we received from FDA a Form 483, List of Investigational Observations, in connection with its inspection of our Queensbury facility from November 14, 2011 through February 10, 2012. The Form 483 contained 12 observations related to, among other things, our CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) system, MDR (Medical Device Reporting), complaint investigation, corrections and removals, acceptance criteria and training. Some of the observations contained in the Form 483 were repeat observations from the May 27, 2011 Warning Letter.

On February 13, 2012, we received from FDA a Form 483 in connection with its inspection of our Fremont facility from January 12, 2012 through February 13, 2012. The Form 483 contained 6 observations related to, among other things, our CAPA system, design controls, risk management and training.

We provided responses to FDA within 15 business days of our receipt of the Form 483s and we will continue to work closely with FDA to resolve any outstanding issues. We have developed a comprehensive Quality Call to Action Program to review and augment our Quality Management Systems at our Queensbury facility and we have implemented numerous measures outlined in that plan. When we initiated the program in early December 2011, we engaged a team of external regulatory and quality experts and reallocated a significant number of engineering and product development resources to support this corporate initiative. In the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we incurred $ 699 thousand in costs associated with the Quality Call to Action Program.

On September 24, 2012, we received from FDA a Form 483 in connection with the re-inspection of our Queensbury, NY facility from September 6 through September 14, and September 19 and September 24. This re-inspection followed our response to the original 483 issued by FDA on February 13, 2012. The Form 483 contained 5 observations related to 510(k) decisions, complaint investigations, acceptance criteria, corrective and preventive actions and training. All but one of the observations in the Form 483 related to events that occurred before the date that we had indicated to FDA in our previous responses that our corrective and remediation activities related to our Quality Call to Action would be completed. We provided responses to FDA within 15 business days of our receipt of the Form 483 and we will continue to work closely with FDA to resolve any outstanding issues. Until the items raised in the Warning Letters and during the recent inspections are corrected, we may be subject to additional regulatory action by FDA, including the issuance of warning letters, injunction, seizure or recall of products, imposition of fines or penalties or operating restrictions on our facilities. Such actions could significantly disrupt our ongoing business and operations and have a material adverse impact on our financial position and operating results.

In May 2011, we submitted to FDA an application for an Investigational Device Exemption for a clinical trial to study the use of NanoKnife in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In June 2012, we submitted an amendment to our application to address matters raised by FDA in the course of their review of the application and to propose an expanded and enhanced controlled, randomized trial protocol. In August 2012, we received a disapproval letter from FDA requesting additional information and certain protocol changes. We intend to continue to work with FDA to address the matters raised in the August letter.

Expiration of our Distribution Agreement Amendment for LC Bead

The Supply and Distribution Agreement with Biocompatibles UK Limited, which granted us exclusive distribution rights to LC Beads in the United States, expired on December 31, 2011. LC Bead sales were $8.0 million in the quarter ending August 31, 2011.

Acquisition and Restructuring

Navilyst Acquisition Costs

The fiscal 2013 first quarter results include approximately $ 2.2 million in transaction and severance costs related to the Navilyst acquisition. These costs are included in “Acquisition and restructuring” in the statement of operations. See Note B for additional information.

Closure of UK facility

During the first fiscal quarter of 2012, we made the decision to close our Cambridge, UK facility and transfer the production of lasers to our Queensbury, NY facility. We have extended the date for closing the UK facility and moving laser manufacturing from December 2011 to December 2012. We estimate the total cost of this project will be approximately $3.4 million. The income statements for the three month periods ending August 31, 2012 and August 31, 2011 include charges of $337 thousand and $295 thousand, respectively, for costs incurred associated with this closure. The charge is included in “Acquisition and restructuring” in the income statement.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	Aug. 31, 2012
Consolidated Financial Statements/Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Comprehensive income	In June 2011 and December 2011, the FASB updated the disclosure requirements for comprehensive income. The updated guidance requires companies to disclose the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The updated guidance does not affect how earnings per share is calculated or presented. The updated guidance is effective annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 (our fiscal year 2013). We have provided the disclosure in a separate statement herein. The adoption of this guidance had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill impairment	In September 2011, the FASB updated the accounting guidance related to testing goodwill for impairment. This update permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value before applying the two-step goodwill impairment model that is currently in place. If it is determined through the qualitative assessment that a reporting unit’s fair value is more likely than not greater than its carrying value, the quantitative assessment steps would be unnecessary. The qualitative assessment is optional, allowing companies to go directly to the quantitative assessment. This update is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 (our fiscal year 2013) however, early adoption is permitted. We expect to use the quantitative assessment for the annual impairment test to be performed in December 2012.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment	In July 2012, the FASB updated the accounting guidance related to testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. This update permits an entity to first make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. An entity is not required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. The more-likely-than- not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50%. This update is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012 (our fiscal year 2014) however early adoption is permitted, provided that the entity has not yet performed its annual impairment test or issued its financial statements.. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this accounting guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Financial Statements (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Consolidated Financial Statements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 24, 2012 Observations	Feb. 13, 2012 Observations	Feb. 10, 2012 Observations	Aug. 31, 2012 Segment	Aug. 31, 2011	May 31, 2012 Reporint_Unit
Consolidated Financial Statements (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments				1		2
Number of observations	5	6	12
Costs for quality call to action program				$ 699,000
Number of business days to provide response to FDA				15 days
LC Bead sales					8,000,000
Estimated cost of project				3,400,000
Costs incurred associated with closure of facility				$ 337,000	$ 295,000

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 22, 2012
Summary of estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,683
Accounts receivable	19,069
Inventories	26,851
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,504
Property, plant and equipment	34,017
Deferred tax assets	33,709
Goodwill	145,221
Intangibles	107,100
Other long-term assets	497
Total assets acquired	379,651
Liabilities assumed	(18,287)
Total net assets acquired	$ 361,364

Acquisitions (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended							3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
Acquisitions (Details Textual) (USD $)	May 22, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Mar. 22, 2012 Hospital	May 22, 2012 Trademark-NAMIC [Member]	May 22, 2012 Biomedical Polymer Additive [Member]	May 22, 2012 Power Injectable Port [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Customer relationships [Member]	May 22, 2012 Customer relationships [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Trademarks [Member]	May 22, 2012 Trademarks [Member]	May 22, 2012 In-process R&D [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Technology [Member]	May 22, 2012 Technology [Member]	May 22, 2012 Navilyst [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Avista Capital Partners [Member] Director
Acquisitions (Textual) [Abstract]
Issuance of common stock																9,500,000
Drawn acquisition debt financing															$ 150,000,000
Cash paid for acquisition															97,000,000
Acquisition and restructuring costs-Navilyst		2,200,000
Closing price of stock															$ 12.44
Purchase price of acquisition															361,000,000
Common stock, outstanding shares, percentage																27.00%
Intangible assets other than goodwill	107,100,000										32,500,000
Acquired finite lived intangible assets									49,400,000		3,900,000			10,100,000
Weighted average useful life								15 years		7 years			6 years
Acquired intangible asset					28,600,000	12,100,000	3,000,000					15,100,000
Number of directors appointed																2
Purchase consideration placed in escrow	19,100,000
Purchase consideration placed in escrow in cash	14,000,000
Purchase consideration placed in escrow as common stock	415,000
Escrow receivable		2,500,000	2,500,000
Goodwill	145,221,000
Investment in company				$ 5,000,000
Ownership percentage in investment				14.30%
Number of directors appointed																2
Adjustment to purchase price period	1 year
Number of hospitals				80

Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Inventories
Raw materials	$ 20,210	$ 18,984
Work in process	10,653	9,504
Finished goods	32,551	27,335
Inventories	$ 63,414	$ 55,823

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012
Goodwill by segment
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 308,912
Adjustments to purchase price allocation	(1,741)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 307,171

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	$ 193,326	$ 193,254
Accumulated amortization	(49,788)	(45,988)
Net carrying value	143,538	147,266
Customer relationships [Member]
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	82,217	82,205
Accumulated amortization	(24,224)	(22,123)
Net carrying value	57,993	60,082
Weighted avg useful life	11 years 9 months 18 days	11 years 8 months 12 days
Product technologies [Member]
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	55,542	55,540
Accumulated amortization	(20,237)	(18,839)
Net carrying value	35,305	36,701
Weighted avg useful life	11 years 3 months 18 days	11 years 3 months 18 days
Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	6,152	6,152
Accumulated amortization	(3,895)	(3,711)
Net carrying value	2,257	2,441
Weighted avg useful life	9 years 1 month 6 days	9 years 1 month 6 days
Trademarks [Member]
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	4,575	4,575
Accumulated amortization	(532)	(375)
Net carrying value	4,043	4,200
Weighted avg useful life	7 years 3 months 18 days	7 years 3 months 18 days
Distributor relationships [Member]
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	1,140	1,140
Accumulated amortization	(900)	(940)
Net carrying value	240	200
Weighted avg useful life	2 years 7 months 6 days	2 years 7 months 6 days
In-process R&D acquired [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	15,100	15,042
Net carrying value	15,100	15,042
Trademark-NAMIC [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	28,600	28,600
Net carrying value	$ 28,600	$ 28,600

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012 Segment Reporint_Unit	May 31, 2012 Reporint_Unit
Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of reporting segments	1	2
Number of reporting unit	1
Reduction in carrying value of goodwill	$ 1,741
Goodwill acquisition price	858
Deferred tax assets increase decrease	$ 883

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Accrued liabilities
Payroll and related expenses	$ 7,514	$ 7,761
Deferred revenue	3,341	3,138
Royalties	2,100	2,258
Sales and franchise taxes	1,039	1,092
Interest rate swap at fair value	1,088	1,210
Other	5,366	3,263
Total	$ 20,448	$ 18,722

Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Percentage of increases leverage ratio base rate, minimum	1.00%
Long Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Senior secured term loan facility	$ 150
Senior secured revolving credit facility	50
Bank credit agreement maturity period	5 years
Percentage of quarterly repayment of term facility Year one	5.00%
Percentage of quarterly repayment of term facility year two	5.00%
Percentage of quarterly repayment of term facility year three	15.00%
Percentage of quarterly repayment of term facility year four	25.00%
Percentage of quarterly repayment of term facility year five	50.00%
Percentage of increase in interest	2.00%
Initial notional amount	100
Net deferred financing costs	$ 2.3
Fixed interest rate payments	3.26%
Line of Credit [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Percentage of increases leverage ratio base rate, minimum	2.00%
Percentage of increases leverage ratio base rate, maximum	2.75%
Maximum [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Percentage of increases leverage ratio base rate, maximum	1.75%
Percentage of increase commitment fee	0.50%
Minimum [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Percentage of increase commitment fee	0.30%

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details)	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	38.00%	35.00%

Earnings Per Common Share (Details)	3 Months Ended
Earnings Per Common Share (Details)	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of the weighted-average number of common shares
Basic	34,704,000	25,024,000
Effect of dilutive securities	0	173,029
Diluted	34,704,000	25,197,000

Earnings Per Common Share (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
Earnings Per Common Share (Details Textual)	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Common Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	2,922,983	1,946,509

Segment and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Summary of total net sales by product category
Net sales	$ 83,406	$ 54,431
Peripheral Vascular [Member]
Summary of total net sales by product category
Net sales	43,243	20,968
Vascular Access [Member]
Summary of total net sales by product category
Net sales	26,584	15,597
Vascular [Member]
Summary of total net sales by product category
Net sales	69,827	36,565
Oncology/Surgery [Member]
Summary of total net sales by product category
Net sales	11,321	17,866
Supply Agreement [Member]
Summary of total net sales by product category
Net sales	$ 2,258

Segment and Geographic Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Net Sales by Geography
Net sales	$ 83,406	$ 54,431
United States [Member]
Net Sales by Geography
Net sales	67,851	47,305
International [Member]
Net Sales by Geography
Net sales	$ 15,555	$ 7,126

Fair Value (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Financial Assets
Cash Equivalents	$ 429	$ 4,762
Marketable Securities	11,627	14,070
Total Financial Assets	12,056	18,832
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	1,088
Interest rate swap agreements [Member]
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	1,088
U.S. government agency obligations [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable Securities	6,305	7,699
Corporate bond securities [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable Securities	5,322	6,371
Money market funds [Member]
Financial Assets
Cash Equivalents	429	4,762
Level 1 [Member]
Financial Assets
Cash Equivalents	429	4,762
Total Financial Assets	429	4,762
Level 1 [Member] \| Money market funds [Member]
Financial Assets
Cash Equivalents	429	4,762
Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable Securities	9,777	12,220
Total Financial Assets	9,777	12,220
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	1,088
Level 2 [Member] \| Interest rate swap agreements [Member]
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	1,088
Level 2 [Member] \| U.S. government agency obligations [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable Securities	4,455	5,849
Level 2 [Member] \| Corporate bond securities [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable Securities	5,322	6,371
Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable Securities	1,850	1,850
Total Financial Assets	1,850	1,850
Level 3 [Member] \| U.S. government agency obligations [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable Securities	$ 1,850	$ 1,850

Fair Value (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012
Fair Value (Textual) [Abstract]
Notional amount of interest rate swap agreement	$ 100
Fixed interest rate payments	3.26%

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Marketable securities
Amortized cost	$ 11,777	$ 14,255
Gross Unrealized Gains	22	15
Gross Unrealized Losses	(172)	(200)
Fair Value	11,627	14,070
U.S. government agency obligations [Member]
Marketable securities
Amortized cost	6,346	7,739
Gross Unrealized Gains	5	5
Gross Unrealized Losses	(46)	(45)
Fair Value	6,305	7,699
Corporate bond securities [Member]
Marketable securities
Amortized cost	5,431	6,516
Gross Unrealized Gains	17	10
Gross Unrealized Losses	(126)	(155)
Fair Value	$ 5,322	$ 6,371

Marketable Securities (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012 Investment	May 31, 2012 Investment
Marketable securities (Textual) [Abstract]
Investments in auction rate securities that failed auctions	$ 1.85	$ 1.85
Number of investments	2	2

Litigation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012 Lawsuit
Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of lawsuits against biolitec previously settled for which seeking defense and indemnification		2
Partial judgment granted	$ 16.4
Cardinal Health [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of employees in related litigation		3

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012
Subsequent Events (Textual) [Abstract]
Acquisition of outstanding capital stock of Vortex Medical in cash.	$ 15
Minimum earn out consideration	8
Guaranteed minimum earn out consideration	$ 40
Duration of guaranteed minimum earn out consideration	5 years