Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Nov. 30, 2012	Jan. 02, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ANGIODYNAMICS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001275187
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Nov. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--05-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		34,974,120

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 87,007	$ 58,099	$ 170,423	$ 112,530
Cost of sales	42,919	24,868	86,877	47,154
Gross profit	44,088	33,231	83,546	65,376
Operating expenses
Research and development	7,014	5,125	14,088	10,715
Sales and marketing	18,671	15,847	37,214	32,156
General and administrative	6,910	4,625	13,808	8,937
Amortization of intangibles	4,107	2,300	7,844	4,594
Acquisition, restructuring and other items, net	2,264	1,408	4,786	2,331
Total operating expenses	38,966	29,305	77,740	58,733
Operating income	5,122	3,926	5,806	6,643
Other income (expenses)
Interest income	21	260	103	495
Interest expense	(1,383)	(111)	(2,715)	(227)
Other expense	(628)	(506)	(1,216)	(1,239)
Total other income (expenses)	(1,990)	(357)	(3,828)	(971)
Income before income tax provision	3,132	3,569	1,978	5,672
Income tax provision	1,163	1,240	730	1,970
Net income	$ 1,969	$ 2,329	$ 1,248	$ 3,702
Earnings per share
Basic	$ 0.06	$ 0.09	$ 0.04	$ 0.15
Diluted	$ 0.06	$ 0.09	$ 0.04	$ 0.15
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	34,827	25,190	34,765	25,107
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	35,311	25,340	35,279	25,278

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 1,969	$ 2,329	$ 1,248	$ 3,702
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	151	(214)	184	(276)
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap	29	2	(1,059)	(57)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	82	(113)	123	(113)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	262	(325)	(752)	(446)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other comprehensive income	(67)	78	324	123
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	195	(247)	(428)	(323)
Total comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 2,164	$ 2,082	$ 820	$ 3,379

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	May 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 19,322	$ 23,508
Escrow receivable	2,500	2,500
Marketable securities, at fair value	2,155	14,070
Total cash, cash equivalents, escrow receivable and marketable securities	23,977	40,078
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $939 and $933, respectively	47,085	48,588
Inventories	62,330	55,823
Deferred income taxes	6,728	4,923
Prepaid expenses and other	11,343	9,826
Total current assets	151,463	159,238
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT-AT COST, less accumulated depreciation	58,547	55,915
OTHER ASSETS	9,633	10,707
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, less accumulated amortization	212,303	147,266
GOODWILL	337,190	308,912
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, long term	9,278	39,198
PREPAID ROYALTIES	533	533
TOTAL ASSETS	778,947	721,769
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	20,950	27,120
Accrued liabilities	22,750	20,802
Current portion of long-term debt	7,500	7,500
Current portion of contingent consideration	8,055
Other current liabilities	1,130
Total current liabilities	60,385	55,422
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current portion	138,750	142,500
CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION, net of current portion	52,444
OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES	680	327
Total liabilities	252,259	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 34,974,120 and 34,826,531 shares at November 30, 2012 and May 31, 2012, respectively	349	348
Additional paid-in capital	498,722	496,375
Retained earnings	31,423	30,175
Treasury stock, 142,305 shares, at cost	(2,104)	(2,104)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,702)	(1,274)
Total stockholders' equity	526,688	523,520
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 778,947	$ 721,769

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	May 31, 2012
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 939	$ 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	34,974,120	34,826,531
Common stock, shares outstanding	34,974,120	34,826,531
Treasury stock, shares	142,305	142,305

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,248	$ 3,702
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,161	6,273
Amortization of acquired inventory basis step-up	3,445
Stock based compensation	2,375	1,877
Tax effect on exercise of stock options and issuance of performance shares	(504)	(198)
Deferred income taxes	2,175	1,058
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	197
Change in accounts receivable allowances	6	205
Other	(571)	(37)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	1,497	(4,515)
Inventories	(9,952)	(1,546)
Prepaid expenses and other	299	(1,998)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(6,861)	892
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,515	5,713
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(4,787)	(1,058)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	(13,908)
Acquisition of intangible and other assets	(400)	(300)
Proceeds from disposal of intangible and other assets	801	1,000
Purchases of marketable securities	(5,134)	(77,652)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of marketable securities	16,989	69,275
Net cash used in investing activities	(6,439)	(8,735)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	(3,750)	(135)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan	476	2,250
Repurchase and retirement of shares		(2,104)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(3,274)	11
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	12	(18)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(4,186)	(3,029)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	23,508	45,984
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	19,322	42,955
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash, investing and financing activities:
Contractual obligations in acquisition of fixed assets	2,509
Contractual obligations in acquisition of intangibles and business	$ 60,302

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
Beginning Balance at May. 31, 2012	$ 523,520	$ 348	$ 496,375	$ 30,175	$ (1,274)	$ (2,104)
Beginning Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2012		34,826,531				(142,305)
Net income	1,248			1,248
Exercise of stock options	(103)		(103)
Exercise of stock options, Shares		300
Tax impact of stock option activity	(504)		(504)
Purchase of common stock under ESPP	579		579
Purchase of common stock under ESPP, Shares		59,594
Issuance of performance shares	1	1
Issuance of performance shares, Shares		87,695
Stock based compensation	2,375		2,375
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(428)				(428)
Ending Balance at Nov. 30, 2012	$ 526,688	$ 349	$ 498,722	$ 31,423	$ (1,702)	$ (2,104)
Ending Balance, Shares at Nov. 30, 2012		34,974,120				(142,305)

Consolidated Financial Statements

6 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2012

Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE A – CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2012, the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended November 30, 2012 and the consolidated statements of income and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 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 November 30, 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 November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the respective full fiscal years.

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011 include the accounts of AngioDynamics, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, RITA Medical Systems, LLC, AngioDynamics UK Limited, AngioDynamics Netherlands B.V., NM Holding Company, Inc. (Navilyst) since May 22, 2012 and Vortex Medical, Inc. since October 15, 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 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 Oncology/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.

Acquisition of Vortex Medical Inc.

On October 15, 2012, we acquired all the outstanding capital stock of Vortex Medical, Inc., a privately-held company focused on the development and commercialization of medical devices for venous drainage and the removal of thrombus, or blood clots, from occluded blood vessels. Vortex’s principal product is the AngioVac ^® system, which includes the AngioVac Cannula and Circuit. The AngioVac Cannula has a proprietary balloon-actuated, expandable, funnel-shaped distal tip that enhances flow, prevents clogging of the cannula and facilitates en bloc, or whole removal of undesirable intravascular material. Both the AngioVac Cannula and Circuit are FDA-cleared for use during extracorporeal bypass for up to 6 hours. An application for CE Mark approval has been filed.

The total estimated purchase consideration of $75.4 million includes an upfront payment of $15.1 million and the estimated fair value of contingent (Earn out) consideration of $60.3 million. The estimated fair value of contingent consideration is based on projected Angio Vac net sales in the ten year period following the closing. The amount of the Earn out consideration that could be paid on Angio Vac net sales is not limited.

The estimated purchase consideration exceeds the fair value of the acquired net assets by $30.0 million and was recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. Core technologies are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of approximately 15 years as revenues are earned from the sales of related products. We incurred acquisition related costs of $325 thousand, which were expensed to “Acquisition, restructuring and other items, net” in the statement of income. We have not finalized the purchase accounting, which may be adjusted as further information about conditions existing at the acquisition date becomes available. See Note B for additional 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 to 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.

In December 2011, we initiated a comprehensive Quality Call to Action Program to review and augment our Quality Management Systems at our Queensbury facility. To accelerate implementation of the program, 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. From inception of the Quality Call to Action Program through the second fiscal quarter of 2013, we have incurred $3.1 million in direct costs associated with the program.

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 to 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 to February 13, 2012. The Form 483 contained six 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.

On September 24, 2012, we received from FDA a Form 483 in connection with its subsequent inspection of our Queensbury, NY facility from September 6 to September 14, and September 19 and September 24. This re-inspection followed our response to the original Form 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.

On November 28, 2012, FDA completed an inspection of our Manchester, GA facility and no Form 483 observations were issued.

We will continue to work closely with FDA to resolve any outstanding issues. Unless the items raised in the previously disclosed Warning Letters and Form 483s are corrected to FDA’s satisfaction or we come to some other arrangement with FDA finally resolving such matters, we may be subject to additional regulatory or legal action, 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 $9.1 million and $17.1 million in the three and six months ending November 30, 2011, respectively.

Acquisition, restructuring and other items, net

Navilyst Acquisition Costs

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 subsequently 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 November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011 include charges of $279 thousand and $587 thousand, respectively, for costs incurred associated with this closure. The income statements for the six month periods ending November 30, 2012 and November 30, 2011 include charges of $616 thousand and $883 thousand, respectively, for costs incurred associated with this closure. The charge is included in “Acquisition, restructuring and other items, net” in the income statement.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	Nov. 30, 2012
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.
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		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Consolidated Financial Statements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 24, 2012 Observations	Feb. 13, 2012 Observations	Feb. 10, 2012 Observations	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012 Segment	Nov. 30, 2011	May 31, 2012 Reporint_Unit	May 22, 2012
Consolidated Financial Statements (Textual) [Abstract]
Upfront payment				$ 15,105,000,000		$ 15,105,000,000
Goodwill									145,221,000
Number of reportable segments						1		2
Number of observations	5	6	12
Costs for quality call to action program						3,100,000
Number of business days to provide response to FDA						15 days
LC Bead sales					9,100,000		17,100,000
Transaction and Severance costs related to Acquisition				1,700,000		3,900,000
Estimated cost of project						3,400,000
Costs incurred associated with closure of facility				279,000	587,000	616,000	883,000
Core Technologies [Member]
Consolidated Financial Statements (Textual) [Abstract]
Amortized estimated useful lives						15 years
Vortex Medical [Member]
Consolidated Financial Statements (Textual) [Abstract]
Total estimated purchase consideration				75,407,000		75,407,000
Upfront payment				15,105,000		15,105,000
Contingent consideration				60,302,000		60,302,000
Goodwill				30,019,000		30,019,000
Acquisition related costs						$ 325,000

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	May 22, 2012
Summary of estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Intangibles		$ 107,100
Goodwill		145,221
Upfront payment	15,105,000
Vortex Medical [Member]
Summary of estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash and cash equivalents	339
Accounts receivable	200
Inventories	488
Other assets	6
Deferred tax assets	1,307
Intangibles	72,430
Goodwill	30,019
Total assets acquired	104,789
Deferred tax liabilities	(28,451)
Liabilities assumed	(931)
Total purchase price	75,407
Upfront payment	15,105
Present value of contingent consideration liability	60,302
Total purchase price	$ 75,407

Acquisitions (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 22, 2012
Summary of estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill	$ 145,221
Intangibles	107,100
Navilyst [Member]
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 $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Acquisitions (Details Textual) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012	May 22, 2012	May 31, 2012	Mar. 22, 2012	May 22, 2012 Trademark-NAMIC [Member]	May 22, 2012 Biomedical Polymer Additive [Member]	May 22, 2012 Power Injectable Port [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Customer relationships [Member]	May 31, 2012 Customer relationships [Member]	May 22, 2012 Customer relationships [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Trademarks [Member]	May 31, 2012 Trademarks [Member]	May 22, 2012 Trademarks [Member]	May 22, 2012 In-process R&D [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Technology [Member]	May 22, 2012 Technology [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Navilyst [Member]	May 22, 2012 Navilyst [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Avista Capital Partners [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Vortex Medical [Member]
Acquisitions (Textual) [Abstract]
Issuance of common stock																				9,500,000
Drawn acquisition debt financing																			$ 150,000,000
Cash paid for acquisition	15,105,000,000	15,105,000,000																	97,000,000		15,105,000
Transaction and Severance costs related to Acquisition	1,700,000	3,900,000
Closing price of stock																			$ 12.44
Total purchase price																			361,000,000		75,407,000
Common stock, outstanding shares, percentage																				27.00%
Intangible assets other than goodwill			107,100,000											32,500,000					107,100,000		72,430,000
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
Guaranteed minimum payments payable first anniversary																					8,350,000
Guaranteed minimum payments payable second anniversary																					8,000,000
Guaranteed minimum payments payable third anniversary																					8,000,000
Guaranteed minimum payments payable fourth anniversary																					8,000,000
Guaranteed minimum payments payable fifth anniversary																					7,650,000
Percentage of annual net sales, first limit																					10.00%
Annual net sales, first limit																					150,000,000
Percentage of annual net sales, second limit																					12.50%
Annual net sales, second limit																					150,000,000
Annual net sales																					500,000,000
Percentage of annual net sales, third limit																					15.00%
Annual net sales, third limit																					500,000,000
Weighted average useful life									14 years 9 months 18 days	11 years 8 months 12 days		9 years 10 months 24 days	7 years 3 months 18 days					10 years			15 years
Increase in estimated purchase consideration			145,221,000																145,221,000		30,019,000
Acquisition related costs																					325,000
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		2,500,000
Investment in company					5,000,000
Ownership percentage in investment					14.30%
Adjustment to purchase price period			1 year
Present value of contingent consideration liability																					$ 60,302,000

Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	May 31, 2012
Inventories
Raw materials	$ 20,271	$ 18,984
Work in process	9,349	9,504
Finished goods	32,710	27,335
Inventories	$ 62,330	$ 55,823

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012
Goodwill by segment
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 308,912
Adjustments to purchase price allocation	(1,741)
Acquisition of Vortex	30,019
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 337,190

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	May 31, 2012
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	$ 266,157	$ 193,254
Accumulated amortization	(53,854)	(45,988)
Net carrying value	212,303	147,266
Customer relationships [Member]
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	82,216	82,205
Accumulated amortization	(26,344)	(22,123)
Net carrying value	55,872	60,082
Weighted average useful life	14 years 9 months 18 days	11 years 8 months 12 days
Product technologies [Member]
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	140,324	55,540
Accumulated amortization	(21,949)	(18,839)
Net carrying value	118,375	36,701
Weighted average useful life	13 years 3 months 18 days	11 years 3 months 18 days
Licenses [Member]
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	6,302	6,152
Accumulated amortization	(4,093)	(3,711)
Net carrying value	2,209	2,441
Weighted average useful life	8 years 9 months 18 days	9 years 1 month 6 days
Trademarks [Member]
Schedule of Intangible assets
Gross carrying value	4,575	4,575
Accumulated amortization	(568)	(375)
Net carrying value	4,007	4,200
Weighted average useful life	9 years 10 months 24 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 average 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	3,000	15,042
Net carrying value	3,000	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 $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 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	$ 1,700,000
Change in carrying value of goodwill due to settlement	858,000
Deferred tax assets increase decrease	$ 883,000

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	May 31, 2012
Accrued liabilities
Payroll and related expenses	$ 8,585	$ 7,754
Accrued severance	2,901	2,087
Deferred revenue	2,957	3,138
Royalties	1,913	2,258
Sales and franchise taxes	1,287	1,092
Interest rate swap at fair value	1,059
Other	4,048	4,473
Total	$ 22,750	$ 20,802

Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012
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%
Net deferred financing costs	2.2
Notional amount of interest rate swap agreement	$ 100
Fixed interest rate payments	0.74%
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of increases leverage ratio base rate, minimum	2.00%
Percentage of increases leverage ratio base rate, maximum	2.75%
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of increases leverage ratio base rate, minimum	1.00%
Percentage of increases leverage ratio base rate, maximum	1.75%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of increase commitment fee	0.50%
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of increase commitment fee	0.30%

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details)	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	37.00%	35.00%	37.00%	35.00%

Earnings Per Common Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Earnings Per Common Share (Details)	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of the weighted-average number of common shares
Basic	34,827,000	25,190,000	34,765,000	25,107,000
Effect of dilutive securities	484	150	514	171
Diluted	35,311,000	25,340,000	35,279,000	25,278,000

Fair Value (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	May 31, 2012
Financial Assets
Cash equivalents	$ 120	$ 4,762
Marketable securities	2,155	14,070
Total Financial Assets	2,275	18,832
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	61,588
Interest rate swap agreements [Member]
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	1,059
Contingent Consideration Earn Out Liability [Member]
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	60,499
U.S. government agency obligations [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable securities	1,850	7,699
Corporate bond securities [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable securities	305	6,371
Money market funds [Member]
Financial Assets
Cash equivalents	120	4,762
Level 1 [Member]
Financial Assets
Cash equivalents	120	4,762
Total Financial Assets	120	4,762
Level 1 [Member] \| Money market funds [Member]
Financial Assets
Cash equivalents	120	4,762
Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable securities	305	12,220
Total Financial Assets	305	12,220
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	1,059
Level 2 [Member] \| Interest rate swap agreements [Member]
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	1,059
Level 2 [Member] \| U.S. government agency obligations [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable securities		5,849
Level 2 [Member] \| Corporate bond securities [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable securities	305	6,371
Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable securities	1,850	1,850
Total Financial Assets	1,850	1,850
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	60,499
Level 3 [Member] \| Contingent Consideration Earn Out Liability [Member]
Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities	60,499
Level 3 [Member] \| U.S. government agency obligations [Member]
Financial Assets
Marketable securities	$ 1,850	$ 1,850

Fair Value (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs
Balance, May 31, 2012	$ 1,850
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
Included in earnings
Included in other comprehensive income
Purchases, issuances and settlements
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3
Contingent liability for acquisition earn out	60,499
Balance, November 30, 2012	$ 62,349

Fair Value (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012
Summary showing the recurring fair value measurements of the contingent consideration liability
Net sales based payments	$ 60,499
Level 3 [Member] \| Contingent Consideration Earn Out Liability [Member] \| Recurring [Member]
Summary showing the recurring fair value measurements of the contingent consideration liability
Net sales based payments	$ 60,500
Net sales based payments discount rate	4.00%
Level 3 [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Contingent Consideration Earn Out Liability [Member] \| Recurring [Member]
Summary showing the recurring fair value measurements of the contingent consideration liability
Probability of payment	100.00%
Projected fiscal year of payment	2022
Level 3 [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Contingent Consideration Earn Out Liability [Member] \| Recurring [Member]
Summary showing the recurring fair value measurements of the contingent consideration liability
Probability of payment	75.00%
Projected fiscal year of payment	2013

Fair Value (Details 3) (Contingent Consideration Earn Out Liability [Member], Vortex Medical [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012
Contingent Consideration Earn Out Liability [Member] \| Vortex Medical [Member]
Summary showing reconciliation of the contingent payments
Balance, May 31, 2012	$ 0
Purchase price contingent consideration	60.3
Contingent payments
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	0.2
Balance, November 30, 2012	$ 60.5

Fair Value (Details Textual) (USD $)	Nov. 30, 2012
Fair Value (Textual) [Abstract]
Potential amount of undiscounted future contingent consideration	$ 75,000,000
Milestones associated with the contingent consideration	52,400,000
Reflected in current portion of contingent consideration	$ 8,055,000

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	May 31, 2012
Marketable securities
Amortized cost	$ 2,154	$ 14,255
Gross Unrealized Gains	1	15
Gross Unrealized Losses		(200)
Fair Value	2,155	14,070
U.S. government agency obligations [Member]
Marketable securities
Amortized cost	1,850	7,739
Gross Unrealized Gains		5
Gross Unrealized Losses		(45)
Fair Value	1,850	7,699
Corporate bond securities [Member]
Marketable securities
Amortized cost	304	6,516
Gross Unrealized Gains	1	10
Gross Unrealized Losses		(155)
Fair Value	$ 305	$ 6,371

Marketable Securities (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 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	6 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012 Lawsuit
Litigation (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of lawsuits against biolitec previously settled for which seeking defence and indemnification		2
Partial judgment granted	$ 16.4
Number of patent claims rejected		40 of 41 patent
Cardinal Health [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters
Number of employees in related litigation		3