Number of operating segments. An operating segment is a component of an enterprise: (a) that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses (including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components of the same enterprise), (b) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprise's chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and (c) for which discrete financial information is available. An operating segment may engage in business activities for which it has yet to earn revenues, for example, start-up operations may be operating segments before earning revenues.

No definition available.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 Segment	May 31, 2011 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due in 2014	May 12, 2011 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due in 2014
Nature of Operations
Number of business segments	2
Recapitalization transaction
Debt eliminated in exchange for new common shares of Angiotech		$ 250
Interest rate on debt eliminated (as a percent)			7.75%
Interest obligations eliminated in exchange for new common shares of Angiotech		$ 16