CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	May 02, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Ownership interest in subsidiaries (as a percent)	100.00%
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 57,991	$ 35,073	$ 22,173	$ 21,637		$ 30,222
Short term investments	644		3,259
Accounts receivable	30,419		28,238
Income taxes receivable	524		1,462
Inventories	38,179		34,304
Deferred income taxes, current portion	6,026		3,995
Deferred financing costs, current portion	434			0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,973		3,167
Total current assets	137,190		96,598
Property, plant and equipment	35,427		39,189
Intangible assets	326,981		343,066
Goodwill	123,242		123,228		125,000
Deferred income taxes	2,566		2,165
Deferred financing costs, non-current portion	300
Other assets	310		3,860
Total assets	626,016		608,106
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	25,658		30,537
Income taxes payable	5,658		2,023
Interest payable on long-term debt	1,406		1,450
Deferred revenue, current portion [note 11]	6,205		496
Revolving credit facility			40
Total current liabilities	38,927		34,546
Deferred revenue	18,069		3,771
Deferred income taxes	94,286		92,634
Other tax liabilities	6,118		5,729
Debt	325,000		325,000
Other liabilities			19
Total non-current liabilities	443,473		427,153
Total Shareholders (Deficit) Equity	143,616	148,448	146,407	187,678	202,948
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	626,016		608,106
Parent Company Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	20,797	8,059	8,649	5,056		5,090
Short term investments	644		3,259
Accounts receivable			167
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,345		1,120
Total current assets	22,786		13,195
Investment in subsidiaries	401,721		388,653
Property, plant and equipment	1,603		3,213
Intangible assets	68,821		75,754
Deferred income taxes	1,828		1,729
Other assets	80		3,537
Total assets	496,839		486,081
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	5,111		6,999
Income taxes payable	574
Interest payable on long-term debt	1,406		1,450
Deferred revenue, current portion [note 11]	4,846		496
Total current liabilities	11,937		8,945
Deferred revenue	13,966		3,456
Other tax liabilities	2,320		2,273
Debt	325,000		325,000
Total non-current liabilities	341,286		330,729
Total Shareholders (Deficit) Equity	143,616		146,407
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	496,839		486,081
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	27,648	20,452	7,449	8,485		18,132
Accounts receivable	21,077		20,076
Income taxes receivable	36		1,239
Inventories	31,631		26,744
Deferred income taxes, current portion	6,026		3,995
Deferred financing costs, current portion	434
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,065		1,541
Total current assets	87,917		61,044
Investment in subsidiaries	19,377		20,538
Property, plant and equipment	26,616		22,552
Intangible assets	243,431		251,905
Goodwill	101,245		101,244
Deferred income taxes	738
Deferred financing costs, non-current portion	300
Other assets	6		54
Total assets	479,630		457,337
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	15,615		17,896
Income taxes payable	2,500
Deferred revenue, current portion [note 11]	1,359
Revolving credit facility			40
Total current liabilities	19,474		17,936
Deferred revenue	3,641
Deferred income taxes	89,697		87,415
Other tax liabilities	1,549		896
Other liabilities			19
Total non-current liabilities	94,887		88,330
Total Shareholders (Deficit) Equity	365,269		351,071
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	479,630		457,337
Non Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	9,546	6,562	6,075	8,096		7,000
Accounts receivable	9,342		7,995
Income taxes receivable	488		223
Inventories	6,548		7,560
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	563		506
Total current assets	26,487		22,359
Property, plant and equipment	7,208		13,424
Intangible assets	14,729		15,407
Goodwill	21,997		21,984
Deferred income taxes			436
Other assets	224		269
Total assets	70,645		73,879
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,932		5,642
Income taxes payable	2,584		2,023
Total current liabilities	7,516		7,665
Deferred revenue	462		315
Deferred income taxes	4,589		5,219
Other tax liabilities	2,249		2,560
Total non-current liabilities	7,300		8,094
Total Shareholders (Deficit) Equity	55,829		58,120
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	70,645		73,879
Consolidating Adjustments
Current assets
Investment in subsidiaries	(421,098)		(409,191)
Total assets	(421,098)		(409,191)
Current liabilities
Total Shareholders (Deficit) Equity	(421,098)		(409,191)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ (421,098)		$ (409,191)