Intangible Assets, net - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands				1 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Nov. 04, 2015	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011	Feb. 28, 2014	Jan. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets								$ 11,200	$ 11,200	$ 9,800
Payments to acquire intangible assets								0	6,670	0
Payment for license upfront fees					$ 600	$ 500
Payments for amortized to cost of product revenue								1,100
Cost of product revenue recognized								300	300	300
Developed technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets								$ 11,200	11,200	9,800
Licensing Agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life in years								4 years
Amortization of intangible assets									300	500
Litigation settlement expense			$ 3,000
Exercised our option and paid life							$ 2,000
Licensing Agreements | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Patent litigation							2 years
Licensing Agreements | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Patent litigation							4 years
Period in which Life may not initiate patents litigation								4 years
DVS Sciences, Inc. | Developed technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of intangible assets acquired				$ 112,000
Useful life in years				10 years
Helicos Biosciences Corporation | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life in years		10 years
Amortization of intangible assets								$ 127	127	$ 127
Payments to acquire intangible assets		$ 1,000
Transaction costs		$ 300
PerkinElmer | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets								$ 900	$ 100
Payments to acquire intangible assets	$ 6,500