Note 8 - Income Taxes (Detail) - Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
U.S. statutory federal tax rate	34.00%	34.00%	34.00%
Research and development credits	(3.60%)	(0.50%)	(2.90%)
Stock compensation	0.10%	5.60%	(0.70%)
Foreign income taxed at lower rates	(28.40%)	(31.80%)	(29.30%)
Change in valuation allowance on federal timing differences	7.00%	(6.10%)	4.30%
Litigation reserves & other	2.80%	1.90%	0.50%
Effective tax rate	11.90%	3.10%	5.90%