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Stock Based Compensation - Stock Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]      
Stock compensation expense $ 4,533us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation $ 1,145us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation $ 745us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Cost of Revenue [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]      
Stock compensation expense 281us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= nstg_CostOfRevenueMember		 49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= nstg_CostOfRevenueMember		 71us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= nstg_CostOfRevenueMember
Research and Development [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]      
Stock compensation expense 1,018us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember		 273us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember		 204us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember
Selling, General and Administrative [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]      
Stock compensation expense $ 3,234us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember		 $ 823us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember		 $ 470us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember