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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Extended warranties description The Company offers service agreements on its nCounter Analysis System for periods ranging from 12 to 36 months after the end of the standard 12-month warranty period.
Standard warranty period 12 months
Percentage used to determine discount for stand-alone sales 15.00%nstg_PercentageUsedToDetermineDiscountForStandaloneSales
Minimum [Member]  
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Extended warranty period 12 months
Maximum [Member]  
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Extended warranty period 36 months