Intangibles

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Intangibles

(10) Intangibles

Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. No impairment charges were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Patent costs associated with the application and award of patents in the U.S. and various other countries are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the patents as determined at the award date, which varies depending on the pendency period of the application, generally approximating seventeen years.

Amortization of intangible assets acquired is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

	Estimated Life	December 31,			December 31,
	(years)	2021			2020
Capitalized patent costs	17-20	$	10,219		$	9,708
Intangible assets acquired:
Purchased intellectual property	3-10		250			250
Existing technology	5		1,560			1,560
Customer relationships	7		290			290
Gross intangible assets			12,319			11,808
Accumulated amortization			(5,708	)		(5,196	)
Intangibles, net		$	6,611		$	6,612

Amortization expense on intangible assets was as follows:   

	Year Ended		Year Ended
	December 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
Amortization expense	$	576	$	559

For intangible assets recorded at December 31, 2021, the estimated future aggregate amortization expense for the years ending December 31, 2022 through December 31, 2026 is as follows:

	Amortization
Year ending December 31:	Expense
2022	$	537
2023		526
2024		514
2025		494
2026		462