Goodwill and intangible assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

The Company’s change in the carrying amount of intangible assets, all in the Life Sciences segment is as follows:

	Gross			Accumulated Amortization			Net
July 31, 2017	$	27,436		$	(24,541	)	$	2,895
Amortization expense		—			(228	)		(228	)
Foreign currency translation		(118	)		98			(20	)
October 31, 2017	$	27,318		$	(24,671	)	$	2,647

Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

Intangible assets, all finite lived, consist of the following:

	October 31, 2017							July 31, 2017
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Patents	$	11,026	$	(10,957	)	$	69	$	11,027	$	(10,951	)	$	76
Customer relationships		11,823		(9,260	)		2,563		11,881		(9,083	)		2,798
Website and acquired content		1,007		(1,007	)		—		1,011		(1,011	)		—
Licensed technology and other		485		(470	)		15		484		(463	)		21
Trademarks		2,977		(2,977	)		—		3,033		(3,033	)		—
Total	$	27,318	$	(24,671	)	$	2,647	$	27,436	$	(24,541	)	$	2,895

Schedule of Useful Lives For Acquisitions [Table Text Block]

At October 31, 2017, information with respect to intangibles assets acquired is as follows:

	Useful life assigned	Weighted average remaining useful life
Customer relationships	8 -15 years	3 years
Other intangibles	10 years	2 years