Note 17 - Patents and Other Intangibles (Detail) - Intangible Assets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cost	$ 2,461,742	$ 2,541,757
Accumulated Amortization	(466,239)	(521,299)
Net	1,995,503	2,020,458
Patents [Member]
Cost	1,707,425	1,179,883
Accumulated Amortization	(466,239)	(377,073)
Net	1,241,186	802,810
Deferred Patents [Member]
Cost	754,317	1,217,648
Net	754,317	1,217,648
Trademarks [Member]
Cost		144,226
Accumulated Amortization		$ (144,226)

Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16323-109275

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant