Note 6 - Intangible Assets (Detail) - Identifiable intangible assets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 1,117,879	$ 1,117,879
Less accumulated amortization	(1,022,409)	(971,582)
Intangible assets, net	95,470	146,297
Antimicrobial Technology [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	222,187	222,187
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	61,391	61,391
Patents [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	$ 834,301	$ 834,301

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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