Supplemental Balance Sheet Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts Receivable, net [Abstract]
Total trade accounts receivable	$ 476,102	$ 498,882
Less: Allowance for revenue adjustments	(69,834)	(87,035)
Gross trade accounts receivable	406,268	411,847
Less: Allowance for bad debt	(9,854)	(9,970)
Net trade accounts receivable	396,414	401,877
Other receivables	7,590	12,206
Accounts receivable, net	404,004	414,083
Inventories, net [Abstract]
Finished goods and tissue available for distribution	83,396	92,769
Goods and tissue in-process	24,925	9,507
Raw materials, supplies, parts and unprocessed tissue	83,071	96,197
Inventory, gross, total	191,392	198,473
Less: Amounts expected to be converted into equipment for short-term rental	(17,054)	(10,008)
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventory	(13,505)	(15,913)
Inventory, net	160,833	172,552
Americas [Member]
Accounts Receivable, net [Abstract]
Total trade accounts receivable	350,838	381,125
Americas [Member] | AHS and TSS [Member]
Accounts Receivable, net [Abstract]
Total trade accounts receivable	307,940	341,874
Americas [Member] | LifeCell [Member]
Accounts Receivable, net [Abstract]
Total trade accounts receivable	42,898	39,251
EMEA [Member]
Accounts Receivable, net [Abstract]
Total trade accounts receivable	111,387	106,174
APAC [Member]
Accounts Receivable, net [Abstract]
Total trade accounts receivable	$ 13,877	$ 11,583