Segment Reporting And Foreign Operations Segment Reporting Operating Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	$ 91,092	$ 90,477	$ 91,249	$ 86,631	$ 81,203	$ 73,172	$ 74,948	$ 67,432	$ 359,449	$ 296,755	$ 257,462
Operating Expenses									132,278	111,294	75,955
Operating Expense, Excluding Goodwill Impairment Charge										102,950
Goodwill, Impairment Loss									0	8,344	0
Operating Income (Loss)									33,190	17,204	32,847
Nonoperating Income (Expense)									(315)	(416)	247
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	806	2,120	3,746	3,159	921	(1,539)	3,124	1,822	9,831	4,328	10,564
Net Income									23,044	12,460	22,530
Cardiovascular Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net									347,430	287,707	249,800
Operating Expenses									122,600	93,884	69,097
Goodwill, Impairment Loss									0	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)									38,010	30,176	35,836
Endoscopy Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net									12,019	9,048	7,662
Operating Expenses									9,678	9,066	6,858
Goodwill, Impairment Loss									0	8,344	0
Operating Income (Loss)									$ (4,820)	$ (12,972)	$ (2,989)