Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 95,618	$ 86,631
Operating Income (Loss)	8,007	10,210
Cardiovascular Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	91,670	83,927
Operating Income (Loss)	8,338	11,188
Endoscopy Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,948	2,704
Operating Income (Loss)	$ (331)	$ (978)