Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Note 9. Share-Based Compensation Plans [Abstract]

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

The fair value of stock options is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and the following weighted-average assumptions:

	2012		2011		2010
Expected life (in years)	7.0		7.0		7.0
Risk free interest rate	1.6	%	3.0	%	3.4	%
Volatility	75.5	%	73.0	%	72.2	%
Dividends yield	—	%	—	%	—	%

Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]

Share-based compensation was reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as follows:

	2012		2011		2010
Cost of product sales and revenues	$	497	$	726	$	761
Cost of research and development contracts	90		115		175
General and administrative expense	1,182		1,275		1,397
Research and development expense	280		457		627
Total share-based compensation	$	2,049	$	2,573	$	2,960

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes our stock option activity for the year ended October 31, 2012:

			Weighted- Average Option
Options	Shares		Price
Outstanding at October 31, 2011	3,320,558		$	8.25
Granted	342,293		$	1.28
Exercised	—		$	—
Cancelled	(542,395	)	$	11.30
Outstanding at October 31, 2012	3,120,456		$	6.96

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at October 31, 2012:

	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
		Weighted Average	Weighted Average			Weighted Average
Range of	Number	Remaining	Exercise		Number	Exercise
Exercise Prices	outstanding	Contractual Life	Price		exercisable	Price
$0.26 — $5.10	942,041	8.2	$	2.09	855,066	$	2.17
$5.11 — $9.92	1,451,717	4.0	$	7.83	1,451,717	$	7.83
$9.93 — $14.74	715,198	2.7	$	11.45	715,198	$	11.45
$14.75 — $19.56	11,500	1.1	$	16.12	11,500	$	16.12
	3,120,456	4.9	$	6.96	3,033,481	$	7.12