BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 15, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	354,202	$ 363,888
Metasurg
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory	4,730
Fixed assets	1,171
Goodwill	469
Net assets acquired	27,150
Metasurg | In Process Research and Development
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite intangible assets	190
Metasurg | Technology-Based Intangible Assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets	20,590
Metasurg | Technology-Based Intangible Assets | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life	8 years
Metasurg | Technology-Based Intangible Assets | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life	14 years
Medtronic MicroFrance
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash	2,195
Inventory	3,155
Inventory deposit	620
Fixed assets	3,675
Other current assets	5,025
Goodwill	16,607
Total assets acquired	65,977
Accounts payable and other liabilities	5,910
Net assets acquired	60,067
Medtronic MicroFrance | Trade Names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets	11,990
Medtronic MicroFrance | Trade Names | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life	20 years
Medtronic MicroFrance | Technology-Based Intangible Assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets	4,580
Medtronic MicroFrance | Technology-Based Intangible Assets | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life	15 years
Medtronic MicroFrance | Technology-Based Intangible Assets | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life	16 years
Medtronic MicroFrance | Customer relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets	18,130
Medtronic MicroFrance | Customer relationships | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life	12 years
Medtronic MicroFrance | Customer relationships | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life	16 years
Confluent Surgical, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory deposit	4,000
Fixed assets	438
Deferred tax assets - long term	12
Goodwill	105,331
Total assets acquired	349,981
Contingent supply liability	5,891
Other	731
Deferred tax liabilities - long term	87,464
Net assets acquired	255,895		255,895
Confluent Surgical, Inc. | Technology-Based Intangible Assets | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life	3 years
Confluent Surgical, Inc. | Technology-Based Intangible Assets | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life	20 years
Confluent Surgical, Inc. | Developed Technology Rights
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets	239,800
Confluent Surgical, Inc. | Other Intangible Assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite intangible assets	400