OPERATING SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 operating_segments	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments (in operating segments)	2
Net sales	$ 7,374	$ 7,206
Gross profit	3,681	3,104
Net income (loss) before taxes	(3,520)	(2,692)
Income tax expense (benefit)	66	4
NET LOSS	(3,586)	(2,696)
Depreciation/Amortization	744	513
Interest expense, net	153	273
Total Assets	41,398	47,184	38,791
Laboratory services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,427	4,001
Gross profit	2,193	1,648
Net income (loss) before taxes	(3,085)	(2,087)
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0
NET LOSS	(3,085)	(2,087)
Depreciation/Amortization	563	448
Interest expense, net	135	252
Total Assets	30,366	30,595
Diagnostic tools
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,947	3,205
Gross profit	1,488	1,456
Net income (loss) before taxes	(435)	(605)
Income tax expense (benefit)	66	4
NET LOSS	(501)	(609)
Depreciation/Amortization	181	65
Interest expense, net	18	21
Total Assets	11,032	16,589
United states
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	5,348	4,724
Italy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	455	799
All Other Countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,571	$ 1,683
Maximum | All Other Countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percent of revenue from countries not separately disclosed	5.00%
Minimum | United states
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived asset percentage held in a specific location	95.00%