OPERATING SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 operating_segments	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments (in operating segments)			2
Net sales	$ 7,306	$ 9,093	$ 14,680	$ 16,299
Gross profit	3,410	4,562	7,091	7,666
Net income (loss) before taxes	(2,873)	(593)	(6,394)	(3,285)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(6)	(30)	60	(26)
NET LOSS	(2,867)	(563)	(6,454)	(3,259)
Depreciation/Amortization	687	532	1,431	1,045
Interest expense, net	151	231	304	504
Total Assets	39,363	44,672	39,363	44,672	38,791
Laboratory services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,012	5,808	8,439	9,809
Gross profit	1,853	3,117	4,046	4,764
Net income (loss) before taxes	(2,181)	(624)	(5,267)	(2,711)
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	0	0
NET LOSS	(2,181)	(624)	(5,267)	(2,711)
Depreciation/Amortization	646	467	1,209	915
Interest expense, net	84	221	219	473
Total Assets	27,834	31,101	27,834	31,101
Diagnostic tools
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,294	3,285	6,241	6,490
Gross profit	1,557	1,445	3,045	2,902
Net income (loss) before taxes	(692)	31	(1,127)	(574)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(6)	(30)	60	(26)
NET LOSS	(686)	61	(1,187)	(548)
Depreciation/Amortization	41	65	222	130
Interest expense, net	67	10	85	31
Total Assets	11,529	13,571	11,529	13,571
United states
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	5,797	6,847	11,146	11,571
Italy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	372	907	827	1,706
All Other Countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,137	$ 1,339	$ 2,707	$ 3,022
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%		95.00%