Deferred Preservation Costs And Inventories (Schedule Of Deferred Preservation Costs) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Preservation Costs [Line Items]
Total deferred preservation costs	$ 27,329	$ 27,954
Cardiac Tissues [Member]
Deferred Preservation Costs [Line Items]
Total deferred preservation costs	12,486	11,950
Vascular Tissues [Member]
Deferred Preservation Costs [Line Items]
Total deferred preservation costs	$ 14,843	$ 16,004

Donated human tissue is procured from deceased human donors by tissue banks and organ procurement organizations, which consign the tissue to the Company for processing, preservation, and distribution. By federal law, human tissues cannot be bought or sold, so the preservation process is a manufacturing process that is accounted for using the same principles as inventory costing. Preservation costs consist primarily of direct labor and materials and indirect costs which are stated at the lower of cost or market value on a first in, first out basis and are deferred until revenue is recognized upon shipment of the tissue to an implanting facility.

No definition available.

Name:	cry_DeferredPreservationCosts
Namespace Prefix:	cry_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant