ValveXchange (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2014
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Preferred stock, written down investment		$ 3,229,000	$ 340,000
Amount of loan advanced		2,000,000
Other non-operating expense recorded to write-down long-term note receivable from ValveXchange	2,000,000
Long-Term Notes Receivable [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Amount of loan advanced		2,000,000
ValveXchange, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Equity ownership percent				19.00%
Loans receivable, revolving credit line, expiration date				Jul. 30, 2018
Loans receivable, revolving credit line, interest rate				8.00%
Amount of loan advanced			2,000,000
ValveXchange, Inc. [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Loans receivable, revolving credit line, maximum capacity				2,000,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | ValveXchange, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Preferred stock purchased, shares				2.4
Preferred stock purchased, value				3,500,000
Preferred stock, written down investment		3,200,000			340,000
Preferred stock carrying value	0	0
Series B Preferred Stock [Member] | ValveXchange, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of any amounts in excess of agreed upon amount from fundraising to be paid to Cryolife						10.00%
Minimum amount raised before 10% of amounts raised in excess are paid to Cryolife						1,250,000
Amount raised	$ 1,700,000