Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Period considered for classification of short-term investments as cash equivalents	90 days
Inventory Valuation Reserves	$ 2,499	$ 2,271
Cost of Sales - Plant consolidation			509
Building impaired and write-down		210	425
Intangible Assets Impairments	0	0	0
Changes in Goodwill	(31)	22
Amortization of intangible assets	2,269	2,165	2,321
2014	1,471
2015	1,242
2016	916
2017	736
2018	716
Accrued distributor price adjustments	$ 3,866	$ 3,877
Expected instrument utilization period	3 years
Period of review of accounts individually	90 days
Likelihood percentage of tax benefit being recognized upon ultimate settlement	50.00%
Tax benefits recognized from uncertain tax positions measurement	Greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement
Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	18 years
Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	40 years
Machinery, Equipment and Furniture [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Machinery, Equipment and Furniture [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	10 years
Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Computer Equipment and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 years