Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents of which $5,218,415 in 2012 and $5,215,349 in 2011 is interest bearing	$ 7,551,395	$ 10,114,163
Short term investments	15,187,609	15,023,999
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $100,000 in 2012 and 2011 (including amounts from related party: 2012 - $1,256,203; 2011 - $1,760,304)	2,827,235	4,695,410
Inventories	4,846,368	3,635,730
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	988,645	667,927
Total current assets	31,401,252	34,137,229
Property and equipment, net	2,389,478	1,481,071
Other assets	462,485	464,286
Total Assets	34,253,215	36,082,586
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Accounts payable (including amounts due to related party; 2012 - $76,019; 2011 - $503,763)	3,352,276	3,526,171
Accrued expenses	2,279,259	3,016,596
Deferred revenue	62,500	93,750
Total current liabilities	5,694,035	6,636,517
Deferred revenue	43,135	46,416
Common stock warrant liability	1,909,479	8,168,846
TOTAL LIABILITIES	7,646,649	14,851,779
Commitments and Contingencies
Contingently redeemable series C preferred stock, 600 shares issued and outstanding (liquidation preference of $600,000)	600,000	600,000
Preferred stock, $.01 par value;1,000,000 shares authorized
Series B convertible preferred stock, 130 shares issued and outstanding (liquidation preference of $13,000)	1	1
Series E convertible preferred stock, 22,740 shares issued and outstanding (liquidation preference of $2,274,000)	227	227
Common stock $.01 par value; 150,000,000 authorized; and 87,367,313 shares issued	873,673	873,673
Capital in excess of par value	278,372,073	278,060,138
Less cost of 36,448 treasury shares	(125,381)	(125,381)
Accumulated deficit	(253,328,360)	(258,282,753)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	214,333	104,902
Shareholders' equity	26,006,566	20,630,807
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 34,253,215	$ 36,082,586