Subsequent Event (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event. On October 4, 2013, we entered into a First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2013 (the “Amendment”), by and among Merit, certain subsidiaries of Merit, the Lenders and Wells Fargo as administrative agent for the Lenders. The Amendment sets forth the terms and conditions upon which Merit, Wells Fargo and the other parties to the Amendment have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement. Among other provisions, the Amendment provides for an increase in our borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement by $40.0 million, adjusts the maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to be no greater than 4.75 to 1 as of any fiscal quarter ending during 2013, no greater than 4.00 to 1 at March 31, 2014, no greater than 3.75 to 1 at June 30, 2014, no greater than 3.50 to 1 at September 30, 2014, and no greater than 3.25 to 1 at December 31, 2014. The maximum ratio thereafter is unchanged. The Amendment also includes an expanded applicable margin table with pricing levels for the higher allowable maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio. On October 4, 2013, we acquired certain assets contemplated by an Asset Purchase Agreement we executed with Datascope Corporation, a Delaware corporation. The primary assets we acquired consist of the SAFEGUARD® Pressure Assisted Device, which assists in obtaining and maintaining hemostasis after a femoral procedure, and the AIR-BAND™ Radial Compression Device, which is indicated to assist hemostasis of the radial artery puncture site while maintaining visibility. The purchase price was approximately $27.5 million. The initial accounting for this acquisition has not yet been completed. On October 4, 2013, we acquired certain assets contemplated by an Asset Purchase Agreement with Radial Assist, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company. The primary assets we acquired consist of the RAD BOARD®, RAD BOARD®XTRA™, RAD TRAC™, and RAD REST® devices. The RAD BOARD is designed to provide a larger work space for physicians and an area for patients to rest their arms during radial procedures. The RAD BOARD XTRA is designed to work in conjunction with the RAD BOARD by extending the usable work space and allowing for a 90-degree perpendicular extension of the arm for physicians who prefer doing procedures at a 90-degree angle. The RAD TRAC is also designed to be used with the RAD BOARD and facilitates placement and removal of the RAD BOARD with the patient still on the table. The RAD REST is a disposable, single-use product designed to stabilize the arm by ergonomically supporting the elbow, forearm and wrist during radial procedures. The purchase price was approximately $2.5 million. The initial accounting for this acquisition has not yet been completed.

Subsequent Event. On October 4, 2013, we entered into a First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2013 (the “Amendment”), by and among Merit, certain subsidiaries of Merit, the Lenders and Wells Fargo as administrative agent for the Lenders. The Amendment sets forth the terms and conditions upon which Merit, Wells Fargo and the other parties to the Amendment have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement. Among other provisions, the Amendment provides for an increase in our borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement by $40.0 million, adjusts the maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to be no greater than 4.75 to 1 as of any fiscal quarter ending during 2013, no greater than 4.00 to 1 at March 31, 2014, no greater than 3.75 to 1 at June 30, 2014, no greater than 3.50 to 1 at September 30, 2014, and no greater than 3.25 to 1 at December 31, 2014. The maximum ratio thereafter is unchanged. The Amendment also includes an expanded applicable margin table with pricing levels for the higher allowable maximum Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio.

On October 4, 2013, we acquired certain assets contemplated by an Asset Purchase Agreement we executed with Datascope Corporation, a Delaware corporation. The primary assets we acquired consist of the SAFEGUARD® Pressure Assisted Device, which assists in obtaining and maintaining hemostasis after a femoral procedure, and the AIR-BAND™ Radial Compression Device, which is indicated to assist hemostasis of the radial artery puncture site while maintaining visibility. The purchase price was approximately $27.5 million. The initial accounting for this acquisition has not yet been completed.

On October 4, 2013, we acquired certain assets contemplated by an Asset Purchase Agreement with Radial Assist, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company. The primary assets we acquired consist of the RAD BOARD®, RAD BOARD®XTRA™, RAD TRAC™, and RAD REST® devices. The RAD BOARD is designed to provide a larger work space for physicians and an area for patients to rest their arms during radial procedures. The RAD BOARD XTRA is designed to work in conjunction with the RAD BOARD by extending the usable work space and allowing for a 90-degree perpendicular extension of the arm for physicians who prefer doing procedures at a 90-degree angle. The RAD TRAC is also designed to be used with the RAD BOARD and facilitates placement and removal of the RAD BOARD with the patient still on the table. The RAD REST is a disposable, single-use product designed to stabilize the arm by ergonomically supporting the elbow, forearm and wrist during radial procedures. The purchase price was approximately $2.5 million. The initial accounting for this acquisition has not yet been completed.