CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Service revenues	$ 159,410	$ 130,640	$ 160,480
Product revenues	38,144	42,168	61,033
Total net revenues	197,554	172,808	221,513
Cost of services	103,124	115,763	180,215
Cost of products	18,791	21,013	33,295
Gross profit	75,639	36,032	8,003
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering	16,431	17,833	26,445
Marketing and sales	20,778	17,371	30,493
General, administrative and other operating expenses	47,129	43,999	51,697
Total operating expenses	84,338	79,203	108,635
Income (loss) from operations	(8,699)	(43,171)	(100,632)
Interest expense, net	(16,709)	(18,485)	(18,753)
Other income (expense)	(3,945)	1,350	98,275
Loss before income taxes	(29,353)	(60,306)	(21,110)
Income tax expense	24	4,421	4,044
Net income (loss)	(29,377)	(64,727)	(25,154)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(865)	(421)	32
Net loss attributable to ION	$ (30,242)	$ (65,148)	$ (25,122)
Net loss per share:
Basic (usd per share)	$ (2.55)	$ (5.71)	$ (2.29)
Diluted (usd per share)	$ (2.55)	$ (5.71)	$ (2.29)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	11,876	11,400	10,957
Diluted (in shares)	11,876	11,400	10,957