Acquisition of ALF-X Surgical Robotic System - Additional Information (Detail)			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 21, 2015 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 21, 2015 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Securities consideration held in escrow percentage		10.00%
Escrow and security interest period		24 months
Intellectual property, net	$ 63,866,000		$ 63,866,000		$ 63,866,000			$ 2,241,000
Legal, consulting and other costs related to acquisition			4,003,000		4,003,000
Revenues				$ 61,000		$ 267,000
Net loss			$ (13,901,000)	$ (11,507,000)	$ (33,369,000)	$ (29,573,000)
Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization period					7 years
Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization period					10 years
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common shares issued | shares		15,543,413
Cash consideration		$ 25,000,000
Acquisition agreement, description					The Lock-up Agreement provides that SOFAR may sell, transfer or convey (i) no more than 50% of the Securities Consideration during the period commencing on the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the eighteen-month anniversary of the Closing Date; and (ii) no more than 75% of the Securities Consideration during the period commencing on the eighteen-month anniversary of the Closing Date and ending on the two-year anniversary of the Closing Date.
Intellectual property, net		$ 62,500,000
Amortization period		7 years
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Ending on Eighteen Month Anniversary [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of securities consideration		50.00%
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Ending on Two Year Anniversary [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of securities consideration		75.00%
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | U.S. Dollars [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration		$ 25,000,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Euro [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration payable | €							€ 27,500,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | First Tranche [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration		25,000,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Second Tranche [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration payable | €							€ 10,000,000
Gross proceeds from financing		$ 50,000,000
Interest rate		9.00%					9.00%
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Second Tranche [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash on hand		$ 50,000,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Third Tranche [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration payable | €							€ 15,000,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Third Tranche [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Target revenue to be achieved | €							25,000,000
ALF-X Surgical Robotic System Acquisition [Member] | Fourth Tranche [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration payable | €							€ 2,500,000
TransEnterix Italia [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Membership interests percentage under Security agreement		10.00%					10.00%
Legal, consulting and other costs related to acquisition	4,000,000
Revenues	0
Net loss	$ 262,000