Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Dec. 20, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents				$ 357,000
Accounts receivable				1,133,000
Other current assets				23,000
Property, plant and equipment				480,000
Goodwill				4,245,000
In-process research and development				9,592,000
Other assets				101,000
Accounts payable				(302,000)
Other current liabilities				(1,682,000)
Deferred tax liabilities				(3,357,000)	[1]
Other long-term liabilities				(155,000)
Total identifiable net assets				10,435,000
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Transaction Costs				100,000
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Amount of Equity	6,115,000	0
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage				39.00%
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	185,856,123	191,936,178
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Controlling Owners				61.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions		3,562,000	0
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment	$ 3,600,000
Versa Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued				3,500,000

[1] Classified in Long-term debt and other liabilities.