Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 Segment	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Nov. 30, 2012 Anika Therapeutics S.r.l.	Dec. 31, 2012 In-process research & development	Dec. 31, 2012 Computer hardware and software Minimum	Dec. 31, 2012 Computer hardware and software Maximum	Dec. 31, 2012 Furniture and Fixtures Minimum	Dec. 31, 2012 Furniture and Fixtures Maximum	Dec. 31, 2012 Leasehold Improvements Minimum	Dec. 31, 2012 Leasehold Improvements Maximum	Dec. 31, 2012 Purchased software Minimum	Dec. 31, 2012 Purchased software Maximum	Dec. 31, 2012 Trade Names Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)		$ 200,452	$ (623,093)	$ (7,698)
Debt instrument, carrying value	9,600,000	9,600,000	11,200,000
Allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable	337,459	337,459	334,473	30,000
Uncollectible trade accounts receivable written-off		135,353	2,047	301,984
Provision for bad debt expense		138,339	306,520	302,723
Percentage of significant customer balances to total accounts receivable	78.00%	78.00%	58.00%
Inventories	8,283,472	8,283,472	7,302,483
Inventory write-down	1,161,805	1,161,805	1,375,150
Property plant and equipment, useful life							3 years	5 years	3 years	8 years	6 months	25 years
Percentage of goodwill					100.00%
Noncash impairment of assets	1,600,000					1,200,000
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life													2 years	10 years	10 years
Impairment charges on long-lived assets	300,000
Restructuring charges	$ 2,500,000	$ 1,604,256				$ 1,200,000
Number of reportable operating segment		1