v2.4.0.6
Business Segment, Geographic And Concentration Risk Information (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 29, 2012
Jul. 01, 2011
Jun. 29, 2012
Jul. 01, 2011
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net $ 166,548 $ 146,524 $ 325,651 $ 295,358
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]        
Revenue Major Customer Percent 49.00% 58.00% 50.00% 59.00%
Customer A [Member]
        
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]        
Revenue Major Customer Percent 18.00% 19.00% 19.00% 20.00%
Customer B [Member]
        
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]        
Revenue Major Customer Percent 15.00% 17.00% 14.00% 17.00%
Customer C [Member]
        
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]        
Revenue Major Customer Percent 10.00% 14.00% 10.00% 14.00%
Customer D [Member]
        
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]        
Revenue Major Customer Percent 6.00% 8.00% 7.00% 8.00%
United States [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 84,378 61,092 166,784 126,293
Puerto Rico [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 26,681 24,651 50,221 50,832
Belgium [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 15,053 17,628 30,391 36,597
United Kingdom & Ireland [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 12,331 17,626 24,688 28,119
Rest Of World [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 28,105 25,527 53,567 53,517
Implantable Medical [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 125,366 126,415 243,183 254,515
Implantable Medical [Member] | Crm Neuromodulation [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 80,025 77,724 155,160 155,761
Implantable Medical [Member] | Vascular Access [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 12,481 10,769 24,117 21,243
Implantable Medical [Member] | Orthopaedic [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 32,860 37,922 63,906 77,511
Electrochem [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 41,182 20,109 82,468 40,843
Electrochem [Member] | Portable Medical [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 20,407 2,012 39,127 4,151
Electrochem [Member] | Energy Environmental [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net 16,879 16,016 35,249 31,858
Electrochem [Member] | Other Electrochem [Member]
        
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]        
Sales Revenue, Net $ 3,896 $ 2,081 $ 8,092 $ 4,834