v3.8.0.1
Note 6 - Collaboration Agreement (Details Textual) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 19 Months Ended
Jul. 17, 2015
Feb. 29, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Jul. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2017
Jul. 17, 2015
Jul. 16, 2015
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Payments in Exchange for Services Under Collaboration Agreement $ 700                    
Amount of Binding Product Forecast Revenue 3,700                    
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Revenue Recognized     $ 15,000   $ 30,000 $ 5,000   $ 33,300      
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount, Based On Efforts And Targets $ 194,500             194,500      
Manufacturing Agreement, Percentage for Five Years 100.00%                    
Manufacturing Agreement, Percentage, Thereafter 80.00%                    
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount     $ 15,000                
Deferred Revenue $ 54,400             54,400 $ 1,700    
Collaboration Agreement Consideration, Amount               35,000      
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Allocated to Deliverables 15,000                    
Discount on Manufacturing Services   $ 4,400                  
Committee Participation Sercices Recognized   200                  
Manufacturing Services Revenues Related to Binding Forecast   2,300                  
Deferred Revenue, Current                   $ 362 $ 362
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent                   $ 3,463 $ 3,824
AUSTRALIA                      
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Revenue Recognized             $ 166,000        
ZALVISO [Member]                      
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Revenue Recognized 28,500                    
Milestone Payments Received       $ 5,000              
ZALVISO [Member] | Europe [Member]                      
Revenue Recognition, Milestone Method, Revenue Recognized 20,000                    
Based upon Net Sales Target Achievements [Member]                      
Increase (Decrease) in Milestone Payments Related to Net Sales Target (5,500)                    
Potential Milestone Payments Related to Net Sales Target 166,000               $ 171,500    
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount, Based On Efforts And Targets 166,000             166,000      
Based upon Successful Regulatory and Product Development Efforts [Member]                      
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount, Based On Efforts And Targets 28,500             28,500      
Research and Development and Demonstration Device Systems [Member]                      
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount 700             700      
Previously Delivered License [Member]                      
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount 13,200             13,200      
Research and Development and Committee Participation Services [Member]                      
Revenue Recognition Milestone Method Agreed, Additional Amount $ 500 $ 500           $ 500