<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>371</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>272</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>53</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>001 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>002 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>003 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>004 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>005 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfChangesInStockholdersEquityDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>006 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfChangesInStockholdersEquityDeficitParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>007 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>008 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>102 - Disclosure - PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/PrincipalBusinessActivityAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>103 - Disclosure - CONVERTIBLE NOTES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/ConvertibleNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>CONVERTIBLE NOTES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1031 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentNet</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>104 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/StockholdersEquityDeficit</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1041 - Disclosure - OTHER ASSETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/OtherAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER ASSETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>105 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1051 - Disclosure - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>106 - Disclosure - NET LOSS PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/NetLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>NET LOSS PER SHARE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>107 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1071 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>202 - Disclosure - PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policy)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/PrincipalBusinessActivityAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicy</Role>
      <ShortName>PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policy)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>304 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/StockholdersEquityDeficitTables</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/BasisOfPresentationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/PrincipalBusinessActivityAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - CONVERTIBLE NOTES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/ConvertibleNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONVERTIBLE NOTES (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/StockholdersEquityDeficitNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40402 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Summary of Stock Option Activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/StockholdersEquityDeficitSummaryOfStockOptionActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Summary of Stock Option Activity) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40403 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Summary of Status of Non-Vested Options) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/StockholdersEquityDeficitSummaryOfStatusOfNonVestedOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Summary of Status of Non-Vested Options) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40404 - Disclosure - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Schedule of Warrants to Purchase Common Stock) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/StockholdersEquityDeficitScheduleOfWarrantsToPurchaseCommonStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Schedule of Warrants to Purchase Common Stock) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - NET LOSS PER SHARE (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/NetLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NET LOSS PER SHARE (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cytosorbents.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element ctso_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssuesPreferredStock had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3 4.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesConverted1 had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_EquityIssuancePerShareAmount had a mix of decimals attribute values: 1 2 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsShares had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExercisePrice had a mix of decimals attribute values: 1 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_SharesOutstanding had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 002 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2008'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2007'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2006'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2005'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2004'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2003'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2002'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2001'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2000'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 1999'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 1998'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 1997'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Jan. 21, 1997'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 003 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 004 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '11 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 1997'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2008'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2007'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2006'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2005'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2004'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2003'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2002'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2001'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2000'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 1999'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 1998'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 006 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 007 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 008 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>ctso-20121212.xml</File>
    <File>ctso-20121212.xsd</File>
    <File>ctso-20121212_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ctso-20121212_def.xml</File>
    <File>ctso-20121212_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ctso-20121212_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
