Notes Payable and Credit Arrangements (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2014
Oct. 29, 2013
Dec. 31, 2013
CreditFacilities
Sep. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Credit agreement
Sep. 30, 2013
Credit agreement
Dec. 31, 2013
Credit agreement
Revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2013
Credit agreement
Ex-Im facility
Dec. 31, 2013
Credit agreement
Streamline eligible under credit facility
Sep. 30, 2013
Credit agreement
Streamline eligible under credit facility
Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts receivable
Credit agreement
Revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2013
Eligible receivables
Credit agreement
Ex-Im facility
Dec. 31, 2013
Other eligible receivables billed in foreign currency
Credit agreement
Ex-Im facility
Dec. 31, 2013
Eligible inventory
Credit agreement
Ex-Im facility
Dec. 31, 2012
Prime rate
Credit agreement
Sep. 18, 2020
N2 Biomedical LLC
Sep. 18, 2014
N2 Biomedical LLC
Dec. 31, 2013
N2 Biomedical LLC
Sep. 30, 2013
N2 Biomedical LLC
Sep. 18, 2013
N2 Biomedical LLC
Sep. 30, 2013
N2 Biomedical LLC
Revolving credit facility
Sep. 18, 2013
N2 Biomedical LLC
Credit agreement
Revolving credit facility
Sep. 18, 2013
N2 Biomedical LLC
Accounts receivable
Revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2013
N2 Biomedical LLC
Prime rate
Revolving credit facility
Sep. 30, 2013
Spire Corporation
Revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2012
Spire Corporation
Revolving credit facility
Sep. 30, 2013
Spire Corporation
Ex-Im facility
Dec. 31, 2012
Spire Corporation
Ex-Im facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]                                                          
Number of Credit Facilities     2                                                    
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity           $ 1,500,000   $ 1,000,000 $ 1,500,000                           $ 1,000,000            
Guidence Line, Capacity Available           1,500,000                                              
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date Apr. 30, 2014 Oct. 29, 2013                               Sep. 18, 2014                      
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maintaining Liquidity             1,250,000     3,500,000 2,500,000                                    
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Maintaining Cash Balance           2,500,000                                              
Line of Credit Facility, Eligible Percentage                       80.00% 90.00% 75.00% 50.00%                 75.00%          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate                               2.50%                 0.50%        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage           7.00%                         4.50%                    
Debt Instrument, Lower Interest Rate           0.50%                                              
Long-term Debt                                       5,800,000 6,000,000                
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date                                 Sep. 18, 2020                        
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum                                                 3.75%        
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding                                     438,000     438,000       107,000 449,000 38,000 141,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End                                           3.75%       6.00%   6.00%  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End                                       4.50%                  
Guidence Line, Utilized         675,000                                                
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity       $ 581,000