Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Reclassification of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Net Earnings Statement) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 0	$ 2
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	2
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities [Member] | Other expense, net [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		3
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities [Member] | Income tax expense [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(1)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities [Member] | Net earnings before noncontrolling interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		2
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities [Member] | Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		$ 2