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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	$ (3)	$ (3)	$ (3)	$ (5)
Other expense, net [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax	5	6	5	9
Income tax expense [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax	(2)	(3)	(2)	(4)
Net earnings before noncontrolling interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	3	3	3	5
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	$ 3	$ 3	$ 3	$ 5