Fixed rate debt obligations carrying value.

No definition available.

Name:	stj_FixedRateDebtObligationsCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	stj_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fixed rate debt obligations fair value disclosure.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	stj_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value of other debt obligations (excluding fixed-rate senior notes).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	stj_OtherDebtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	stj_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents a financial instrument (as defined) for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value. Such disclosure may be for an individual financial instrument or a class of financial instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 325

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29638263&loc=d3e39828-111592

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueInputsAssetsQuantitativeInformationLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of impairment loss recognized in the period resulting from the write-down of the carrying amount of a finite-lived intangible asset to fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16373-109275

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value portion of other assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Fair Value Measurements And Financial Instruments Fair Value Measurements And Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified				3 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012 CATD [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 CATD [Member] Intangible Asset Charges [Member]	Jun. 29, 2013 Customer Relationships [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived				$ 5	$ 13
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure			4
Fair Value, Estimate Not Practicable, Cost Method Investments	100	151
Fixed rate debt obligations fair value disclosure	2,698
Fixed rate debt obligations carrying value	2,771
Other debt carrying value	$ 842