Additional payment for acquisition at our company's option.

No definition available.

Name:	stj_AdditionalPaymentForAcquisitionAtCompanyOption
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete Adjustment, Total Liabilities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	stj_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentTotalLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	stj_
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity Interest, Total Ownership Percentage By All Other Investors

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	stj_EquityInterestTotalOwnershipPercentageByAllOtherInvestors
Namespace Prefix:	stj_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Equity security ownership interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	stj_EquitySecurityOwnershipInterest
Namespace Prefix:	stj_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Equity security ownership interest and allocated value for purchase option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	stj_EquitySecurityOwnershipInterestAndAllocatedValueForPurchaseOption
Namespace Prefix:	stj_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16265-109275

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For contingent consideration arrangements recognized in connection with a business combination, this element represents an estimate of the high-end of the potential range (undiscounted) of the consideration which may be paid.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of liability recognized arising from contingent consideration in a business combination.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph b

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911338&loc=d3e6819-128478

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 25

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6408-128476

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the amount of any measurement period adjustment (as defined) realized during the reporting period to equity interests acquired in connection with a business combination for which the initial accounting was incomplete.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25497992&loc=d3e1500-128463

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, that lack physical substance, having a projected indefinite period of benefit, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4845-128472

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount recognized for assets, including goodwill, in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of loss recognized by the entity as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) to assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life for purchase accounting adjustments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) from adjustments after acquisition date under purchase accounting of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 16

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21917927&loc=d3e961-128460

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- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance and having a projected indefinite period of benefit, from purchase accounting adjustments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

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- Definition

The amount of financial or other support the reporting entity has provided (explicitly or implicitly) to the Variable Interest Entity (VIE) that it was not previously contractually required to provide or that the reporting entity intends to provide, including, for example, situations in which the reporting entity assisted the VIE in obtaining another type of support.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5A

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=SL6759159-111685

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Business Combinations Business Combinations (Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended					3 Months Ended					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2012 USD ($)	Aug. 19, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2013 Spinal Modulation [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2013 Spinal Modulation [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 07, 2013 Spinal Modulation [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2013 Spinal Modulation [Member] Patented Technology [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Spinal Modulation [Member] Patented Technology [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 07, 2013 Spinal Modulation [Member] Patented Technology [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2013 Spinal Modulation [Member] In Process Research and Development [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 07, 2013 Spinal Modulation [Member] In Process Research and Development [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2013 CardioMEMS, Inc. [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2013 CardioMEMS, Inc. [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 27, 2013 CardioMEMS, Inc. [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2013 CardioMEMS, Inc. [Member] In Process Research and Development [Member] USD ($)	Feb. 27, 2013 CardioMEMS, Inc. [Member] In Process Research and Development [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2013 Endosense S.A. [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2013 Endosense S.A. [Member] CHF	Sep. 28, 2013 Endosense S.A. [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 19, 2013 Endosense S.A. [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 19, 2013 Endosense S.A. [Member] CHF	Sep. 28, 2013 Endosense S.A. [Member] Patented Technology [Member]	Aug. 19, 2013 Endosense S.A. [Member] Patented Technology [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 19, 2013 Endosense S.A. [Member] In Process Research and Development [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2013 Nanostim [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 11, 2013 Nanostim [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2013 Nanostim [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Spinal Modulation [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2013 Noncontrolling Interest [Member] CardioMEMS, Inc. [Member] USD ($)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ 171	$ 0															$ 171	160	$ 171						$ 118
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High																	165		165		150					65
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability			132																	132
Business Combination, Net Assets Acquired																				303
Business Combination, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill								7	7														20
Business Combination, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets										45	45				63	63								33
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life							12 years															7 years
Equity Security Ownership Interest And Allocated Value For Purchase Option						40								60
Equity Security Ownership Interest						19.00%								19.00%												18.00%
Additional Payment For Acquisition At Company Option						300								375
Variable Interest Entity, Financial or Other Support, Amount					15							9	28
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Loss													29
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments				35								1
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments				5								6
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments				3
Total Liabilities, Purchase Accounting Adjustments				3								2
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Equity Interests																												$ 40	$ 5
Equity Interest, Total Ownership Percentage By All Other Investors																											82.00%