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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	$ (2)	$ (3)	$ (5)	$ (8)
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	4	5	9	14
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)	(2)	(4)	(6)
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	2	3	5	8
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	$ 2	$ 3	$ 5	$ 8