Name:	stj_PurchasedInProcessResearchAndDevelopmentIprdAndSpecialChargesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	stj_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Includes costs associated with cost of sales expenses and operating expenses that are unusual or infrequent in occurrence (such as restructuring, remediation, impairment charges and certain litigation charges).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	stj_TotalSpecialCharges
Namespace Prefix:	stj_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Charge to cost of goods sold that represents the reduction of the carrying amount of inventory, generally attributable to obsolescence or market conditions.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28360613&loc=d3e4542-108314

+ Details

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

- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the write down of long lived assets other than goodwill due to the difference between the carrying value and lower fair value.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of other expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of expenses for special or contractual termination benefits provided to current employees involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to one-time termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Special Charges (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
2011 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$ 10	$ 15
Cash payments	5
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Special charges	34	220	185
Restructuring Reserve	68	87	66
Cash payments	(51)	(152)
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Employee Termination Costs [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Severance and benefit costs	12	75
Restructuring Reserve	44	54	58
Cash payments	(22)	(79)
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Inventory Charges [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	0	0	0
Cash payments	0	0
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Fixed Asset Charges [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	0	0	0
Cash payments	0	0
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Other Restructuring [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve period expense	20	102
Restructuring Reserve	24	33	8
Cash payments	(29)	(73)
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Contract Termination [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve period expense		64
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Contract Termination [Member] \| Research agreement termination cost [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve period expense		23
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Other Costs [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve period expense		38
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Special charges	1	35
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member] \| Employee Termination Costs [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Severance and benefit costs	0	0
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member] \| Inventory Charges [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Special charges, inventory obsolescence charges	1	30
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member] \| Fixed Asset Charges [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Special charges, fixed asset impairment charges	0	0
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member] \| Other Restructuring [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve period expense	0	5
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Operating Expense [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Special charges	33	185
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Operating Expense [Member] \| Employee Termination Costs [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Severance and benefit costs	12	75
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Operating Expense [Member] \| Inventory Charges [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Special charges, inventory obsolescence charges	0	0
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Operating Expense [Member] \| Fixed Asset Charges [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Special charges, fixed asset impairment charges	1	13
2012 Business Realignment Restructuring Plan [Member] \| Operating Expense [Member] \| Other Restructuring [Member]
Purchased In-Process Research And Development (IPR&D) And Special Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve period expense	$ 20	$ 97