Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,372	$ 1,338	$ 4,183	$ 4,079
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales before special charges	388	383	1,177	1,123
Special charges	24	2	51	21
Total cost of sales	412	385	1,228	1,144
Gross profit	960	953	2,955	2,935
Selling, general and administrative expense	476	452	1,464	1,409
Research and development expense	169	172	517	505
Special charges	45	16	103	118
Operating profit	270	313	871	903
Other expense, net	20	17	61	248
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	250	296	810	655
Income tax expense	18	44	93	74
Net earnings before noncontrolling interest	232	252	717	581
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(6)	(10)	(40)	(19)
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 238	$ 262	$ 757	$ 600
Net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.:
Basic	$ 0.83	$ 0.91	$ 2.66	$ 2.10
Diluted	$ 0.82	$ 0.90	$ 2.62	$ 2.08
Cash dividends declared per share:	$ 0.27	$ 0.25	$ 0.81	$ 0.75
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	285.2	287.5	284.6	285.6
Diluted	290.0	292.0	289.4	288.7