Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Supplemental Equity Information Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Supplemental Equity Information (Schedule of Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Other expense, net	$ (20)	$ (17)	$ (61)	$ (248)
Income tax expense	(18)	(44)	(93)	(74)
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	238	262	757	600
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Other expense, net	3	4	3	9
Income tax expense	(1)	(2)	(1)	(4)
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 2	$ 2	$ 2	$ 5