Quarterly Financial Data Quarterly Financial Data (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,439	$ 1,372	$ 1,448	$ 1,363	$ 1,422	$ 1,338	$ 1,403	$ 1,338	$ 5,622	$ 5,501	$ 5,503
Gross profit	1,014	960	1,015	980	992	953	1,021	961	3,969	3,927	3,965
Net earnings before noncontrolling interest	238	232	246	239	111	252	107	222	955	692	752
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 245	$ 238	$ 270	$ 249	$ 123	$ 262	$ 115	$ 223	$ 1,002	$ 723	$ 752
Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 0.86	$ 0.83	$ 0.95	$ 0.88	$ 0.42	$ 0.91	$ 0.41	$ 0.78	$ 3.52	$ 2.52	$ 2.40
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 0.84	$ 0.82	$ 0.93	$ 0.86	$ 0.42	$ 0.90	$ 0.40	$ 0.78	$ 3.46	$ 2.49	$ 2.39