Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,622	$ 5,501	$ 5,503
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales before special charges	1,597	1,529	1,445
Special charges	56	45	93
Total cost of sales	1,653	1,574	1,538
Gross profit	3,969	3,927	3,965
Selling, general and administrative expense	1,856	1,805	1,803
Research and development expense	692	691	676
Amortization of intangible assets	89	79	88
Special charges	181	301	298
Operating profit	1,151	1,051	1,100
Interest income	(5)	(5)	(5)
Interest expense	85	81	73
Other (income) expense	3	191	27
Other expense, net	83	267	95
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	1,068	784	1,005
Income tax expense	113	92	253
Net earnings before noncontrolling interest	955	692	752
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(47)	(31)	0
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 1,002	$ 723	$ 752
Net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.:
Basic	$ 3.52	$ 2.52	$ 2.40
Diluted	$ 3.46	$ 2.49	$ 2.39
Cash dividends declared per share:	$ 1.08	$ 1.00	$ 0.92
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	285.0	287.0	313.3
Diluted	289.7	290.6	314.8